Changes
- Event organisers are given more flexibility. Rallies can be run over two, three or four days, but must finish on a Saturday or Sunday. Mixing asphalt and gravel surfaces is allowed, either within a stage or within the itinerary of a day. There will no longer be a minimum or maximum distance for a special stage. The total stage distance of the event has been changed to 300–500 kilometres. Night stages are permitted but should not form the whole itinerary of a day.
- There will be a new Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC) class for drivers with Super 2000 cars, and within it there will be a WRC Cup for teams. Teams need to contest at least seven rounds, including at least one outside Europe.
- The WRC will also introduce a ranking system called the Drivers' World Rally Ranking system in 2010, similar to that in golf or tennis.
- A new points system has been introduced to all classes for the 2010 season, so that more finishers in a rally are awarded points. Previously points had been awarded to the top eight finishers:
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
It is the first time since 1997 that ten drivers will score points on a rally.
- From June, the name of the co-driver will be included on the rear side windows of competition cars.
Read more about this topic: 2010 World Rally Championship Season