The opening round of the 2026 European Rally Championship season, Rally Hungary, has been lost from the calendar.
The gravel event, scheduled to run on March 20-22, will not take place – reportedly due to financial factors.
Competitors were informed of the event’s cancellation earlier this week.
Championship organizers are now working on “securing an appropriate replacement” for Hungary, with the season now expected to begin with Rally Sierra Morena (April 17-19).
European Rally championship manager, Iain Campbell, told DirtFish: “Since being made aware that Rally Hungary has been cancelled, we have been working on securing an appropriate replacement. The process is ongoing and an update will be provided in due course.
“In the meantime, we extend our thanks to the Rally Hungary organizers and the MNASZ for their support and commitment in recent seasons.”
Hungary made its debut in the ERC in 2019, hosting a dramatic season finale where Chris Ingram emerged as champion. It featured on the calendar every year since, apart from 2022 where the rally wasn’t held due to repeated safety concerns.
