Rally Germany has become the latest World Rally Championship round to be cancelled, while Rally Italy is moving three weeks earlier to avoid clashing with Formula 1’s Imola race.
The Bostalsee-based Tarmac event in south-west Germany becomes the latest WRC casualty of the COVID-19 outbreak and joins Argentina, Portugal, Finland, Kenya, New Zealand, Wales Rally GB and Japan on the sidelines.
The German event was scheduled to run in October and be round six on a revised schedule but bosses have decided against running it due to ongoing regional government restrictions that prohibit mass gatherings of more than 350 people.
Having been introduced to the series back in 2002, this will only be the second time since then that the rally has not featured.
As part of the latest in a series of enforced calendar changes, which had already led to the introduction of new events in the shape of Rally Estonia and Rally Ypres, Rally Italy will now run from 8-11 October.
The WRC promoter says the switch avoids a date clash with Formula 1’s Imola race.
It is also felt that by bringing the gravel counter forward, the chances of warmer, more settled weather on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia will be improved. Another notable benefit is additional daylight hours.
Angelo Sticchi Damiani – president of Automobile Club d’Italia – said: “In ACI we have worked hard to redefine the new dates for the 2020 Rally Italia Sardegna.
“It has not been easy to find the right days which could put together the needs of all stakeholders and could work well for the region of Sardinia.
“In this very difficult year ACI has wanted, as already shown with the Formula 1 GPs in Monza, Mugello and Imola, to protect national and international motorsport by confirming also our competition.
“I personally thank the region of Sardinia for their absolute support to make all this happen.”
The WRC season is set to resume in Estonia next week, five months after the series was brought to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Six-time champion Sebastien Ogier currently tops the standings on 62 points, eight clear of Toyota team-mate Welshman Elfyn Evans.