Official: Rally Japan cancelled due to COVID-19

The organisers of Rally Japan announced today the cancellation of their WRC event because of the pandemic COVID-19.

It was expected that Rally Japan would be cancelled, because Japanese Grand Prix in Formula1 was cancelled as well, and it was a matter of time the cancellation of this WRC event.

This year's Rally Japan would have been held in November as the final round of WRC and it would include tarmac stages.

However, it must be mentioned that Rally Japan would have returned to WRC last year, but it was also cancelled due to the pandemic.

Finaly, it is rumored that Rally Monza will replace Rally Japan as the last round of this year's World Rally Championship, but it is yet to confirm.

The final announcement about the last round of WRC willbe in the next days.

"Considering the characteristics of the WRC competition, which is held on public roads with the imperative co-operation of all in the local community, and the fact that in Japan the Covid-19 emergency cases continue to increase daily and alleviation of the situation remains unpredictable, together we were left with only one choice which was to, unfortunately, call off the 2021 WRC Rally Japan", the statement read.

"We take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for the indispensable support and understanding of all, and would like to direct our sincere gratitude to all the fans and stakeholders who have been looking forward to this first WRC Rally Japan, after 11 years.

"We sincerely apologise for all the inconveniences this resolution may have caused, and are deeply grateful for your understanding".

Source: wrc.com