The World Motor Sport Council has approved for the FIA to proceed with an agreement with The Sportsman Media Group and Red Bull Media House to become the new global promoters of the FIA World Rally Championship beginning in '13. FIA said in a statement: “The promoter will be responsible for investing and developing the WRC with a view to increasing its profile, reputation and commercial value. In particular, the promoter, working in close collaboration with the FIA, will be focused on introducing live television and an innovative digital media strategy in the next years.” The support championship structure has also been revamped, and a number of cost-cutting measures have also been announced. As part of a cost-reduction process and to attract greater entries, the WMSC confirmed WRC teams competing in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship will now only have to contest one round outside of Europe. WRC teams must however still nominate and take part in a minimum of seven events (WRC). AUTOSPORT.com's David Evans reported that Eurosport will become the new promoter of the FIA European Rally Championship, in a deal "that spells the end of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge." The announcement "brings to end speculation regarding the future of the ERC and Eurosport's own IRC." The latter will cease at the end of this current season after a six-year run (AUTOSPORT.com, 9/28).
