Rally China cancelled due to weather damage

The FIA and WRC Promoter have received a formal request to cancel next month’s Rally China (8 - 11 September), round 10 of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF) and event organiser Le Sports cited heavy damage to the route caused by torrential storms and flooding last month in the region around Huairou, near Beijing, where the rally was to be staged.

Despite a last minute visit to China last week by representatives from the FIA and WRC Promoter, and the best efforts by all concerned, it was said to be impossible to affect the necessary repairs for the event to run safely.

According to CAMF and Le Sports the adverse weather left sections of the route to be used as special stages requiring major repair work which the region’s Road Administration Authority confirmed could not be completed before reconnaissance for the rally was due to start.

Some of the worst floods in China for many years forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the north of the country, prompting authorities to introduce emergency measures in the region, which continue.

The rally will not be replaced in this year’s FIA World Rally Championship, which will now comprise 13 rounds.