Toyota World Rally Championship driver Oliver Solberg has described America as “one of the coolest places in the world to go rallying” as he joined fellow WRC drivers in a show of support for a Stateside world championship return.
Rally US has confirmed details of a WRC stakeholder visit to strategic locations in Tennessee and eastern Kentucky next month, with the target being a 2027 calendar slot to end a 39-year wait for a Stateside world championship qualifier.
This year’s Monte Carlo Rally winner Solberg topped the podium three times on ARA National Championship rounds when he was driving for Subaru in 2019 before competing on the world stage.
The Swede told DirtFish: “I think it’s fantastic. I did rallying in America for half a year and, for me, it’s one of the coolest, best places to go rallying in the world. I mean, they have some beautiful stages out there and a lot of passionate fans – a lot of Subaru fans, a lot of Japanese brand fans, which I think we are really missing out on. I think it’s absolutely fantastic.”
Nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Ogier admitted a US return was long overdue.
“We’ve been talking for years,” the Frenchman told DirtFish, “so, for sure, I think every driver will be happy to hear that. America, obviously, could be a very important market and a nice place to go for us.”
M-Sport Ford driver Josh McErlean is another to have tasted ARA competition: “The WRC has to go to the States,” he said. “I’ve done a few rallies out there and it’s very impressive. I did Olympus and Tennessee. I think that’s one of the talked about areas. The stages out there are really demanding – actually, quite technical like Rally Japan on gravel. But yeah, the people over there need to see proper rallying.”
Adrien Fourmaux has already enjoyed time in America, including a visit to DirtFish.
“For me, America deserves to be in the championship. it can be a very good event. Maybe the profile needs to be a bit different to suit the American people and the big show. But, it’s a good idea. It’s a great idea. It’s a good thing.”
FIA WRC officials will visit America between June 11-18.
