2026 WRC News & Rumours

[PLuto]

https://img.redbull.com/images/w_1600/q_auto,f_auto/redbullcom/2025/12/5/o20rdo1n81nzv0ioodmp/the-2026-fia-junior-wrc-calendar

[Andre Oliveira]

Already here

https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?45187-JWRC-Junior-WRC-2026

[PLuto]

Already here

https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?45187-JWRC-Junior-WRC-2026

I know, but I wanted to start 2026 news thread.

[flat_right]

I know, but I wanted to start 2026 news thread.

By adding JWRC calendar as a first post? Just want to understand the logic here :D Might have started by just writing "Wanted to start 2026 news thread"

[PLuto]

By adding JWRC calendar as a first post? Just want to understand the logic here :D Might have started by just writing "Wanted to start 2026 news thread"

To say the truth, I was originally wanting to start thread with similar sentence. But then I looked how 2025 thread started and it was with JWRC calendar. So I have decided to start in the same way.

[deephouse]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/fia-closing-on-new-wrc-promoter-decision/

I think it's the right post in the right thread. How long do we get them? 3, 4, 5 months?

[tbazsi95]

Off topic but Munster will do Dakar in 2026 alongside Jourdan in the Ford Raptor
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVELQeDA_H/

[Andre Oliveira]

JOSH MCERLEAN RETURNS TO M-SPORT FORD FOR FULL 2026 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ALONGSIDE NEW RALLY1 RECRUIT JON ARMSTRONG

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is pleased to announce an expanded collaboration with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy in 2026.

Academy crew Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy will return to the Ford Puma Rally1 car for the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, with Rally1 newbies Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne joining the full season line-up.

McErlean and Treacy will be joined by their new Academy teammates Armstrong and Shane Byrne on the start ramp at Rallye Monte-Carlo next month. The Irish quartet will combine McErlean and Treacy’s knowledge gained throughout their maiden Rally1 season in 2025 with Armstrong’s strong JWRC and ERC experience to launch into 2026 with clear goals.

McErlean and Treacy will be harnessing the invaluable experience gained from their maiden season in the Rally1 car to advance their own performance for 2026, while also sharing their experience with their new teammates. The pair had an impressive debut season with the M-Sport team, making their first ever appearance in Monaco, just as Armstrong and Byrne will now do.

McErlean and Treacy impressed on the season’s opening round, giving a clever and consistent performance that earned them seventh overall on the icy stages of Rallye Monte-Carlo. They carried this momentum through the following rounds, navigating challenges and taking on some events for the first time in their careers. The pair had another positive performance on Rally de Portugal, finishing eighth, and matched their top result with seventh overall on Rally Finland and later again at the Central European Rally.

McErlean’s experience with the Puma Rally1 car has shown clear development throughout the 2025 season, and he and Treacy are now poised to gather even more momentum throughout 2026 to achieve more solid results.

With a career built in Ford machinery, Armstrong is a true representative of the effectiveness of the rally progression pyramid. Starting out as a British Rally Championship contender since as early as 2013 in a Ford Fiesta R2, Armstrong competed on national events before making his ERC and WRC debuts in 2015 in the ERC3 and RC4 classes, already starting to build solid experience on staple WRC rounds including Rally de Portugal and Rally Finland.

Armstrong’s achievements also include finishing twice runner-up in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2021 and 2022, in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 with M-Sport Poland, claiming wins and podiums on Junior rounds in Croatia, Sweden and Estonia and Poland to name a few.

A move to the FIA European Rally Championship in 2023 saw Armstrong extend his already impressive range of experience. Armstrong claimed five wins in the Fiesta Rally3, which saw him claim the ERC3 title. He also enjoyed the opportunity to make his debut with Rally2 machinery on the Royal Rally of Scandinavia, where he finished just outside the top ten.

In 2024 he advanced to the top-category in ERC behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Rally2 car alongside then co-driver Eoin Treacy. A productive season in 2024, supported by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, gave Armstrong a solid knowledge base of the stages. He would harness this experience throughout 2025, now alongside Shane Byrne, to claim their first podium finishes on Rally Poland and Czech Rally Zlín, before their maiden ERC victory on Wales Rali Ceredigion. The pair delivered a dominant performance in Wales, leading the rally from the second stage all the way to the end and collecting four stage wins along the way.

After fighting for the ERC title all the way to the final day of the championship, Armstrong was runner up by only six points after another commanding win on Croatia Rally in October.

Buoyed by the confidence from their impressive 2025 performances, Armstrong and Byrne look forward to teaming up with fellow Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew McErlean and Treacy to make the step-up into Ford Puma Rally1 machinery, debuting on Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.

The M-Sport team is thrilled to be working with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for another season and looks forward to more strong results together throughout 2026.

Further announcements on M-Sport’s remaining line-up will be made soon.

Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, said:

“I’m very happy to announce that we will be welcoming Josh and Eoin back to the team for the 2026 season. They had a brilliant debut season and their progression with such limited Rally1 experience was very clear to see, so it’s great to be able to give them the opportunity to continue this upward trajectory. Away from the events, they have both become much-valued members of the team and I’m really looking forward to working with them again.

“It’s also very exciting to see Jon and Shane get the opportunity to make the step-up to Rally1 machinery with us. I’m genuinely eager to see how they progress throughout 2026. Jon’s been working towards this opportunity for a long time now, and his strong ERC performances at the end of last season made it impossible to ignore him.

“I’d like to thank the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for their support throughout the 2025 season, and I look forward to developing our partnership further as we head into 2026.”

Josh McErlean said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be confirmed with M-Sport for the 2026 WRC season, and I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support from both the team and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. We made real progress throughout 2025, and I’m excited to build on everything we learned and put it into action next year.

To have another season at this level means a lot. I’m in a completely different place mentally compared to this time last year, stronger, clearer, and ready to enjoy the challenge ahead. My focus now is on myself, performing to the best of my ability, and making the most of this fantastic opportunity with Eoin alongside me.”

Jon Armstrong said:

“I’m obviously very grateful for the opportunity to drive a Rally1 car. It’s something I’ve worked towards from a very young age, so to actually be able to compete in the top tier of rallying is definitely a dream come true. Of course, there have been years where things didn’t go our way and we weren’t sure if it would ever happen, but we’ve had a very strong season in ERC, showed our potential, and naturally you then want to see what you can do in the World Rally Championship.

“I’m very happy and extremely grateful to M-Sport, who I’ve been driving with for most of my rally career, and also to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy - without them we definitely wouldn’t be here. We’re really looking forward to the year ahead. There are going to be a lot of good times and definitely some challenges, but I think we’ve shown that we can rise to those challenges, so we just need to stay strong, enjoy it, and keep pushing forward.”

