FIA launches Expression of Interest for World Rallycross Championship promotion
– Exciting opportunity to grow action-packed championship
– ‘Battle of Technologies’ perfectly positioned for automotive manufacturers
– Off-road pyramid boosted by recent launch of Affordable Cross Cars
The FIA today, 13 November, announces that a tender process is being launched for the promotion of the FIA World Rallycross Championship from 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for a new enterprise to take the category further, reaching the next generation of fans and engaging with automotive manufacturers the world over.
Since its launch in 2014, World RX has provided incredible action and on-track excitement. As one of the oldest motor sport disciplines it continues to host a healthy national and regional competitive scene with World RX sitting at the top of the pyramid, and there continues to be a solid base of dedicated enthusiasts with an appetite for more rallycross content and competition.
The FIA tender sets out a number of core goals for prospective new promoters, including targeting key growth markets such as India, China, North America and the Middle East, as well as increased digital and on-site fan engagement. The precise terms of the tender, together with the applicable selection criteria, deadlines, legal requirements and other conditions, will be communicated to qualifying candidates who have registered a formal expression of interest with the FIA’s Off Road department no later than 09:00 CET Wednesday 20 November 2024. For further information, please contact offroad@fia.com.
As with all FIA World Championships, sustainability is at the core of World RX operations, and the current regulations create a ‘Battle of Technologies’ scenario, where sustainably-fuelled internal combustion-engined cars race against fully-electric cars. This makes for a competitive environment that is unique in top-level motor sport – the FIA World Rallycross Championship truly reflects the reality of the modern automotive sector.
The concept has proven to work effectively during the 2024 season with both electric and ICE cars having taken victories. The new promoter will be tasked to build on these foundations and ensure that World RX delivers for its current teams as well as attracting interest from new stakeholders.
It is a pivotal moment for the off-road discipline as whole, as the FIA has recently launched its affordable cross car programme, which sits at the other end of the pyramid to the World Rallycross Championship and will be vital over the coming years to ensure sustained growth and increased participation both in traditional and emerging markets.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA World Rallycross Championship has evolved a huge amount in terms of technology and sporting competition in recent years while remaining true to its heritage as one of the most exciting and accessible categories in all of motor sport. We are now seeking a promoter with strong passion and drive to create an incredible rallycross spectacle, attracting manufacturers to compete and ensuring the continued development of the championship. The FIA Members are at the heart of everything we do, and we know that a top-level off-road FIA World Championship is crucial to attracting more competitors at the grass roots so that we can continue towards our goal of doubling global motor sport participation.”
The FIA would like to thank everyone at Rallycross Promoter GmbH for their work and dedication to the sport over the past four seasons.