The European Rally Series has been officially launched, introducing a fresh vision for rallying across the continent. In its inaugural 2025 Promo Year, the series aims to reconnect fans with some of Europe’s most iconic and historic rallies all while introducing a new cultural and promotional dimension to the sport.
Maintaining the traditional competitive format and the full-throttle spirit of rallying, the European Rally Series will partner closely with local organizers to implement some of its core values to some of the most beloved events in the European rally calendar.
At the heart of this new concept that began in Portugal lies the Arena Stage: a fan-focused area combining a dedicated special stage with Fanzones, brand activations, food corners, and immersive experiences. Each Arena Stage provides a dynamic focal point for spectators, partners, and media.
In 2025, four candidate events will make up the Promo Year calendar. Rali da Madeira in the coming days of 31st of July to August 2nd and San Remo Rally are the first two events in the line-up that holds two surprises for the last rounds of the inaugural year. While preserving the traditional format of each rally, the promoter will highlight the Arena-style Super Special Stages of each event as a pilot for future development.
As far as the competition goes, all FIA homologated categories in the Rally Pyramid (from Rally1 to Rally6 + RGT) are eligible for classifications in the already known Rally Series Stars system. Each stage eligible for Rally Series classifications, awards the drivers in the usual FIA points system of 25 points (here labelled as stars) for the fastest down to 4 points for the 9th placed crew with a twist where the 10th fastest time gets awarded 2 points and every finishing car from 11th onwards gets 1 star point.
Two major classifications will be prized in the Promo Year calendar with an overall classification and a general two-wheel-drive classification.
The European Rally Series sets out to do more than organize rallies — it seeks to reactivate historic events and position rallying as a cultural and promotional experience, bringing families, brands, and media closer to the heart of the action.
Built upon the core values of the Rally Series, the European edition promotes:
– Accessibility for fans, competitors, partners, and local communities
– Authenticity, by preserving the heritage and spirit of each rally
– Innovation, through new formats like Arena Stages and activations
– Sustainability, by encouraging responsible event practices and return to competitors and partners
– Entertainment, turning each rally into an unmissable celebration of motorsport
