Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Have fun the Begin of a New Period of Rallying in Encarnación
The President of Paraguay, H.E. Santiago Peña, joined FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem and a whole lot of hundreds of passionate followers at FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay this weekend, celebrating the fast development of motorsport within the nation and an thrilling new chapter for rallying worldwide.
The 2 Presidents met through the rally weekend to debate the continued growth of motorsport in Paraguay and throughout the Americas, from creating alternatives for younger folks at grassroots degree to bringing extra world-class competitors to the area.
Collectively, they watched the enduring ‘Paso de los Teros’, a reproduction of the legendary Group B Audi Quattro S1, which has been inbuilt Paraguay, tackle SS17 Encarnación. The second held explicit significance for President Ben Sulayem, a 14-time FIA Center East Rally Champion, who competed in an Audi Quattro throughout his personal rallying profession on the 1987 Qatar Rally.
Additionally they met native karters throughout their go to, seeing first-hand the keenness for motorsport among the many subsequent era and highlighting the significance of making accessible pathways into competitors.
Rally del Paraguay continues to strengthen its place on the worldwide motorsport stage, with 300,000 followers experiencing the thrill of this spherical of the FIA World Rally Championship on the nation’s distinctive crimson gravel roads – an enormous 42.8% enhance on fan numbers in comparison with its inaugural 12 months in 2025.
The weekend additionally got here at a pivotal second for the way forward for rallying following the FIA’s landmark new long-term industrial rights settlement for the FIA World Rally Championship and FIA European Rally Championship.
Following FIA approval, Cosmobilis and Park Sq. Capital have acquired WRC Promoter GmbH within the ‘deal of the century’, bringing file new funding into rallying and placing followers on the coronary heart of the game’s subsequent chapter. The partnership will give attention to rising the Championships’ world audiences, strengthening storytelling and content material, and bringing followers nearer to the motion.
Central to the settlement is a brand new FIA Progress Fund, designed to assist the event of rallying worldwide, from the very best ranges of worldwide competitors via to entry-level grassroots participation.
President Peña has been a powerful supporter of bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to Paraguay and creating the nation’s wider motorsport ambitions. Paraguay additionally hosted the 2025 FIA American Congress in Asunción, uniting FIA Member Golf equipment from throughout the Americas to collaborate on the way forward for motorsport and mobility.
Talking through the occasion, H.E. President Santiago Peña stated: “President Ben Sulayem’s presence on the Rally del Paraguay for a second consecutive 12 months is a robust recognition of Paraguay’s rising position on the world motorsport stage. It displays the FIA’s confidence in Paraguay as a dependable accomplice for the long run, and within the ardour of our folks for motorsport – significantly rally.
“The Rally del Paraguay has already been acknowledged because the Greatest Rally within the World, and we’re decided to uphold that distinction. Its difficult roads, distinctive landscapes and passionate followers make it a really unmissable occasion on the WRC calendar.”
FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated: “The eagerness for motorsport in Paraguay is unimaginable. President Peña shares that keenness and understands the alternatives our sport can create for younger folks, communities and the nation.
“It was significantly particular to look at the Audi Quattro take to the stage right here. It’s a automobile which means a fantastic deal to me from my very own rallying profession, and seeing it on these roads, surrounded by so many passionate followers, was a implausible second.
“However the way forward for our sport is simply as vital as its historical past. Assembly the younger drivers right here and seeing their enthusiasm exhibits why we should proceed creating alternatives and rising accessibility.
“Our landmark new promoter settlement for the Championship will assist us do precisely that. We’re bringing vital new funding into rallying, placing followers on the centre of its future and, via the brand new FIA Progress Fund, supporting the game in any respect ranges.
“My because of my pricey buddy President Santiago Peña for his continued assist, and to Dr. Hugo Mersan, President of the Touring y Automóvil Membership Paraguayo, and his staff for his or her dedication to rising motorsport and bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to the folks of Paraguay.”
FIA Member Membership the Touring y Automóvil Membership Paraguayo (TACPy), led by President Dr. Hugo Mersan, has performed a central position in establishing Rally del Paraguay and rising motorsport participation throughout the nation. Working intently with the FIA and nationwide authorities, TACPy continues to strengthen Paraguay’s place throughout the worldwide motorsport group and make sure the momentum generated by this rally interprets into sustainable development for the game throughout the nation.
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The Fédération Internationale de l’Vehicle (FIA) is the governing physique for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It’s a non-profit organisation dedicated to driving innovation and championing security, sustainability and equality throughout motor sport and mobility.
Based in 1904, with workplaces in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings collectively 246 Member Organisations throughout 5 continents, representing tens of millions of highway customers, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces laws for motor sport, together with seven FIA World Championships, to make sure worldwide competitions are protected and truthful for all.
