The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced the completion of the Rally Scotland candidate event, marking an important step towards the potential return of the FIA World Rally Championship to the United Kingdom in 2027.
The four-day FIA assessment included two days at the Grampian Forest Rally from 7-8 August, where FIA delegates worked closely with Motorsport UK and local organisers to assess preparations for a proposed new FIA World Rally Championship round.
Based around Banchory in Aberdeenshire, the candidate event provided the FIA delegation with an environment in which to evaluate Rally Scotland’s sporting, safety and operational capabilities for hosting an FIA WRC round. It also allowed delegates to see first-hand how crews tackled forest roads expected to form part of the proposed 2027 route.
As part of the assessment, FIA delegates evaluated the experience and operational capabilities of the key officials delivering the rally, and their readiness to operate at FIA WRC level.
Across a further two days, the FIA delegation visited additional stages and locations proposed for the 2027 event, assessing the wider route and infrastructure required to deliver an FIA World Rally Championship round.
The assessment included visits to the proposed event headquarters at P&J Live in Aberdeen, as well as locations being considered for the service park and ceremonial start. One area highlighted by the FIA delegation was the quality and scale of the facilities at P&J Live, which were considered well suited to accommodate the operational requirements of an FIA World Rally Championship round. Delegates also noted Aberdeen’s strong accommodation offering and its connectivity through Aberdeen International Airport.
Scotland and the wider United Kingdom have a long history at the highest level of international rallying. The FIA World Rally Championship last competed in the UK at Wales Rally GB in 2019, while Scotland has produced some of the sport’s most recognisable figures, including 1995 FIA World Rally Champion Colin McRae.
The 2026 Grampian Forest Rally also provided an early indication of the sporting potential of a future Rally Scotland. A number of FIA World Rally Championship crews took part in the event to gain experience in the region’s forest roads, while thousands of spectators attended across the weekend.
With the candidate event now complete, the FIA will finalise its delegates’ reports and share its findings with the relevant stakeholders. These findings will form the next stage of the process as Rally Scotland progresses towards potential inclusion in the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “The completion of the Rally Scotland candidate event marks an important step towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United Kingdom, a nation with a long and proud history in the Championship.
“This is another exciting moment for fans and reflects a continued year of growth for the FIA WRC in 2026, with three candidate events taking place across the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy. From historic motorsport heartlands to important new growth markets, there is real global momentum behind rallying and a clear opportunity to bring the Championship to new audiences around the world.
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked together to support this process, and I look forward to watching this Championship that I love continue to grow.”
FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “Bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United Kingdom is a hugely important step for global rallying. The UK is one of motor sport’s historic heartlands, with a deep passion for rallying and a strong connection to the FIA WRC.
“To see the championship return to my home nation for the first time since 2019 will be particularly special. I have seen first-hand the quality of rallying in Scotland and know just how demanding and spectacular these stages can be. They rank among the very best in the world, and there is a real appetite among fans to see the world’s best crews competing on them once again.”
Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK, said: “The FIA Candidate Event was a valuable step for Rally Scotland and a positive moment for the wider UK rallying community. Over four days, the FIA delegation saw the strength of the route, the quality of the facilities in Aberdeen and the commitment behind this project.
“The Grampian Forest Rally gave us a useful early look at the roads that will help shape Rally Scotland: fast, flowing gravel stages with real character. We are grateful to the FIA delegation for the time, care and expertise they brought to the assessment, and to the organisers, marshals, volunteers, crews and spectators who supported the event. We now look forward to working with the FIA through the post-event reporting process and towards the long-awaited return of the FIA World Rally Championship to the UK.”
ENDS
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