Mitsubishi and Skoda to miss three events in '06?

Mitsubishi and Skoda have both been given permission to miss three events in 2006 - after the World Motor Sport Council [WMSC] convened in Paris and granted their request.

A statement released by the FIA, the governing body of the FIA World Rally Championship added that while both will not be allowed to miss the same events, 'exceptionally' for 2006, they will 'benefit from a waiver to be absent from a maximum of three events' - two in Europe and one overseas.

A number of the manufacturers' have called on the FIA recently to cut the 16-round schedule back to 14 or even 12 rounds, and while there has always been reluctance to do this, after expanding the calendar for 2004, this is a concession of sorts and one that will at least ensure Ford and Subaru have some competition next season, when Peugeot and Citroen pull out.

Although Citroen are rumoured to be re-considering their position, nothing has yet been confirmed. It is also thought that even if they do change their minds, they won't return officially until 2007. Finally although Hyundai has announced that they will return 'part-time' in 2006, little has been heard of since that statement in October 2003 and Suzuki's step-up from the 'junior' to the 'senior' level is also no more than rumours at this time.