Late deal secures World RX of Riga in 2020.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media. 

The FIA World Rallycross Championship will remain in Latvia for the 2020 season after a late deal was struck with World RX promoters IMG. 

Latvia joined the World RX calendar in 2016 and has since become a clear fan and driver favorite. 

The future of World RX in Latvia seemed bleak after organizers of the event could not provide IMG with any guarantees (including financial) due to the Latvian national government only preparing their budget at the end of each year.

Official Press Conference.
PHOTO CREDIT: Biķernieku trase

A late deal was struck after the Mayor of Riga confirmed his interest in retaining the event for 2020. As a result of the City of Riga saving the Latvian round, the name for the 2020 event will change from the NESTE World RX of Latvia to the NESTE World RX of Riga.

“The work towards securing the 2020 event has started way back and although it seemed barely possible, we did not lose hope to fill a spot on the 2020 World RX calendar,” said Raimonds Strokšs, RA Events and Neste World RX of Riga director.

“I am extremely grateful to Riga City Council and IMG for their support, and decisiveness to reach an agreement and secure the necessary funding, that allow us to once again welcome you back to the Bikernieki circuit for a round of the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Championship.”

In addition to hosting round nine of the World Rallycross Championship, Latvia will also stage the fifth and final round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship for Euro Supercars and the sixth and final round of Euro Super1600. 

The Latvian round was one of two events marked as ‘to be confirmed’ when the 2020 World RX calendar was officially announced at the end of last month. The one remaining destination for World RX – on July 18-19 – will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

Written By - Junaid Samodien