India Might Host World Rally Championship Round By 2019

According to a report from Motorsport.com, Indian officials are in talks with FIA World Rally Championship organisers to host a WRC round in India by 2019.

President of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) Working Group, Vicky Chandhok confirmed that the discussions are being held with WRC Managing Director, Oliver Ciesla.

A team of Indian representatives led by Indian rally driver Farokh Commissariat will visit Rally Sweden to observe the proceedings in preparation for hosting a WRC round. The team is likely to visit three more rallies in 2017 to assist their planning.

Chandhok stated that they are looking at two locations to host the WRC round. One is the foothills of the Himalayas and the second one is the coffee estates in Chikmagalur in South India.

India's most popular cross-country rally, the Raid de Himalaya takes place at high altitudes, but it is expected that the WRC round will take place at lower altitudes. Whereas Chikmagalur has already hosted an international rally.

2019 has been set as a target date for the inaugural Indian WRC round, Chandhok also stated a possibility of arranging a deal for the 2018 season.