The Intercontinental Rally Challenge 2012
Everything you need to know, plus the season as it happens...

What is the Intercontinental Rally Challenge?

First held in 2006, the IRC is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting rally championships in the world. The philosophy behind the series is to provide a thrilling spectacle in a wide variety of countries at an acceptable cost. The series is organised and promoted by Eurosport Events, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurosport.


What kind of drivers and cars can enter the IRC?

Any driver in an eligible car made by any IRC-registered manufacturer can compete in the series. The eligible cars have to fall into one of the following categories:
- Super 2000 and Group N
- Group A up to class A7 (2000cc).


How does the points system work?

Before every rally, a list of the IRC-eligible competitors is drawn up. At the finish, points are allocated to those drivers using the standard FIA system (i.e. 25 points for 1st place down to 1 point for 10th place). The manufacturer points are also allocated using the standard FIA system. The highest-placed two cars from each manufacturer will be eligible to score points. This also applies to the IRC 2WD Cup. A driver can pick and choose the events he or she would like to do and still score points.


Where does the IRC go?

The 2012 calendar has been chosen to provide a mix of classic events (such as Ypres and Sanremo) with innovative new rallies. With a roughly even mix of gravel and asphalt, the IRC presents rallying at its spectacular best.


Who watches the IRC?

Eurosport – Europe’s largest TV channel – broadcasts extensive coverage from every round, including several live shows. In 2011, it will reach 115 million homes and 240 million viewers in 59 countries across the world.

Driver

  1. 1.Andreas Mikkelsen

  2. 2.Jan Kopecky

  3. 3.Juho Hanninen

  4. 4.Sepp Weigand

  5. 5.Bryan Bouffier

  6. 6.Dani Sordo

2012 IRC Championship Standings

Manufacturer

1. ŠKODA

2. Peugeot

3. Renault

  1. 4.Subaru

  2. 5.M-Sport

  3. 6.Honda

2012 IRC Championship Calendar

Points

71

58

43

34

27

25

Points

166

102

37

28

24

18

1      23-25 February

2      15-17 March

3      6-7 April

4      11-12 May

5      14-16 June

6      21-23 June

7      6-7 July

8      20-22 July

9      31 Aug - 2 September

10    15-16 September

11    29-30 September

12    12-13 October

13    2-3 November

              

Sata Rallye Açores (gravel)

Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés (asphalt)

Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally (asphalt)

Tour de Corse (asphalt)

Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia

GEKO Ypres Rally (Belgium, asphalt)

Rally San Marino (gravel)

Sibiu Rally Romania (gravel)

Barum Czech Rally Zlín (asphalt)

Prime Yalta Rally (Ukraine, asphalt)

Rally Sliven (Bulgaria, asphalt)

Rallye Sanremo (Italy, asphalt)

Cyprus Rally (gravel/asphalt)

              

Andreas Mikkelsen

Jan Kopecky

Juho Hanninen

Dani Sordo      

1st

2nd              

2nd

5th

RD

Date

Event

Winner

ŠKODA UK Motorsport result