2026 ERC News & Rumours

[PLuto]

I think we can start also with this thread. Calendar is expected to be confirmed on WMSC on 16th October.

[Sal yet again]

Will be interesting to see how many cars Lancia have ready for the season start and who will jump ship or stop with their Fabia and Yaris

[manthey]

Ostberg on Lancia Y HF

[htr]

Will there be any changes? Croatia goes wrc... something else

[WRCStan]

Rumour is no Roma but Sardegna...

[saco0o]

any guesses on the calendar?
poland, sweden, czechia, hungary will probably be there, right? (4)
a return to latvia?
will the uk keep the round even with so little entries?
sardegna could be expensive too, is it worth it?
spain? or could portugal have a shoot somewhere else?

its probably some of these, right? france you fellas suggested is a no no

[pedro16]

Rome stays. The switch with Sardegna is only in 2027.
Poland might be back to Silesia next year according to local news.
If that happens, Latvia and Portugal should be the main candidates to replace Croatia. A gravel round is needed.

Ceredigion? Who knows?

The rest should remain the same.

[Andre Oliveira]

Fafe in.

7/11 October

[saco0o]

spain, hungary, polska, czechia, sweden, portugal, latvia, italy is my guess then!

[PLuto]

Barum Czech Rally Zlín just confirmed the date for next year - https://www.czechrally.com/en/27278n-the-55th-barum-czech-rally-zlin-knows-its-exact-date

[Jarek Z]

19-year-old Markas Buteikis, driving the Ford Fiesta Rally4, won the Lithuanian Rally4 Trophy championship and secured the 80 000 € scholarship for his Junior ERC 2026 campaign:
https://www.facebook.com/MSportPoland/posts/pfbid0tKQHEDDcyjZEcLkH1uE9F24Msd4dSoiV1fMkk3uXzA59 9CGDQByg9ZXGhi8J7Pxel

[saco0o]

i keep seeing gigi gali doing some stunts in rally stages with a citroen R5... is this one event and the algorhythm is making it look like somethig more to me or was there any news on him coming back to do more rallies? i mean, i dont even know if hes doing rallies nowadays

[WRCStan]

i keep seeing gigi gali doing some stunts in rally stages with a citroen R5... is this one event and the algorhythm is making it look like somethig more to me or was there any news on him coming back to do more rallies? i mean, i dont even know if hes doing rallies nowadays

Was it a C3 WRC at Rally Legend last weekend? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBKb-Lxq9n4

Probably just the one event? Italians here will know more.

[PLuto]

i keep seeing gigi gali doing some stunts in rally stages with a citroen R5... is this one event and the algorhythm is making it look like somethig more to me or was there any news on him coming back to do more rallies? i mean, i dont even know if hes doing rallies nowadays

Galli didnt do a proper rally since 2008. Only few "shows" or zero car...

[saco0o]

chris ingram all happy in that extreme-H event in saudi arabia saying that thing fits him and he would love to do that
bleeeeeeeeeeeh

[wyler]

Was it a C3 WRC at Rally Legend last weekend? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBKb-Lxq9n4

Probably just the one event? Italians here will know more.

he did only promo/show stuff and a project with a rx kia rio
he indeed was at rally legend

[Fast Eddie WRC]

chris ingram all happy in that extreme-H event in saudi arabia saying that thing fits him and he would love to do that
bleeeeeeeeeeeh

Hmmm, that's worrying.

So many false starts for him in WRC2 makes me doubting he'll ever have a proper serious full season there. Or even back in ERC.

[WRCStan]

he did only promo/show stuff and a project with a rx kia rio
he indeed was at rally legend

He launched a YT channel and had a camera following him, it could have been a signal. We can dream.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G3ZS_sDWIAsLR_F?format=jpg&name=large

[saco0o]

"safe bet", which is good.

[Sal yet again]

ECR related but concerning the Historic ERC, have seen some chatter about changes to be made to the classes etc however has anyone heard anything about the calendar for 2026?

[PLuto]

ECR related but concerning the Historic ERC, have seen some chatter about changes to be made to the classes etc however has anyone heard anything about the calendar for 2026?

There is own thread for ERC Historic - https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?41052-ERC-Historic

[Jarek Z]

18-year-old Estonian rally driver Jaspar Vaher will contest a mix of WRC2, ERC and national rallies in 2026 in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

source:
https://www.facebook.com/DirtFishRally/posts/toyota-has-signed-18-year-old-estonian-rally-prodigy-jaspar-vaher-to-its-wrc-cha/1245466527609597/

[PLuto]

18-year-old Estonian rally driver Jaspar Vaher will contest a mix of WRC2, ERC and national rallies in 2026 in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

source:
https://www.facebook.com/DirtFishRally/posts/toyota-has-signed-18-year-old-estonian-rally-prodigy-jaspar-vaher-to-its-wrc-cha/1245466527609597/

I think that biggest problem of this Challenge Programme is their choice of events. Also if you look to previous years, they were choosing (sometimes strange) events in different countries and different championships. So drivers arrived there, usually showed nothing and moved to another event. They are forgetting one important thing - if you want to be champion, you need also to know how to fight for position in the championship. Especially for your mind is different if you come to the event and are there only to gain experience or if you are fighting for the best position in the championship. For a long time I am saying that for them should be better to do one championship regurarly and then add some other events to gain more experience.

