The World Rally Championship could return to the US after 40 years

Formula 1 may get the global glory, but true motorsport fans know that rally drivers are among the most skilled in the world. The World Rally Championship (WRC) is a showcase of wild speed, immense skill and furious action.

Unfortunately, the WRC calendar has not had a race in the United States for decades. The last event held here was the 1988 Olympus Rally in Shelton, Washington. But that could soon change.

Officials from the FIA, the governing body of the WRC and other high-level motorsports, will hold a ‘candidate event’ in the US in June. The purpose of the program is to explore a potential location for a future stage rally and also meet American rally fans, promoters, volunteers and race organizers.

Here in the US, the American Rally Association (ARA) is the largest group organizing rally races. It provides an excellent calendar, filled with both national and regional events. This is the series where you can watch Travis Pastrana fight David Higgins, Brandon Semenuk and once Ken Block.

The sport has long been popular here in the US, despite the lack of a global WRC presence. In recent years, ARA has seen that love for rally evolve even further.

FIA officials will explore potential stages in Kentucky and Tennessee. They will examine the infrastructure there to ensure it is suitable for hosting an event.

The FIA ​​officials will also attend an ARA race. During the event, they plan to sit down and talk to everyone who makes the American rally community what it is today. And it’s no surprise that the FIA ​​is interested in a WRC return to the United States. After all, F1’s growth here in the US has been a financial boon for the sport. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:

“The United States represents one of the most important growth opportunities for the FIA ​​World Rally Championship,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. ‘It is a country where motorsport is part of the cultural DNA, with world-class domestic championships and a rapidly growing appetite for global competition.’

“I am deeply committed to strengthening the FIA’s presence in the US and ensuring that rallying becomes a defining pillar of that future.”

If the candidate event goes well, the WRC could see an American event on the calendar in 2027. Finger crossed.

Motor1’s opinion: A WRC return to the United States will mark a glorious moment for rally fans here. The WRC’s global stage has highlighted the beauty of racing anywhere by seeing top-level motorsport deliver stunning action and visuals. This move could also strengthen the ARA’s appeal.

Even better is the idea that the average car enthusiast could see that automakers are interested in rally-inspired versions of their road cars. Subaru can’t help but be drooling over this news, which means we may finally see a real STD return.