World Rally Championship drivers hope “modern classic” Rally Chile remains on the calendar for years to come.
The South American event debuted in the WRC in 2019 as part of a double-header with Rally Argentina.
Political and social unrest cancelled the rally for 2020. Coronavirus then complicated its return, which eventually came in September 2023.
The event has remained on the calendar ever since, forming a double-header with Paraguay since 2025, and has proved popular with drivers especially because of the fans and the quality of the stages.
“I’ve enjoyed being here,” Jon Armstrong told DirtFish. “I really like the people, I like the stages, I like the mountains – the roads are nice and also the cold weather suits me really well!
“So yeah I think it should come back and I think it’s now almost a modern classic of sorts. We don’t have Wales Rally GB, this is as close as we can get. OK we’ve got Scotland next year but this is definitely a nice rally too.”
The Chilean fans are a big draw for the drivers
Rally winner Oliver Solberg said the event “100%” needs to remain on the calendar. Although a deal is expected, the 2027 calendar is not yet confirmed.
“We spoke a lot, us drivers together, through the weekend,” said Solberg. “For us, it’s a beautiful rally. Beautiful stages. Beautiful scenery.
“It really has all you can ask in a rally really, and a challenge. So I feel it deserves to be in the championship.”
Takamoto Katsuta was also impressed by the organization.
“For me, the most important thing here is every time there are a lot of fans and a lot of spectators, and it’s organized well with no any big delay or anything, and no issues,” he explained.
“So for me, I don’t know what is the main point for making a contract between rally and things in the calendar, but this is the kind of rally that should still stay because a lot of fans are waiting [for us here] and that’s most important.”
Adrien Fourmaux was another to praise the “pure driving” nature of the event, but suggested Saturday’s stages could be refreshed to renew the challenge.
“It demands a lot of driving in the stages, with very different profile from Friday to Saturday and Sunday stages,” said the Hyundai driver.
“I think they have also other roads to do maybe new stages for Saturday, that would be interesting, but globally also the fans are there, the show is there so it’s definitely one of the of the rallies that I like in the championship.”
World champion Sébastien Ogier concluded: “Honestly, in terms of driving, it’s a beautiful rally. I love the profile of the roads here.
“I mean, if you just think about the sporting challenge, definitely [it deserves a place on the calendar but] I mean, then all together, I don’t know, there are different aspects of course to take into consideration.
“If it’s not for next year, I hope the rally is coming back at some point for the future. Not regarding myself, probably, but still, they’re really fantastic roads here.”