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/89553f_e6c15596046e4075888bfcffb3ee9a03~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_740,h_493,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif, quality_auto/89553f_e6c15596046e4075888bfcffb3ee9a03~mv2.jpg

https://www.m-sport.co.uk/single-post/josh-mcerlean-returns-to-m-sport-ford-for-full-2026-world-rally-championship-alongside-new-rally1-re

[saco0o]

ALONGSIDE NEW RALLY1 RECRUIT JON ARMSTRONG
[/url]

would I - as a racer - ever skip the opportunity to move up from R5 to rally1s?? NEVER! I'd do it in a heartbeat, for sure.

...HOWEVER.... its going to suck because it takes time to get used to this car.
natural bad results are going to put pressure on him to perform - which will cause self doubts and criticizm
you know.... its the same for everybody. take Sesks, Pajari, even Oli when he first came in.

but im 100% back to follow the WRC now haha #ARMYstrong!

[Rallyper]

Well, that´s some news. I guess it´s a Brittish affair. Not international recruiting for the best of MSport.

[Andre Oliveira]

Irish affair

[WRC1]

places 9 and 10 are booked for the M-Sport squad, if Ogier is not there maybe 8 is possible, depends on how fast Gryazin is with Lancia...i really hope they come at least with a few rallyes for Sesks to show what the Puma can deliver....

[Andre Oliveira]

Further announcements on M-Sport’s remaining line-up will be made soon.

https://www.m-sport.co.uk/single-post/josh-mcerlean-returns-to-m-sport-ford-for-full-2026-world-rally-championship-alongside-new-rally1-re

Something here. Sesks? Munster? WRC2 program?

[deephouse]

Nah, Serderidis, Bertelli likes, those who are don't even worth mention. Another season to forget for. Sesks SHOULD be in the full time and those both irish share a seat each one a rally, if it that big a problem running three cars.

I'm thinking, does Printsport have any proper driver to choose from to defend two straight titles? Sesks maybe the only good option, since Lancia snapped both the best ones.

[WRCStan]

Printsport have any proper driver to choose from to defend two straight titles?

What titles?

[WRCStan]

Something here. Sesks? Munster? WRC2 program?

Sesks half season:
Sweden
Portugal
Greece
Estonia
Finland
Italy
Saudi

[WRCStan]

Reading Ogier skips Sweden, Kenya, Estonia and Italy.

[AndersX]

I must admit, i am disappointed. I am ok that Armstrong gets opportunity - he is a good driver. Is he fast? Does he have natural speed? We will see. ERC was not the most competitive this year.

I was expecting him in Sesks 2025 role - part time, to make it step by step.

Hats off to Irish Federation and private Driver development fund - to finance 2 drivers, 2 full seasons should cost millions. This is what we call dedication and belief. Interesting investment.

For Sesks: this must be painful; it was mistake to not include at least one tarmac in 2025 program. Now many still have argument against him - something like a one trick ponny.

If you were Sesks team - would you go for building the name in Wrc, last season for these cars, still for some 0,5+ mil ( i guess) or tune back, spend the same amount in R2 car, but driving as much WRC rounds as possible - as Solberg did; to build experience; e.g. with that new Hyunday Rally 2+ they are testing to prepare for 2027?

[Steve Boyd]

I guess it´s a Brittish affair.
Oooh! Careful. I think you'll find they are Irish. Calling them British is worse than calling a Swede a Fin! :)

[deephouse]

What titles?

Do you even follow WRC at all? Have you forgotten that Sami Pajari drove for them in 2024 and won a WRC2 title. And in 2025 Oliver Solberg drove for them and won a title. And guess what. They are some kind of a Toyota unofficial team

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oooh! Careful. I think you'll find they are Irish. Calling them British is worse than calling a Swede a Fin! :)

They are both actually from Northern Ireland which is (still) British...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

would I - as a racer - ever skip the opportunity to move up from R5 to rally1s?? NEVER! I'd do it in a heartbeat, for sure.

...HOWEVER.... its going to suck because it takes time to get used to this car.
natural bad results are going to put pressure on him to perform - which will cause self doubts and criticizm
you know.... its the same for everybody. take Sesks, Pajari, even Oli when he first came in.

but im 100% back to follow the WRC now haha #ARMYstrong!

Indeed, you would never turn down a full season in any car, let alone a Rally1.

And with the M-Sport uncertainty for 2027 who knows if theyll even have a car for WRC after next year.

Armstrong deserves his chance thanks to his progress in ERC and isnt taking a seat from Sesks or anyone else. It's all down to funding if you want a drive.

[focus206]

They are both actually from Northern Ireland which is (still) British...

Josh has used the Irish flag for as long as I can check, even when he was doing the British Championship, but Armstrong only since a couple of years.
Did Armstrong start using the Irish flag as a requirement for Motorsport Ireland funding?

[Rallyper]

Oooh! Careful. I think you'll find they are Irish. Calling them British is worse than calling a Swede a Fin! :)

Hehe. I wouldn´t mind be called finnish. However my bad. Although brittish is involved, right? Guess one part is called MSport... ;)

[rallyfiend]

Josh has used the Irish flag for as long as I can check, even when he was doing the British Championship, but Armstrong only since a couple of years.
Did Armstrong start using the Irish flag as a requirement for Motorsport Ireland funding?

I think this is the difference between national / regional regulations and World?/

In regional you can run where your license comes from.

In the World Champiionship you run where your passport comes from.

[Sal yet again]

Timo Jouhki got plenty of Finnish drivers with questionable pedigree into "works" seats so why shouldnt John Coyne?

The FFSA's investment in French drivers has paid off handsomely and whilst you may have to squint to see Josh and Jon reaching the dizzy heights of Ogier it just goes to prove that the sport is about $ in the first instance these days more than ever before

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Josh has used the Irish flag for as long as I can check, even when he was doing the British Championship, but Armstrong only since a couple of years.
Did Armstrong start using the Irish flag as a requirement for Motorsport Ireland funding?

Quite possibly.

Jon Armstrong isnt an 'Irish name' and he's from Kesh which is 77% Protestant with 72% having a British identity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesh,_County_Fermanagh

[Rallyper]

Timo Jouhki got plenty of Finnish drivers with questionable pedigree into "works" seats so why shouldnt John Coyne?

