Return of the legendary championship
The last time the World Rally Championship held an event in the USA was when George H. W. Bush was president. Now, nearly 40 years later, it may return. This year, championship representatives will visit Tennessee and Kentucky to assess how realistic it is to hold a WRC round on American soil.
Evaluation visit instead of a traditional rally
Instead of holding a traditional rally, FIA representatives will evaluate how rally events are already organized in the USA. The visit will include observing a round of the American Rally Association’s national championship. After that, they will tour the proposed special stages and infrastructure in Tennessee and Kentucky.
The process is being carried out in collaboration with the FIA, ACCUS, and the local promoter Podium Event Partners. Officials will assess everything: from safety standards and logistics to service park planning and fan engagement. In other words, it’s a full-scale stress test of whether America can organize an event to the level of the modern WRC.
Tennessee’s rally experience
Tennessee, in particular, is already a known player in American rallying. The state hosts the Overmountain Rally, a national ARA event that runs through the Appalachian foothills and offers precisely the kind of fast, technical gravel roads that WRC teams love.
The terrain, elevation changes, and dense forest cover are ideal for rally special stages, and the region already has experience hosting national-level competitions.
Why Kentucky is a serious contender
Kentucky, in turn, offers no less attractive opportunities. The Daniel Boone National Forest region in eastern Kentucky and the surrounding Appalachian roads feature long gravel sections, steep switchbacks, and minimal development.
This area also benefits from proximity to interstate highways and regional airports, which will simplify logistics for teams and manufacturers.
Strategic vision of the leadership
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that “expanding the WRC in North America will not only increase the championship’s global reach but will also unite rallying with an experienced, passionate, and growing fan base in a market where participation and fan engagement continue to accelerate.”
Awaiting the decision
The results of this visit will likely determine the next steps. If the American round gets the green light, expect an official announcement soon after the FIA tour concludes.
The potential return of the WRC to the USA after so many years could be a real breakthrough for a championship seeking to grow globally. The American market, with its huge audience of motorsport fans and developed automotive culture, opens new horizons for popularizing rallying. The success of this project may depend not only on the quality of the stages but also on the organizers’ ability to create an exciting event that will engage both veterans and new viewers. It could also give a boost to the development of local rally series and the nurturing of new world-class drivers.