Rally Chile represents a significant milestone in Chilean motorsport, having evolved from a hopeful candidate event into a recognized fixture on the global rally circuit. Based in Concepción and spanning the Biobío region, this annual motorsport event has quickly established itself, bringing international attention to Chile's rallying capabilities. Its journey to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar highlights a successful bid to join the elite
ranks of international rallying, showcasing the country's organizational prowess and passion for the sport.
The Genesis: A Candidate Event
The story of Rally Chile began in 2018 when it was first held as a candidate event. This initial staging was a crucial step, designed to demonstrate its suitability for inclusion in the prestigious World Rally Championship schedule. The organizers aimed to prove that Chile could host an event meeting the rigorous standards of the WRC, which encompasses various support categories like the WRC2 and WRC3 Championships. The success of this candidate event was pivotal, paving the way for its official integration into the international rallying calendar.
Following the positive assessment of the 2018 candidate event, Rally Chile was officially added to the 2019 WRC calendar. This inclusion was a historic moment, making Chile the thirty-second country to host a WRC event since the championship's inception in 1973. The inaugural WRC event in 2019 was based in Concepción, Biobío, and featured sixteen special stages, covering a competitive distance of 306.76 km. This marked a significant achievement for Chilean motorsport, solidifying its place on the world stage.
Navigating Challenges and Future Plans
Despite its promising start, Rally Chile has faced its share of challenges. The 2020 event, for instance, was canceled due to political and social unrest in the country, demonstrating how external factors can impact even well-established sporting events. However, the rally has shown resilience, with plans for future editions continuing to move forward. The event's commitment to returning to the WRC calendar underscores its importance to both the local motorsport community and the international rallying scene.
Looking ahead, the 2025 Rally Chile, also known as the Rally Chile BIOBÍO 2025, is scheduled to take place from September 11 to 14. This will mark the fourth running of the event and will serve as the eleventh round of the 2025 World Rally Championship, as well as the WRC2 and WRC3 Championships. The 2025 event will again be based in Concepción, Biobío, and is planned to feature sixteen special stages, covering a total competitive distance of 306.76 km. This consistent structure highlights the organizers' dedication to maintaining a high standard for the event.
Further into the future, the 2026 Rally Chile, or Rally Chile BIOBÍO 2026, is already in the planning stages. Scheduled for September 10 to 13, 2026, this event is set to be the fifth running of the rally and the twelfth round of the 2026 World Rally Championship, WRC2, and WRC3 Championships. Notably, the 2026 event is also slated to be the final round of the 2026 Junior WRC Championship. This future event is planned to be based in Talcahuano, within the Biobío region, and will feature sixteen special stages, covering a competitive distance of 311.70 km. The continuous scheduling and planning for these events demonstrate the enduring commitment to Rally Chile as a key component of the global rally calendar.
