The FIA World Motor Sport Council has announced the 2006 World Rally Championship rounds on which cars must use the same engine, chassis and gearbox during the 2006 season. The move represents an expansion of experimental twinning arrangements used during the 2005 season.

This year rallies were all twinned as far as the use of engines was concerned, so one engine was sealed for two rallies. Chassis were also sealed to ensure the same one was used on the rounds in France and Spain. The WMSC, meeting in Monaco today decided on changes to the scheme to extend the number of rallies in which the same chassis must be used and to include gearboxes in the arrangements.

Five pairs of rallies have been nominated in which both engine and chassis will be sealed. Three pairs of rallies have been nominated in which the gearbox and differential assemblies will be sealed, allowing two assemblies to be nominated for the first of the twinned events and one for the second.

The twinned events for engine and chassis are: Monte Carlo and Sweden; Spain and France; Italy and Greece; Germany and Finland; Australia and New Zealand. The three 'gearbox twins' are: Italy and Greece; Cyprus and Turkey; Australia and New Zealand. Rallies not included in the arrangements are Mexico; Argentina; Greece and the final round in Great Britain.

The WMSC also confirmed that the date of the New Zealand round has been changed to November 17-19, and that Rally Argentina has been added to the Junior World Rally Championship calendar.

Mitsubishi is to suspend its participation in the World Rally Championship as it concentrates on the revitalisation of its core business. The Japanese manufacturer has declared an intention to return to the championship in 2008, when its current business plan is complete.

Mitsubishi's unexpected decision comes after a successful 2005 re-building season, which ended with an excellent second place on Rally Australia for Harri Rovanpera.

Mitsubishi's statement reads: "With the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan as a basis, MMC has made a solid start toward revitalizing its business operations. However, to strengthen and build upon this base, MMC realizes that it must focus management resources on the continued promotion of the revitalization plan.

"Mitsubishi Motors hopes to return to the WRC Championship series from 2008, after the completion of the 3-year revitalization plan, which covers fiscal 2005 to 2007."

The Subaru and Ford factory teams have set up camp in the south of France to begin asphalt test programmes with their 2006 World Rally Championship cars. With conditions in the area good, the teams expect to rack up the kilometres as they hone their new challengers for the Monte Carlo Rally in January.

Mikko Hirvonen started Ford's programme on dry asphalt roads near Sainte Maxime west of Nice today and reported that he'd had a good feeling with the car and that it handled well. It was the young Finn's first taste of the car on asphalt. He completed around 90 kilometres, interrupted only by a few minor teething problems.

Hirvonen will continue on these roads tomorrow, before moving into the Alps near Gap for a further day at the wheel. Number one driver Marcus Gronholm will then take the car over for the final two days of the five-day test.

Subaru has a six-day test planned. Team leader Petter Solberg started the work off today and will continue until Sunday. On Monday the squad's asphalt expert, former racer Stephane Sarrazin, will take over and continue until the end of the test. The team has a number of different roads at its disposal and will select between them according to weather conditions in order to run through their programme on a variety of surfaces from dry to icy.