2022Schedule

01

Monaco

20 - 23
Jan.

02

Sweden

24 - 27
Feb.

03

Croatia

21 - 24
Apr.

04

Portugal

19 - 22
May.

05

Italy

02 - 05
Jun.

06

Kenya

23 - 26
Jun.

07

Estonia

14 - 17
Jul.

08

Finland

04 - 07
Aug.

09

Belgium

18 - 21
Aug.

10

Greece

08 - 11
Sep.

11

new Zealand

29 Sep.
- 02 Oct.

12

Spain

20 - 23
Oct.

13

Japan

10 - 13
Nov.

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2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

2022 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 2022. 1.20 - 1.23

WRC in numbers

Learn more

Number of host countries

11 (as of 2021)

Held in diverse locations and seasons, the WRC literally makes roads around the world its racing field.

The WRC moves from one location to another across the globe to hold rallies. This championship consists of about 14 rallies a year, most of which take place in countries different from each other. Various countries are scheduled to host it in the future.

Number of regions with Asahi Kasei office(s)

Over 20 (as of 2021)

The Asahi Kasei Group has production, sales, and R&D bases in over 20 countries and regions around the world and boasts a system to meet a wide range of needs in the global market.

Canada, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Morocco, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Spain, Romania, the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, India, Australia, Japan, and more

WRC Period

Four days

On the Monday of the week of a rally, when a service park is set up, teams begin on-site preparation. On Tuesday, competitors start their recce (reconnaissance runs along the course). On Thursday evening, the rally begins with a ceremonial start.
Many rallies have 15 to 25 special stages (SS) over their four-day period from Thursday to Sunday. On day 1, the first SS takes place right after the ceremonial start. On day 4, the event ends with a prize-giving ceremony.

Special stage (SS)*:
Special stages are timed sections, 300 to 400 km in total, on closed public roads.

*Special stages are sections created by temporarily closing a public road. The starting point is set in a TC, and one car starts after another at regular intervals to compete on time. Some events use a super-special stage (abbreviated to “super SS” or “SSS”) instead of an SS. While an SS is a closed public road, a super SS is an artificial, circuit-course-like venue specifically set up for the purpose, where two cars on separate parallel tracks start simultaneously.

Number of years serving as a partner

Four (since 2018)

The purpose of Asahi Kasei’s involvement in WRC activities is to contribute to promoting the automotive industry and increasing the number of automobile lovers through motor sports. Since the automobile-related business is one of the pillars of Asahi Kasei, the company believes that supporting the development of the automotive industry will lead to the company’s further business development.
In 2022, the WRC entered a new era: the introduction of a hybrid system. Asahi Kasei will continue to make ambitious efforts along with the WRC while being involved as a partner in this championship, where contestants hone their new skills while competing on speed in the tough environment of racing.

First held in

1973

Born in 1973 and first held in Monte Carlo, the WRC (World Rally Championship) is known as one of the most challenging motorsports in the world. This championship does not take place on circuits but mainly on public roads specially closed for the rally. The roads are rich in variety, from frozen mountain passes and highways winding through forests to rugged roads, dusty gravel roads, and paved roads with steep uphill and downhill slopes.

Founded in

1922

Asahi Kasei was founded for the purpose of “improving people’s standard of living by supplying an abundance of the highest-quality daily necessities at the lowest prices.” Since then, for about a century, we at Asahi Kasei have actively transformed our business portfolio to meet the demands and needs of the times, and we have presented our solutions to social issues through the provision of our products and services. Learn about how Asahi Kasei has made ambitious efforts in anticipation of social changes while transforming itself.

Number of competing teams in Rally1 (the top category)

Four teams from three manufacturers

●HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM
Hyundai i20 N WRC Rally 1

●TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WORLD RALLY TEAM
GR YARIS Rally 1

●M-SPORT FORD WORLD RALLY TEAM
Ford Puma Rally 1

●TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WORLD RALLY TEAM
NEXT GENERATION

Number of business sectors

Three

The Asahi Kasei Group conducts business in three sectors: material, homes, and healthcare.

●Material sector
With advanced technologies and novel ideas, Asahi Kasei develops environment-friendly and high-value-added materials and products to lead you to a future lifestyle.

●Homes sector
With human- and environment-friendly technologies and services, Asahi Kasei proposes safe, secure, and comfortable ways of living. Its major offerings include Hebel HausTM one-unit homes and HebelTM lightweight aerated concrete.

●Healthcare sector
Asahi Kasei evolves and combines advanced and specialized technologies to meet the medical needs of society, contributing to patients’ higher quality of life.

Number of the most wins of the manufacturers’ title

10 (as of 2021)

Lancia has won the manufacturers’ title the most number of times: 10 times in 1974 to 1976, 1983, and 1987 to 1992.

Toyota: Five times
In 1993, Toyota became Japan’s first manufacturer to win the WRC manufacturers’ title. Along with Mitsubishi and Subaru, Toyota livened up the WRC, creating the heyday of Japanese cars. Before its works team ended its participation in 1999, Toyota cemented its name in the history of the WRC as a three-time winner of the manufacturers’ title and four-time winner of the drivers’ title. In 2017, Toyota returned to the WRC as the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. In 2018, the team scored five wins and brought the fourth manufacturers’ title to Toyota. In 2019, Ott Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja earned their first drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles, respectively. In 2020, with three new drivers, the team earned four wins out of seven events. Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia clinched their seventh career championship title.
In 2021, Ogier and Ingrassia earned their eighth career championship title together and won the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles, respectively. Moreover, Toyota captured the manufacturers’ title, achieving the triple crown for the first time since 1994.

Asahi Kasei is an official partner of both the WRC and the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.

Why WRC?

The purpose of Asahi Kasei’s participation in the WRC is to contribute to the automobile industry by increasing corporate awareness with automobile fans through motor sports. As a company with a strong focus on automobile-related businesses, we believe that supporting the developments of the WRC will lead to further development of Asahi Kasei’s businesses.

In addition, the WRC will enter a new era where hybrid systems will be introduced in 2022. Asahi Kasei will continue to grow with the WRC as we pursue new technologies while competing for speed in the demanding environment of racing.

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