The World Rally Championship is planning some changes to its service parks this year, with more improvements expected by 2026. The goal is to enhance the experience for both fans and teams at events, which is all part of the WRC’s promotional plan.
Last year, the WRC announced its strategy to stakeholders, highlighting its desire to bring the championship to the USA in 2026. Just recently, the championship revealed that it has secured a contract to host a round in North America, starting with an event in Tennessee next year, pending approval from the FIA and the USA’s ASN.
The WRC has been working on providing more data and team radio for television broadcasts to enhance the storytelling of rallies through its ‘command centre’. Further developments are expected to be unveiled at Rally Portugal next month.
Now, the focus is on improving the service park experience, with proposals currently under evaluation by the board. The aim is to increase attendance at WRC events by enhancing the on-site fan experience, following a push from the FIA last year to give event organizers more freedom in organizing service parks.
Details about the specific changes to infrastructure for this season are still unclear, but the focus will be on improving the spectator experience. WRC event director Simon Larkin mentioned that the service park is the next target for improvement, with internal proposals being discussed by the board. Changes are expected to be seen in the second half of the season.
Larkin stated that there will be a consistent approach to infrastructure, promotion, and activations in the service park. The plan is to have a certain number of events in Europe this year, expanding to all events next year, with WRC Promoter investing in the event experience.
Additionally, there are plans to implement universal service park structures for long-haul events to help teams save money. This is expected to start at this year’s season finale in Saudi Arabia, with a full rollout anticipated in 2026. The aim is to have a single supplier for structures, reducing the financial burden on teams.
The focus on the service park improvements is part of the broader expansion of the calendar, with the goal of providing a better experience for both fans and teams. By introducing universal service park structures and making other enhancements, the WRC aims to create a more sustainable and cost-effective environment for all involved in the championship.
