FIA member clubs convene in Tashkent to advance regional motor sport

The FIA’s member clubs (ASNs) assembled for a series of regional meetings during the FIA General Assemblies Week to advance motor sport development in their regions and build on the success of regional events and initiatives which have accelerated grassroots participation over the past year.

Reflecting on a strong year for motor sport at every level of competition, the meetings also laid the ground for more events, competitions and championships in 2026 and beyond. All regions were presented with an update regarding the Motor Sport Funding Programme and Sport Club Development Programme which are provided by the FIA to support regional and grassroots motor sport initiatives in every corner of the globe.

North and South America

The Americas enjoyed a strong year for motor sport with the staging of the first-ever WRC Rally del Paraguay, a notable highlight of 2025. From six rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship to the South American Karting Championship, the Americas have hosted milestone events at every level of the motor sport pyramid.

FIA Vice President for Sport – North America, Daniel Coen, presented the concept of Pan-American events to the meeting to strengthen the region’s motor sport base, whilst Vice President for Sport – South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, reflected on the new resources released today by the FIA to support member club growth and development.

Africa

FIA Vice President for Sport – Africa, Rodrigo Rocha, discussed the significant progress achieved across Africa thanks to the FIA sport club development initiatives and reflected on the notable successes including the FIA African Rally Championship and the second edition of the African Karting Cup.

The creation of a working group for grassroots development was also approved to pool resources, share best practice and initiate joint working to widen the affordability, accessibility and inclusivity of motor sport across the region.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific hosted a number of milestone events over the past year, including the Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka, which featured over 200 competitors and included the unveiling of a locally built FIA Affordable Cross Car.

Last month, Malaysia hosted the inaugural FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup with 107 drivers from 50 countries competing in the new, affordable and accessible format championed by the FIA.

FIA Vice President for Sport – Asia-Pacific, Lung-Nien Lee, also looked forward to 2026 and outlined his vision for new regional events, competitions and formats to double motor sport participation across the region. 

Middle East and North Africa

FIA Deputy Vice President for Sport – MENA, HRH Prince Khalid Al Saud, representing FIA Vice President for Sport – MENA, Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, opened the meeting by reflecting on two successful grassroots events with the MENA Esports Championship in Jordan and MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup held in Qatar.

The meeting celebrated the increased participation secured from these events and expressed its thanks to the organising ASNs for their regional leadership in organising the event.

With the FIA Karting World Championship (OK, OK-J) announced in Bahrain next year, the region is looking forward to hosting even more world-class motor sport events in 2026, with working groups on karting, drifting and hill climb established to organise more events across the region.

Europe

European delegates gathered for a networking dinner this evening where Vice Presidents for Sport – Europe, Anna Nordkvist and Manuel Aviñó thanked the Member Clubs for an incredibly strong year, with the region hosting over 500 FIA events in 2025.

Club representatives used the opportunity to discuss and collaborate on a series of initiatives as a powerhouse of global motor sport.

Valerio Iachizzi, FIA Secretary General for Sport, said:

“2025 has seen a remarkable growth in regional motor sport, including major events like the South American Karting Championship, which was a showcase of the future of our sport, the Asia Pacific Motor Sport Championship, which united the region in a celebration of grassroots motor sport and the MENA Esports Championshi,p which highlighted the different ways to participate in motor sport.

“Our Member Clubs are the key to this success, and I am delighted that we have expanded the amount of resources we are able to provide to support the growth and development of motor sport.”