WRC 2019 Launched at Autosport Show

Autosport International (10-13th January) hosted the launch of the 2019 World Rally Championship during which drivers and teams unveiled their 2019 cars to fans and the worlds media.

Tens of thousands of fans descended on Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 12th January to see the worlds best rally drivers take the covers off their 2019 challengers as well as give interviews on the main stage.

M-Sport unveil their car for 2019.

A drivers parade from the main stage through the show to the WRC stand allowed fans to get up close to the crews. Hundreds of fans gathered around the WRC stand to witness the launching. During this, 2019 liveries were seen for the first time and the drivers revealed their car numbers for the new year – This comes after a change to the WRC regulations that says the drivers are now able to choose their own numbers.

Show goers were treated to autograph sessions with all the crews before they were interviewed by Colin Clark on the main stage.

Hyundai Motorsport talk on the main stage.

The 2019 WRC kicks off with Rally Monte Carlo on 24th January and the infamous Thursday night stages that signify the start of a new year in the WRC. Over the weekend, crews will battle some of the toughest and most unpredictable stages in the world – driving on dry tarmac one minute and full snow the next. After Monte, the teams will face 13 more rounds which will take them from the icy tracks of Sweden to the dusty stages in Turkey and from the twisty asphalt of Corsica to the flat out jumps of Finland – all finishing with Rally Australia in November. Will we know our champion going into that final round or will we be treated to a year that is as enthralling as last year? The World Rally Championship 2019 is upon us!