The FIA European Historic Rally Championship (FIA EHRC) will continue to go from strength to strength in 2025 with a tweaked calendar and an important change to the rules governing car eligibility.
After the FIA World Motor Sport Council voted in favour of updating Appendix K of the International Sporting Code during its October 2024 gathering, competition cars built between 1991 and 2000 will be able to carry the Historic Technical Passport that allows them to compete in FIA championships and international motor sport events.
While some of the world’s most iconic race and rally cars from a remarkable decade of technological advancement will be able to compete once again, cars homologated between 1993 and 2000 will do so in the FIA EHRC within a single class in 2025 but will not be eligible for championship points during the upcoming season.
They include the Citroën Xsara Kit Car, which competed in the FIA World Rally Championship between 1998 and 1999 and was displayed on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile stand during (February 5-9) Rétromobile classic car show at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The FIA used its presence at the event to launch a landmark year that honoured five decades since the introduction of Appendix K to the International Sporting Code. And the spotlight shone on the FIA EHRC when competitors gathered at the prestigious Automobile Club de France to celebrate the 2024 season during the Awards Ceremony on the evening of Thursday February 6.
Once again, the FIA EHRC’s standing as the ultimate celebration of rallying’s glorious past will be highlighted by the variety of competing cars representing the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The championship also continues to provide an accessible platform for drivers with varying levels of experience and resource to compete at an international level.
Adjusted calendar offers more variety
The FIA European Historic Rally Championship calendar has been adjusted for the 2025 season with the addition of Rallye Antibes Historic in France, Ardeca Ypres Historic Rally in Belgium and Historic Rally Fafe in Portugal.
These three events will be included alongside seven rallies that helped to make the 2024 FIA EHRC a huge success. They are Rally Costa Brava (Spain), Historic Vltava Rallye (Czech Republic), Historic Rallye Weiz (Austria), Lahti Historic Rally (Finland), Historic Acropolis Rally (Greece), Rallye Elba Storico (Italy) and Rally de Asturias Histórico (Spain).
Although the 2025 FIA EHRC schedule gives crews 10 opportunities to compete, the sporting regulations allow drivers and co-drivers to count their best six scores for all categories, classes and trophies.
Apart from Lahti Historic Rally and Historic Acropolis Rally, all events take place on asphalt.
On all FIA EHRC events, cars in Category 1-4 will be grouped together on each leg. Any other cars, including those homologated between 1993-2000, will be seeded behind.
Ten bonus points will be awarded to crews starting Historic Vltava Rallye, round two of the season in April, and Historic Rally Fafe, the deciding event of the season in November. Two bonus points will continue to be awarded to crews starting all other rounds.
Jamie Edwards, appointed as FIA EHRC Sporting Delegate in 2023, will be supporting both organiser and competitor requirements during the 2025 season.
The FIA EHRC Sporting Regulations for 2025 are available HERE.
Meanwhile, FlexiFly, a specialist aircraft hire company, remains an official partner to the FIA EHRC. During each round of the FIA EHRC, registered crews will take part in an official photocall and receive a commemorative cap. Bespoke digital content highlighting the partnership between the FIA EHRC and FlexiFly will also be produced.
Under the guidance of FIA EHRC stalwart contender Ernie Graham, FlexiFly has grown to become one of the United Kingdom’s leading providers of private aircraft hire services. It’s also a long-term supporter of the FIA EHRC through its participation in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship for Teams. FlexiFly driver James Potter won the FIA EHRC Category 1 title in 2024.
FIA Head of Historic Stuart Murray said: “The stage is set for another excellent FIA European Historic Rally Championship season. While the update to Appendix K will allow cars homologated between 1993-2000 the opportunity to compete on FIA EHRC events, it’s important to manage their integration into the championship. This is being done to monitor their performance in competition mode and to avoid flooding the market with these newer cars to the detriment of cars that have formed the FIA EHRC’s backbone for several years.
We’re also excited to welcome rallies in Belgium, France and Portugal, a move that will further encourage more competitors from more countries and regions to participate.”
Follow the full season’s action on the FIA EHRC social channels and fia.com for the latest updates, highlights, and exclusive content.
European Historic Rally Championship
HistoricSEASON 2025SportRallies1SportEuropean Historic Rally ChampionshipRalliesSEASON 2025Historic00Thursday, March 6, 2025 – 9:30amThursday, March 6, 2025 – 9:30am
Source : Fia