The FFSA's investment in French drivers has paid off handsomely and whilst you may have to squint to see Josh and Jon reaching the dizzy heights of Ogier it just goes to prove that the sport is about $ in the first instance these days more than ever before

Actually like it´s been for 30 -40 years, though.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Munster with part-time Rally1 programme story...

https://rallyjournal.com/source-gregoire-munsters-m-sport-future-takes-an-unexpected-turn?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=comment&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0N jkyNTk4Mjc5AAEeUR1W6O_MX8XYdnxa43ov6-xC_UAjU6tBmWM2do-iPKFLY8voP6KpVv7pTEY_aem_SbBsNmBHt-muD7QL-fTzqQ

[AndersX]

Good for Munster. I doubt he would be top3 in Rally2, though. Better to stay up there and drive on experience where nobody expects big from you, if funding allows. We can see where all those "back-steppers" are today - Greensmith, Loubet, Sunninen, Lefebre ...only very natural speed guys can climb back - Tanak, Evans, Solberg, Fourmaux.

I hope Sesks is approached by some of those who already work on 2027, to develop their car and have a seat in 2027. To spend time in WRC as One Trick Ponny again going to the same events as last year would give benefit only if he could be really close to top based on the gained experience 2025. But I doubt that Puma is fast on harder surface than desert sand. If in Finland he would be still a leading Ford but at 6th place, everyone would start to write him off again. As it was this year.

[deephouse]

If we compare all finish talents which come into WRC in recent years. They didn't buy out the seat but deserve it purely. Everyone of them did show some progress, won titles and drove great, so at the end it was worth it. Kalle, Lappi, Suninen, Pajari... While all recent M-Sport drivers did buy out the seat, and didn't show anything before and probably will not in the future. Practicaly the underdog of them is Sesks, which does have flashes of great speed and obviously is the only one capable of bringing some good results.

What I'm trying to say is I don't understand why would anyone fund so much for a unproven ''talent'' for a season in top class of WRC, if they could simply fund them the 2/3 seasons in lower classes for the same amount of money or even less and would get away with better results, experience and proper development of driver.

That's why I compare them to finish.. They did deserve those seats while those seating at M-Sport just isn't ready yet. Sorry, but it's true, no matter how much money did they have.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The guy funding the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, John Coyne, is helping the best of the current drivers from (the island) of Ireland. Maybe only William Creighton could've been too. But they're his choice and it's his money. He's not doing it expecting a return on investment.

Maybe the previous crop - Devine, Cronin, Moffett etc - were much stronger, but the funding wasnt around for them. Luckily Meeke and Breen made it with their own family money and connections.

[WRCStan]

Do you even follow WRC at all? Have you forgotten that Sami Pajari drove for them in 2024 and won a WRC2 title. And in 2025 Oliver Solberg drove for them and won a title. And guess what. They are some kind of a Toyota unofficial team

Ah OK, so the driver's championship is Printsport's own target and crew recruitment is of their volition - thank you for teaching me something, I'm always learning. I asked because you could have meant the WRC2 Team's championship, with Printsport being a team. You won't need me to tell you the standings for either year, and who was or wasn't an official Toyota team.

[deephouse]

I would understand if those boys would be in some random team and finished out of the best ten, but they both clinch WRC2 title and both were promoted in Toyota. That's why I was so suprised that people here exist that don't know who they are, or at least pretend it they don't know out of their frustrations of not being some kind of a fan, I guess.

The best position in WRC2 you can be in 2026 - PH Sport (Lancia), Toksport (Skoda), Printsport (Toyota).

Maybe Sesks could fit in any of those and drive way more for way less (and at least with future, rather than showing and never promoting at M-Sport)

[WRCStan]

We differ in opinions deephouse. Yes, I've heard of Printsport, I researched and drafted an article on them. My view is that they're means to an end for their customers, whoever they may be, and driver's titles are bestowed upon drivers not teams. Therefore in my head, Printsport have no titles to defend and aren't trying to sign the best driver for their campaign. Sesks chooses Printsport, not the other way round like you said.

My take might be wrong but from here I think I asked you a fair question to help me understand your take which sounded odd to me. You could be kind and explain your take and why I'm wrong without being a cocksure "this is the only truth" jerk, but hey you do you, and which is why if you're sarcastic or belittling I'll just give some back.

[deephouse]

Frustration can be painful if you can't manage it. You say that driver title is only drivers, but the team doesn't even matter at all? Complete and total non-sense. It's always team's work, and this days it's pretty rare that someone would enter all by himself and won (also prepraing and fixing the car all by himself). On a world scale, doesn't exist. The team preparing and providing support always is pleased when the driver in their team does achieve and won events, title, stages. It does prove they do work well all together. If they enter with more cars and are scoring also for teams, even better. But calling Printsport nothing but just a team and having two drivers won drivers title in their cars is stupid. Drivers almost always thank the team in interviews, if that wouldn't matter they would never do it. Also if they would be some sort of renting company, Pajari and Solberg would enter the cahhmpionship with their own team or just names, but was always Printsport. Very hard to understand.

[trykmann]

From a marketing perspective Toyota as a manufacturer would obviously want to see their car winning again the WRC2 championship, therefore Printsport as a semi-official Toyota Rally2 team probably would like to have a fast driver driving their car. We don't know how the deals are made and how much a driver has to pay to drive their car, but the cost may vary depending on the driver and his winning potential.

[AndersX]

This interview with Millener makes little sense. He could be a good politician. Especially I like him pointing that Sesks was on bad form last year, therefore his case is not that straight forward and so on.... Read - we expected him to be Top5, with underdeveloped car, with no or little testing on events he has never driven before, while it is ok, that regular drivers, with much longer seat time are ok to finish behind him.

I really hope Sesks team is looking beyond 2026 and will make strategically right decision. I do not think Sesks sponsors need to spend another 500K or more to prove they are fast. Tarmac they would learn step by step, if they would have all season in the seat.

I think Printsport will go with Korhonen.

But it is interesting who will be testing Toyotas 2027 car and develop it. As well as who will work with the new Prospeed project. Solberg also is working on smth.

Question is what Skoda and TokSport will do.

[Negaiss]

Starting to like WRC27 concept more and more. I bet there are some tuners, who whould like to try to show, that they can build better car than World class manufacturers. And constructors do not even have to choose spesific brand - they can even desigh their own outer body and call it their own brand. Latvian based SRT rally team could build their own WRC27 model called Ferret 1.0

[focus206]

And constructors do not even have to choose spesific brand - they can even desigh their own outer body and call it their own brand. Latvian based SRT rally team could build their own WRC27 model called Ferret 1.0

Yes, I find it quite disgusting. Stuff like that belongs in Dakar. I highly doubt fans will go crazy for a "Ferret 1.0" funnymobile that doesn't even resemble a car on sale. The fact that many rally fans on social medias are asking themselves what brand and what model is this Rally One Project, shows that it hasn't dawned on most that it unfortunately doesn't need to resemble a model. Or it shows that those many fans would much prefer if it was a requirement.

Can't wait to see stuff like "Stake Visa Cash App Team Kick Schlesser Buggy Rally1" on entry lists...

[WRCStan]

Frustration can be painful if you can't manage it.

