A 2025 calendar with 14 rounds, Ireland and Saudi Arabia?

Already considered this year, but ultimately postponed, the desire to add a rally resurfaced. In addition to moving to 14 meetings, the promoter of WRC still aims to increase the number of trips outside Europe. If it is not planned for next year to have parity between the two geographical zones, the division could be 5-9. If this does not materialize in 2024, it seems certain that Saudi Arabia will be part of the celebrations this time. Announcements to this effect should be made in March. This is expected to come in the same month as the decision on Ireland.

The Irish organizers progressed their idea well and a proposal was submitted to the promoter. Even if they are not usually in favor of this practice, they approved the principle that 3 different regions host the event during the three years that the contract would include. So far it is only a project which will only come to fruition if the country's leaders deliver the necessary budget. After 5 years of absence, the return of the WRC to this side of the Channel therefore seems to have a chance of succeeding.

Return of Scotland, arrival of Paraguay in WRC?

Is it really a coincidence that it is precisely at this moment that another idea is being developed with David Richards at its head? The director of the English federation would like to organize a round of the WRC in Scotland to find the special stages which took place in Kielder Forest which is on the border with England. The boss of Prodrive was in Sweden to play his role as member of the working group, but perhaps he took the opportunity to talk about this project?

The latter is not planned for 2025, but this is still an option for the promoter. A more surprising path has opened up in Paraguay where rallying is increasingly popular. Here too a contract of several years could be signed shortly. The broadcasters are keen to have 2 rounds in South America. They currently have the choice between Chile, Argentina and Paraguay. Mexico no longer seems to be part of the plans, even if the organizers have again tried to make people talk about them with the Rally of Nations while the USA will perhaps be ready in 2026. These distant trips do not make rallies happy Europeans. Poland only had one year of contract. Will it still be there in 2025? Estonia and Latvia should exchange positions again, but then who can be threatened by the arrival of new destinations? Croatia ? The Acropolis? What is certain is that the promoter is in a comfortable situation regarding his selection. Even though the WRC is moribund, there are still more candidates than places.

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