Japan (WRC) - 11-14 Nov 21 - CANCELLED

FORUM8 Rally Japan 2021 has been called off

Posted: October 4, 2021 10:57 AM

The Rally Japan 2021 Executive Committee regrets to inform that the FIA World Rally Championship “FORUM8 Rally Japan 2021”, scheduled for this November has been called off.

Throughout this entire COVID-19 pandemic, the Rally Japan 2021 Executive Committee has constructively reached out and continuously engaged in coordination with the many respective entities; the Japanese government Ministries and Agencies, the concerned local governments, the Fe?de?ration Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), WRC Promoter, and all those involved in the organizing of the Rally Japan event, in order to successfully hold the Rally Japan 2021 event as planned, however the impact of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its unstoppable spread continues to fiercely affect all of Japan and its population.

Considering the characteristics of the WRC competition, which is held on public roads with the imperative cooperation of all in the local community, and the fact that in Japan, the COVID-19 emergency cases continue to increase daily and alleviation of the situation remains unpredictable, together we were left with only one choice which was to, unfortunately, call off the 2021 WRC Rally Japan.

We take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for the indispensable support and understanding of all, and would like to direct our sincere gratitude to all the fans and stakeholders who have been looking forward to this first WRC Rally Japan, after 11 years. We sincerely apologize for all the inconveniences this resolution may have caused, and are deeply grateful for your understanding.

Finally, we also take this opportunity to, once again, express our gratitude to each individual involved who has contributed to make this event possible, including all at the Japan Sports Agency and all at all the other related Ministries and Agencies, the local Governments, the Toyota Stadium, the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, the local Police and Fire Departments, all local residents, workers and commuters, business partners, the Motor Sports Promotion Parliamentary Association of the Liberal Democratic Party, and the FIA, JAF, WRC Promoter, teams participating in the Championship, and all involved in the Japanese domestic rally industry.

Satoshi Suzuki, Chairman of the Rally Japan 2021 Executive Committee
“I would like to express my sincere apologies to all of those who were very much looking forward to the realization of the “FORUM8 Rally Japan 2021”. I take this opportunity to also express my heartfelt gratitude to all who worked so tirelessly in order to make this event possible. My wish is that we will, somehow, successfully overcome the present COVID-19 pandemic situation. We are determined to do our best in order to overcome this COVID-19 pandemic and successfully be able to hold the WRC in Japan in 2022. I pray for the safety of all.”

Rally Japan