The FIA WRC has released its 13-round calendar for the 2024 season which kicks off in January and ends in November.
In its 52nd season, the WRC will venture to 13 captivating destinations across four continents, delivering a perfect blend of tradition and innovation that aligns with rallying’s enduring legacy. The iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo (25 – 28 January) once again lifts the lid on the 2024 campaign, taking in the famous Col de Turini passes high in the French Alps which test drivers like no other.
Following closely are the frozen forests of Rally Sweden (15 – 18 February), the only pure snow and ice fixture on the calendar. A significant shift takes place at Safari Rally Kenya, which returns to a more traditional 28 – 31 March date, having run during June in recent years. This shift to Easter weekend will provide an even sterner test as it coincides with the beginning of Naivasha’s rainy season.
Croatia Rally (18 – 21 April) has drawn in hundreds of thousands of spectators since its WRC debut in 2021. Its unique asphalt tracks based the around the capital of Zagreb vary from smooth to badly broken and are set to return in all their glory, as will the legendary gravel tests of Vodafone Rally de Portugal (9 – 12 May) – also a huge hit with the crowds.
Mediterranean charm awaits at Rally Italia Sardegna (30 May – 2 June) before the eagerly anticipated return of ORLEN 80th Rally Poland (27 – 30 June), back after a hiatus at the sport’s top level since 2017. Poland’s lightning-fast gravel roads promise a thrilling spectacle which will only be amplified further by the country’s enthusiastic fanbase.
WRC is thrilled to welcome a newcomer in Tet Rally Latvia (18 – 21 July), located in the vibrant southern coastal city of Liepāja. Building on years of success at FIA European Rally Championship level, the loose-surface fixture underscores the clear pathway for events to ascend to the global stage of WRC.
Speed enthusiasts can look forward to the high-octane Secto Rally Finland (1 – 4 August), renowned for its jaw-dropping speeds and gravity-defying jumps. The excitement then takes a different form at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (5 – 8 September), offering a very different flavour with its winding, rocky mountain stages.
Once again, South America asserts its presence with Rally Chile Bio Bío (26 – 29 September), reaffirming the championship’s global reach. Central European Rally (31 October – 3 November) will sweep across Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany as the penultimate round before the grand finale unfolds in Asia at FORUM8 Rally Japan (21 – 24 November).
Commenting on the calendar, WRC Promoter managing director Jona Siebel said: “We’re eagerly anticipating another action-packed season in 2024 with a calendar that not only celebrates our esteemed traditions, but also propels us into an exciting future. Our return to Poland and our debut in Latvia underscore our commitment to delivering a fresh and exciting WRC experience for fans and competitors alike.”
Every round of the WRC season will be broadcast live on WRC’s groundbreaking new platform Rally.TV, as well as via traditional broadcast partners around the globe.
[Note: The story is as per press release]