Apology accepted. End of.

[PLuto]

Latvian based SRT rally team could build their own WRC27 model called Ferret 1.0

We had Ferat in 1981. They can use its bodyshell :D - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_110_Super_Sport

[wyler]

Munster confirmed in Monte with Rally1 Puma

Possible part-season as 3rd puma shared with sesks?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Munster confirmed in Monte with Rally1 Puma

Possible part-season as 3rd puma shared with sesks?

Or could be using Serderidis' owned car.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jourdan Serderidis confirmed: Yes, he will be there with the Puma. It's a race where he has shown he can compete with the best. It's his preferred terrain and he will be keen to demonstrate his abilities.

[AndersX]

Munster confirmed in Monte with Rally1 Puma

Possible part-season as 3rd puma shared with sesks?

Lets hope Sesks is hired by some of those 2027 projects.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

According to the Estonian newspaper Postimees, Jürgenson is now the strongest candidate to make his Rally1 debut at Rally Estonia. The paper reports that he may even get the chance to drive a test event in M-Sport’s Ford Puma Rally1 before his home WRC round.

https://rallyjournal.com/top-estonian-rally-prospect-secures-major-seat-rally1-debut-at-home-event?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=comment&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0N jkyNTk4Mjc5AAEenGabBqBCOLe1YxyI9Jq-AR-WnndqsnfQ8d9RoSXO3NePTNhnAzA1JqIskuk_aem_ULP5KtzoK Bgi-QqH1CC5AQ

[denkimi]

Yes, I find it quite disgusting. Stuff like that belongs in Dakar. I highly doubt fans will go crazy for a "Ferret 1.0" funnymobile that doesn't even resemble a car on sale. The fact that many rally fans on social medias are asking themselves what brand and what model is this Rally One Project, shows that it hasn't dawned on most that it unfortunately doesn't need to resemble a model. Or it shows that those many fans would much prefer if it was a requirement.

Can't wait to see stuff like "Stake Visa Cash App Team Kick Schlesser Buggy Rally1" on entry lists...
What do you think of the williams or haas f1 car?

[focus206]

What do you think of the williams or haas f1 car?

I think F1 has never been based on production models, they're single seaters. Doesn't really matter if they're from a car manufacturer like Ferrari or from Williams, they're all single seaters.
Rallying, GT racing, touring car racing, are not supposed to be single seaters nor buggies or prototypes that don't even resemble a production car. It's like proposing that F1 should only make race cars that resemble road models, it's absurd, they're not meant to.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Munster plans only Monte in the Puma, then some Rally2 drives...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/munsters-2026-rally-plans/

[WRCStan]

I guess there's no new promoter then.

[TypeR]

If Hyundai doesn't change anything, then Toyota already 1-0 with livery

https://www.upload.ee/image/18956206/Screenshot_20260106-111952__1_.png

[Eli]

If Hyundai doesn't change anything, then Toyota already 1-0 with livery

https://www.upload.ee/image/18956206/Screenshot_20260106-111952__1_.png
Finally someone listened to our complaints, took them only two years but better late than never, now up to Hyundai to not look like clowns.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

According to information obtained by RallyJournal.com, Hyundai has now said goodbye to Finland. For the 2026 season, Hyundai’s permanent test site will instead be located in France.

RallyJournal.com has asked Hyundai for official confirmation, but the team has not yet commented on the matter.

https://rallyjournal.com/goodbye-finland-hyundais-wrc-team-makes-a-surprising-move/

[GigiGalliNo1]

Told ya it'll be red.

Now.. next year will be the Celica :D

[rallyfiend]

Rumour has it Seb will have his own separate livery as well. With the brand that was on the Fords....

[focus206]

Finally a good livery by Toyota

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Reading stuff online that Ogier's 2026 Toyota will have Red Bull sponsorship... and that the M-Sport cars will no longer have any RB sponsorship.

[AndersX]

Reading stuff online that Ogier's 2026 Toyota will have Red Bull sponsorship... and that the M-Sport cars will no longer have any RB sponsorship.

Possibly this is why in the last serie of MthM Millner was talking about importance of having good performance in Saudi Arabia because they had a risk of loosing partners.
It will be interesting to see what sponsors they have this year. Possibly both cars will be painted in Irish flag only.

[Franky]

It is a pay driver team, so don't expect to see anyone really wanting to sponsor the team itself. Or you'd expect to at least have some podiums in a three team championship...

[GigiGalliNo1]

Rumour has it Seb will have his own separate livery as well. With the brand that was on the Fords....

True. Keep an eye out!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

According to information obtained by RallyJournal.com, Hyundai has now said goodbye to Finland. For the 2026 season, Hyundai’s permanent test site will instead be located in France.

RallyJournal.com has asked Hyundai for official confirmation, but the team has not yet commented on the matter.

https://rallyjournal.com/goodbye-finland-hyundais-wrc-team-makes-a-surprising-move/

This has now been confirmed...

“We have moved the test base to the south of France from Finland with the objective to help us in the second part of the championship where there will be a lot of rough gravel,” Hyundai’s spokesperson explained.

https://rallyjournal.com/hyundais-wrc-team-reveals-two-key-reasons-for-leaving-finland/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Possibly this is why in the last serie of MthM Millner was talking about importance of having good performance in Saudi Arabia because they had a risk of loosing partners.
It will be interesting to see what sponsors they have this year. Possibly both cars will be painted in Irish flag only.

Maybe these two drivers in WRC will attract an Irish company to take some space on the cars. If not its probable that Castrol will be the main sponsors.

(In ERC Jon Armstrong's Fiesta had MI Rally Academy and MS-RT, plus some Seacon UK.)

[macebig]

Don't think Red Bull will drop M-Sport now. Especially since they're starting their Ford partnership officially next week. Unless,Ford has decided to quit WRC for good, that is... BP sold their majority shareholding of Castrol, so this deal may have done its course, instead.

[Steve Boyd]

The Castrol deal was linked to Ford as Castrol are the lubricant suppliers to Ford for production car manufacture. Any change in marketing policy from either, or a new deal for somebody else to supply Ford production cars could result in a change to the M-Sport rally car branding.

[deephouse]

RedBull was always on winning vehicles or at least on those who was close to winning, not on those who doesn't even stand a chance.

[wyler]

RedBull was always on winning vehicles or at least on those who was close to winning, not on those who doesn't even stand a chance.

there was a big red bull on the pumas till 1 month ago...

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/canarias-to-remain-on-wrc-calendar-until-2029/

The boring tarmac round stays with us for another 3 seasons.....*sigh*....but they say Island rallies are to expensive no? that's why we don't see Corsica since 2019....

