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Friday, 17 January 2025 13:06
Youth and Sports Minister Pushes for World Rally Championship in Indonesia by 2026
Written by Daniel
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VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, has expressed confidence in the country’s ability to host the World Rally Championship (WRC) by 2026. While a more realistic timeline points towards 2027, the WRC promoter has demonstrated a strong desire to bring the event forward. “WRC is keen to see the championship held in 2026, but we must first ensure our infrastructure and supporting elements are fully prepared. We’re also awaiting final confirmation from WRC regarding the schedule,” Minister Dito stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (15 January 2025).
Efforts to explore hosting the Indonesian leg of the championship began in 2024. According to Minister Dito, WRC has shown significant interest, and discussions have now progressed to more advanced stages. “For 2026, 14 rounds have already been locked in. We’re currently exploring opportunities to include an Indonesian round through a collaboration between WRC, the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI), and the Sports Fund and Business Management Agency (LPDUK),” he added.
The proposed rally route will span Medan to Lake Toba, a region famed for its natural beauty. The minister expressed optimism that the event could bolster the local economy, as demonstrated by the successes of the F1 Powerboat and Aquabike tournaments. “As this is a rally event, there’s no need for extensive infrastructure development, like building a stadium. The WRC team will conduct investigations and in-depth assessments of the potential venues,” Minister Dito explained.
Bambang Soesatyo, Chairman of IMI, hailed the prospect of hosting WRC as a revival of motorsport in Indonesia. “This feels like déjà vu, bringing back something we’ve been missing for so long. We hope WRC can take place in August 2026, ahead of the Japanese round in November,” he remarked. Simon Larkin, Senior Director of Events for WRC Promoter, also commended the Indonesian government for its support. “We are honoured by the warm reception and confident about the bright future of rallying in Indonesia. This joint commitment marks a significant step toward making WRC a reality here,” he said.
Published in
Indonesia Today
