Rally Scotland has taken another important step towards a potential return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2027, following the successful completion of its official candidate event assessment.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) carried out a four-day evaluation of the proposed event, working closely with Motorsport UK and the local organising team to assess whether Scotland is ready to host a round of the world championship once again.
The assessment included two days at the 2026 Grampian Forest Rally, held on 7-8 August. Based around Banchory in Aberdeenshire, the event provided FIA delegates with the opportunity to evaluate the sporting, safety and organisational standards required for a WRC round.
A key part of the assessment was observing the rally in competition conditions. FIA representatives were able to see crews tackle a number of the forest roads that could potentially feature on the route of the proposed 2027 Rally Scotland, while also assessing the experience and capabilities of the officials responsible for running the event.
The FIA delegation then spent a further two days visiting additional locations and stages being considered for the future rally. Particular attention was paid to the infrastructure and facilities that would be required to meet the demanding operational standards of the World Rally Championship.
Among the locations inspected was P&J Live in Aberdeen, which has been proposed as the event headquarters. The facility was highlighted for its size and quality, with the FIA considering it well suited to the extensive operational requirements of a modern WRC event. Aberdeen's accommodation capacity and international connectivity were also seen as significant advantages.
The potential return of the WRC to Scotland would also revive a long and proud tradition of top-level rallying in the United Kingdom. The country last hosted a WRC event in 2019, when Wales Rally GB formed part of the championship calendar. Scotland itself has played an important role in rallying history, producing legendary drivers such as Colin McRae, the 1995 World Rally Champion.
The 2026 Grampian Forest Rally also offered a glimpse of the sporting potential of a future Rally Scotland. Several WRC crews competed in the event as they looked to gain valuable experience of the region's challenging forest roads, while thousands of spectators turned out over the weekend.
With the candidate event now completed, the FIA will finalise its assessment reports before sharing its findings with the relevant stakeholders. Those conclusions will play an important role in determining the next steps for Rally Scotland as it continues its bid to secure a place on the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar.
"The completion of the Rally Scotland candidate event marks an important step towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United Kingdom, a nation with a long and proud history in the Championship", Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.
"This is another exciting moment for fans and reflects a continued year of growth for the FIA WRC in 2026, with three candidate events taking place across the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.
"From historic motorsport heartlands to important new growth markets, there is real global momentum behind rallying and a clear opportunity to bring the Championship to new audiences around the world.
"I would like to thank everyone who has worked together to support this process, and I look forward to watching this Championship that I love continue to grow".
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