European Rally Championship organisers are seeking a replacement round following confirmation that its planned 2026 season opener in Hungary has been cancelled.
The eight-round ERC season was set to host its curtain raiser in Hungary from March 22-24. However, financial issues related to the rally organiser resulted in the event being cancelled.
The rough gravel rally made its ERC debut in 2019 and has been a regular feature on the schedule, although it did miss a season in 2022. Last year’s round was won by Finland’s Roope Korhonen.
Rally Hungary’s cancellation means it is now likely the ERC season will begin in April when the championship visits Spain to tackle Rally Sierra Morena’s asphalt stages (April 17-19).
The ERC is now searching to find a replacement round, although it is unclear when and where that round will be located in the schedule.
“Since being made aware that Rally Hungary has been cancelled, we have been working on securing an appropriate replacement,” read a statement from ERC championship manager Iain Campbell issued to Motorsport.com.
“The process is ongoing and an update will be provided in due course. In the meantime, we extend our thanks to the Rally Hungary organisers and the MNASZ for their support and commitment in recent seasons.”
Following Rally Sierra Morena, the championship is set to visit Sweden in May for the Royal Rally of Scandinavia, with rounds in Italy (Rally di Roma Capitale) and Rally Poland set to take place in July.
The series heads to the Czech Republic (Barum Czech Rally Zlin) in August, before the campaign wraps up in Wales (Rali Ceredigion) in September, and Portugal (Rally Five Cities) in October.
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