[106 sport]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/canarias-to-remain-on-wrc-calendar-until-2029/

The boring tarmac round stays with us for another 3 seasons.....*sigh*....but they say Island rallies are to expensive no? that's why we don't see Corsica since 2019....

Sorry, but I don't think you know anything about rallies.

Rally Islas Canarias 2025 was a success in every way. Lots of fans, media interest, safety, the beauty of the landscapes of Gran Canaria, etc.

[Negaiss]

Today in latvian podcast Martins Sesks told that he indeed was involved in talks with Hyundai about 2026

[NaBUru38]

Speaking of Castrol, BP sold 65% of the shares to American investment firm Stonepeak.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93wekx37g4o

[GigiGalliNo1]

Ogier’s livery is Redbull. Mentioned this before on the forum and RB just shared on Instagram. :D

[WRCStan]

Ogier having Red Bull doesn't have to stop M-Sport having Red Bull IMO.

[rallyfiend]

Ogier gets more Red Bull, Fourmaux gets less.....

[GigiGalliNo1]

Ogier gets more Red Bull, Fourmaux gets less.....

Ogier get more Red Bull wings, Fourmaux gets less wings...

Fixed it for. you :D

[Kenneth]

Ogier having Red Bull doesn't have to stop M-Sport having Red Bull IMO.

Yeah Kalle has also Red Bull on TGR car despite racing against Red Bull drivers.

[rallyfiend]

Yeah Kalle has also Red Bull on TGR car despite racing against Red Bull drivers.

Kalle is now in a different sport, so likely completely different budgets and relationship with Red Bull.

I don't think we'll see the Bull on Fords....

[NaBUru38]

Red Bull has sponsored multiple teams multiple times.

[wyler]

https://planetemarcus.com/sesks-confirme-chez-m-sport-en-2026-a-temps-partiel/

En 2026, M-Sport va continuer son partenariat avec Sesks pour une saison partielle de sept épreuves dès la Suède le mois prochain, puis le Portugal, Grèce, Estonie, Finlande, Sardaigne et Arabie Saoudite.

[Kenneth]

Again no tarmac. Good luck getting full time factory seat with only 4 tarmac rallies almost 4 years ago in Rally2.

[wyler]

Again no tarmac. Good luck getting full time factory seat with only 4 tarmac rallies almost 4 years ago in Rally2.

same here, agreed.
still rally1 are at the last season, so maybe no point to learn on that. still needs to develop tarmac, maybe there will be news later on. i've also read rumors about sesks in *porsche* from '27.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://planetemarcus.com/sesks-confirme-chez-m-sport-en-2026-a-temps-partiel/

En 2026, M-Sport va continuer son partenariat avec Sesks pour une saison partielle de sept épreuves dès la Suède le mois prochain, puis le Portugal, Grèce, Estonie, Finlande, Sardaigne et Arabie Saoudite.

English
https://www.wrc.com/en/news/sesks-plots-seven-round-wrc-campaign-in-2026

[rallyfiend]

same here, agreed.
still rally1 are at the last season, so maybe no point to learn on that. still needs to develop tarmac, maybe there will be news later on. i've also read rumors about sesks in *porsche* from '27.

I'm sure he'll still have a Rally2 programme - just like the last couple of years.

Agreed with wyler - absolutely zero point in getting experience in Rally1 on tarmac.

[deephouse]

It's the events where he should getting the experiance at. Monte, Canaries and also Croatia will be on 2027 calendar (and if I remeber correctly Japan too have contract to host the event that year also). The only new one will be Italy, but no one have experience on that.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The WRC site says he'll also do selected ERC and National rallies. Maybe he should do tarmac ones to get experience instead of proving what we already know, that he's fast on gravel.

[PLuto]

The WRC site says he'll also do selected ERC and National rallies. Maybe he should do tarmac ones to get experience instead of proving what we already know, that he's fast on gravel.

Current plan of starts in ERC is Scandinavia and Fafe, only two current ERC gravel events...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Current plan of starts in ERC is Scandinavia and Fafe, only two current ERC gravel events...

Thanks for the info, PLuto.

So it seems Sesks is looking to progress in WRC via good gravel results giving him a high profile, rather than showing he's an all-round package (tarmac & gravel).

Time will tell if this pays off.

[wyler]

Thanks for the info, PLuto.

So it seems Sesks is looking to progress in WRC via good gravel results giving him a high profile, rather than showing he's an all-round package (tarmac & gravel).

Time will tell if this pays off.

looks a bit like solberg, but he had rx tarmac.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

looks a bit like solberg, but he had rx tarmac.

Solberg has also been doing many of the tarmac events in WRC, just not choosing to score WRC2 points in them.

[wyler]

Solberg has also been doing many of the tarmac events in WRC, just not choosing to score WRC2 points in them.

i wont say "many" in his first 2-3 years in wrc. later on, yes.

[sindroms]

The WRC site says he'll also do selected ERC and National rallies. Maybe he should do tarmac ones to get experience instead of proving what we already know, that he's fast on gravel.

Sesks about tarmac rallies.
Source - https://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/wrc/13792-sesks-domajam-ari-par-asfalta-rallijiem-un-kalendara-paplasinasanu/

- We have plans for Southern Europe including tarmac rallies so I think another rally might appear on our calendar.

Go4speed.lv: Perhaps you can tell us why there are no asphalt rallies either last year or this year, at least on the WRC calendar?
- In those years, with the opportunities we had, we walked like on the edge so we had to show high-value results where we can - to secure our future drive. Driving on tarmac rallies and not showing high-value results, we wouldn't be interesting to anyone, so at first it was important to prove ourselves where we really feel good. But we need to practice on other surfaces so we hope this year we will have that opportunity to try other surfaces as well. Yes, maybe not immediately at WRC rallies and not with top-tier technique but with Rally2 car you can learn it perfectly.

Go4speed.lv: Some years ago Kalle did quiet a lot Italian tarmac races to gain experience.
- Yes, and we have that plan too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Planetemarcus @planetemarcus
For Rally Sweden training EVANS goes to Arctic Lapland Rally in the end of January with Toyota Yaris Rally1.

[Managarium]

So, did you guys watch driver's sponsors?

Ogier and Landais both have Red Bull helmets but Ogier is only driver that has a Red Bull logo on right sleeve.
Katsuta also has only Red Bull helmet.

Obviously, M-Sport has no longer Red Bull livery, but also Fourmaux and Coria have no longer Red Bull Logos on their helmets. Adrien now has Safety Culture logo, but I did not saw if that is a case with Alex.

Edit: I forgot Neuville, he also continues with Red Bull.

[deephouse]

Maybe the company is collapsing and will eventually fade away from sport. Time for more healthier drinks/nutrition?

[GigiGalliNo1]

So, did you guys watch driver's sponsors?

