ASUNCIÓN – The "WRC Ueno Rally Paraguay 2025," held in Itapúa, Paraguay, concluded successfully on September 1, 2025, receiving warm praise from world-class drivers. Top rally drivers, including winner Sébastien Ogier (Toyota), Takamoto Katsuta, and Oliver Solberg, gave high marks for the flawless event management and the passion of the Paraguayan people, expressing their deep admiration.
Despite being the inaugural event, it was even described as being better than other rallies with long histories, suggesting Paraguay's potential to emerge as a new rally hotspot.
The success of this rally was primarily due to its meticulous operation. Not only the participating drivers but also the official WRC organization praised Paraguay for "showing perfect execution in its first-ever event." Japan's Takamoto Katsuta said, "It was very impressive that there were no delays or canceled sections," adding, "the assistance park was also wonderfully designed so everyone could enjoy it."
Estonia's Ott Tänak also highly evaluated the capacity of the Paraguayan organizing committee, noting, "It was surprising and positive that there were no delays or stage cancellations despite the massive public participation." Grégoire Munster of Luxembourg emphasized Paraguay's potential by stating, "For a first-time event, it was better organized than some of the rallies with a long history."
However, what moved the drivers most deeply was the passion of the Paraguayan people. Winner Sébastien Ogier expressed his gratitude, saying, "My first experience in Paraguay was a huge success. The huge number of fans cheered us on enthusiastically all weekend, creating a fantastic atmosphere." Oliver Solberg shared that he gained an additional 70,000 SNS followers through his interactions with Paraguayan fans, exclaiming, "It was the best moment for me. The number of fans and people was incredible." His father, 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg, also recalled, "The week in Paraguay was simply unbelievable. The fans and the atmosphere were on another level," adding, "I am so grateful for this passion and support. It was one of the most memorable rallies I've had in a long time."
The beautiful landscape created by Paraguay's red soil, green nature, and countless pink lapacho trees further solidified the rally's identity. Ireland's Josh McErlain advised, "A lot of people should learn from the passion of the Paraguayan people and how this rally was organized," suggesting that the Paraguay Rally is more than just a sports event—it's a cultural phenomenon.
The official WRC website introduced Paraguay as "the 38th country to host a WRC event," and stated that "the passionate crowds left an unforgettable impression on the championship stars." This rally sufficiently demonstrated Paraguay's potential to become a new center for rally sports, going beyond its beautiful natural scenery.
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