World Rallycross Championship Faces Delayed Start as Search for New Promoter Continues
The FIA World Rallycross Championship’s 2025 season opener, planned for January 23-25 in Canada, has been postponed after the FIA terminated its agreement with World Rallycross Promoter GmbH.
The championship’s official website has replaced its 2025 calendar with a placeholder message, leaving 11 drivers and five teams uncertain about the upcoming season.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the organization is “seeking a promoter with strong passion and drive to create an incredible rallycross spectacle, attracting manufacturers to compete and ensuring the continued development of the championship.”
The previous promoter, which managed the sport since 2021, faced several challenges. These included declining manufacturer participation and a significant paddock fire at Lydden Hill in 2023 that destroyed two Special One team vehicles.
The 2024 season introduced “The Battle of the Technologies,” combining electric vehicles with internal combustion engine (ICE) cars running on sustainable fuel. Johan Kristofferson claimed his seventh World RX driver’s title in his ICE-powered Volkswagen Polo, with petrol cars winning six of ten events.
PWR Group CEO Micke Jansson, whose company runs the CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment, expects resolution by early 2025.
“The FIA’s tender for the World RX promoter closes at the end of January, so I hope we’ll have everything in place including technical regulations and a calendar by the end of February,” Jansson told EV Powered.
Team leaders remain optimistic about the championship’s future. KMS Motorsport team principal Tommy Kristofferson expressed confidence in the FIA’s ability to secure a suitable promoter.
“I have full trust in the FIA that they will find a good promoter with strong ideas to bring World RX forward,” Kristofferson said. “All of us in our sport have been through some tough times in recent years, so it’s not right to blame anybody in this group.”
The FIA declined to comment on its progress in securing a new promoter when contacted by EV Powered.
Without a promoter, the championship cannot establish a calendar, secure venues, or manage marketing and promotional activities necessary for commercial viability.
The FIA maintains that a high-level off-road World Championship remains crucial for attracting grassroots competitors and achieving its goal of doubling global motorsport participation.
