WRC Admits Postponement of American Rally to Ensure Initial Success
The World Rally Championship (WRC) 2026 schedule does not include a U.S. round, but that doesn't mean the dream of a return to American soil is fading. Organisers and stakeholders have decided to delay the event to "get it right the first time," with a potential debut slated for 2027.
Emilia Abel, the road sport director of the FIA, has emphasised that the local organisers are following "exactly the same requirements as the FIA," ensuring that the event meets the high standards of a modern WRC round. Abel, who has been instrumental in the process, has also predicted that 2027 will be the year for the first U.S. WRC round since the 1988 Olympus Rally in Washington.
Progress towards this goal has been steady, with multiple test and training functions held since 2023. A planned candidate event in September 2026 is intended to serve as a "proof of concept" and training opportunity to ensure the U.S. rally meets the standards of a modern WRC round. FIA officials express confidence in a U.S. event happening in 2027, citing strong progress and a dedicated organisational team, although an official application for the test event was pending as of mid-2025.
One past obstacle—securing adequate insurance for a WRC round in the USA—was reportedly resolved, removing a potential barrier to entry. Spokespersons for WRC Promoter have announced more training events planned at American Rally Championship events in the second half of 2025, providing valuable experience for the U.S. organisers.
Representatives from the city of Chattanooga's tourism board have even travelled to Finland to better understand the symphony of motorsports and nature for a potential U.S. WRC event. The objective for the U.S. market, as stated by WRC Promoter, is to establish a modern WRC event standard.
The delay aims to ensure the U.S. round is successfully integrated and sustainable rather than rushed onto the calendar. Autosport has reported on the discussions regarding a U.S. WRC event, with the WRC and its partners still working towards a 2027 U.S. event.
It's been nearly 40 years since a U.S. rally has been held in the WRC, but with the dedication and hard work of the organisers, that could soon change. The anticipation is building, and rally fans in the U.S. are eagerly awaiting the announcement of a U.S. WRC round in 2027.
[1] Autosport [2] WRC.com [3] Motor1
- Despite the absence of a U.S. round in the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2026 schedule, discussions and preparations for a potential auto-racing event in America are ongoing, with a forecasted debut in 2027.
- The dedication and hard work of the organisers, along with the resolution of past obstacles such as securing adequate insurance, indicate a promising future for motorsports in the United States, potentially resurrecting sports racing events in the WRC.
