Nine-stage Corsica WRC route agreed

Corsica returned to the WRC schedule in February after Alsace was unable to source funding to maintain the country's Strasbourg-based world championship leg.

The Corsican organisers soon came into conflict with WRC Promoter over its plans for a radical route, however.

Initial talk of a five-stage event with a 45-mile opener on Friday October 2 and two further tests of similar length on both the Saturday and Sunday has been canned.

Instead, France's WRC round will include nine stages - three on each day, varying from nine to 28 miles.

WRC Promoter's main concern with the original plan was the potential lack of content for its end-of-day highlights show on Friday.

While the rally organisers have conceded on the timetable, the requirement to satisfy regional investment from Ajaccio, Bastia and Porto-Vecchio means all three towns will host the rally for a night halt.

The ceremonial start and finish are in Ajaccio on Thursday and Sunday, while the rally heads to Bastia on Friday night and Porto-Vecchio on Saturday night.

The central service park on Friday and Saturday will be at Corte airport, while there is no service on Sunday.