FIA rally director from Estonia: USA's entry into WRC series to be decided in coming months

FIA rally director Emilia Abel expressed hope that a US world championship rally could be added to the WRC calendar as early as next year. In mid-June, a candidate rally took place in Tennessee, attended by senior FIA officials. A decision is expected in the coming months.

Emilia Abel, rally director of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and an Estonian, expressed hope that the US could join the world championship rally series WRC as early as 2027. There has been talk of a US world championship rally for several years, but now concrete steps are being taken.

Candidate rally held in Tennessee

In mid-June, a candidate rally was held in Tennessee to assess the region's suitability as a WRC stage. The event was attended by senior FIA representatives, including rally director Abel herself, signalling that the organisation is taking the US candidacy seriously.

Abel confirmed that the coming months should see a decision on whether and when the US officially joins the world championship rally series. If all goes according to plan, the United States could be added to the WRC calendar as early as the next season.

Estonian woman leads global rally series

Emilia Abel is an Estonian who heads the organisation of one of the world's best-known motorsport series, the WRC or world rally championship, at the FIA level. The US joining the series would be a significant step in expanding the WRC's global reach and would bring rally motorsport to one of the world's largest markets.