At the proposal of the Off-Road Commission which met on 31 January, the World Motor Sport Council approved the replacement of the opening event of the FIA European Championship for Autocross Drivers, scheduled for 3 May at Saint Martin Valmeroux (FRA), by an event at Saint Georges de Montaigu (FRA).

Saint Martin Valmeroux was unable to organise its event due to financial difficulties. The FIA wished to maintain a nine-event programme for the Championship and, via its Off-Road Commission, welcomed the proposal from the FFSA (French ASN) to replace Saint Martin Valmeroux with Saint Georges de Montaigu.

The Saint Georges de Montaigu circuit, located in the Vendée (40km south of Nantes), has been hosting Autocross events for 42 years, has been on the French Championship calendar since 1995, and is currently in the process of being homologated by the FIA.