The World Rally Championship can hardly save itself from inquiries: Paraguay wants to vie with Chile and Argentina for the two South American slots on the 2025 WRC calendar
The list of countries that would like to host the World Rally Championship (WRC) has grown by one: Paraguay has expressed serious interest in hosting a WRC round in 2025. The situation was discussed at a meeting between WRC Head of Organizing Simon Larkin and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena.
The South American country first appeared on the list of interested parties at the beginning of 2024. However, the current meeting shows that Paraguay really means business. The WRC’s current contract with Chile expires at the end of the year. And the WRC has already confirmed two rounds in South America for 2025.
Should Chile want to continue, however, there would be three interested parties for two slots, as Argentina also wants to return to the calendar. The rally around Cordoba is also steeped in history, while Paraguay would be represented on the calendar for the first time.
“We are working to ensure that our country can host one of the rounds of the World Rally Championship. We have spoken with Simon Larkin, the promoter of the World Rally Championship, about the country’s potential to host important world-class sporting events,” reads a post on the President’s Instagram page.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Larkin confirms that Paraguay is being considered as a serious contender for the 2025 season.
“We have always said that we would like to have two events in South America in the coming years. We have to renew the contract with Chile at the end of 2024,” he says.
Number of interested parties is huge
“We’ve been in talks with Argentina for a long time, but as there are no contracts yet, we have to look at all options. Paraguay has a thriving national championship with around 30 Rally2 cars. The participation of drivers like Diego Dominguez and others also shows that it is a relevant market for rallying.”
“Rally sport is very important in Paraguay. Of course, the president is interested in having a top event in the country. We have now had the opportunity to present this to him. It is quite possible that they will become one of two events in South America in 2025. We would definitely need a test event and we would like to see that.”
“In the national championship, something like this is definitely on the cards. So I think that the necessary steps have been taken. Now we still have to negotiate a possible deal. Then we will present the options to our board and make a decision.”
The 2025 WRC calendar will differ significantly from this year’s. Spain will return with a round in the Canary Islands. A return to the Middle East is also planned, with Saudi Arabia as a possible venue.
Ireland has also bid for a three-year contract to start next year, subject to funding. “I am in daily contact with the President of Motorsport Ireland [Aidan Harper] and the signs are good,” Larkin emphasizes. “But the government has yet to make a final decision. We are eagerly awaiting it. “