A joint Irish North/South initiative to secure a round of the prestigious World Rally Championship (WRC), titled Rally Ireland was launched in Ireland yesterday. The bid is backed by Fáilte Ireland (Ireland's tourist board) and the Northern Ireland Events Company. A 235km long pilot event in the North West region is planned for October 14-16 this year.
Sligo will be the host city for Rally Ireland with the Service Park based at Enniskillen airport. This year's pilot event will see three special stages run in Northern Ireland and three special stages run in the Republic of Ireland. Of note is that the event will be a 'mixed surface' event with Saturdays stages run on tarmac surfaces and Sundays on gravel. This is the first time a mixed surface event has been run in this country and has been introduced to demonstrate Ireland's capacity to run an event on either surface.
The target date for WRC status has been set for 2007. This will require the observation of next years Rally Ireland by observers from the FIA, the sports governing bodies. This event is planned before June 2006 to allow the FIA sufficient time to consider the Irish bid.
An Irish delegation has already met with the President of the FIA, Max Mosley to outline the case for Rally Ireland. The delegation jointly led by John O'Donoghue T.D, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and Mervyn Elder, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Events Company visited Mosley in France. It is planned to invite Mosley to Ireland later this year to review progress on the project.
Motorsport Ireland, the sports governing body of motorsport in Ireland have appointed two experienced promoters to front the Irish bid in Ronan Morgan and Sean O'Connor. Former Co-driver Morgan was up to recently the Project Director of Wales Rally, GB, the UK round of the WRC, while his colleague Sean O'Connor has worked for the largest sponsor in the WRC since 1991. Previously the Irish duo secured World Championship status for the UAE Desert Challenge.
The Timetable for the 2005 Rally Ireland is:Friday 14th October Festive start Sligo City Saturday 15th October 3 Tarmac stages run twiceService Park – Enniskillen Airport Sunday 16th October 3 Gravel stages run twice.Service Park – Enniskillen Airport Finish Sligo City
Quotes re Rally IrelandPaddy Hopkirk – The only Irishman to win a round of the WRC:“We have a great heritage in motorsport and this stood to us during our presentation of Rally Ireland to FIA President Max Mosley last month.”
Niall McShea – 2004 Production WRC Cup winner:“I have competed in most WRC rounds over the past few years and I am confident that Rally Ireland will be among the best events in the series”
Kris Meeke – Leading challenger for the 2005 Junior WRC title:“Hosting a WRC round would be the best thing to happen to Irish motorsport and present our young talented drivers with improved experience and exposure."
Austin McHale – Multiple Irish Champion and current leader of the British Rally Championship:“The real winners of securing a WRC round will be the public, rallying is a fantastic free public spectacle for young and old alike.”
