Rally Ireland to become world's first sustainable rally
To mark United Nations World Environment Day, Rally Ireland has announced plans to become world leaders in the area of sustainable motorsport. The World Rally Championship (WRC) candidate event has set the ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2010, the first major motorsport event to do so.
Rally Ireland is supported by both the British and Irish Governments and was recently judged to be capable of running a WRC round by the sports governing body. Based in the North West of Ireland, the 700 km long event is targeting a place in the 2007/08 World Series which is broadcast in more than 150 countries and would generate €29 million per annum for the economy.
“Rally Ireland intends to take a number of proactive steps to develop our environmental sustainability over the next three years and we will enlist experts from both North and South to help in the process” said Co-Promoter Seán O’Connor. “We have also started discussions with car manufacturers regarding the introduction of a Bio fuel category in the event which again would be a world first.”
Commenting on today’s announcement Minister for the Environment Dick Roche T.D said: “We want to involve the whole community in promoting sustainability and it is good to see an Irish based world level sports event taking global leadership in the area.”
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Rt. Hon. Peter Hain MP also welcomed the moved and stated: “A few weeks ago I emphasised the importance of achieving sustainable development. I am there very encouraged that Rally Ireland has taken this proactive step to become the first carbon neutral motorsport event in the world. This plan underlines once again the value of cross border co-operation in sport.”
“Rallying is highly popular with the youth market and we hope that in taking this initiative we will contribute to the promotion of the sustainability message not only in Ireland but to the 800 million global TV audience of WRC.” concluded Seán O’Connor.
The WRC is one of the most exciting sports in the world and is run in 16 countries over four continents on a number of surfaces. The Irish event is based between Sligo and Enniskillen and is one of six candidates for the WRC. A decision regarding the outcome of the bidding process is expected later in the year.