[Steve Boyd]

I think that biggest problem of this Challenge Programme is their choice of events. Also if you look to previous years, they were choosing (sometimes strange) events in different countries and different championships. So drivers arrived there, usually showed nothing and moved to another event. They are forgetting one important thing - if you want to be champion, you need also to know how to fight for position in the championship. Especially for your mind is different if you come to the event and are there only to gain experience or if you are fighting for the best position in the championship. For a long time I am saying that for them should be better to do one championship regurarly and then add some other events to gain more experience.
Something like a full British Championship (with its mixture of gravel & tarmac) plus selected WRC2 & ERC rounds that fit between the British rounds, perhaps?

[PLuto]

Something like a full British Championship (with its mixture of gravel & tarmac) plus selected WRC2 & ERC rounds that fit between the British rounds, perhaps?

British Championship was not so big highlight in last years, but yes, something like that.

[saco0o]

if you want to be champion, you need also to know how to fight for position in the championship. Especially for your mind is different if you come to the event and are there only to gain experience or if you are fighting for the best position in the championship. For a long time I am saying that for them should be better to do one championship regurarly and then add some other events to gain more experience.

this!

[Steve Boyd]

British Championship was not so big highlight in last years, but yes, something like that.
I agree, but with a few more "young guns" like Vaher the British Championship could become a lot more interesting.

[PLuto]

I agree, but with a few more "young guns" like Vaher the British Championship could become a lot more interesting.

Every addition driver is making every championship more interesting. But British Championship should focus to bring all top drivers from UK/Ireland as a priority...

[Steve Boyd]

But British Championship should focus to bring all top drivers from UK/Ireland as a priority...
They lost that when they tried to market the championship as a stepping stone to ERC & WRC. Back in the Gp4, GpB and early GpA days there were plenty who had a career in the BRC. Now, once people have had a couple of seasons, they either move up or retire. If they could recreate the idea that you could be a rally success if you stayed in BRC for many years I'm sure it would improve the entry, but to do that they need to raise the profile amongst the general public so that sponsors have something worth supporting.

[Tom206wrc]

Tom Heindrichs in Junior ERC with Opel, Gianandrea Pisani in ERC 2WD with Lancia(possibly with Michelin tyres) :cool:

[Co-driven]

Mabellini and Dei Ceci should also be with Lancia in ERC (Rally2 and Rally4).

[Tom206wrc]

So WRC2 + ERC for Andrea Mabellini :confused:

[Jarek Z]

ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy confirmed for 2026:
https://www.fiaerc.com/en/news/good-things-come-in-three-as-erc-fiesta-rally3-trophy-confirmed-for-2026

[Jarek Z]

So WRC2 + ERC for Andrea Mabellini :confused:

I don't know that, but I know that the Lancia program will be officially presented on November 18th at Satory, home of Stellantis’ motorsport activities, along with the drivers and the official livery of the Ypsilon HF Integrale Rally2. Maybe we will learn something in 2 days.

[Tom206wrc]

During the presentation of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 today, they only mentionned name of Gianandrea Pisani for ERC 2WD 2026(in the Ypsilon Rally4)...once again, no Andrea Mabellini at all :mark:

[wyler]

During the presentation of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 today, they only mentionned name of Gianandrea Pisani for ERC 2WD 2026(in the Ypsilon Rally4)...once again, no Andrea Mabellini at all :mark:

and no official lancia team in rally2.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

and no official lancia team in rally2.

Lancia has confirmed the all-new Rally2 contender will be delivered to factory-supported and customer teams in the first quarter of 2026,

[wyler]

Lancia has confirmed the all-new Rally2 contender will be delivered to factory-supported and customer teams in the first quarter of 2026,

customer, yes. But only factory-backed team in erc will be for pisani in rally4 (team still to be decided with a tender, probably italy based)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

customer, yes. But only factory-backed team in erc will be for pisani in rally4 (team still to be decided with a tender, probably italy based)

I wouldn't expect a factory-backed Rally2 team in ERC. That will be in WRC2 where their big effort is being made to win the Title for maximum publicity.

