As previously reported, Motorsport UK, the governing body of British motorsport, has already held discussions with the WRC Promoter regarding the proposal. The plan is for Aberdeen to host the WRC event in autumn.
Read more: Excitement builds around Scottish WRC project – “Looks a bit chaotic“
Motorsport UK’s goal is to secure a three-year contract for Scotland. However, the task is not straightforward, as several other events are vying for a spot in the 2026 calendar. The United States has already been earmarked for an entry, while Ireland and even Indonesia are also pushing for their own WRC rounds.
According to Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers, discussions with key stakeholders have been positive. Speaking to Autosport, Chambers confirmed that the WRC Promoter has expressed its support for Scotland’s rally project.
The biggest challenge remains securing public funding. Chambers believes that they are now closer than ever to finalising the budget.
“It (the event) already has tremendous support from the stakeholders in Scotland, but the last bit of the jigsaw puzzle is the funding model and everyone is very aware of that. I have been completely transparent that we need to make sure that all the stakeholders that matter see value for money in this,” Chambers told Autosport.
“The next stages are that the project is going through the various levels of stakeholders, regionally, nationally and those meetings are ongoing, and over the next two or three months. I would hope by the early summer we will have managed to conclude things positively,” he added.
The WRC Promoter has previously stated that the 2026 calendar is unlikely to accommodate both a British and an Irish round. However, British organisers remain hopeful that Scotland will make it into the calendar next year – and, ideally, with a three-year deal in place.
“There isn’t much room in the calendar going into 2026 and already things are pretty full, whereas in 2027 there is a bit more flexibility. Our objective is to push to get an event in 2026, which would be in the autumn,” Chambers said.
The last time Britain hosted a WRC round was in 2019, with the event being held in Wales from 2000 to 2019.
The last time Scotland featured in a WRC event was in 1992, when a full day of special stages was included in the RAC Rally.
