– The innovative plan from RMC Motorsport to enter the World Rally Championship revolves around promoting and developing national talents in partnership with the Spanish motorsport governing body. Could this be a new direction to bring more teams into the WRC in the future?
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While Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport Ford meticulously prepared their vehicles for the asphalt stages of the rally in the Canaries, the Spanish team RMC Motorsport announced its plans to build a new car.
The goal is to compete in half of the WRC top class season starting in 2027, followed by a full season in 2028. The plans were all very interesting.
The tuner wants to build a new prototype that is not based on any current production vehicle. In addition, talks are underway with current Rally2 engine suppliers.
Furthermore, three-time WRC rally winner Dani Sordo has been secured for the project. But one part of this ambitious plan to enter the WRC caused a stir and could serve as a model for other teams.
To bring this project to reality, RMC Motorsport has entered into a partnership with the Spanish motorsport governing body – the Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (RFEDA).
The FIA describes this as a “new kind of partnership.” Under the name WRT Rally1 Spain, RMC Motorsport effectively wants to create a “Team Spain” scenario.
A Spanish car, a Spanish team, and Spanish drivers. This is intended to open a path for national talents into the WRC. It is also an extremely appealing concept that an association like the RFEDA cannot ignore.
As a national motorsport governing body, it aims to promote the sport, increase participation, and develop talents. And this concept undoubtedly meets these requirements.
“We could not let the opportunity offered by the FIA to include tuners like RMC in the construction of Rally1 cars for 2027 pass by,” says RFEDA President Manuel Avino.
“This agreement with RMC also fulfills several of the goals I set at the beginning of my term at the RFEDA. As president, it fills me with great pride to be part of this project.”
“It will undoubtedly strengthen the quality and reputation of the Spanish motorsport industry and serve as a reference and inspiration for our drivers in their sporting careers.”
M-Sport also sees problems with this new concept
The path to the top of the WRC is currently difficult for young drivers. There is the FIA rally pyramid, which allows progression from two-wheel-drive Rally6 cars up to the all-wheel-drive Rally1 car.
But with currently only ten seats in the Rally1 top class at Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport Ford, it is incredibly hard to get into a top team. The introduction of tuner teams offers another path for young talents.
Could this concept therefore be adopted by other national motorsport associations worldwide? Imagine a “Team France” supported by the FFSA or a “Team Germany” promoted by the ADAC.
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M-Sport Ford is known as a team proud to invest in and develop young talents. The 2019 world champion Ott Tänak and current championship leader Elfyn Evans are just two examples.
The British team currently maintains a collaboration with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, which promotes Irish rally drivers and was founded by entrepreneur John Coyne.
The partnership has led to an Irish Rally1 driver lineup at M-Sport this year, consisting of Josh McErlean and Jon Armstrong.
“When I think about it, it is probably an interesting concept [that RMC Motorsport has presented],” says M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener to Autosport, a sister platform of Motorsport-Total.com.
“Many people talk about national associations funding future talents up to the highest class. So why not build a car in which you can put your young talents?”
“If the talent then raises the funds to run the car, then that is fantastic. A nice story with a Spanish car, a Spanish team, and Spanish drivers. That could really be interesting.”
“It is a good way to look at things from a different perspective, one we have never taken before. But I think there are also complications.”
“National associations are usually non-profit organizations or umbrella bodies where it must be ensured that the money is used properly,” Millener points out.
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“I don’t know how they want to implement this commercially. They have to be careful not to abuse the system to build a car. But I think the concept behind it has the right intentions.”
“They want to promote the sport and give young drivers opportunities.” Would M-Sport consider this model for its future WRC plans? “No,” Millener replies, referring to the current partnership with the Ireland Academy.
“I think with the academy you have to be careful not to stray from the DNA for which it was founded, namely to promote various drivers on their way through the sport.”
“I think what John does well is that he has many irons in the fire, with different manufacturers and series. That’s how you spread your resources. The moment you say we focus on one area, the grassroots idea is lost.”
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The partnership between RMC Motorsport and the RFEDA has undoubtedly sparked discussion, and it is certain that motorsport governing bodies worldwide are watching closely what develops here.
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