The WRC was established in 1973 by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), making it one of the longest-running motorsport competitions.¹⁾

The WRC is a global series, featuring rallies on every continent except Antarctica, taking place in diverse locations like forests, mountains, deserts, and city streets.²⁾

WRC cars race on a wide range of surfaces, including gravel, asphalt, snow, and ice, testing the drivers' ability to adapt.³⁾

Rally events consist of timed “special stages” on closed roads, with the fastest times determining the overall winner.⁴⁾

Every WRC driver has a co-driver who reads out “pace notes,” which describe the upcoming road in extreme detail, guiding the driver at high speeds.⁵⁾

The Group B cars of the 1980s are legendary for their extreme power and lightweight design, leading to some of the fastest, and most dangerous, rallying ever.⁶⁾

Group B was banned in 1987 after several fatal accidents, leading to the introduction of safer regulations in rally car design.⁷⁾

WRC cars today are highly modified versions of road cars, equipped with advanced 4WD systems and turbocharged engines.⁸⁾

One of the sport's most iconic drivers, Scotland’s Colin McRae became the youngest-ever world champion at age 27 in 1995, driving for Subaru.⁹⁾

Sébastien Loeb holds the record for the most WRC titles, winning nine consecutive championships from 2004 to 2012.¹⁰⁾

Another French rally legend, Sébastien Ogier, has won eight world championships as of 2023, making him the second-most successful driver in WRC history.¹¹⁾

Teams like Subaru, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and Citroën have battled for the top spot over the years, with Citroën having dominated the sport during the Loeb era.¹²⁾

Known for its high-speed gravel roads and big jumps, Rally Finland is one of the most popular and challenging events on the WRC calendar.¹³⁾

The Monte Carlo Rally, which dates back to 1911, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious events in WRC, famous for its unpredictable weather.¹⁴⁾

The 1974 Safari Rally, which took place in Kenya, was the longest event in WRC history, covering over 5,000 kilometers.¹⁵⁾

Some rallies feature “night stages,” where drivers race in the dark with only their headlights to guide them.¹⁶⁾

The last stage of each rally is known as the “Power Stage,” where extra championship points are awarded to the fastest drivers.¹⁷⁾

WRC cars can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) on gravel or dirt roads, depending on the stage.¹⁸⁾

These are support series for drivers and teams using less powerful cars, offering a stepping stone to the top-level WRC.¹⁹⁾

The WRC has seen champions from countries like France, Finland, Sweden, the UK, Spain, and more.²⁰⁾

Finnish drivers have won the WRC Drivers' Championship 14 times, earning Finland the nickname “the land of rally drivers.”²¹⁾

In addition to the drivers' title, there is a manufacturers' championship, where carmakers compete for top honors.²²⁾

Some of the most iconic cars in rally history include the Lancia Stratos, Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus, Audi Quattro, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.²³⁾

Modern WRC cars use small, turbocharged 1.6-liter engines, producing over 380 horsepower.²⁴⁾

4WD technology became widespread in WRC during the 1980s, offering better traction on loose surfaces.²⁵⁾

Starting in 2022, WRC introduced hybrid powertrains, combining electric motors with internal combustion engines to make the cars faster and more environmentally friendly.²⁶⁾

While most WRC drivers are part of factory teams, some compete as privateers, using their own resources and smaller teams.²⁷⁾

Rallying is unique in that weather can change dramatically during an event, from dry roads to torrential rain or snow within a few hours.²⁸⁾

Between stages, cars are repaired and adjusted by teams in service parks, often with limited time and under strict rules.²⁹⁾

WRC attracts millions of spectators annually, both at the events and through global TV broadcasts.³⁰⁾

While not part of the WRC, some rally drivers have also competed in the Dakar Rally, a long-distance off-road endurance event.³¹⁾

Citroën holds the record for the most manufacturers’ titles with eight championships.³²⁾

Despite being fellow countrymen, Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb have had a fierce rivalry, with both dominating the sport in different eras.³³⁾

WRC pioneered the use of in-car cameras, giving fans a first-person view of the action.³⁴⁾

The longest jump in WRC was made by Norwegian driver Mads Østberg, who flew over 44 meters during Rally Finland.³⁵⁾

WRC cars are fitted with advanced safety systems like roll cages, fire suppression systems, and HANS devices (Head and Neck Support) to protect drivers.³⁶⁾

American driver and YouTube sensation Ken Block helped bring rallying to a new audience with his “Gymkhana” videos, though he never competed full-time in WRC.³⁷⁾

In 2023, the WRC celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of thrilling motorsport action.³⁸⁾

WRC has embraced the digital world with official WRC video games and esports competitions, drawing in new fans.³⁹⁾

Women like Michèle Mouton have made history in WRC. Mouton is the only woman to win a WRC event, with her victory coming in 1981.⁴⁰⁾

WRC drivers must be incredibly fit to endure the physical demands of racing for hours on end through rough terrain, often in extreme temperatures.⁴¹⁾

WRC cars regularly sustain damage during rallies, with broken suspensions, smashed bodywork, and punctured tires being common challenges.⁴²⁾

As of 2024, Latvala is the team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT and the youngest team manager in WRC history, after a long career as a driver.⁴³⁾

The WRC calendar typically features around 13 to 15 events each season, although this number has varied over the years.⁴⁴⁾

Known for its tough gravel roads, Rally Portugal is one of the most grueling events on the WRC calendar.⁴⁵⁾