The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has confirmed the 12 round World Rally Championship calendar for the 2009 season.

The new calendar is the first to be organised around the FIA’s two year rotation system and features a number of changes to this year’s 15 round season.

Returning to the WRC after at least a year away are the rallies in Norway, Cyprus, Portugal and Australia, while Rally Poland joins as a brand new event. Absent next year are the rounds in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico, Jordan, Turkey, Germany, New Zealand, France (Tour de Corse) and Japan.

Only two of next year’s rallies - Rally Ireland and Rally de Espana - will be contested on asphalt, compared to four this season.

The number of mandatory events for a Manufacturer Team, (or ‘M2 team’ - such as the Munchi’s VK M-Sport squad) has been reduced to eight, reflecting the reduction in the number of calendar events.

The WMSC also expressed concern at the apparent potential increase in the cost of a World Rally car and has instructed the WRC Commission to review the proposed 2010 technical regulations, in order to ensure that the original decision to use no more than a removable, bolt-on kit to change a Super 2000 or Group N car into a World Rally car is maintained.

2009 FIA World Rally Championship

2009 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship

2009 FIA Junior World Rally Championship