[rp]

Vatanen & Ford back in the ERC! Ville Vatanen KSM Racing Ford Fiesta Rally3. ERC3 & Fiesta Rally3 Trophy

[Jarek Z]

Jakub Matulka would like to continue competing in ERC in 2026.

source:
https://rallypl.com/matulka-celuje-w-starty-w-europie-wywiad/

[YerayEcoBoost]

Róbert Kolčák (Chooligan Racing team) will compete in the full ERC 2026 with Hyundai and Michelin Motorsport

[AMSS]

Possible winter round in -27 https://rallyjournal.com/big-negotiations-behind-the-scenes-could-finland-host-an-erc-winter-round/

[PLuto]

Possible winter round in -27 https://rallyjournal.com/big-negotiations-behind-the-scenes-could-finland-host-an-erc-winter-round/

From my point of view, I dont think it is good for ERC to have winter road in January/February...

[AMSS]

From my point of view, I dont think it is good for ERC to have winter road in January/February...

The plan is for early March

[saco0o]

Possible winter round in -27 https://rallyjournal.com/big-negotiations-behind-the-scenes-could-finland-host-an-erc-winter-round/

hmmm does this mean losing the swedish round?

[AMSS]

hmmm does this mean losing the swedish round?

If you ask me, then no idea ��*♂️

[Andre Oliveira]

Rumours about no Rally Hungary. Any idea?

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G71N6TjWkAAARwl?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G71N6TiWsAAVDkf?format=jpg&name=large

[TWRC]

Rumours about no Rally Hungary. Any idea?

Given the state of affairs here, I'd say it is off. Many drivers were arrested some weeks ago for tax evasion, the federation is in shambles, the organizer of the Veszprém Rallys has folded due to held back money etc... We might not even have a national championship next year.

[WRC1]

Given the state of affairs here, I'd say it is off. Many drivers were arrested some weeks ago for tax evasion, the federation is in shambles, the organizer of the Veszprém Rallys has folded due to held back money etc... We might not even have a national championship next year.

that would be very very sad, as Rally Hungary in Veszprem is the greatest rally in ERC

[focus206]

Given the state of affairs here, I'd say it is off. Many drivers were arrested some weeks ago for tax evasion, the federation is in shambles, the organizer of the Veszprém Rallys has folded due to held back money etc... We might not even have a national championship next year.

Are there big names of Hungarian rallying among the arrested drivers?
What a shame, the Hungarian round was my favourite in the past years of ERC...

[Sal yet again]

Funny how bending the law and motorsport seem to be indelibly linked! When I was young it was drivers stealing cars to order for parts to fund their rallying rather than "white collar" crime like tax evasion!

[TWRC]

Are there big names of Hungarian rallying among the arrested drivers?
What a shame, the Hungarian round was my favourite in the past years of ERC...

In short, yes. There are couple of drivers and a co-driver among them, although in two different cases.
One is a multiple-time ERC podium finisher and started with an orange Yaris and Skoda RS this year
One driver and his daughter with bright yellow Skoda (whose car was already up for sale after their arrest)
One driver who is a Rally Hungary winner, but he never managed to get a national rally championship, and now might never will.

[Kenneth]

So Herzig, Oilé, Turán

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Given the state of affairs here, I'd say it is off. Many drivers were arrested some weeks ago for tax evasion, the federation is in shambles, the organizer of the Veszprém Rallys has folded due to held back money etc... We might not even have a national championship next year.

A shame if it's off as it's been a cool rally.

And as its scheduled as the first rally of ERC 2026 is there time for it to be replaced ?
Although I suppose an extra Round could be fitted in later in the year..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Škoda continues ERC rewards programme...

https://www.fiaerc.com/en/news/-koda-continues-erc-rewards-programme

[YerayEcoBoost]

Portuguese driver Joni Gonçalves will compete in the European Rally Championship in the ERC4 category

https://ralisonline.net/joni-goncalves-aposta-no-europeu-de-ralis-2rm/

Enviado desde mi motorola edge 40 neo mediante Tapatalk

[saco0o]

supose the new wrc promoter actually takes over on jan 1st 2026, what happens to erc?
cuz redbullgmbh ditched the world rallycross, so the new promoter is not getting that.
erc is also a separated entity from wrc overall and we have no idea if the new promoters want anything with erc
in RX fia took over the promotion.

[Andre Oliveira]

It looks Hungary will be cancelled.

[Jarek Z]

The winner of Ford Fiesta Rally3 Cup in Spain will get a prize drive on a round of the European Rally Championship in 2027:
https://www.fiaerc.com/en/news/erc-fiesta-rally3-prize-drive-for-winner-of-new-spanish-reto-series

[Andre Oliveira]

It looks Hungary will be cancelled.


https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/erc-loses-its-season-opener-rally-hungary/

[wwbroe]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/erc-loses-its-season-opener-rally-hungary/

So, it will be citytrip to Budapest instead, plane was allready booked.;)

[Krigen]

According to this article https://www.parcferme.no/forhandler-med-fabrikker-om-vm-eventyr/220483 Evind Brynildsen will not do Norwegian championchip this year, he has sold his Toyota Yaris GR2, and is in talks with Hyundai, Skoda and Ford about doing a full season in ERC or WRC 2 with also option for 27 wirh new regulations