- The WRC will hold a U.S. candidate event in June 2026.
- FIA officials will inspect roads and observe ARA events.
- U.S. gravel stages may host first WRC round since 1988.
The last time the World Rally Championship held an event in the USA, George H.W. Bush was the President. Now, almost 40 years later, it might return. Later this year, it’ll roll into Tennessee and Kentucky to see just how realistic a WRC event on U.S. soil is.
Rather than running a traditional rally, FIA representatives will be assessing how rallying is already done in the U.S. The visit includes observing an American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship round. Then, they’ll tour proposed stages and infrastructure across Tennessee and Kentucky.
More: Subaru Teased The Perfect WRX Then Pretended It Didn’t Exist
The process is being carried out in collaboration with the FIA, ACCUS, and local promoter Podium Event Partners, with officials evaluating everything from safety standards and logistics to service park layouts and fan engagement. In other words, this is a full stress test of whether America can deliver a modern WRC-caliber event.
Tennessee, in particular, is already a known quantity in American rallying. The state hosts the Overmountain Rally, an ARA National event that winds through Appalachian foothills and delivers exactly the kind of fast, technical gravel roads WRC teams crave.
The terrain, elevation changes, and dense forest coverage are a natural fit for rally stages, and the region already has experience handling national-level competition.
What Makes Kentucky a Real Contender
Kentucky, meanwhile, offers equally compelling possibilities. Eastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest region and surrounding Appalachian roads feature long gravel stretches, tight switchbacks, and minimal development.
The area also benefits from proximity to interstate highways and regional airports, which would make logistics for teams and manufacturers easier.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that “Expanding the WRC into North America would not only elevate the championship’s global reach, but unite rallying with a knowledgeable, passionate and expanding fanbase in a market where participation and fan engagement continue to accelerate.”
The outcome of this visit will likely shape what happens next. If a U.S. round is given the green light, expect the official word to follow soon after the FIA wraps up its tour.