World RX promoter to step down early at end of season

FIA launches tender for new promoter after IMG's decision not to continue for 2021/22

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IMG will step down as the promoter of the World Rallycross Championship at the end of the 2020 season.

The decision was confirmed in an announcement by the FIA that it was launching a tender process for the promotion of the series.

IMG’s agreement with the FIA, from 2013, was for 20 years.

“The FIA has today announced that it will be launching a tender process for the promotion of the FIA World Rallycross Championship,” read a statement from the governing body.

“The announcement follows discussions between IMG and the FIA, in which IMG has expressed a desire not to continue as the World RX promoter in 2021 and ’22. Discussions between the FIA and IMG are ongoing.

“The FIA remains committed to ensuring the ongoing success of the Championship.”

Entertainment giant IMG has been the sole promoter of World RX since its inaugural season, which took place a year earlier than planned in 2014.

Under its stewardship, World RX has become the premier rallycross category, and facilitated an upturn in manufacturer interest in European-based rallycross in the mid-to-late 2010s, prior to a recent exodus.

IMG also helped set World RX on a path to electrification, with the premier class set to become fully electric by 2022.

“The FIA is committed to the evolution of Rallycross with World RX in 2021 alongside RX2e – the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship,” the FIA’s statement added.

“From 2022, World RX will become fully electric as part of the FIA’s long-term vision for the sport which was first revealed in 2019.”

Words:Dominik Wilde

Photography:World RX Media

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