Recent rumors have suggested the 2024 WRC calendar could be released early next month or sometime this month, but what could it look like?
Confirmed Events
11 of the 13 events from the 2023 WRC Calendar are expected to return next season. Those events being the following:
- Rallye Monte-Carlo
- Rally Sweden
- Croatia Rally
- Rally De Portugal
- Rally Italia Sardegna
- Safari Rally Kenya
- Secto Rally Finland
- EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
- Central European Rally
- Rally Chile Bio Bio
- Forum8 Rally Japan
- Rally Latvia
Latvia was confirmed to be a part of the 2024 schedule earlier in the season. With the event replacing the fan favorite Rally Estonia.
What Other Events Could Be Added?
Rally Poland
Photo Credit M-SportRally Poland has been the event largely rumored to be returning to the World Rally Championship next season. With it last being featured on the WRC calendar in 2017 when Thierry Neuville won. Rally Poland was first featured on a WRC calendar during the 1973 season. Achim Warmbold took home the win at the event that year. The event was absent for 36 years, reappearing in 2009. The event was once again absent from the calendar for the 2010 through 2013 runnings. Reappearing in 2014 and staying on the calendar until 2017. The event has since been a mainstay on the European Championship calendar. Latvian driver Martins Sesks won the 2023 running of the event back in May.
Rally Argentina
Photo Credit Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTRally Argentina may be one of the favorites amongst the fans to return to the calendar. It’s unlikely the event will return for the 2024 season, however. Although it would be nice to see the event that was previously a mainstay on the WRC calendar return. Especially with Rally Mexico likely not being on the calendar. Having two events in the Americas seemed like the plan for the WRC this season onward. It looks like that has changed, however. From a championship standpoint, it makes sense especially if you can’t get Rally Chile and whatever other Rally in the Americas one after the other. As a result of it not being cheap for the teams to transport the cars across the ocean four times in a season. Nevertheless, if the WRC found a way to make the event work drivers and fans would likely love to see the event back.
What Schedule Changes Could Be Made?
Safari Rally Kenya
It has also been rumored that Safari Rally Kenya will return to a date around Easter. Much like the event ran until 1998 when the event was moved to February. Later moving to July for the 2001 season. If this were to happen the event would take Rally Mexico’s spot from the season and be the third event on the calendar as a result. One of the two previously mentioned events will likely take its date in June.
Rally Latvia
With Rally Latvia coming in as an unofficial Rally Estonia’s replacement it’s likely the event will take place in July. If the previously mentioned move for Safari Rally Kenya does indeed happen the event could take place in June with a different event taking place in July.
Where’s Rally USA?
A WRC return to the United States had been rumored for the 2024 season. With a test event taking place in March and a volunteer training in September. It looks like Rally fans in the USA will have to wait another year for the WRC to return for the first time since 1988. A return to the USA has been long awaited for many die-hard fans of the sport. Unfortunately setting up an event to the scale of what’s needed for the WRC isn’t an easy task.
The Expected 2024 WRC Calendar
- Rallye Monte Carlo (January)
- Rally Sweden (February)
- Safari Rally Kenya (March)
- Croatia Rally (April)
- Vodafone Rally De Portugal (May)
- Rally Italia Sardegna (June)
- Unknown Rally (June)
- Rally Latvia (July)
- Secto Rally Finland (August)
- EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (September)
- Rally Chile Bio Bio (September)
- Central European Rally (October)
- Forum8 Rally Japan (November)