At the Club Webinar in January, I expressed my belief that we were getting close to securing the return of the WRC. David Richards emphasised that for us this was a personal mission, driven by our own experiences of the event. He competed in the 1974 RAC Rally, and in 1979 he partnered Ari Vatanen, finishing 4th in a Ford Escort RS 1800. David even concluded his driving career at the 1981 RAC Rally and won the championship. In the 1990s I had the privilege of working alongside David at Prodrive, running the Subaru World Rally Team. We secured wins at the rally with Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg – a total of seven times, including the 1995 event that saw Colin raise the Peal Trophy aloft and claim the WRC title. And I am pretty sure that getting the WRC back is personal for you as well.

Today I am very pleased to inform you that Motorsport UK has secured an agreement with the World Rally Championship Promoter to bring the FIA World Rally Championship back to the UK, with a brand-new event titled Rally Scotland, beginning in 2027. Following funding agreements with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, the event will run for an initial three-year term from 2027 to 2029.

The return of the championship represents a crucial milestone for UK motorsport and especially for Scotland. Britain has been a central part of the World Rally Championship since its inception in 1973, and this event reconnects the world championship with our fantastic rally community and one of the sport’ s most knowledgeable and passionate fanbases. Rally Scotland will feature both iconic forest gravel stages and urban spectator stages designed to maximise fan engagement and accessibility.

For our rallying community this is a long-awaited return of a critical pinnacle to the sport. Rally GB, in all its various forms over the years has served as a fulcrum for strengthening the volunteer community, driving development within rallying and the wider motorsport community.

Rally Scotland will also reflect the sport’ s changing direction. In 2027 there will be the introduction of a new generation of World Rally Cars, designed to provide a lower cost format and greater accessibility for vehicle manufacturers. The indications are good with many conducting feasibility studies. Even today, WRC cars compete using 100 per cent fossil-free fuel, and the event will work with partners across Scotland’ s growing sustainable fuel sector. Aberdeen has for decades been the energy capital of Scotland and hosts a wide array of global leaders in energy and industry. Our ability to attract their support and investment will be crucial and can extend the impact across a multitude of channels. The championship’ s return is predicted to deliver a major economic boost across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and neighbouring communities, attracting visitors, teams, media and fans from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Over the first three years this is estimated to be in the region of £ 85m.

Motorsport UK will work closely with the WRC Promoter, government partners, local authorities, and the rally community; to ensure that Rally Scotland is delivered to the highest sporting and organisational standards.

The significance of the event extends well beyond the competition itself. We see Rally Scotland as more than a rally – a platform to demonstrate how motorsport can contribute to wider societal and environmental goals. These can include activations such as showcasing innovation in sustainable fuels and low-carbon technologies. Delivering community

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Revolution- March 2026