A potential Irish return to the World Rally Championship calendar in 2025 is progressing, with a decision on three bids being considered by WRC Promoter and Motorsport Ireland slated for next week.
Three locations are being evaluated to host a new Irish WRC round on a potential three-year deal: Limerick, Kerry and Waterford.
Ireland last hosted a WRC round in 2009, with its brief foray on the world stage based in Sligo; crews tackled stages in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Motorsport Ireland had previously issued a letter of intent among its member clubs in September last year, intending to put together a bid for a WRC calendar slot as soon as 2025.
Limerick Motor Club has publicly set out its stall for what its bid to host Rally Ireland would look like; Limerick Racecourse would host a 10,000 square meter service park, fan zone and media centre.
The Limerick delegation will present its bid to WRC Promoter and Motorsport Ireland at its proposed rally headquarters this Thursday.
“Working in recent months with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, we feel that we have put together a strong case to bring this prestigious international sporting event to the Mid-West [of Ireland],” said Limerick Motor Club director Maurice Meskell.
“Limerick Racecourse is an ideal location due to its quality connectivity and established service areas and we feel our bid is further strengthened by the support we have received across the region from Elected Members, Limerick City and County Council, Fáilte Ireland, An Garda Síochána, local Chambers of Commerce, Shannon Airport, Motor Clubs in surrounding counties and the wider business community.”
Parallels to Rally Mexico and the potential to achieve a return on investment were highlighted by Karen Ronan, General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau,
“The experience of other regions suggests that substantial and broad economic benefits are associated with hosting the World Rally Championship,” said Ronan.
“The Mexican state of Guanajuato this year saw more than 600,000 rallying fans gather for the WRC leading to a €36.5m injection in the local economy along with high hotel occupancy rates and prominent international media coverage.
“The support received locally for our bid suggests that Limerick is ready and willing to deliver a hugely successful base in Ireland to stage the event for Motorsport Ireland and the WRC.”
DirtFish has contacted the WRC Promoter for comment.
