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Indonesia Expresses Interest in Hosting World Rally Championship Event

In a significant move for motorsport enthusiasts, Indonesia has officially shown its desire to host a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the foreseeable future. This development comes after a meeting between WRC Promoter representatives and Indonesian Minister for Sport and Youth, Dito Ariotedjo, in Jakarta.

A formal Heads of Agreement has been established between the Indonesian government and Simon Larkin, the WRC event director, marking an important step towards the potential reintroduction of Indonesia to the WRC calendar. Discussions will continue, with a possible return targeted for 2026, suggesting optimism for the revival of rallying in the region.

Indonesia has a notable history in the rally sport, having previously hosted WRC events in 1996 and 1997, where renowned driver Carlos Sainz clinched victories in both years, steering a Ford Escort. The country remains active in the motorsport arena, as evidenced by Rally Indonesia’s regular participation in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

In recent years, Indonesia has been enhancing its profile in global motorsports. The return of MotoGP to the Mandalika circuit in 2022 and the debut of Formula E in Jakarta the same year signal a growing commitment to hosting high-profile motorsport events. Looking ahead, Formula E is scheduled to return to Jakarta in 2025 after skipping the 2024 season.

Statements from WRC Officials

WRC event director Simon Larkin commented on the fruitful discussions in Jakarta, noting, “WRC Promoter was in Jakarta to meet with the Indonesian Minister for Sport and Youth Dito Ariotedjo as well as many other governmental representatives to discuss the future of the WRC in Indonesia. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work involving the Indonesian ASN, the IMI [Ikatan Motor Indonesia] – who were the hosts for the visit.”

Larkin further expressed optimism, stating, “A good deal of progress was made, and all parties have agreed in a Heads of Agreement to continue towards the ultimate ambition of the WRC Rally Indonesia joining the WRC calendar in the near future. Further discussions and negotiations will continue immediately amongst all parties.”

Looking Ahead

The WRC calendar is expanding, featuring 14 rounds this year, including new events in Paraguay and Saudi Arabia, as well as a debut by the Canary Islands, which stepped up from the European Rally Championship. Several countries are in contention to be added to the WRC schedule by 2026, with a much-anticipated return to the United States for the first time since 1988 as a key target. Croatia is also set to return, while Ireland and Scotland are exploring their options to resume participation.

As Indonesia paves the way for a possible revival, the hopes of rally fans and the motorsport community are high for a successful return to the WRC stage. The forthcoming discussions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of rally racing in Indonesia and its place in the global motorsport landscape.

Source
www.motorsport.com