Junior WRC 2022

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FE6H36pXwAIvqjW?format=jpg&name=large

[Sulland]

Do all 5 rallies count, or can they strike off the worst result for one rally?

[Andre Oliveira]

All and double points in last one.

[AndyRAC]

Double points. Why? If it's double the distance, then fine otherwise it's not. And I wish they wouldn't do this. It's skewing a series in favour of a final round showdown, like a Game 7 in US sports.

[Andre Oliveira]

There it is in past years allready.

[denkimi]

I assume they do it to make it harder for anyone to secure the title before greece.

[ouvreur]

Two reasons that I can see.

First, every year, the last round of JWRC / DDFT / WRC Academy / whatever it's called has less participants in the last round than the first. In some cases, dramatically so - it's been half, or even less in the days of Citroen DS3 R3s. Giving an incentive to keep going should hopefully mean more than four or five cars contesting the last round. You're more likely to spend the money to go to Greece if there's a chance of achieving something.

Second, for me, it's a fairer way of compensating for a bad round. I'm not a huge fan of dropped scores - too often it can reward mediocrity, with faster but less experienced or consistent drivers losing out. You can make the argument 'rallying isn't just about being fast' (and it's one I do subscribe to) but at this level, it's surely just about proving your pace, before learning the rest of the craft. So, by giving a fast driver the chance to make up for a bad score, by going like hell and winning the last round for double points, I think it makes more sense.

[AnttiL]

Greece is maybe a bad rally to give double points if it's puncture lottery.

[WRCStan]

So by this time next year we'll be celebrating two Junior Champions. One who is Junior World Rally Champion, the other WRC2 Junior Champion (who has been driving a faster car and done more rounds facing more competition).

[Co-driven]

Do all 5 rallies count, or can they strike off the worst result for one rally?

And there are also points for every stage win.

[Andre Oliveira]

So by this time next year we'll be celebrating two Junior Champions. One who is Junior World Rally Champion, the other WRC2 Junior Champion (who has been driving a faster car and done more rounds facing more competition).

And WRC3 Junior.

[rp]

What a shame that Greece is the last round! It´s pure lottery who will get double points... :(

[Sulland]

How support classes are run in 22.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc2/wrc-support-series-how-they-will-look-in-2022/ (https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc2/wrc-support-series-how-they-will-look-in-2022/)

[Andre Oliveira]

WRC3 Open with all Rally3
WRC3 Junior with all Rally3 junior
JWRC with Fiesta Rally3 registered series

[WRCStan]

That's better. I struggle to understand this, "As a result" surely means it has relevance:


"As a result (of the M-Sport run JWRC moving to Rally3), the Junior WRC3 Championship will form the WRC3 Junior section of the FIA Rally Sporting Pyramid from 2022 in parallel to the WRC3 Open category." https://mailchi.mp/fia/jja3q9igfw-6472580-p8on12pmcg-6491707

I read that as JWRC = WRC3 Junior, it's a pointless statement to make otherwise. Besides, if what you say holds Andre, JWRC name should be a cup now, IMHO. Especially in these early days where everybody is driving a Fiesta anyway. Under FIA statements JWRC (or WRC Junior) should be for any car just like the regionals, including Rally1. But that's ruled out in the above wrc.com article.

[Sulland]

Have tried to clarifiy a bit



WRC3 Open for all Rally3 cars and drivers.
WRC3 Junior for all Rally3 cars and drivers under 29 years of age.
JWRC is only for Fiesta Rally3 cars, and drivers that has payed for the series.

[Mirek]

WRC3 Open with all Rally3
WRC3 Junior with all Rally3 junior
JWRC with Fiesta Rally3 registered series

Too little. I think we need at least two more championshis for our plentiful Rally3 manufacturers...

[WRCStan]

Have tried to clarifiy a bit

I like everything about this but the JWRC name. Consider that Junior WRC entrants will also be included in WRC3 Junior, so the Junior World Rally Champion may be beaten by the WRC3 Junior Champion in WRC3 Junior or the Junior World Rally Champion may also be WRC3 Junior Champion simultaneously. Then consider the chance the Junior World Rally Champion could be WRC3 Junior Champion and WRC3 Open Champion. Then the possibility of this champion being the Open World Rally Champion! We can safely say that won't happen with the Junior World Rally Championship restricted to Rally3, despite what the FIA say about corresponding numbers of championships and cars.

