The WRC continues to work to have the Rally held in the United States in 2024, which would mean the return of the World Rally Championship to the USA 36 years later.
March 11, 2023 07:05 am
The WRC has been trying to hold a rally in the United States for some time, and in 2023 it finally seemed to enter the calendar. But that was not to be, and Rally1 will last another year without visiting the North American nation.
What about the WRC? While Formula 1 and other races are preparing for their return, the rally will continue to be postponed
It is interesting that the WRC travels to the other side of the tank, since the American market is in full swing in everything related to four wheels. Although it is not an area particularly related to coit, interest in the discipline has increased in recent times.
The last time the top rally race visited the USA was in 1988, when Miki Biasion won the Olympia Rally in Washington in his Lancia.
Speaking to Motorsport.com at Rally Monte Carlo last weekend, WRC director Simon Larkin said talks between the championship and the US regional government are progressing well.
A possible event location has yet to be revealed, but a gravel rally seems to be the preferred option.
“I think by the time we reach the end of March we will have a definitive, clear and concise statement of our ambitions for the US in 2024,” Larkin said.
When asked if there is a real possibility to take part in the championship in 2024, he said: “Absolutely we have been in this season for a long time and it is coming to the final deadline to determine the location of the test. We hope this year to be able to debut in 2024.
Another big interest in racing in the US is Ford, a local manufacturer that competes with M-Sport in the WRC.
“I think one of the reasons why Ford wants to participate in the WRC is because of the possibility of racing in North America,” M-Sport director Richard Millener told Motosport.com in 2021.
“It’s a huge market that’s available. They have great resources, great ways and great opportunities to do something.”
WRC tire developer Pirelli is also planning to break into the North American championship, having witnessed the benefits of the recent Formula 1 boom in the region.
“America is the biggest market for us,” Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director, said in Monte Carlo last week.
“We are happy to have three races with Formula 1 in America, and the WRC round would be ideal for us.”
“We know there’s a lot of culture around gravel and gravel, so I think there’s a big number to be added to the calendar. I hope it can be done.”
In addition, the championship of the championship also has a special interest in holding a rally in the Middle East, which could also come in 2024.
With motorsport information.
