FIA sets twinning rules for WRC

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has announced the 2006 World Rally Championship rounds on which cars must use the same engine, chassis and gearbox during the 2006 season. The move represents an expansion of experimental twinning arrangements used during the 2005 season.

This year rallies were all twinned as far as the use of engines was concerned, so one engine was sealed for two rallies. Chassis were also sealed to ensure the same one was used on the rounds in France and Spain. The WMSC, meeting in Monaco today decided on changes to the scheme to extend the number of rallies in which the same chassis must be used and to include gearboxes in the arrangements.

Five pairs of rallies have been nominated in which both engine and chassis will be sealed. Three pairs of rallies have been nominated in which the gearbox and differential assemblies will be sealed, allowing two assemblies to be nominated for the first of the twinned events and one for the second.

The twinned events for engine and chassis are: Monte Carlo and Sweden; Spain and France; Italy and Greece; Germany and Finland; Australia and New Zealand. The three 'gearbox twins' are: Italy and Greece; Cyprus and Turkey; Australia and New Zealand. Rallies not included in the arrangements are Mexico; Argentina; Greece and the final round in Great Britain.

The WMSC also confirmed that the date of the New Zealand round has been changed to November 17-19, and that Rally Argentina has been added to the Junior World Rally Championship calendar.