Citroën Xsara WRC Era (1999–2005)
The third oldest FIA world championship, inaugurated in 1973.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is an international rallying series owned and governed by the FIA. Inaugurated in 1973, it is the third oldest FIA world championship (after Karting World Championship and Formula One).
Quick Facts
- First wrc season
- 1999 (factory development entry), 2001 (full factory)
Lore & Background
The World Rally Championship was formed from well-known international rallies, nine of which were previously part of the International Championship for Manufacturers (IMC), which was contested from 1970 to 1972. The 1973 World Rally Championship was the inaugural season of the WRC and began with the Monte Carlo Rally on 19 January.
Reader's Guide
Separate championship titles are awarded to drivers, co-drivers and manufacturers. There are also two support championships, WRC2 and WRC3, which are contested on the same events and stages as the WRC, but with progressively lower maximum performance and running costs of the cars permitted. Junior WRC is also contested by younger drivers on five events of the World Rally Championship calendar.
Did You Know?
- The first drivers' world championship was not awarded until 1979.
- Alpine-Renault won the first manufacturer's world championship with its Alpine A110 in 1973.
- The Lancia Stratos HF was the first car designed and manufactured specifically for rallying.
More in WRC History & Eras
Elsewhere in World Rally Championship
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