The Monte Carlo is out

By ,

The famed Rally of Monte Carlo will be absent from the 2009 World Rally Championship after the FIA's World Motor Sport Council confirmed the calendar will use a rotation system in two years' time.The rotation system allows candidate rallies to be alternated year-on-year to provide all proposed events with a chance of appearing on the schedule.The inclusion of the system means the 2009 season will kick off in Ireland, while the historic Monte Carlo rally will not be on the calendar for the first time since 1996. However, the event will return to its traditional slot as season opener in 2010.There will be only 12 events in 2009 and 2010, compared to this year's 16 rounds and next year's 15. The 2008 champion will kick off in Ireland, February 1st. 2009 FIA World Rally Championship Ireland 01-FebNorway 15-FebCyprus 15-MarPortugal 05-AprArgentina 26-AprItaly 24-MayGreece 14-JunPoland 28-JunFinland 02-AugAustralia 06-SepSpain 04-OctGB 25-Oct 2010 FIA World Rally Championship Monte Carlo 24-JanSweden 14-FebMexico 07-MarJordan 11-AprTurkey 25-AprNew Zealand 16-MayIndonesia 20-JunRussia 18-JulBulgaria 08-AugGermany 22-AugJapan 12-SepFrance 10-Oct