Events: Rallying in the park

 

World Rally Championship, Rally Monza, 4-6 December

Italy will host its second World Rally Championship event of the season in December, with the ACI Rally Monza forming the finale of the reworked championship schedule.

Following Rally Sardinia back in October, the WRC returns to Italy, and will be tackling the Monza event for the first time, even if many of the crews already know it well. The Monza Rally typically forms an end-of-season blowout for many drivers, but this time will feature 220km of championship-counting stages.

And the fight is finely poised, too. Two victories have put Elfyn Evans in contention to take the first WRC title for a British driver since Richard Burns in 2001, as he leads the series heading into the final rounds. Indeed, he stands as the only multiple event winner so far this season.

Toyota team-mate Sébastien Ogier remains his closest challenger. Ogier has been consistent all season, and despite a retirement in Turkey, he remains in close quarters in the championship battle.

Reigning champion Ott Tänak has not quite found his feet often enough following his switch to Hyundai. The Estonian is slightly adrift in fourth position, but within touching distance after a win on home soil.

Along with Tänak, Hyundai stablemate Thierry Neuville has had a good but unspectacular season. His year began with a brilliant Rally Monte-Carlo victory but a DNF and 16th-place in Mexico and Estonia hurt his chances. Subsequent back-to-back podium finishes have turned his fortunes around in recent events and he finds himself in third place.

Each is capable of claiming the crown in this most unusual of seasons, and with just a handful of points separating first from fourth place, it is still all to play for.

 

Formula 1

Bahrain & Sakhir Grands Prix, November 27-29 & December 4-6
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, December 11-13

Formula 1 finishes off its 2020 season with a triple header in the desert. First, a double helping of the Sakhir International Circuit, which will use the outer loop layout for the second race weekend, and should provide sub-1min lap times. The Abu Dhabi finale is a week later, making this year the latest an F1 season has finished since 1963.

 

World Rallycross

World Rallycross of Germany, Nürburgring, December 12-13

Both Project E and Supercar action will be had at the Nürburgring to bring the FIA World Rallycross season to a close. The Supercar championship will be decided in Germany. Double champion Johan Kristoffersson – already a three-time event winner – and Mattias Ekström are set to battle for the crown.

 

Super Formula

Fuji Speedway, December 19

Following the double-header at Suzuka at the start of the month, Fuji Speedway hosts the last round of Super Formula’s delayed season. The final race of the year will take place late into December, making it one of the latest finishes for
a motor-sport series in 2020.

 

Christmas Stages Rally

Croft Circuit, December 13

More localised action is available to see off the year with the Christmas Stages confirmed as taking place in 2020 at Croft. Great entertainment and a wide variety of machinery will make for
a great day out watching some of the last bits of motor sport this year.

 

Plum Pudding Races

Mallory Park, December 26

The traditional Boxing Day meet at Mallory Park is a great way to get out of the house after a hectic Christmas. Races all day long on both two wheels and four are a sure way to keep the festivities going.

 

More December events

December 3 Euro NASCAR, Valencia
December 4 FIA Formula 2, Bahrain
December 5 Super Formula, Suzuka
December 6 Dukeries Rally, Donington