Jeez, call it M-Sport Academy or scrap the age limits and expand the a&d appeal but don't leave it at JWRC. Don't even call it a championship.

[Sulland]

Too little. I think we need at least two more championshis for our plentiful Rally3 manufacturers...

Agree that in 22 this in overkill, but hopefully we will have a couple of new makes representented in 23, and then the scheme makes more sense!

WRC3 Sr/Masters
WRC3 Junior
and MSport JWRC

But are some of these scoring points for all stages for stage wins as well?

[NoFear85]

Someone know the fee/price of the season in JWRC?

[jcevc]

Someone know the fee/price of the season in JWRC?

If I remember correct it is 200.000€ for 5 rallys, price rises up from 150.000€ for Rally4.

[rp]

If I remember correct it is 200.000€ for 5 rallys, price rises up from 150.000€ for Rally4.

It will be a miracle if there is more than 8 entrants like this year and only 6 completed the whole season.

[Sulland]

Read that MSport have reserved 10 cars for JWRC in 2022.
Not sure if that really means that 10 crews have signed up for the series, or that they are just reserved.

When is it planned to present the 22 JWRC gang?

https://www.emotorsport.se/nyheter.php?in=2&nyhets_id=21235

[AnttiL]

Read that MSport have reserved 10 cars for JWRC in 2022.
Not sure if that really means that 10 crews have signed up for the series, or that they are just reserved.

When is it planned to present the 22 JWRC gang?

https://www.emotorsport.se/nyheter.php?in=2&nyhets_id=21235

Well, likely not until the first JWRC (Junior WRC3) event. Everyone has still time to gather budget until that.

[pantealex]

Read that MSport have reserved 10 cars for JWRC in 2022.
Not sure if that really means that 10 crews have signed up for the series, or that they are just reserved.

When is it planned to present the 22 JWRC gang?

https://www.emotorsport.se/nyheter.php?in=2&nyhets_id=21235

Entry for Sweden closes next Monday, 24th day...

after that you could hear something...

so I would say: beginning of February they will give names out.

[Sulland]

Who do you tip for the top 3 positions in Sweden in JWRC?

[tommeke_B]

My bet would be Pajari, Armstrong, Joona.

[rp]

Pajari is fighting with Joona, but Sami will win.

[pantealex]

My bet would be Pajari, Armstrong, Joona.

+ Virves is also faster than all others

[Danny0405]

+ Virves is also faster than all others

With Franceschi out for Sweden, clearly the 3 others (Kumathi, Creighton and the Greek) seem clearly behind.

Pajari is probably favorite for me, all the more with his Rally3 drive in MC.

[macebig]

Greek media report that Panagiotis Roustemis has tested positive for covid, so he's out of Rally Sweden.

[Andre Oliveira]

I think it is out of budget.

Btw, any news about Franceschi start? Dirtfish deleted the news of dns.

[Sulland]

I think it is out of budget.

Btw, any news about Franceschi start? Dirtfish deleted the news of dns.

He is still on the most current entrylist on Rally Swedens site, even if it is from 28 jan.
https://storage.googleapis.com/download/storage/v1/b/sportity-storage/o/d900561e-df77-49e6-a33b-015cad4e1ded%2Ff14868b4-1cb8-473e-a612-ebc8357e3b5e_Entry%20List.pdf?generation=164338962 2062576&alt=media

Ha has had a tough tiem since his crash at De Var, but is ready to rally again as far as I know. Not sure how quick he is on snow.

[br21]

6 cars only, no Panagotis and JB

[wyler]

franceschi is on the list in case of surprisingly early green light from doctors, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[pantealex]

Franceschi with "only left hand" should be faster in Sweden than Greek and Kenya driver + some will probably do "super rally" so even only 30% fit he should start and collect valuable points.

