Stellantis Cup Heads to Charlevoix Finale as 2027 Expansion Confirmed
La Malbaie, Quebec, October 30, 2026 — Newly crowned American Rally Association (ARA) Open Two-Wheel-Drive (O2WD) champions Danny Shalev and Glen Ray head to the Canadian Rally Championship's (CRC) Rallye de Charlevoix, October 30–November 1, to contest the finale of the inaugural Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup North America.
Last week, Stellantis Cup organizer Team FJ confirmed the series will return in 2027, introducing additional eligible Rally4 models and plans to further develop opportunities for drivers to advance into international competition.
Carrying a 21-point lead into the double-points finale at Charlevoix, Shalev and co-driver Ray will face five other Peugeot 208 Rally4 crews, including second-place Cup rival Vincent Lalande and co-driver Fabien Craen. Lalande made his ARA debut at March's Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, taking the O2WD class victory, before returning for the Cup's semifinal at Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) earlier this month, where he finished second in class behind Shalev.
With the Cup allowing competitors to score points at all eligible ARA and CRC events, drivers can compete for the same championship without necessarily attending the same rallies. Three of Lalande's four points-contributing regular-season results came in Canada, while his fourth came at 100 Acre Wood. Those results are combined with the double-points-scoring semifinal and final to determine the championship.
With up to 44 points available at Charlevoix, Shalev needs only a fourth-place or better Cup finish to secure the title. Lalande can overturn the deficit with a victory if Shalev finishes fifth or lower, while a retirement for Shalev could open the door for Lalande to take the championship with a lower finish.
Despite the championship implications, Shalev is approaching his first rally in Canada with much the same mindset as the rest of his season.
“The approach for this rally isn't much different than the others since anything can happen in rally,” said Shalev. “The main priority is just enjoying what the roads have to offer.”
Reflecting on his first season in the Cup, Shalev described it as “an incredible year,” with the experience of learning the Peugeot 208 pushing him to perform.
Introduced in 2026, the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup North America is a one-make championship organized by Team FJ for Peugeot 208 Rally4 competitors across the American Rally Association and Canadian Rally Championship. Michelin serves as the Cup's official tire partner, with competitors using Michelin tires and contingency awards available to the top three Open Two-Wheel-Drive finishers at eligible events.
Designed to provide a pathway toward international competition, the Cup offers its inaugural champion a choice between competing in a North American national rally in a Citroën C3 Rally2 or an international World Rally Championship (WRC) or European Rally Championship (ERC) event in a Peugeot 208 Rally4. The champion will also receive a trip to Europe to visit Stellantis Motorsport's factory, attend a WRC2 team event and test day, and test a Peugeot 208 Rally4 on tarmac.
Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Confirms 2027 Expansion
Last week, Team FJ, organizer of the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup North America, confirmed the series will return in 2027, continuing its efforts to develop young North American talent and create opportunities for drivers on both sides of the Atlantic.
For its second season, the Cup will expand eligibility to include the full Stellantis Motorsport Rally4 lineup, with the Peugeot 208 Rally4 joined by the Opel Corsa Rally4 and Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF. Team FJ also aims to expand development opportunities for drivers as young as 14—a first example of this being Poland’s Bruno Grycz, who contested the ARA season-ending Lake Superior Performance Rally this year but had to surrender the driver’s seat to his co-driver Ugnius Vainevicius due to his youth and lack of U.S. driver’s license—and strengthen connections between North American and European rallying.
Team FJ will continue to provide technical and logistical support to competitors in both countries. In the United States, technical partner Argonaut Motor Club has supported the series through arrive-and-drive rentals, engineering services, and spare parts availability.
The Cup's expansion comes alongside the scheduled return of the FIA World Rally Championship to the United States in 2027, with Rally US set for August 26–29, further strengthening the connection between North American and international rallying.
“Our ambition is to build a genuine bridge between North America and international rallying,” said Jérôme Galpin, President and CEO of Team FJ. “We want to identify the best North American drivers and create opportunities for them to compete internationally or move up to Rally2 here in North America. At the same time, we want European drivers to come and discover the fantastic rallies we have in the United States and Canada.”
The 2027 calendar, sporting format, awards, and registration procedures are expected to be announced at a later date.
For more information about the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup North America, including championship standings and regulations, visit Team FJ. For event schedules, entry lists, and spectator information for the Rallye de Charlevoix, visit RallyeCharlevoix.com.
~Mason Runkel for the ARA