Ogier and Landais both have Red Bull helmets but Ogier is only driver that has a Red Bull logo on right sleeve.
Katsuta also has only Red Bull helmet.

Obviously, M-Sport has no longer Red Bull livery, but also Fourmaux and Coria have no longer Red Bull Logos on their helmets. Adrien now has Safety Culture logo, but I did not saw if that is a case with Alex.

Edit: I forgot Neuville, he also continues with Red Bull.

Co-drivers tend to get their own sponsors so Landais won't share RB with Ogier.

Have you seen if Evans is still running a Redbull product placement?

Adrien might not be a RB France athlete anymore. RB have probably gone with one driver this year proper with a livery.

Katsuta might be a RB Japan athlete only.

Ogier is also sponsored by Prada this year.

[TypeR]

Evans and Tanak also had RB removed from helmets/caps from 2025.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Tanak wore his burgundy RB cap in Japan and other colored ones too, grey one in Saudi. I just checked the photos from TGR.

[TypeR]

Tanak wore his burgundy RB cap in Japan and other colored ones too, grey one in Saudi. I just checked the photos from TGR.

All year he had his own spa company or smth cap.. no red bull.

[typhoon]

Maybe the company is collapsing and will eventually fade away from sport. Time for more healthier drinks/nutrition?

When you got 3B$ budget just for marketing, it ain't collapsing lmao

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Motorsport Ireland eyes World Rally Championship return to Ireland

https://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/2026/0122/1554411-motorsport-ireland-eyes-wrc-return-to-ireland/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The FIA expects to announce the new World Rally Championship commercial rights holder within the next “couple of months” with an agreement “very close”, according to FIA deputy president Malcolm Wilson.

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/fia-offers-update-on-new-wrc-commercial-rights-holder-search/10792349/

[deephouse]

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/fia-offers-update-on-new-wrc-commercial-rights-holder-search/10792343/

This was posted today two hours ago regarding new promotor for WRC. Wilson says that they identified one who can be the right for this sport. But when you read the whole article it seems that they don't have any offer at all. Or bad ones, I think. and also it would be revelaed in a qouple of months. Right.

Just when they announced few weeks ago that they will finally tell the world they made a deal. I think it will not be clear for some time if ever. Just blank promises all the time. Like the politicians.

[rallyfiend]

“One of the things I have specified is we need the promoter to be very close to Geneva or even be based in the FIA certainly in the short-term future, because we have to work together to grow the sport. They will have ideas, and we need some fresh eyes, and we have to be open-minded.”

This doesn’t sound good.

How did WRX go with more FIA control…..?

[WRCStan]

DR

[Steve Boyd]

DR
Could be. He's retiring as Chair of Motorsport UK this year.

[GigiGalliNo1]

The person is French. What's his name from the F1 team.

[WRCStan]

The person is French. What's his name from the F1 team.

Cyril?

[pedro16]

Cyril?

Eric Boulier.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Eric Boulier.

Correcto

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRC sets course for USA return with 2026 candidate event...

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/wrc-sets-course-for-usa-return-with-2026-candidate-event

[deephouse]

Haha again? How many tries? 7, 8

[240RS]

Seb Ogier has decided to add Kenya on his list of events to start.

Looks like the Monte result may very well have influenced this decision. Hyundai won't enjoy facing a full complement of Yaris' on the African classic.

https://rallyjournal.com/sebastien-ogier-makes-a-surprising-announcement/

[deephouse]

https://rallyjournal.com/bold-talk-from-gregoire-munster-wants-to-oust-hayden-paddon/

What's the problem with this guy? Is he completely nuts. He is slow, unreliable, and now so full of himself too. Basically doesn't have any achievement in rallying at all, and saying that he is aiming to replace Paddon at Hyundai. What a douchebag.

[GigiGalliNo1]

And his Dad was on the TV series more than anyone would have liked!

[106 sport]

https://sport4.es/uncategorized/munster-en-wrc2027/

"News is arriving from Belgium about a potential new tuner for the 2027 WRC, led by BMA, Serderidis, and Munster. They are reportedly negotiating for an i20 Rally1 to compete in Croatia, Gran Canaria, and Japan… These same reports mention that the Belgian driver was in Germany this week for a series of tests organized by Hyundai."

[106 sport]

https://sport4.es/uncategorized/munster-en-wrc2027/

"News is arriving from Belgium about a potential new tuner for the 2027 WRC, led by BMA, Serderidis, and Munster. They are reportedly negotiating for an i20 Rally1 to compete in Croatia, Gran Canaria, and Japan… These same reports mention that the Belgian driver was in Germany this week for a series of tests organized by Hyundai."

[deephouse]

The car is awful on tarmac, Munster is awful driver and what can we expect out of that?

[wwbroe]

I think this news is not correct. Munster was indeed speaking with Hyundai, but he is trying to put up a program with Rally 2 car. Seems he will do indeed Croatia, Canaries and Japan but with Rally 2 Hyundai. As BMA is still running Hyundai cars, this is far more possible. They are now trying to expand the program with gravel rallies.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think this news is not correct. Munster was indeed speaking with Hyundai, but he is trying to put up a program with Rally 2 car. Seems he will do indeed Croatia, Canaries and Japan but with Rally 2 Hyundai. As BMA is still running Hyundai cars, this is far more possible. They are now trying to expand the program with gravel rallies.

BMA... isn't this his father's team, Bernard Munster Autosport ?

He's said previously that he wants to be ready for WRC27, so will want to get used to a Rally2 car again. Maybe if Hyundai stay as a factory team he sees a chance of a seat there next year...

[wwbroe]

BMA... isn't this his father's team, Bernard Munster Autosport ?

He's said previously that he wants to be ready for WRC27, so will want to get used to a Rally2 car again. Maybe if Hyundai stay as a factory team he sees a chance of a seat there next year...

That is correct, BMA is his father's team.They are preparing Hyundai Rally 2 cars since several years. Cedric Cherain became Belgian champion with one of their cars.

[Eli]

https://rallyitaliasardegna.com/2026/02/11/alghero-set-to-welcome-the-2026-rally-italia-sardegna/?lang=en
Probably should be in a new thread but main headline is the rally returns to Alghero.

[deephouse]

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-realistic-and-optimistic-in-mission-to-bridge-wrc-pace-gap/10798036/

So basically whole Hyundai doesn't know how to fix their issues?

[EstWRC]

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-realistic-and-optimistic-in-mission-to-bridge-wrc-pace-gap/10798036/

So basically whole Hyundai doesn't know how to fix their issues?

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hyundai-we-will-be-wrc-champions-in-2026/

[wyler]

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-realistic-and-optimistic-in-mission-to-bridge-wrc-pace-gap/10798036/

So basically whole Hyundai doesn't know how to fix their issues?

they probably know the general problem (during sweden everyone pointed at dampers) but they can't redesign it. so the problem is what to do without redesign it.

