The World Rally Championship is taking a significant step towards its long-awaited return to the United States, with a WRC candidate event scheduled for June 11-17 across stages in Tennessee and Kentucky. The trial run will be evaluated against full WRC standards and could clear the way for a points-paying round as early as 2027, according to the FIA. This marks a major milestone in the championship's return to the US after an absence of nearly four decades.
The candidate event will be run in collaboration with ACCUS and assessed by delegates from the sanctioning body, who will examine everything from sporting operations and safety to infrastructure and event promotion. The evaluation will also include outreach to the American rally scene, including a visit to an American Rally Association National Championship round. " Expansion into North America would unite rallying with a knowledgeable, passionate, and expanding fanbase in a market where participation and fan engagement continue to accelerate.
The last time the WRC raced on US soil was 1988, when the Olympus Rally was part of the season calendar. If the June candidate event passes muster, rallying's top tier could finally be on track to return, perhaps to a market more attuned to global motorsport than it was 40 years ago. The confirmation of this candidate event marks a major milestone in the championship's much-anticipated return to the US, after an absence of nearly 40 years.
Plans have been germinating for some time, and this event is a significant step towards bringing WRC back to the country. The FIA deputy president for sport, Malcolm Wilson, himself a former rally driver, said the candidate rally is a necessary proof of concept. "The confirmation of a FIA World Rally Championship candidate event in the United States is an important milestone and a first step towards bringing the championship to the country," he said.
This event will provide valuable insight into the feasibility of hosting WRC events in the US and could pave the way for future championships. The American rally scene has been growing in popularity, with more participants and fans attending events. This growth presents an exciting opportunity for rallying to tap into a new market and expand its global reach.
With the FIA's commitment to expanding into North America, it is likely that we will see more WRC events in the US in the near future.
The return of WRC to the United States has the potential to bring a new level of excitement and competition to the American rally scene. With its rich history and growing popularity, the US market presents a unique opportunity for rallying to expand its global reach and engage with a passionate fanbase.
