WRC

Asahi Kasei is an official partner of
World Rally Championship(WRC).

About WRC

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NEXT Round

Central European Rally 31 October - 03 November
Servicepark Passau

2024 Schedule

01

Monaco

25 -28
JAN.

02

Sweden

15-18
FEB.

03

Kenya

28-31
MAR.

04

Croatia

18-21
APR.

05

Portugal

09-12
MAY.

06

Italy

01 MAY.
-02 JUN.

07

Poland

22-25
JUN.

08

Latvia

18-21
JUL.

09

Finland

01-04
AUG.

10

Greece

05-08
SEP.

11

Chile

26-29
SEP.

12

Central Europe

31 OCT
-03 NOV.

13

Japan

21-24
NOV.

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2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

2024 Round01

Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28. JAN. 2024

WRC in numbers

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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.

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.

Partnership started in

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.

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

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.

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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