[deephouse]

https://rallyjournal.com/toyota-signs-former-citroen-wrc-team-principal/

What a unusual move from Toyota. Hiring Yves Matton despite having already WRC27 project with another team. (He is hired for W2RC programme)

[rallyfiend]

https://rallyjournal.com/toyota-signs-former-citroen-wrc-team-principal/

What a unusual move from Toyota. Hiring Yves Matton despite having already WRC27 project with another team. (He is hired for W2RC programme)

Overdrive is as much 'Toyota' as M-Sport is 'Ford'....

Private company hiring who they want, and I suspect this is him no longer involved in WRC27 project. I wonder if they're realised how difficult it is, so he's gone elsewhere for a job....?

[EstWRC]

“I’m working with Ott [Tänak] now quite a lot,” Katsuta revealed to DirtFish, “and basically every stage he’s been chatting a bit. Actually, it’s working very well and thanks to him.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-has-been-helping-katsuta-this-year/

[flat_right]

“I’m working with Ott [Tänak] now quite a lot,” Katsuta revealed to DirtFish, “and basically every stage he’s been chatting a bit. Actually, it’s working very well and thanks to him.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-has-been-helping-katsuta-this-year/

And at the end of the 2025 season he said that all of his vacations are planned on the rally weekends so he wouldn't have time to watch or participate :D

[COD]

they probably know the general problem (during sweden everyone pointed at dampers) but they can't redesign it. so the problem is what to do without redesign it.

Dampers should be one of the easiest things to change. If it is geometry thing that should be more difficult

[wyler]

Dampers should be one of the easiest things to change. If it is geometry thing that should be more difficult

i'm not sure they can homologate new parts without jokers...

[deephouse]

i'm not sure they can homologate new parts without jokers...

They got 5 extra with Toyota and M-Sport allowing it and still failing miserably

[wyler]

They got 5 extra with Toyota and M-Sport allowing it and still failing miserably
that's another point.

[flat_right]

I bet Tänak is at home saying fck at least once I made the right decision.

[meh]

I bet Tänak is at home saying fck at least once I made the right decision.

I bet Tänak never doubted it. It is quite a big decision and must have had really clear reasons to do so. Most likely, Tänak is watching and feels revealed that there is no reason anymore to explain the decision to others - everyone can see and understand themselves.

[deephouse]

He was also missing from More than machine series Season 2. He is a huge and his depart was huge blow to the whole WRC world and it wasn't this talked at all there. So I don't know right now what his logic is or if those producers didn't want anything with him.

[rallyfiend]

He was also missing from More than machine series Season 2. He is a huge and his depart was huge blow to the whole WRC world and it wasn't this talked at all there. So I don't know right now what his logic is or if those producers didn't want anything with him.

He allegedly refused to particpate without getting paid. Same as he allegedly refuses to give TV interviews in Estonian because they don't pay him money.

He's not the loss to the WRC that some think - he was unwilling to help.

[WRCStan]

He's not the loss to the WRC that some think - he was unwilling to help.

How do you feel when the voluntary hours you put in makes some invisible people millionaires?

"Help"? Have a word with yourself.

[EstWRC]

He allegedly refused to particpate without getting paid. Same as he allegedly refuses to give TV interviews in Estonian because they don't pay him money.

He's not the loss to the WRC that some think - he was unwilling to help.

What’s your beef with him? You’ve been bashing him since rally Japan

[AndersX]

About Tanak: just think - he did not participate in MM series bcs of money, he is not talking to est media bcs of money, and then, out of nowhere he refuses biggest check in rally world to "to be with family".... you do not have to be Pink Panther level detective to understand that there is "a plan" and the "plan" was on the move already before Hyundai departure announcement. He is way too fast still to give up on shot on another title.

What is the plan, hard to say, but we can speculate. I would guess smth like this: Toyota deal for 2027, a deal with any of new Tuners or he would become a Tuner him self. Last one i would not bet on - he still wants to drive.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He allegedly refused to particpate without getting paid. Same as he allegedly refuses to give TV interviews in Estonian because they don't pay him money.

He's not the loss to the WRC that some think - he was unwilling to help.

Hyundai must also be a glad he left, as the way their car is, his huge contract would've been a big waste of money.

[deephouse]

They are manufacturer team, the money isn't problem. I bet if they can, they could hire Ogier into the team, but they simply can't provide the proper car for challenging the titles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They are manufacturer team, the money isn't problem. I bet if they can, they could hire Ogier into the team, but they simply can't provide the proper car for challenging the titles.

I didnt say it was a problem, just a waste, paying a driver €Millions when the car isnt good enough.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New route for Rally Japan 2026 ...

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/new-tests-headline-2026-forum8-rally-japan-route

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And for Acropolis with floating parc ferme !

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/acropolis-rally-reveals-new-route-for-wrc-2026/10800233/

[drive]

EKO Acropolis Rally promo video, you can see stage maps for a few seconds https://vimeo.com/1167883111

[Steve Boyd]

And for Acropolis with floating parc ferme !

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/acropolis-rally-reveals-new-route-for-wrc-2026/10800233/It isn't the first time a ferry has been integral to an event.

On the 1989 Autoglass Tour of Britain cars competed on an autotest at Liverpool's Albert Dock and then booked into parc-fermé in the Albert Dock car park. The cars were then transported under parc-fermé conditions on the ferry to Ireland for the rest of the event. Service crews mostly went on the boat, drivers & co-drivers mostly flew, apart from David Llewellin who spent a while chatting to us as we marshalled the parc-fermé.

On the 1980 Manx National Rally, scrutineering was held in the Heysham ferry terminal car assembly area before the cars were loaded onto the boat for the voyage to the Isle of Man. Signing-on and the other documentation formalities took place on the ferry crossing.

Ferries were, of course, also integral to the London-Sydney and London-Mexico City marathons.

[dimviii]

its not even for Acropolis the first time.In 80s they have used it again

https://blog.kotsovolos.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/7.-%CE%93%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC%CF%82-%CE%A0%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%82-2-585x391.png

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It isn't the first time a ferry has been integral to an event.

On the 1989 Autoglass Tour of Britain cars competed on an autotest at Liverpool's Albert Dock and then booked into parc-fermé in the Albert Dock car park. The cars were then transported under parc-fermé conditions on the ferry to Ireland for the rest of the event. Service crews mostly went on the boat, drivers & co-drivers mostly flew, apart from David Llewellin who spent a while chatting to us as we marshalled the parc-fermé.



