Motorsport UK has welcomed a positive FIA observer visit to the Voly Grampian Forest Rally, with Chief Executive Hugh Chambers describing the four-day assessment as “a valuable step for Rally Scotland and a positive moment for the wider UK rallying community”.
The FIA delegation attended the Aberdeenshire event as part of Rally Scotland’s candidate event process, working with Motorsport UK and local organisers to assess the sporting, safety and operational requirements for the FIA World Rally Championship’s return to the UK in 2027.
Chambers said the visit gave the FIA a clear view of the project now taking shape in north-east Scotland.
“Over four days, the FIA delegation saw the strength of the route, the quality of the facilities in Aberdeen and the commitment behind this project,” he said.
“The Voly Grampian Forest Rally gave us a useful early look at the roads that will help shape Rally Scotland: fast, flowing gravel stages with real character. We are grateful to the FIA delegation for the time, care and expertise they brought to the assessment, and to the organisers, marshals, volunteers, crews and spectators who supported the event.”
The assessment included the two-day rally from 7-8 August, followed by visits to further proposed stages and event locations. The FIA delegation also saw the planned event headquarters at The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA), with its service park, operational space and strong links to the city’s hotel and transport network.
The FIA’s senior figures underlined the importance of the visit. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the completion of the candidate event “an important step towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United Kingdom”, adding that the country has “a long and proud history in the Championship”.
FIA Deputy President for Sport Malcolm Wilson OBE also gave strong backing to the project. He said bringing the championship back to the UK would be “a hugely important step for global rallying”, and praised Scotland’s stages as “demanding and spectacular”. He added: “They rank among the very best in the world, and there is a real appetite among fans to see the world’s best crews competing on them once again.”
The visit came during a landmark weekend for the rally. Leading WRC crews used the Grampian as an early test of the roads that will help define Rally Scotland in 2027. Elfyn Evans ran as course car in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with co-driver Scott Martin, while Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne won the rally outright in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Armstrong said the character of the stages could make Rally Scotland “a modern classic” when the WRC arrives.
For Motorsport UK, the weekend gave an early sign of the sporting strength, volunteer base and fan interest behind the event.
Rally Scotland will bring the FIA World Rally Championship back to the UK in 2027, with the FIA due to announce the dates for its autumn 2027 calendar slot shortly.
