Control of the World Rallycross Championship (WRX) is set to be taken in-house, with immediate effect, by motorsport’s FIA governing body.
It was announced yesterday that following three months of what the FIA has called “market testing,” there will now be direct investment into WRX and the European Rallycross Championship, instead of the governing body appointing an outside promoter.
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The FIA will now take full operational and ownership control of those championships, with the aid of a service provider, its president, the controversial Mohamed Ben Sulayem, stated.
This comes after the FIA launched a tender process to find a WRX promoter for this year onwards, last November. Commercial rights were previously held by the Rallycross Promoter firm between 2021 and 2024 and sports marketing powerhouse IMG before that.
When it launched the tender, the FIA said that “core goals” for prospective new promoters include targeting the markets of India, China, North America, and the Middle East, as key growth areas, as well as securing increased digital and on-site fan engagement.
Now, the governing body has said this new model will “maximize the growth of the sport for drivers, teams, organizers and sponsors and enhance the fan experience.”
It is looking to prioritize free-to-air coverage and digital accessibility, which it has said will enable WRX to “reach new fans and provide additional value to commercial partners and sponsors.”
In terms of those commercial partners, the FIA has unveiled renewals – for both WRX and the European Rallycross Championships – with Volvo Construction Equipment, and with Hoosier Racing Tire Europe.
The initial Hoosier-WRX deal was struck in late 2023.
The 2025 calendars of those properties, the FIA has said, will be unveiled by March 14 (Friday), subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council. The 2025 WRX season will feature seven events, with six on the European calendar – late last year, the FIA had originally said WRX would encompass eight events in 2025.
Ben Sulayem has now said: “We are fully committed to taking this category to the next level by securing new global audiences, delivering the opportunity for an improved competition for the drivers, teams, our commercial partners, and crucially the fans.
“When I was elected, I pledged to deliver strong regulations and a stronger FIA, building an essential foundation for the success of motorsport at every level. Securing the future growth of our World Championships reflects my commitment to do just this.”
Emilia Abel, junior road sport director at the FIA, added: “The championship has huge potential to grow and develop at a global level and I am confident that this new opportunity for the FIA to operate the championship brings with it a bright future.”
