The UK may soon witness the return of top-level international rallying, as Rali Ceredigion is currently in discussions to join the European Rally Championship (ERC). Since its inception in 2019, this asphalt event held in Aberystwyth has been gaining recognition and prominence. Not only will it host the fifth round of the British Rally Championship this year, but it is also set to become a round of the FIA European Rally Trophy. The organizers have been working diligently with local stakeholders, including Ceredigion County Council and commercial partners, in order to secure the necessary resources and infrastructure to meet the requirements for ERC status.
Representatives from Rali Ceredigion recently attended the Royal Rally of Scandinavia ERC round in Sweden, where they had the opportunity to meet with the championship promoter to discuss the future of the event. The prospect of Rali Ceredigion being included in the 2024 ERC schedule seems likely, as the series is currently finalizing its eight-round calendar. Simon Larkin, from ERC organizers WRC Promoter, expressed their commitment to bringing Wales into the ERC in 2024. This development, if successful, will mark the return of international rallying to Britain for the first time since the 2019 Wales Rally GB, which was the last World Rally Championship (WRC) round held in the country.
For nearly two decades, Wales hosted a WRC round from 2000 to 2019. However, the loss of funding resulted in Britain losing its round of the world championship. While efforts have been made to bring the WRC to Northern Ireland, a lack of government funding has hindered these plans. Unfortunately, this means that the UK is likely to miss out on a spot in the 2024 WRC schedule.
The WRC’s Future Plans
The World Rally Championship is currently working on finalizing a 13-round calendar for 2024. Initially, there were plans to include Saudi Arabia and the USA in the schedule, but these have been postponed until 2025. However, there is some positive news as Latvia will be featured on the calendar for the first time. Rally Liepaja, previously part of the ERC, has been promoted to replace Estonia in the WRC.
The prospect of Rali Ceredigion joining the ERC in 2024 brings hope for the return of top-level international rallying to the UK. The organizers’ dedication and ongoing discussions indicate a strong commitment to securing ERC status for the event. While the UK may miss out on hosting a WRC round in 2024, the inclusion of Latvia in the calendar offers some consolation. Rally enthusiasts and fans in the UK eagerly anticipate the return of international rallying and the excitement it brings to the nation’s motorsport scene.
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