Given that the USA has been absent from the WRC calendar since 1988, Rally US's candidacy stage, completed last week, has crossed a critical threshold. Senior officials from the FIA and WRC Promoter visited Tennessee and Kentucky between June 11-17 to assess the event infrastructure in a week-long program. The program was conducted in partnership with the United States Automobile Competitions Committee (ACCUS).
FIA road sport director gives top marks.
FIA road sport director Emilia Abel described the bidding process as "really positive." Abel stated that the level of preparation, communication details, and the work of the medical delegate exceeded expectations. She also highlighted the enthusiastic crowds they encountered in the service park, indoor park, and spectator areas: people were asking FIA officials, "Is WRC really coming to the USA?", and were thrilled when they received a positive response.
Rally US promoter Matt Crews, however, viewed the optimism cautiously: “We’re not at the starting line yet, and I think that’s the right way to look at it. We’ve done a lot, but we’re not at the starting line yet.”
What happens next?
Following the nomination stage, the FIA, WRC Promoter, and ACCUS will follow the established procedure and decide whether Rally US will be included in the 2027 WRC calendar. Abel summarized the process as follows: The FIA will conduct an internal briefing covering sporting, safety, and medical reports; then, a comprehensive evaluation meeting will be held with the local organizing team and ACCUS officials, including ACCUS President Kevin Miller. Abel stated, “I believe we will achieve everything we set out to achieve during the preparation period.” Crews also stated that they will work closely with WRC Promoter, the FIA, and all stakeholders, adding that this collaboration will maximize the event.
What are the stages like?
Two-time world champion co-driver and current FIA WRC sporting delegate Timo Rautiainen described the proposed stages as “the kind I’ve never seen before in the championship.” According to Rautiainen, the stages consist partly of technical, slow, winding and flowing roads, and partly of very fast sections; the surface is almost the same in every stage — compacted gravel. FIA rally category manager Marina Duñach also emphasized that the roads are “very exciting” and that WRC drivers “will love” these stages.
Regarding when the decision on inclusion in the calendar would be announced, Abel responded: “Work will continue in the coming months, and we hope to see Rally US on that calendar when the promoter is ready to submit it to the FIA World Motorsport Council for approval.” Crews described the final decision as igniting a sprint: “The clock will start ticking when that final decision is made; but we feel we are in a great position.”