IFMAR Statement regarding Electric Onroad World Championships – risk of cancellation
With calls for the postponement of the upcoming 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships in Foshan, China, due to the current unrest in the Middle East, IFMAR has just issued a strong statement on the matter which it opens by saying ‘IFMAR does not support the postponement or cancellation’ of the championships. Having made a statement last week that it planned to go ahead with the 1:12 and ISTC World Championship, on Saturday FEMCA, the Bloc responsible for the staging of the back to back races at Hongyu GDC, posted that it was requesting the postponement of the event and this statement is IFMAR’s response and insight on the matter. It transpires that approval for the venue to host the event was revoked abruptly and is currently not available to host the event, and therefore the World Championships are presently at risk of cancellation. A further update is expected in the next 48-hours.
Statement Regarding the 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships – Foshan, China
As an opening statement, IFMAR does not support the postponement or cancellation of the upcoming 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships, scheduled to be held in Foshan, China from March 25 to April 5, 2026.
However, due to issues relating to regulatory approvals in China, the approval for the venue to host the event was revoked abruptly is currently not available to host the event, and therefore the event is presently at risk of cancellation.
The sequence of events to date is outlined below:
• The relevant Chinese regulatory authority was engaged approximately one year ago by the host regarding the World Championships.
• The local authority officials, on behalf of the host, was requested to prepare the necessary documentation for the event to be conducted as a state-supported event. This documentation was completed and approval was granted.
• Until approximately two weeks ago, the event was understood to be fully approved, and preparations were proceeding accordingly, including final track preparation.
• Approximately one week ago, the previously issued approval was withdrawn by the regulatory authority, with a request that the event be postponed as certain conditions were not met. Reference was also made to safety concerns relating to the current situation in the Middle East.
• These concerns have been proven to be inconsistent with formal advice from the Chinese Government and fabricated as an excuse to postpone the event until the conditions were met with the previous regulatory administration.
• Subsequent discussions have indicated that these matters may relate to false administrative requirements and a current transition of personnel within the regulatory authority.
• The host and local authority officials are currently working to expedite the approval process with the newly appointed administration that formally took office this week in an effort to allow the event to proceed as originally scheduled.
Unfortunately, this matter remains unresolved as of today. IFMAR believes it is important to be open, forthcoming and transparent with the international racing community, and therefore we are providing this update as disappointing as it may be.
IFMAR sincerely hopes that the host and the relevant authorities will be able to resolve the approval process in the very near future, allowing the event to proceed as planned.
IFMAR will provide a further update within 48 hours, or sooner should additional information become available.
The absolute deadline for a final decision will be Sunday 15 March, 5:00 pm US Central Time.
IFMAR Board of Directors
