Rally Paraguay has been hit by a major setback ahead of its planned return to the World Rally Championship in 2027, with the collapse of its main sponsor, Ueno Bank, and the political turmoil surrounding the country’s president, Santiago Peña, raising fresh concerns about the event’s future.
The situation has created considerable uncertainty around the event, particularly as Ueno Bank had been Rally Paraguay’s main sponsor since the country joined the WRC calendar. Its collapse means that the organisers must now find a replacement capable of providing the financial backing required to stage the rally next year.
The seriousness of the situation was acknowledged by organising committee member Camilo Pérez, who admitted that the loss of Ueno Bank was a major concern. Speaking to Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal, Pérez explained that the bank had supported the event every year and that finding a new title sponsor would now become a priority. He also pointed out that the organisers were still under contract with the financial institution.
Despite the setback, Pérez remains hopeful that a new main sponsor can be secured. However, the timing of the crisis presents an additional challenge, as the organisers must ensure that the event retains the financial support needed to meet the requirements of a WRC round.
The political situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Peña played a significant role in bringing the World Rally Championship to Paraguay, personally overseeing negotiations with the championship promoter and helping secure the necessary backing for the project. He announced the country's inclusion in the WRC calendar in the summer of 2024, making his involvement an important part of the event's establishment.
Paraguay made its WRC debut in 2025 and successfully hosted its second edition in August 2026, with Sami Pajari taking victory. The current agreement with the championship promoter also includes the 2027 event, which is scheduled for October 21–24 in the Itapúa region.
For now, there is no indication that Rally Paraguay's place on the 2027 calendar is under immediate threat. Nevertheless, the collapse of its main sponsor and the political turmoil surrounding the government represent significant challenges for the organisers, who must now secure new financial support and ensure that the event can continue as planned.
"I’ll be honest, I’m worried about the rally", Camilo Pérez, who is an organising committee member, said.
"Ueno has been the rally’s main sponsor every year, and we’ll have to look for a new sponsor for next year.
"We’re also still under contract".
Source: RallyJournal.com
Photo Credits: Toyota
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