Dubai: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has endorsed plans for a World Rally Championship candidate rally in Argentina next year, a significant step toward the series’ potential return to the country for the first time since 2019.
Scheduled for March 2027 as part of the FIA CODASUR Rally Championship, the candidate event will be held in Córdoba, the same region where Ben Sulayem claimed a dominant Group N victory and finished sixth overall in the 1993 FIA WRC.
Over the three-day event, FIA delegates will evaluate sporting operations, safety and medical arrangements, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities—including proposed stages and service park facilities—to determine whether the event meets the standards required for a future WRC round.
Ben Sulayem, who earned his first WRC points with a seventh-place overall finish in Argentina in 1991, commented: “Argentina has motorsport in its blood, passionate fans, and remarkable terrain. The country boasts an incredible rallying heritage, and I hold great personal memories of competing in Córdoba.
“During my visit to Argentina earlier this year, I reaffirmed my commitment to bringing world-class competition back to the country, and I am proud to announce the first step toward realizing that vision.
“Following the historic Deal of the Century and our partnership with the new WRC Promoter, the championship is entering a new era defined by increased investment and a clear vision for continued global growth.
“A return to Argentina will not only excite fans but also build on the sport’s global momentum. I wish the organizing team every success as preparations get underway.”
Working alongside the Automovil Club Argentino and local organizers, the FIA will use the assessment to identify areas requiring further development to meet World Championship standards. A successful candidate rally would make Rally Argentina eligible for inclusion on the FIA WRC calendar starting in 2028.
First held in 1980, Rally Argentina became one of the WRC’s most celebrated events, renowned for its challenging gravel stages—including the iconic El Condor—and the extraordinary passion of its fans.
Tens of thousands of spectators traditionally travel to the mountains surrounding Córdoba, creating a unique atmosphere that made the rally a favorite among drivers and fans alike. A potential return in 2028 would reconnect the championship with one of rallying’s most passionate fan bases.
The FIA World Rally Championship has continued expanding its global presence, with three new events in the US, UK, and Italy set to debut in 2027.
Rally Argentina’s return in 2028 would mark another significant step in the championship’s growth, reconnecting the WRC with one of South America’s traditional rally heartlands and its passionate fan base while introducing the sport to new audiences across the region and beyond.
Preparations for the proposed 2028 event are already underway, with route planning exploring the return of celebrated stages such as El Condor. Plans also include a new WRC Arena within the sporting precinct surrounding Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, incorporating the service park and spectator entertainment.
Malcolm Wilson OBE, FIA Deputy President for Sport, said: “Argentina has an incredible history in the FIA World Rally Championship. I have fond memories of competing here and the extraordinary passion of the fans.
“As we work to expand the WRC’s global reach, it is encouraging to see Argentina taking the first steps toward a return to the calendar.”
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