H ΟΜΑΕ παρέλαβε σήμερα 6/5/2015 από την FIA επιστολή με το εξής περιεχόμενο:

«Σας γνωρίζουμε πως η Εθνική Αθλητική Αρχή (ASN) στην Ελλάδα ζήτησε την πλήρη εκχώρηση της Αθλητικής Εξουσίας (Sporting Power) υπέρ της ΟΜΑΕ για το 2015, σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 5α του καταστατικού της FIA.
Ως εκ τούτου το θέμα αυτό θα υποβληθεί προς επικύρωση στο Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Μηχανοκίνητου Αθλητισμού κατά την επόμενη συνεδρίασή του, η οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί στο Μεξικό στις 10 Ιουλίου 2015.
Παρακαλώ μην διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε μαζί μας, για οποιαδήποτε διευκρίνηση.»

Η Ομοσπονδία μας αποδέχεται με χαρά την πρόκληση και δεσμεύεται πως θα προσπαθήσει πάση δυνάμει να εκπληρώσει τις υποχρεώσεις της χώρας όσον αφορά στις διεθνείς διοργανώσεις που έχουν αναληφθεί, και όχι μόνο.

Ειδικά για το Ράλλυ Ακρόπολις του 2015 (Rally of Greece) το οποίο συμπεριλαμβάνεται στο ημερολόγιο του Ευρωπαϊκού Πρωταθλήματος Ράλλυ (ERC) της φετινής χρονιάς, η ΟΜΑΕ θα προσπαθήσει στον ελάχιστο χρόνο που απομένει και υπό τις πολύ αντίξοες οικονομικές συνθήκες της χώρας αυτή την περίοδο, να αντεπεξέλθει στην πρόκληση. Ευελπιστούμε στη στήριξη από την πλευρά της Πολιτείας και ειδικότερα από το Υπουργείο Οικονομίας, Υποδομών, Ναυτιλίας & Τουρισμού, το Υπουργείο Παιδείας, Πολιτισμού, Θρησκευμάτων & Αθλητισμού και τη Γ.Γ. Αθλητισμού.

Παράλληλα η παρούσα ανακοίνωση θέλουμε να πιστεύουμε πως θα αποτελέσει και μια άτυπη πρόσκληση ενδιαφέροντος προς υποψήφιους προμότερ και χορηγούς που θα ήθελαν να εμπλακούν και να συνδράμουν στη διοργάνωση.

Αξίζει πάντως να σημειωθεί πως όλα τα Σωματεία-Μέλη της Ομοσπονδίας δεσμευτήκαν ήδη πως θα υποστηρίξουν τον Εθνικό μας Αγώνα παρέχοντας εθελοντικά τα απαραίτητα στελέχη για τη διοργάνωσή του, μετά από παμψηφεί απόφαση της Γενικής Συνέλευσης που πραγματοποιήθηκε στις 22 Απριλίου 2015.

Σημειώνουμε επίσης την αναμφίβολα καθυστερημένη, αλλά εν τέλει θετική ανταπόκριση της ΕΛΠΑ για την διευκόλυνση των διαδικασιών σε διεθνές επίπεδο. Ελπίζουμε αυτή η τουλάχιστον 5μηνη καθυστέρηση να μην αποτελέσει τροχοπέδη της όλη προσπάθειας.

Αναμένουμε τις προτάσεις όλων των φορέων και προσδοκούμε το καλύτερο, για την μέσω των διεθνών διοργανώσεων προβολή της χώρας.

NEW FORD FIESTA RS WRC DEBUTS AT NEW RALLY DE PORTUGAL



M-Sport's EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta RS WRC has undergone the biggest evolution since its creation and is ready to make its debut on the stages of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

M-Sport's team of world-class technicians have built five new cars at the company's Dovenby Hall base in Cumbria – ready to take on the world in the hands of Elfyn Evans, Ott Tänak, Martin Prokop, Lorenzo Bertelli and Robert Kubica.

Development on the new-evolution Fiesta RS WRC began in earnest last year with a vigorous testing regime covering more than 5,000 kilometres – eclipsing the test mileage of any other M-Sport developed car prior to its debut.

The 2015 edition may look much the same from the outside, but it's a different story under the bonnet. Key to the new development is a completely new engine which delivers more power as well as a substantial increase in torque.

For the first time, the entire engine block was designed in-house by M-Sport's team of designers and engineers. With technical support from Ford, it has been machined from a solid block of aluminium and exemplifies M-Sport's engineering expertise which continues to grow from strength to strength.

In addition to the exciting new engine, the car has undergone a full redesign under the bonnet with further developments to the cooling package, transmission, electronics, wiring harness and differentials.

The team are relishing the opportunity to put the car through its biggest test yet – next week's Rally de Portugal – and what better way to debut a new car than at a new event?

For the first time since 2001, Rally de Portugal is returning to the north of the country; and tens of thousands of passionate rally fans are expected to support their favourite drivers on what are set to be some of the most popular stages of the year.

