After negotiations between the FIA and Volkswagen, the decision has been made not to allow the German marquee’s 2017-specification Polo R WRC to compete in the World Rally Championship. Having withdrawn as a factory entry at the end of 2016 despite an unbroken record of championship victories, Volkswagen were hoping to be allowed special disposition to race the new car this season with private teams after missing the original January 1 deadline for homologation, but the FIA have decided not to allow this to happen. Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport’s director, has accepted the decision although the ruling will now prevent customers from running the new car, although plans are still...
Full Story »