WRC3

History

In 2013, the Production World Rally Championship was dropped and WRC-3 took its place. This new series used two-wheel-drive production cars from the R1, R2, and R3 classes, which were part of the Group R regulations. Drivers and teams could enter any round of the World Rally Championship, but had to pick up to six events to score points, with the best five results counting. From 2017, they nominated seven rounds, and the six best scores were used. The FIA ended WRC-3 in 2018, making all WRC championships four-wheel-drive except for Junior WRC. In 2019, two support championships using Group Rally2 cars were introduced: WRC 2 Pro for professional crews and manufacturers, and WRC 2 for privateers. This setup caused confusion, as customer drivers appeared in WRC 2 Pro while manufacturer teams unofficially backed WRC 2 entries. The categories were renamed in 2020, reviving the WRC3 name. Now, professional crews competed in WRC2, while privateers raced in WRC3, where teams were not allowed to enter. Stricter eligibility rules in 2021 clarified the split between professional and privateer. In March 2021, the FIA announced that from 2022, WRC3 would be based on Group Rally3 cars, with Open and Junior category titles, plus team championships. For 2023, these were reduced to a single WRC3 title for drivers and co-drivers, with no team awards. The 2022 WRC3 Junior category was actually Junior WRC, an arrive-and-drive format run by M-Sport. Crews born on or after 1 January 1993 could register and contest up to five rallies chosen by M-Sport, driving provided Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars. This category was replaced in 2023 by the revived FIA Junior WRC.