Rally México’s not done. Not even close. The organizer of one of the world’s most popular rounds of the World Rally Championship has accepted the event won’t be on the calendar in 2024. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be back in 2025.
Demonstrating trademark resolve and determination, the Méxican organizer will run the Rally of Nations once more next season.
Rally of Nations featured in 2022 – when León last skipped a season of WRC action – and the success of that event ensured Guanajuato and those famous cacti-lined roads remained fresh in the mind of the rule makers and fans alike. It’s for that reason that some of the best rally drivers in the world will gather once more to defend their nation’s honor in the self-proclaimed capital of North American rallying.
Event director Gilles Spitalier explained the thinking to DirtFish.
“The regional government is determined to be back to the World Rally Championship,” he said. “It’s the same like last time – we need to show to the people of the world what they are missing.
“How can they come from the snow and the cold of Sweden and not come to Thursday night in Guanajuato for the biggest party atmosphere of the season – and follow that with the world’s best roads in fantastic sunshine?”
Spitalier pointed to significant anniversaries beckoning for the event he and Patrick Suberville have run from the outset.
“Next year should be Rally Mexicó’s 20th birthday,” he said. “We are also celebrating 200 years of independence in the state [of Guanajuato]. It’s so important that we keep this event in the WRC and the people in local government understand that – it’s them that are pushing this so hard.
“The fact we have funding for Rally of Nations definitely demonstrates that we’re ready to step straight back to the world championship in March 2025.
“We want to bring as many of the WRC stars as we can to the event next season. We have selected a date, it’s a little bit different from before – we’re going with the last weekend in February (February 23-25) – but the stages and the format is the same.
“Let’s see which is the strongest country this time.”
Rally of Nations brings a whole new element to rallying, with drivers running in different category cars balanced by a carefully considered co-efficient. Each nation includes two drivers. Finland’s Harri Rovanperä, France’s Adrien Fourmaux and Norway’s Mads Østberg were the headline stars of last year’s event.
“We love bringing these countries together,” continued Spitalier. “But we only really do this to keep the organization alive and to try new innovations – like the incredible Las Dunas stage for this year – for when we come back to the WRC. And, honestly, I believe we can and will be back to the WRC in 2025.
Further details of Rally of Nations entries will be revealed in coming months.