(I understand that Doctors have last word)

[pantealex]

6 cars only, no Panagotis and JB

This is now confirmed in FIA preview

[AnttiL]

Franceschi also removed from amended entry list

[Sulland]

My tip

1. Pajari
2. Armstrong
3. Joona

[Sulland]

Close race in juniors as well!
https://rally-base.com/2022/rally-sweden-2022/?ssId=6674&cupId=333&ssGroupId=1
Armstrong and Joona were the two only drivers without issues during the rally. Armstrong came well at the end and passed Joona. Exiting rally from them, same as in WRC2.

Our African friend McRae, still need some training on ice, but enjoyed the experience!

[PLuto]

Franceschi also removed from amended entry list

Some words regarding absence of JB Franceschi - https://www.fiaerc.com/why-the-world-will-have-to-wait-for-erc-junior-champion-franceschi/

[Sulland]

Has Franceschi had some testing in the Rally3 car before Croatia?

[PLuto]

Has Franceschi had some testing in the Rally3 car before Croatia?

Not so much. He was happy to be back in a rally car.

[dupanton]

He had a very big crash in Rallye du Var in november and wasn't able to drive much untill recently.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://scontent.fopo4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/281328526_5684575348238512_5443047685474201990_n.j pg?stp=cp0_dst-jpg_e15_fr_q65&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-6&_nc_sid=5bac3a&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=JL0_zeKj3ZEAX_JnUzI&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo4-1.fna&oh=00_AT8WvVGNWGGArWxJnnzIJ_pUWwK__4ctk3OUDRbIEARV iA&oe=62890111

[Danny0405]

What is the source pls?
really surprising if confirmed because withdrawing prize drives when you had budget issues in your career is not something usual. All the more than the championship is quite open and the last round counts double. His first stints for a return were not that bad.

Maybe he has a deal with M-Sport to report the remaining drives for next year?
Or maybe (I hope not for sure) the consequences of his injury are bigger than expected?

[Andre Oliveira]

JWRC official press-release

[Sulland]

Has it always been like that the juniors and Full WRC3 drivers have to start behind the locals driving in a RC2 car?

Does not make sense in my opinion.

[WRCStan]

Has it always been like that the juniors and Full WRC3 drivers have to start behind the locals driving in a RC2 car?

Does not make sense in my opinion.

It's not like this unless the locals are in WRC2. Currently 40+ WRC2 entries in Portugal.

[pantealex]

Has it always been like that the juniors and Full WRC3 drivers have to start behind the locals driving in a RC2 car?

Does not make sense in my opinion.

WRC2 starts before WRC3.

and other RC2 drivers after WRC3.

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220718/3a0b99417824d4d0e3e4d8dc9e46a0ed.jpg

[Danny0405]

After Virves’ title, who will we have in Junior WRC next year?
In the current drivers:
- Virves will go WRC-2 for sure
- Pajari is also as good as sure in WRC-2
- Joona has won WRC-3 Open and sounds to want to go to Rally2 according to interviews
- Armstrong closes his budget very late this season, will he be able to do it again after a second defeat in a row?
- Creighton did a Rally2 drive in Spain but it was a prize drive.
- No new about McRae Kimathi ... but he loses the Africa Junior title this year to Hamza Anwar.

Among the new drivers:
- Laurent Pellier will be there as ERC4 Junior champion (and will have full 5-round program according to promoter instead of 4-round prize program)
- Max McRae, nephew of Colin, is interested
- Toni Herranen is also interested

Let’s hope more than the 6 regulars of this year but quite skeptical is the prize driver is still so low.
Maybe it would be a good learning for the 3 young Japanese hired by Toyota this year; well for sure, it’s complicated for Toyota to register their drivers in a M-Sport category but facing drivers such as Pellier and making WRC rounds is a good challenge.

[AnttiL]

Roope Korhonen made a deal with Rautio about doing WRC3 rounds, but not sure if that means JWRC or not

[becher]

I thought this was Armstrongs last year because he is to old.

[Andre Oliveira]

At least in 2024 we will have the 4 FIA Rally Start finalists.

[Hartusvuori]

Roope Korhonen made a deal with Rautio about doing WRC3 rounds, but not sure if that means JWRC or not

On that news article, only WRC3 was mentioned. That would give freedom to the choice of events, too. Let's see how it turns out.

[pantealex]

On that news article, only WRC3 was mentioned. That would give freedom to the choice of events, too. Let's see how it turns out.

and for WRC3 you can use your own car and setup