World Rally Championship
Flat-out cars, closed roads, and fans close enough to feel the gravel.
2026 live
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The World Rally Championship sends production-based cars flat out over closed public roads, timed one at a time against the clock. Gravel, tarmac, snow and ice all show up across a season, so crews need range as much as raw speed. Fans love the access, the noise, and the sight of cars sliding between trees and stone walls just feet away. It is motorsport that feels close enough to touch, and the stages are often in beautiful, remote places.
The championship began in 1973 as a title for manufacturers, and a drivers' crown followed in 1979. Events like the Monte Carlo Rally, first run in 1911, give it deep roots. The Group B years of the mid-1980s brought huge power and huge crowds before the category was shut down over safety concerns. Since then the sport has moved through Group A cars, World Rally Cars and new technical eras, with fierce rivalry between carmakers at its core.
How it works
- Each event is a mix of timed special stages on closed roads and untimed liaison sections on public roads between them.
- Cars start one by one at set intervals, and the fastest combined stage time across the event wins.
- A driver and co-driver work as a pair. The co-driver reads pace notes, written during pre-event reconnaissance, so the driver knows what is coming.
- Crews get short service windows to repair and adjust the car, and penalties apply for lateness or breaking the rules.
2026 schedule
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Showing the most recent and next events. Full calendar: official site.
Fan tips
- Check the official event site for stage maps, road closures and spectator zones before you go, and follow the marshals' instructions.
- Dress for changing weather and bring sturdy footwear. Stages can mean a long walk on muddy or rough ground.
- Visit the service park if you can. It's the best place to see the cars up close and spot the crews at work.
- Following from home, watch the live timing alongside the broadcast. Gaps can change a lot over a single stage.
Legends of WRC
Books, biographies and collectibles about the series' greats.
FAQ
What is the difference between a rally and a circuit race?
In a rally, cars run alone against the clock on closed roads rather than racing side by side on a track. The winner is whoever has the lowest total time across all the stages. Conditions can change from stage to stage.
What does a co-driver do?
The co-driver sits alongside the driver and reads out detailed pace notes describing corners, crests, jumps and hazards. The driver trusts those calls at very high speed. It is a demanding role that relies on precision and communication.
Can fans really watch from the roadside?
Yes, that is a big part of rallying's appeal, though only in the areas organizers designate as spectator zones. Rules and access vary by event, so always check the official guidance for the rally you plan to attend.
What was Group B?
Group B was a rule category used in the mid-1980s that allowed extremely powerful, lightly regulated cars. The speeds and crowd conditions led to serious accidents, and the category was banned after the 1986 season. It remains one of the most talked-about eras in rally history.