Mexican joy over WRC status

The event has been monitored by the FIA since 2001, and joins Japan as a new host country for the 2004 series.

"Our planning started about five years ago and it was always our thinking to get into the World Rally Championship," said Juan Suberville, president of the event's organising committee. "We had a business plan and in the first year we ran a small rally, very quietly. We had a plan and the plan has happened exactly as we thought. Maybe there has been an extra year's cushion to get into the World Championship, but now is the right time - this is the right year for us.

"This year's event completely complied with FIA regulations and in 2004 this will obviously be the same, but clearly the rally will be different because of the level of teams who will be coming. There are many top people who will come with a lot of experience and that is really the biggest consideration and what we have to plan for the most.

"We know the rules and the regulations and will work very hard to make sure we know how to react to situations with the team principals and leading drivers. We have no concerns about the running of the event at all, or the infrastructure we have here because I think it more than equals what everyone expects. We are never complacent though and will do everything we can to make sure our event is perfect for everyone."