As the 70th-anniversary ERC season draws to a close, this is what the calendar for 2024 means from an historical perspective.
Hungary for starters
While Rally Hungary has hosted the ERC finale on two previous occasions, including last month, next year will mark the first time it has formed the opening round of the European championship.
Canarias can for Junior ERC
After missing out on an FIA Junior ERC calendar slot in 2023, Rally Islas Canarias as back on the Hankook-equipped championship’s schedule for 2024.
Scandinavia gets closer to the past
Prior to BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia joining the ERC in 2023, the South Swedish Rally was a regular on the European calendar until 2003 when it traditionally occupied a late May date. With the second running of the Karlstad event scheduled for 13 - 15 June, history is close to being repeated.
The waiting will soon be over in Estonia
When Rally Estonia hosts round four of the new ERC season from 5 - 7 July, it will have been seven years, 11 months and 18 days since the event first appeared on the European calendar.
It’s great to be eight in Rome
Next July’s Rally di Roma Capitale will be the eighth time the event has appeared on the ERC schedule with Europe’s best tackling the all-asphalt contest for the first time in 2017. That was when Bryan Bouffier beat Kajetan Kajetanowicz to the victory by 0.3sec in a thrilling finish.
Forty years and counting for Zlín
The 2024 edition of Barum Czech Rally Zlín will mark the event’s 40th anniversary as a round ERC. The Tarmac-only contest is set to take place from 16 - 18 August.
Comeback in Ceredigion
Not since 1996 has a rally in Wales tested Europe’s elite. That will change next August when Rali Ceredigion joins the ERC roster for an all-asphalt adventure.
Tarmac rallying Polish-style returns
The inclusion of Rally Silesia on the European championship calendar for 2024 brings Polish asphalt action to the ERC for the first time since 2017 when Rally Rzeszów was a round of the championship (pictured above).
Finland
Italy
Hungary