Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Have a good time 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 lots of of 1000’s 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 in the course of the rally weekend to debate the continued growth of motorsport in Paraguay and throughout the Americas, from creating alternatives for younger folks at grassroots stage to bringing extra world-class competitors to the area.
Collectively, they watched the long-lasting ‘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 specific 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 pink 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 business 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 report new funding into rallying and placing followers on the coronary heart of the game’s subsequent chapter. The partnership will deal with 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 help the event of rallying worldwide, from the best ranges of worldwide competitors by way of to entry-level grassroots participation.
President Peña has been a robust supporter of bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to Paraguay and growing 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 in the course of 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 strong recognition of Paraguay’s rising function on the world motorsport stage. It displays the FIA’s confidence in Paraguay as a dependable associate for the long run, and within the ardour of our folks for motorsport – notably 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 fervour for motorsport in Paraguay is unbelievable. President Peña shares that zeal and understands the alternatives our sport can create for younger folks, communities and the nation.
“It was notably particular to observe the Audi Quattro take to the stage right here. It’s a automobile which means a terrific 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 necessary as its historical past. Assembly the younger drivers right here and seeing their enthusiasm reveals why we should proceed creating alternatives and growing accessibility.
“Our landmark new promoter settlement for the Championship will assist us do precisely that. We’re bringing important new funding into rallying, placing followers on the centre of its future and, by way of the brand new FIA Progress Fund, supporting the game in any respect ranges.
“My because of my expensive pal President Santiago Peña for his continued help, and to Dr. Hugo Mersan, President of the Touring y Automóvil Membership Paraguayo, and his group 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 function in establishing Rally del Paraguay and rising motorsport participation throughout the nation. Working carefully with the FIA and nationwide authorities, TACPy continues to strengthen Paraguay’s place inside the worldwide motorsport neighborhood 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’Car (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 thousands and thousands of highway customers, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces rules for motor sport, together with seven FIA World Championships, to make sure worldwide competitions are secure and honest for all.
