Surface specialists will be recognised in the 2014 FIA European Rally Championship through three exciting new accolades*. ERC promoter Eurosport Events revealed the creation of the ERC Asphalt, Gravel and Ice Masters. They will be handed out in honour of the drivers who perform best on those surfaces during the upcoming 2014 ERC season.
Points will be allocated on the usual 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis to the leading 10 finishers according to the final overall classification. The respective ERC Master will carry a coloured sticker on their car for the next event to signify their status. This will be displayed until they are no longer the ERC Master of their specialist surface. The three ERC Master trophies will be presented at the end-of-season awards.
- Vytautas Švedas (photo. Jānis Asaris, www.go4speed.lv)
Throughout the season the ERC Masters will enjoy coverage on the ERC website and through social media channels. Details of the ERC Masters following each round will be included in the Inside ERC programme on Eurosport. Furthermore, the respective standings will be available on the ERC website.
ERC Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said: “We are always looking to create extra buzz around each ERC event and the addition of the ERC Masters gives us that opportunity while also recognising the performances by drivers on the different surfaces encountered in the ERC.”
The ERC Ice Master will be decided on the following rallies:
01: 31 Int. Jännerrallye, Oberösterreich (Austria) 3-5 January
02: Rally Liepāja (Latvia) 31 January-2 February
03: Sibiu Rally Romania 27 February-1 March
The ERC Asphalt Master will be decided on the following rallies:
01: Circuit of Ireland Rally (United Kingdom) 17-19 April
02: Geko Ypres Rally (Belgium) 19-21 June
03: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic) 29-31 August
04: Rallye International du Valais (Switzerland) 23-25 October
05: Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse (France) 6-8 November (Subject to promoter agreement)
The ERC Gravel Master will be decided on the following rallies:
01: Acropolis Rally (Greece) 28-30 March
02: 49th SATA Rallye Açores (Portugal) 15-17 May
03: auto24 Rally Estonia (Estonia) 17-19 July
04: Cyprus Rally (Cyprus) 19-21 September
*Subject to confirmation by the FIA