In Geneva, on 10 May 2000, the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile announced that the Rally of Cyprus will replace the Rally of China in the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Rally of Cyprus, which has held European Rally Championship status for 21 years, will take place from 7 - 10 September, and is likely to be based in either its regular headquarters in Nicosia or in the southern coastal town of Limassol.

Like China, the Rally of Cyprus is a loose surface event, however the stages are notoriously tight, twisty, rough and demanding. At this time of year the weather should also be hot and dry, posing a physical as well as fresh challenge for all the regular World Rally Championship contenders.

"For the team it will be a big logistical task to prepare for this event, but it is interesting to have a new rally in the Championship and good that we have retained 14 events", commented Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart’s four-times World Rally Champion, Tommi Makinen.

Team Manager Phil Short, who won the Rally of Cyprus in 1987 co-driving David Llewellin added: "We are waiting on details about the event, but based on my own experience it will be hot, dry and dusty. It is generally a very slow event, twisty, hard on tyre wear and therefore puncture damage is commonplace. I would expect to see a slow average speed, although until we see the route we won’t know exactly.

"The organisation is very good, professional and competent which is key to a good event. We hope that the rally is going to be based in Limassol, as it’s better equipped for the Championship and, as none of the drivers will have been there before, and no one will have extended knowledge, it should be quite an interesting event".