IMG’s conditions for the future of the European Rallycross Championship were not acceptable for the Czech organisers at the Autodrom Česká Lípa in Sosnová.
© Petr Šulčík/rallycross.cz
Today the expression of the representative for the Czech Sosnová circuit Jan Mochan concerning the new situation in the European Rallycross Championship with the by FIA confirmed promoter IMG was forwarded to ERC24. The chances, that there will be a 2013 European round in Sosnová are almost out of question now.
Jan Mochan: “The confirmation of IMG as the new promoter of the European Rallycross Championship means to us a major change in our relation to Rallycross. Personally I think that the approval of IMG as the promoter of the ERC is a mistake. On August 28 we received an official information that our representatives will be in contact with IMG and that they prepare a contract with the FIA. Representatives of IMG visited us on September 12 and told us their vision of the future of European Rallycross, which of course is most important for us. But the organisers entry fee of €64,000 to IMG, of which 50% is due by the end of coming January, is not acceptable for us.”
“Unfortunately the Autoclub Czech Republic did not enter our competition among the major sporting events for next year. The time for to get the money is too short. My opinion is, that the new system of racing will be clearer for the spectators. But the teams will have problems with prepraring the cars, because the breaks between the heats will be too short. Another problem is the closing of the service area of the SuperCars category for the spectators. It was one of the advantages in Rallycross, that fans can speak with all the drivers and watch the mechanics at work. In the World Rally Championship for example one has to look at all from a too far away distance,” Rallycross organiser Jan Mochan said.
“The organisers, who have not signed a contract with IMG, are now planning the ‘European Rallycross Challenge’ for next year, with the same regulations as used this year. Conditions for this will be clear after the next meeting of the FIA Off-Road Commission on October 16. But I don’t know yet how many drivers will have an interest in this,” Mochan concluded.
