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 conclusion of the seven-day Rally US candidate event, marking an important step in the process for the FIA World Rally Championship’s (WRC) potential return to the United States for the first time since 1988.
The potential return would represent one of the championship’s most significant calendar developments in decades, re-establishing the WRC in one of the world’s largest sport, media and automotive markets. It would also create a major opportunity to grow rallying in North America, connecting the championship with new fans, partners and manufacturers in a country with a deep motor sport culture and an increasingly active rally community.
Organised in collaboration with the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), the seven-day candidate event took place from 11-17 June and saw FIA delegates from the sporting, safety and medical departments assess Rally US’s preparedness and planning for a potential FIA World Rally Championship round, while working closely with local officials and operational teams involved in the event’s development.
The seven-day programme began at Southern Ohio Forest Rally, a round of the American Rally Association National Championship (ARA), where FIA delegates observed the delivery of an existing national-level rally and engaged directly with the U.S. rally community. The visit also allowed delegates to review sporting procedures, safety protocols, medical provisions and operational structures at a national-level event, working closely with ARA officials, local organisers and operational teams involved in the delivery of national level events.
Following the visit to Southern Ohio Forest Rally, the delegation travelled south to Tennessee and Kentucky to examine key elements of the proposed WRC round. The four-day assessment programme included sporting and safety reviews of proposed stage locations, a review of local medical facilities, and visits to the proposed service park and ceremonial start locations in Knoxville and Nashville, where representatives from WRC Promoter also presented plans for fan activations, media production and wider promotional activity.
With the candidate event now complete, the FIA will finalise its delegates’ reports and share its findings over the coming months. These findings will support the next stage of Rally US’ proposed inclusion in the FIA World Rally Championship calendar, marking the completion of an important first step towards the WRC’s return to the United States.
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The completion of the Rally US candidate event marks an important first step towards the FIA World Rally Championship’s return to the United States. I would like to thank our member club ACCUS, the ARA, WRC Promoter, the local organisers and all those who have worked together to support this process. With the candidate event now complete, our focus turns to detailing our reports and sharing our learnings with the local organisers.
“I am committed to bringing the WRC back to the United States, a nation where motorsport is part of its cultural DNA. The candidate event gives us the opportunity not only to assess the proposed stages, but to also work closely with the organisers to shape the strongest possible event for the Championship, the competitors, and the fans.”
Rally US promoter Matt Crews said: “Having the opportunity to work so closely with the FIA and WRC Promoter over this last week has been incredibly valuable to Rally US and America’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship. The co-operation between the Rally US team, ACCUS, the ARA and their counterparts in the FIA and WRC Promoter has been really impressive. From the moment everybody arrived at Southern Ohio Forest Rally, where the delegation was able to see what a round of America’s national championship looks like, all the way through a busy schedule of stage and location visits here in Tennessee and Kentucky, the positivity and cohesiveness has been fantastic.
“We’ve made great strides towards the ultimate goal of bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to America and we’re looking forward to the next steps now.”
Kevin Miller, President of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), said: “ACCUS was pleased to support the FIA, WRC Promoter, Rally USA, the American Rally Association, and the many volunteers, officials, and stakeholders involved in this candidate event. The visit provided an important opportunity to showcase the passion for rallying in the United States and to further understand the requirements associated with hosting an FIA World Rally Championship event. We appreciate the collaboration of everyone involved and look forward to continuing our support of the FIA evaluation process as discussions move forward.”
WRC Promoter Rally US Project Leader Marc de Jong said: “The concise presentations made by the Rally US team underlined once more the great potential of this proposed event: challenging roads set among incredible backdrops, in a region brimming with car culture and welcoming hospitality. Add to that the significance of Tennessee and Kentucky for the automotive manufacturing sector, and it is clear to see that this would be the perfect location for the long-awaited return of WRC to the United States after four decades. Thank you to Matt, ACCUS, the FIA and the whole Rally US team for their time and efforts in preparing this visit.”
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