2010 Euro Rally Challenge

Five alluring rallies in three countries: The ERC begins!

Posted: February 3, 2010 6:19 PM

For the third consecutive year renowned rally drivers from all over Europe are coming together to take on the most challenging rally stages in Europe has to offer…. In other words The Euro Rally Challenge commences again! This year competitors will race twice in Belgium, twice in Germany and once in the Netherlands. The calendar has been prepared to allow teams to drive their national championships as well as compete in the ERC and registration has officially opened.

A tumultuous 2009: Economic recession and the coordinator on the scrapheap.
On the 9th of January 2010, cup coordinator Bart Hissink ordained the ERC Champions for 2009. Erik Wevers and navigator Jalmar van Weeren (Ford Focus WRC) were overall champions and in Group A. The Danish teams Michael Pederson/ Mie Petersen (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) triumphed in Group N and in Group R it was Martin Knudsen (Honda Civic Type R) who took the honors. It was a tumultuous season that got off to a bad start even before it began. In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2009 season the cancellations starting coming in from teams that could not raise their budgets as well as various other reason such as Anton Werner (Porsche GT3) who broke his back. Kuzaj and Korda couldn’t meet their obligations and then the coordinator Bart Hissink was involved in a serious crash during the Sezoens rally which put him out of the game for the rest of the year.

Hissink: “It is my job to maintain contact with all of the organizations and ensure that all of our participants are standing on the start line of every rally. Unfortunately, the recession ensured that the number of competing teams dwindled considerably. Furthermore, in August it became apparent that the organization of the KDAK rally, which would have been driven in Denmark in September, could not properly comply with the regulations. Last year we had six countries on our calendar. This year we have decided to go back to basics and will compete in three countries.”

Calendar 2010: Twice in Belgium, twice in Germany and once in the Netherlands
The ERC has conditions and regulations that participating rallies have to comply with. They have to finish on a Saturday so that competitors can celebrate together with a party on Saturday evening and make their way home on Sunday. As well, the rallies cannot conflict with the national rally calendars of all participants, ensuring that teams can compete in their own national championships as well as the ERC. Furthermore, the service areas have to be large enough to accommodate all of the participants and their trucks in the same area. Lastly, the organization has to allow the participation of all groups including WRC’s and GT’s.

Hissink:”We had applications from organizations from all throughout Europe. We have been busy compiling the wishes of the competitors and discussing these with the various organizations and are pleased to present the final rally calendar for 2010. We begin in April with a new event for the ERC: the TAC Rally in Tielt. A few weeks later we will again return to Belgium for the Sezoens Rally. In June the German program begins with the Thueringen Rally and the highlight of the calendar will take place there a month later as Armin Schwarz has invited the ERC to participate in the start of the spectacular Baja 300 Powerdays. The exact date and location have not yet been released but will be made official in a few weeks time during a press conference. After the summer vacation in August, the last event on the calendar will be driven in September in the Netherlands; the Hellendoorn Rally.”

Competitor 2010: The Registration is officially open!
Naturally Erik Wevers and Mark van Eldik are at the top of the list with their WRC’s. Also other prominent drivers such as Pedersen, Hesse, and Depping are all very enthusiastic about starting the new season but are still working on their budgets. Furthermore, Hissink has had enquiries from top drivers all over Europe and the ERC shall also be playing host to a number of special guest drivers whom will drive a few rallies under the ERC flag.

“Now that our calendar is official, competitors have the opportunity to decide if the ERC rallies fit in with their budgets and planning for the coming season. We will be regularly updating the participants list on the website. I would like to again emphasize that WRC’s and GT’s are most welcome to join the championship. Registration closes in April so there is still plenty of time for more teams to enter but the list already contains a number of very interesting names” commented Hissink .

The major benefits of the Euro Rally Challenge

- Five rallies in three different countries
- Calendar doesn’t conflict with national championships
- All groups are welcome: Group A. including WRC and S2000, Group N,H,R, and GT
- Classifications are per group
- 300 euro registration fee, refundable by participation in all events
- Finish is always on Saturday with ERC party in the evening
- Strong starting field
- Strong competition on the stages , and camaraderie on the service terrain
- Big of season party

Championship Rounds

Posted: February 3, 2010 6:12 PM

1. TAC Rally Tielt (Belgium) - 9-10 April 2010
2. Sezoens Rally Bocholt (Belgium) - 21-22 May 2010
3. Thueringen Rally Possneck (Germany) - 18-19 June 2010
4. Baja 300 Powerdays Tba (Germany) - Tba 2010
5. Hellendoorn Rally Hellendoorn (Netherlands) - 17-18 September 2010

Euro Rally Challenge