WRC - WRC Rally Paraguay

The WRC Rally Paraguay returns to Encarnación for the 2026 edition, bringing world championship rally racing to the Itapúa Department of Paraguay. This event stands as the longest rally on the 2026 WRC calendar, featuring over 360 kilometers of competitive stages spread across 22 special stages. The rally uses Encarnación as its base, a city located near the Argentine border along the Paraná River.

Event Overview

WRC Rally Paraguay 2026 spans four days of competition on the distinctive red gravel roads of the Itapúa region. The rally expects to attract more than 250,000 spectators from Paraguay and beyond. Approximately 60 crews will tackle the challenging stages that define this South American rally. The event builds on Paraguay's successful entry into the FIA World Rally Championship, which began in 2025 when the country became the 38th nation to host a WRC round.

Circuit and Stages

The rally stages consist primarily of red gravel roads characteristic of this region. These surfaces present a mix of smooth red-earth sections and technical passages through dense vegetation. The soft gravel develops deep ruts quickly, and grip levels can change suddenly. Drivers must adapt constantly to shifting conditions.

Competition begins with a shakedown session in Nueva Alborada, allowing teams to test their setups. The official start takes place at the Encarnación Civic Center – Sambódromo. Special stages traverse multiple locations including Cambyretá, Nueva Alborada, Yerbateras, Autódromo, Bella Vista, Hohenau, Trinidad, Artigas, and Artigas Oeste. The Yerbateras stage extends 33 kilometers, making it one of the longest individual tests.

An urban stage in the Hotel AWA area brings the rally directly to spectators in Encarnación. Trinidad features a new stage created for the 2026 edition. The rally concludes with a Power Stage in Encarnación, followed by an awards ceremony held on the water at Molino San José.

Competition Format

The event serves as an official round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Top teams and drivers compete in Rally1 cars for the World Rally Championships for Drivers, Co-drivers, and Manufacturers. Support categories include WRC2 and WRC3, featuring crews in cars complying with Rally2 through Rally5 regulations. This structure creates multiple levels of competition across the same stages.

Rally1 Technology

Rally1 hybrid cars represent the pinnacle of rally technology. These machines combine a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, generating over 500 horsepower. The cars handle diverse surfaces and extreme conditions. Teams face particular challenges in Paraguay due to limited historical data, as the WRC event is relatively new to the country. Engineers must optimize setups for high-speed stages with variable grip, while drivers must manage visibility issues from dust or rain.

Paraguay's Rally Heritage

The WRC Rally del Paraguay builds on the Rally Trans Itapúa, an international event held annually in Encarnación since 1981. This foundation event competes in the CODASUR South American Rally Championship and the Paraguayan Championship. A trial event called the "1° Petrobras Rally del Paraguay" took place in September 2024 as preparation for WRC competition. Paraguay has a strong rally culture, demonstrated by demanding events like the Rally del Chaco.

Regional Character

Encarnación is known as Paraguay's tourist capital and the National Capital of nautical sports. The city features extensive beaches along the Paraná River. The "tierra colorada" or red earth of Itapúa creates a distinctive visual setting for the rally. The event showcases the cultural and natural heritage of the region, including towns like Hohenau, known for its German immigrant influence and the Parque de las Naciones, and Capitán Miranda, celebrated for its European immigrant legacy. The rally promotes the gastronomic and cultural traditions unique to this part of Paraguay.

The WRC Rally Paraguay in Encarnación offers a unique challenge on the championship calendar. The combination of red gravel surfaces, changing conditions, and passionate local support creates a distinctive race environment. Teams and drivers experience a demanding test across 22 special stages, while spectators witness world championship rally competition in one of South America's most welcoming regions.