New for all competitors, the route offers a huge challenge and M-Sport World Rally Team's Evans and Tänak will be hoping the new-evolution Fiesta RS WRC sees them well placed for the trials ahead.

Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt have enjoyed a strong start to the season – holding fourth place in the standings and securing their maiden podium at last month's Rally Argentina. The young Welshman has something of a score to settle at Rally de Portugal, but a change of location combined with a new car could provide him with an opportunity to do just that.

Keen to develop his skills further, Evans will be looking to secure another solid result as he prepares to fight for the podium more regularly in the second half of the season.

By comparison, Tänak's start to the season has been marred by misfortune but he and co-driver Raigo Mõlder have good form when it comes to the Portuguese fixture.

The pairing were running as high as second overall at the event last year and the move north should not daunt the duo who finished a strong second at last year's Fafe Rally Sprint – missing out on victory by a mere 0.5 seconds.

Tänak has been particularly excited about the arrival of the new Fiesta RS WRC and will be keen for a turn of fortune next week.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:

"This is the biggest upgrade the Fiesta RS WRC has ever seen and it's something that we are all immensely proud of. The car may look much the same from the outside, but there has been a complete redesign under the bonnet – centred on a completely new engine designed and developed in-house by M-Sport.

"Our engineering capabilities are going from strength to strength, and this new engine is proof of that. It's a big step forward for the team, and brings us one step closer to our goals of having both Elfyn [Evans] and Ott [Tänak] challenging for the podium positions more regularly in the second half of the season.

"Once again I must also praise the efforts of our fantastic team. Never before have we had to build so many new cars for a single event and there has been a tremendous amount of hard work behind the scenes. Their dedication and commitment is second to none."

M-Sport Head of Engineering, Chris Williams, said:

"Work on the new car – and specifically the engine – actually started as early as 2012 but our initial developments have since evolved to produce what is a big step forward in terms of both drivability and performance.

"The Fiesta chassis has always provided a very 'driver-friendly' car and we have been able to improve that further. In addition to this, the new engine provides a substantial increase in bottom-end torque which assists performance in lower-gear corners."

Elfyn Evans said:

"I've been pretty pleased with our pace in Portugal over the last couple of years, but for various reasons we've not been able to translate that into points. I'm ready to put that right this year, and a new location with the added excitement of a new car could provide us with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

"The team have put a lot of effort into this car and it's certainly a step forward. The testing has all been really positive and we've covered a lot of miles which we'll be hoping pays off. I feel really comfortable in the car. We've done a lot of work on the set-up and that should give us a good base going into the first event.

"In terms of the rally itself, I think we're in for another really interesting one. The roads in the north seem to be a lot softer and there's potential for a big difference in conditions from one pass to the next.

"In reality, I don't think anyone really knows what to expect, and that's what makes it so exciting. It will certainly be interesting to see how everyone copes with the challenges of a completely new rally and we'll be hoping the new car gives us a boost towards making the next step."

Ott Tänak said:

"I'm looking forward to this event. I really like Portugal and I especially liked the Fafe Rally Sprint so I'm approaching next week in a positive and confident mood. It's a clean sheet as a new rally with a new car gives us the opportunity to put our bad luck behind us.

"The stages in the north are perhaps a little more technical and twisty, but in general I would say that the nature is quite similar to those in the Algarve with a lot of crests and blind corners.

"Although we'll be concentrating on our own event and on doing the best job we can, I enjoy fast stages like Fafe. If the confidence is there and the fans are with us, we'll be able to push the limits that little bit more.

"Going to a region I enjoy with a brand new car is a real confidence boost. The car has changed in many areas and the team have all worked really hard. It's a step forward in many ways, but the biggest improvement for me is in the handling. It was good before, but now it really gives you that extra boost of confidence."



ADDITIONAL M-SPORT DRIVERS

Contesting the WRC 2 category, M-Sport will prepare the Ford Fiesta RRC of Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and the Ford Fiesta R5 of Sander Pärn.

Fresh from his victory at last month's Rally Argentina, Al-Kuwari will be keen for another strong result.

Starting his WRC 2 campaign in Portugal, Pärn is embarking on a seven-event prize drive after winning last year's inaugural Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy. The young Estonian has shown great promise and will be looking to start the next phase of his career with a solid result.

M-Sport will also aid the running of Robert Kubica's Fiesta RS WRC in conjunction with the newly restructured RK World Rally Team

NEW REGULATIONS COMING FOR THE 2017 WORLD RALLY CAR



2017 World Rally Car technical regulations approved. Dramatic and individual aero package to deliver exciting new look.

Dynamic, distinctive, powerful and looking potent, that’s the new World Rally Car set to bring the FIA World Rally Championship stages alight from 2017. The outline principles of the new technical and homologation regulations, approved by the World Motor Sport Council in Mexico City today, are an evolution of the current 2014-2016 regulations but will deliver more of what the fans want to see: an increase in power hidden under a more individual and dramatic body that exudes the spirit of motorsport competition.