That brought back memories ! I went to that auto test at the Albert Dock and still have the photos including of me with Derek Bell. I didnt know they went from there to Ireland though.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

RALLY GB IN SCOTLAND IN 2027 IS CONFIRMED !!! :bounce:

[Eli]

yes!!!!!! finally!!!! only took them 8 years!!!! https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/how-scotland-ended-the-wrcs-seven-year-gb-hiatus/10805871/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

3-Year deal agreed...

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/embargo-330pm-wrc-to-return-to-gb-in-2027-as-scotland-secures-three-year-deal/10805826/

[doubled1978]

RALLY GB IN SCOTLAND IN 2027 IS CONFIRMED !!! :bounce:

About bloody time!!!
No disrespect to the proposed event in Northern Ireland, Rally GB should be on gravel and I’m glad it is going to be….
OK, where do I buy my ticket! Ha ha

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A WRC candidate event will be held in Scotland later this year, with observers from the FIA assessing the organisation. After that, the Scottish WRC round will be submitted for official approval by the World Motor Sport Council.

[WRCStan]

Suddenly Motorsport UK want to deal with the promoter and organise events again. Let's hope there's a worthy top class field - Ceredigion threads tell us getting a Rally2 into the UK is off putting for privateers, so it'll be interesting to follow the showbiz class, and WRC2027.

Credit to the Scottish Authority, they could've called it Scotland Rally GB, but heyho, this is the most useful thing they've done since

[skarderud]

Nice to have a real "uk" rally back, at least!

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDjLcjIbEAQED9f?format=jpg&name=small

(And Elfyn confirming he wont be retiring at the end of the Rally1 era...)

[deephouse]

Why would he retire. He is in his prime. I still hope that Tanak and somehow Rovanpera will be back. Now when we have Solberg, Fourmaux and Pajari on verge for becoming next generation wrc title contenders, we could have a really exciting seasons ahead.

[Sal yet again]

Great news for the Scots economy and nice to have a round back on the mainland at long last even if its at the tippy top of the island.

Maybe sheer co-incidence however this little snippet popped up via Gemini about accommodation in the Aberdeenshire area :

It is important to note that a 7% "visitor levy" or tourist tax has been approved to take effect around April 2027, applying to overnight stays in hotels and B&Bs

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why would he retire.

Just the switch to a WRC27 (Rally2-spec) car after driving for a decade in the WRC 2017 & Rally1 cars.

I can definitely see Ogier and Neuville not wanting to continue. But Evans is obviously still hungry and rallying is his whole life.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great news for the Scots economy and nice to have a round back on the mainland at long last even if its at the tippy top of the island.



Yes the remoteness of Aberdeenshire is a bit of an issue for UK fans. Travel there wont be quick, easy or cheap, even before you pay for accommodation.

[Morte66]

The Aberdeen/Perth bit, and Shetland, are the only bits of Scotland I haven't been to on holiday.

Hmm.

[Rallyper]

any details? Scotland makes me want to go... Good old RAC rally from ancient times (well, part of it) worth visiting.

[WRCStan]

But Evans is obviously still hungry and rallying is his whole life.

He might be excited as a rally fan. He doesn't confirm anything about driving it.

[Steve Boyd]

Assuming that the Grampian Rally will be the candidate event (right area & already a BRC round), it will be interesting to see if there are any WRC competitors on the entry list. It's a week after Finland and there's 2½ weeks after the Grampian to get to Paraguay for the recce, so it should be possible for current WRC contenders to travel to Aberdeen for a look.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He might be excited as a rally fan. He doesn't confirm anything about driving it.

Want to have a bet on it ? Of course he'll be driving on the new UK event.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier 2026 plans revealed ...

https://rallyjournal.com/new-details-emerge-about-sebastien-ogiers-wrc-plan/

[Eli]

I know we're still a bit far off but if Safari Rally Kenya doesn't get an extension for 2027 & beyond, is it likely we'll see Rally Mexico back for '27 or since the Rally in the USA is the target, that will take it's place?

[WRCStan]

Reports are saying they're talking to other places in Africa.

[Eli]

Do you guys think the Rally in Saudi Arabia will go ahead as planned? I know it's only in November but with this ongoing situation wouldn't there be repercussions regarding the rally or the Dakar rally over there for next year?

[deephouse]

I know we're still a bit far off but if Safari Rally Kenya doesn't get an extension for 2027 & beyond, is it likely we'll see Rally Mexico back for '27 or since the Rally in the USA is the target, that will take it's place?

I thought that Rally GB Scotland will be the one replacing Kenya, since GB round was always full of mud.

[deephouse]

I know we're still a bit far off but if Safari Rally Kenya doesn't get an extension for 2027 & beyond, is it likely we'll see Rally Mexico back for '27 or since the Rally in the USA is the target, that will take it's place?

I thought that Rally GB Scotland will be the one replacing Kenya, since GB round was always full of mud.

[Steve Boyd]

I thought that Rally GB Scotland will be the one replacing Kenya, since GB round was always full of mud.That may depend on the time of year Rally Scotland is held. Many years ago when the Scottish International Rally was held at the beginning of June and lasted 4 or 5 days the biggest complaints were about dust!

[Eli]

That may depend on the time of year Rally Scotland is held. Many years ago when the Scottish International Rally was held at the beginning of June and lasted 4 or 5 days the biggest complaints were about dust!
They said that the want to have the event held in the autumn.

[deephouse]

Great, final event should be

[Eli]

Great, final event should be

From Ogier’s comments regarding the event, he said he wishes to see it as end of season but to his understanding at least next year it won’t be, but who know, maybe with the ongoing situation in the middle-east that 10 year deal in Saudi will drop sooner rather than later.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Check out the BRC Grampian Stages 2025 for how dry and dusty it can be in Scotland...

https://youtu.be/t_1z08HrQPE?si=1sh-W8JisIwWbQ-Z

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rally-argentina-closing-on-wrc-return-for-2027/
Surprised no one posted this but after 8!!! long years we could be returning to Argentina!

[doubled1978]

They said that the want to have the event held in the autumn.

Dust and the Midges!
I remember being in some stages in the 80’s when it was impossible to stay because of the midges….it was horrendous.
I don’t know how the roads are now, but back then they were rough with big, sharp stones that used to cause loads of punctures.
In 1983 I recall being stood somewhere with my dad and one of the Rothmans Mantas, I think Erwin Weber, kicked up a massive rock and it struck the fella next to me on the head. Stage was cancelled, ambulance in…he was in a right mess.

[Steve Boyd]

I don’t know how the roads are now, but back then they were rough with big, sharp stones that used to cause loads of punctures.Back in the days when people used to rally BMC Minis there were two designs of sumpguard. The standard steel guard that protected the gearbox sump casing and the "Scottish" guard that also protected half of the floor. The Scottish was that rough then that cars needed extra underbody protection!