AROUND THE RALLY WORLD IN 297 DAYS

If all goes to plan and the Covid axe doesn’t fall, the 2022 World Rally Championship will be contested over 13 rounds between January 20 and November 13.

In theory that means a one-event increase from 2021 but there’s still one round to be firmed up with Rally Northern Ireland in pole position to fill the gap, providing the requisite Stormont sterling is made available.

But if there isn’t the money, aside from the fact there will be one vacancy on the calendar, it will mean no UK WRC round for the third season running.

While the championship’s potential absence from these shores would be cause for disappointment, there hasn’t been a Rally Japan since 2010 with Rally New Zealand’s absence dating back to 2012.

However, both events are due to return to the WRC roster this season as is Rally Sweden, which is back on the calendar after missing out