“Defining the principles has been an extensive but very rewarding process,” said Jarmo Mahonen, FIA Rally Director. “All of the sport’s stakeholders have been involved to ensure we meet commercial, marketing and promotional objectives, while at the same time recognising what our fans want to see. The cars will look dramatic and have more character; such are the freedoms we hope to see defined in the final technical regulations. Seeing one of these cars in action will really set the heart racing and that’s exactly what was intended.”

The 2017 regulations see enhancements to the engine, and the visual impact created by an all-new aerodynamic package will dramatically enrich the spectacle of these cars and provide far greater diversity. The 1.6 litre turbo engine is retained but the power will be increased up to the level of the WTCC race cars. The diameter of the turbo restrictor will be increased from 33mm to 36mm while the turbo pressure remains at a maximum 2.5b absolute. The minimum weight of the car has also been reduced by 25 kilograms.

Greater freedom will also be afforded with the aerodynamics, setting this World Rally Car aside from many of its recent predecessors. A free zone defined around the bodyshell of the production car could see a front bumper overhang by an additional 60mm, potentially also with additional aero devices ahead of the front wheels, while the rear overhang can be increased by an extra 30mm. Bigger door sills will also be permitted. The fixed rear wing can be dramatically increased in size and while the rear diffuser will have maximum permitted dimensions, the shape will be free and may protrude up to 50mm from the rear bumper. The WRC car will be issued from a production car from which the overall homologated length must be greater than or equal to 3.9 metres, potentially adding further opportunities for manufacturers.

"I think that the ideas for the look and performance of the 2017 car are great news,” said Volkswagen Motorsport’s double FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier. “As a racing driver you are always looking for more performance. I think the larger wing and new aerodynamics will give the car a bit more downforce, more grip and more speed going into the corners. This is also good for the show, because the extra power will definitely make the driving more spectacular for the fans. And it will also make the car look a bit more aggressive with a wider body - I am really looking forward to seeing the next generation of the Polo R WRC."

The other manufacturers’ representatives currently competing in the FIA World Rally Championship were equally enthusiastic and similarly united about the prospect of exciting new regulations for 2017.

Yves Matton, Director of Citroën Racing, said: “We are very excited with the new look of the world rally car from 2017. It is difficult for us to say if we will commit to this Championship at that time, but all I can say is that the cars will look absolutely amazing. They will bear more technological aspects and lead the audience to their dream. The wings and the bumpers will be redesigned in order to attain a larger maximum width, and a larger rear wing will also bring a more aggressive look to the vehicles. We believe this will create more excitement for the public in the stages, but they will still be able to recognise the road car model they can drive on a day-to-day basis.”

Michel Nandan, Team Principal at Hyundai Motorsport: “WRC has benefited from stable regulations for the past few years, which have been good for companies like Hyundai coming into the sport. The current rules have afforded us flexibility and ease in adapting the standard road car to develop it into a WRC specification. The changes for 2017 are, however, even more ‘manufacturer appropriate’ in that we have even more freedom to work on the car, for example on the suspension, and to push the design envelope of the car, which will consequently be more powerful, larger and look more aggressive. All in all, it will be another positive step forward to improve the value of the WRC and to take the sport into an exciting new era.”

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE: “These new regulations mark the start of an exciting new era for the FIA World Rally Championship. Not only will the 2017 cars look a lot more spectacular, but we will also see an increase in power and performance. The concept really does remind me of the Group B days. When you combine the exhilaration of that era with the fantastic safety measures that the FIA have worked to implement, this marks the start of a thrilling new chapter for the WRC. Although the cars will look completely different and there will be some substantial work on the bodyshell, a number of key components can be enhanced and carried over from our current car. From a financial point of view, a number of parts that we are currently working to develop can be taken a step further and the whole team is really looking forward to getting started on this new project.”

Toyota will also return to the WRC in 2017 with a team known as Toyota Gazoo Racing, reflecting the shared identity of the Japanese manufacturer’s other international motorsport activities. “We are excited about the challenge of coming back to the WRC. By inviting Tommi Mäkinen for our WRC project, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s development structure has been even more strengthened. Under his leadership experience, the team will proceed with car building based on 2017 regulations.”

Summarising the work collectively achieved in defining the world rally car of the future, FIA Technical Director Bernard Niclot said: “There were three main objectives with these regulations; make the car spectacular, be mindful of costs, and maintain, if not increase safety. The cars will be striking, there is no doubt about that, and there are small but always significant improvements in relation to safety. We have been attentive to the level of investment for manufacturers currently involved in the Championship and these regulations have also helped attract Toyota back to the series which is fantastic news. I think we have achieved our targets in helping to add yet more value to the WRC.”

While the new cars are set to hit the stages from 2017, WRC cars homologated between 2011 and 2016 will remain eligible in the FIA World Rally Championship but will not be updated to meet the 2017 Technical Regulations. The homologation of a 2017 World Rally Car will be completed only after a Manufacturer has registered for the 2017 Championship for Manufacturers.