--- title: "America Is Closer Than Ever to a WRC Race in 2027" date: "2026-01-28" modified: "2026-01-28" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/america-is-closer-than-ever-to-a-wrc-race-in-2027" categories: - "News" - "Racing" --- # America Is Closer Than Ever to a WRC Race in 2027 ![Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team's Estonian driver Ott Tanak steers his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 with Estonian co-driver Martin Jarveoja over a jump at miti-mbili during the during the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya Special Stage 6, Kedong in Naivasha on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)]() *\TONY KARUMBA\* Good news for rally racing fans, or any race fan in general. The United States is closer than ever to hosting a World Rally Championship (WRC) race in the United States, after a 37-year hiatus. The only WRC race held on American soil was the Olympus Rally in Washington state in 1988. The FIA confirmed Tuesday that it's analyzing a "path for WRC's return to U.S. soil," per its [press release](). This involves running a candidate event, which is essentially a mock WRC weekend that will evaluate the location's ability to host a major event in terms of logistics, safety, crowd management, and race sanctioning. It's unclear which, if any, top-class WRC cars will actually run any American routes, though it's unlikely. The candidate event will be held in partnership with the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS) in June. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ9kYU3Qo24 "Delegates will explore stages and infrastructure across Kentucky and Tennessee, gaining first-hand insight into the terrain and facilities. The programme will also include a visit to a round of the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship, offering the FIA team a chance to engage directly with the U.S. rally community, including organisers, volunteers and fans, and meetings with the proposed event promoter and organiser, Podium Event Partners, which has long-established experience across multiple motor sport disciplines, including NASCAR," read the release. WRC is the pinnacle of rally racing and is one of the most dangerous, complex, and exciting disciplines of motorsport. It will host 13 rounds in 2026, with rallies ranging from the snow-covered Rally Sweden to the Safari-esque Rally Kenya and the dunes of Rally Saudi Arabia. An event in the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky would be a great addition to its already diverse calendar. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()