WRC Calendar 2025

[Franky]

Weren't Jordan's roads built for the rally?

[Eli]

Yes, but WRC doesn't go on the dunes of the Empty Quarter. How are their gravel roads that are suitable for a rally car? Hard to tell, because they don't even have a MERC round to take as example. Jordan Rally wasn't too bad, but most of MERC rallies I've seen footage of are very, very boring.

Emm, let me remind you the Cyprus Rally is also part of the championship and the last thing you can say about it is ‘boring’.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Weren't Jordan's roads built for the rally?

Same with Mexico, if you didn't know!

[focus206]

Emm, let me remind you the Cyprus Rally is also part of the championship and the last thing you can say about it is ‘boring’.

But Cyprus is not in consideration for a spot in the calendar, manufacturers don't want that. Lebanon is also in MERC and it's a rather twisty asphalt rally, also not in consideration. The typical MERC rallies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait etc.) are mostly flat roads in barren landscape.

[Eli]

But Cyprus is not in consideration for a spot in the calendar, manufacturers don't want that. Lebanon is also in MERC and it's a rather twisty asphalt rally, also not in consideration. The typical MERC rallies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait etc.) are mostly flat roads in barren landscape.

It’s a shame that it isn’t; for the less than 10 years that it ran it was a joy to watch.

[jonkka]

but still, Saudi is expanding the WRC calendar and won't be taking another's slot.

Source for this, please?

[Franky]

Same with Mexico, if you didn't know!

That I don't remember. But purpose built roads aren't an issue for me

[Myrvold]

We all get it, Saudi isn't popular politically. Fortunately I've not seen too many complaints here, but I've seen a couple of popular figures on SM they are boycotting Saudi and that they can unsubscribe from Rally.TV and walk away from the series - yet they continue to complain. Please leave. Please join them if this is how you feel, this is the only way you make any meaningful point. How long do you want to complain before you realise you're insignificant and just annoying the wrong people.

I haven't watched any of the F1 races in Saudi. I have not watched FE there, nor "Dakar". I will happily skip the WRC event there as well, even though I've watched every stage from rallies on rally.tv (or WRC + / All Live) for a while now. Not all live, but also re-live.

Doesn't really have to be "political" in that sense either. For me it is quite simple. I've bought an apartment and a double bed together with another dude. That's enough to get me jailed. That's just not something I can ignore.

As a political-ish thing. There's still this feeling among many racers and kids in karting/crosskart that not being straight means you cannot succeed in motorsport. I do know one or more, that decided to "live hetero" as they feel that just being who they really are will remove all chances of keeping a seat. Or those who simply just stop racing/rallying due to it.
While it is more of a circuit racing thing, with the wag-cams and "girlfriend of" stuff, which I don't get why is a thing, I watch for the motorsport, not to look at people, it makes it quite clear that if a driver ends up with a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend. That will be an issue at certain events. So, don't be who you are to participate is a great thing to promote.

[Rallyper]

So now politics has been an component in discussions on where to have rallies or not...

I don´t like it...

I know, I know, money rules. And guys in the top are like politicians for sure. To me quality of event is the importance not to rule out.

[WRCStan]

Source for this, please?

"Rally Saudi Arabia is set to host the final round of next year’s expected 14-event championship in November and could be set to hold that berth for the next five years at least."

Autosport

Calendar should be done, TH at Autosport part of the circus. I trust this until it's proven wrong not right.