*Spanish newcomer to open the chase for ERC glory in 2025
*Three gravel rounds and five on Tarmac provide the challenge
*Excitement grows as Croatia Rally and Rally Poland return
A new event in Spain and the return of Croatia Rally and Rally Poland are among the highlights of the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship calendar, which has been approved following an electronic vote by FIA World Motor Sport Council members.
Revving into action with the all-asphalt 42nd Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad in Andalusia from 4 – 6 April, the 2025 ERC schedule features eight events including five on asphalt and three on gravel spread from April to October.
After hosting the season opener this year, Rally Hungary provides the first gravel action of the campaign from 9 – 11 May followed by BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden (29 – 31 May), a second consecutive loose-surface event. The 81st Rally Poland completes the ERC’s trio of gravel rounds from 13 – 15 June.
It’s a return to asphalt for Rally di Roma Capitale in Italy (4 – 6 July) with Barum Czech Rally Zlín providing the next sealed-surface instalment from 15 – 17 August ahead of JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion from 5 – 7 September. The Tarmac contest in Wales was a new addition to the ERC calendar for 2024 and marked the return of the ERC to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2016.
The season-deciding Croatia Rally, a popular Tarmac fixture in the WRC since 2021, makes its ERC comeback as the season decider having last hosted the championship in 2013. Based in the capital Zagreb, the event will run from 3 – 5 October.
All rounds count for the FIA European Rally Championship for Drivers, Co-Drivers and Teams, plus the FIA ERC3 Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers and the FIA ERC4 Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers. With the exception of BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia and JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, the other six ERC rounds count towards the Hankook-supplied FIA Junior ERC Championship.
Iain Campbell, the ERC championship manager, said: “Once again we count on a calendar that’s the perfect mix of long-standing rallies with those making their mark on the international stage. We’re very excited to welcome Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad to the ERC for the first time and also delighted that Croatia Rally and Rally Poland are returning for what promises to be another action-packed schedule of events. Indeed, all rallies on the calendar offer a unique and exciting challenge and we’re very fortunate that we continue to work in tandem with our hardworking and dedicated event organisers to deliver a championship that holds such widespread appeal for fans and competitors alike.”
Kornél Őry, Head of the Organising Committee of the Rally Hungary: “In 2025 our event is the second in the calendar, one month later than this year, so we might face less weather challenges, although we had no reason to complain this year. We are very proud to be hosting the European Championships for the sixth time now, and we expect the field to be of high quality and size again. Last season’s stages around Veszprém were very well received by the FIA-experts and competitors alike – something we can build on in the future. We would not like to make any major changes to the route, but continue to strengthen what has worked well this year, i.e. the organisation, stage construction, safety – with a special focus on community-building programmes. We would also involve Lake Balaton a bit more in the event and promotion, and we could even kick-start the tourist season a bit in early May on the lakeshore and in Veszprém.”
The 2025 FIA European Rally Championship calendar is as follows:
42nd Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad, Spain, 4 – 6 April (asphalt)
Rally Hungary, 9 – 11 May (gravel)
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Sweden, 29 May – 31 May (gravel)
81st Rally Poland, 13 – 15 June (gravel)
Rally di Roma Capitale, Italy, 4 – 6 July (asphalt)
Barum Czech Rally Zlín, 15 – 17 August (asphalt)
JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, United Kingdom, 5 – 7 September (asphalt)
Croatia Rally, 3- 5 October (asphalt)
Source: FIA