The United States is back on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar for the first time since 1988. The U.S. is the 11th stop in the WRC’s massive 15-round calendar, which is its largest since 2008.
Rally US is planned for August 26–29, though the exact venue remains unconfirmed. While no official announcement has been made, organizers have explored routes in Tennessee and Kentucky during recent site visits.
Return to the U.S.
The return of the WRC to the U.S. is a significant development for American rally fans. It’s also a win for Ford, which has been involved with the WRC for over 50 years. Ford was an early investor in the WRC, pitting a few Ford Escorts and Capris against well-established European teams in the WRC’s inaugural rally in Monte Carlo, Monaco, in 1973.
Out of 278 competitors, only 44 completed the race that year. Ford’s efforts were respectable: three of its 21 entries finished, with the best placing fourth—trailing a group of Alpine-Renault drivers.
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Ford’s Involvement
Even after scaling back its factory support in 2013 and adopting a hybrid semi-privateer approach, Ford’s WRC teams have still achieved notable success. Ford recently announced it would return to the WRC with full factory backing beginning in 2028.
Ford also announced that a brand-new WRC car is coming in 2029. For rally racing in the U.S., the American Rally Association (ARA) is the dominant force, and it has a more grassroots approach than the FIA’s WRC.
The American Rally Association’s lineup mirrors the global rally scene, with Subaru, Hyundai, and Toyota frequently dominating. Unlike Ford, most U.S. automakers have stayed away from competitive rallying. General Motors backed Opel’s team in the 1980s, but Chevrolet’s involvement has been minimal, limited to a few modified Sonic and Cruze models.
Rally US Details
Tickets will go on sale closer to the event, which will take place from August 26–29. The route will likely land in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area with some crossover into Kentucky.
