The demanding rally of Ypres on the narrow asphalt roads around the West Flemish city has been a fixture on the European rally calendar for years, with rounds in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the European Championship. Last year, thanks to a revised WRC calendar, Ypres already seemed to be able to prepare for a debut in the world championship, but due to COVID-19, the moto was still canceled.
Ypres will be in Ypres this year in August – an exact date is not yet known – after the drop-out of the Rally of Northern Ireland. Due to the corona virus, the budget of the Northern Ireland rally could not be guaranteed. “Ypres has been a popular cornerstone of the European rally for more than half a century,” said WRC promoter Jona Siebel. “It will be one of the toughest challenges and I am very happy that the WRC can finally visit Belgium.
FIA Rally Director Yves Matton added: “This is an opportunity for the Ypres Rally to come in after last year’s attempt. The event will remain true to the rally’s DNA with a route linking Ypres with Spa-Francorchamps. , two iconic places in Belgian motorsport. I’m really looking forward to it. “
Ypres will in principle be the ninth appointment on the WRC calendar 2021 between the rallies of Finland and Chile. However, it is very doubtful whether the twelve planned motos can all go ahead as planned. The second appointment in Sweden has already been canceled, but the Monte Carlo Rally will continue later this month for the time being as the opening round of the 2021 season.
