ERC what's new for 2024: The rules

Road order decided by Qualifying Stage times: Rather than selecting their road order for leg one, the eligible drivers start asphalt-based ERC rounds according to the results of the Qualifying Stage. For gravel events, the starting order is a reverse of the Qualifying Stage classification. The Start Order Selection event no longer takes place.   

Intervals adjusted: All ERC1 crews start at two-minute intervals on leg one of an event with the top 15 starting two minutes apart on the subsequent leg with all other cars running at one- minute intervals. To assist the live streaming of the Qualifying Stage, the gap between each car is increased to two minutes on asphalt events, which is the same interval time as on gravel events.

Longer Power Stage regroup time: The regroup time prior to the Power Stage has been increased from 40 to 50 minutes to allow for the possibility for the leading FIA Junior ERC crews to run first on the road as part of efforts to further increase the championship’s visibility and profile.   

Tweaks to Teams’ championship: To make the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams easier to follow and understand, and for clarification purposes, any ERC registered driver will be eligible to score Teams’ points regardless of the ERC category they contest.

Tyre time: The FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers recognises and incentivises tyre company participation in the ERC with each nominated tyre supplier able to score points, with the two best placed ERC-registered Rally2 cars fitted with its tyres in the final classification of each rally.  

Fiesta fun: ERC promoter WRC Promoter GmbH has introduced the Fiesta Rally3 Trophy through an alliance with car builder M-Sport Poland.  

More time for recces possible: Events continue to run over four days from the start of reconnaissance to the finish of the Power Stage. However, event organisers can apply to the FIA for a waiver to schedule an additional day of stage reconnaissance.   

The city of Veszprém hosts the ERC season-opening V Rally Hungary from 12 - 14 April.