The WRC event director, Simon Larkin, reveals that Paraguay may be the second South American event of the championship next year considering the high competition there as Chile is very close to renew its deal with WRC Promoter and FIA.
World Rally Championship will visit Latvia for the first time while WRC Promoter and FIA has expressed their interest to invest in new markets, such as Middle East and US. In addition to that, Ireland may rejoin WRC in 2025 with a three-year contract and a rotation city system, but the most important is that the people in charge for WRC have the desire to expand the sport into other countries as Scotland may revive Rally GB in 2026. Chile's contract is about to expire at the end of 2024 and it is speculated that this country will continue to the series while Paraguay may join World Rally Championship for the first time next year as Argentina's future remains unknown and WRC Promoter wants to have two South American countries on the championship.
"We have always said that we would like to have two events in South America in the coming years and we are going through a renewal with Chile as their contract runs out at the end of 2024", Larkin said.
"We are in long-standing discussions with Argentina but without contracts in place, we have to explore every possible option.
"Paraguay has a thriving national championship and I believe there are around 30 Rally2 cars there and you can see from the number of drivers from Paraguay competing in the WRC itself with drivers like Diego Dominguez and others, it is a relevant market for rallying.
"Rallying is a high-profile sport in Paraguay and of course the president is interested in investigating having a pinnacle event there.
"The opportunity to present to him was given.
"It is absolutely in the mix to be one of two South American events next year.
"There would need to be a test event for sure and that is something we would want to have.
"There are contingency plans for that within the national championship, so I think the number of required steps are in place, there just needs to be a bit more discussions and negotiation over a potential deal.
"We can lay out the options to our board and then we can make a decision".
Source: Motorsport.com
Photo Credits: Hyundai
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