Ireland’s bid to rejoin the WRC in 2025 halted

Ireland had tabled a bid to secure a three-year contract to host the WRC, beginning from 2025, which planned to bring the championship back to the country for the first time since 2009.

Motorsport Ireland announced in January a plan to rotate the rally through three locations; Waterford, Kerry and Limerick, across the three-year deal, should it secure the contract.

While the concept was approved by WRC Promoter, which met with Motorsport Ireland President Aidan Harper in February to discuss Ireland’s WRC’s plans, the bid hinged on the event securing €15 million from the Irish government in funding to spread across the three-year contract. Motorsport Ireland estimated that the rally would generate €300 million for the local economy.

There was hope that the funding grant would be given the green light, but the application has not been successful within the timeframe required.

“It is with deep regret that Motorsport Ireland today confirms that Ireland is no longer being considered to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2025,” read a statement from Motorsport Ireland.

“On Monday, 15 April, Motorsport Ireland finally received confirmation from Minister Byrne, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, that his Department would need “at least six months” to undertake further independent economic assessments and analysis of our proposal.

“The closing date for the bidding process with WRC Promoter GmbH was the end of Q1 this year, a date that Motorsport Ireland made both Minister Byrne and the Major Sports Events Unit aware of from the outset. Due to having received no update from the Department by the Q1 deadline, Motorsport Ireland requested, and was granted, an extension of a fortnight from the promoter.

“Motorsport Ireland first approached the Government back in early 2023 and in June of that year had a fruitful meeting with Minister Thomas Byrne and his colleagues where we presented how we can showcase Ireland on the world stage by bringing the World Rally Championship to Ireland for a three-year period.

“In the meeting, Motorsport Ireland were complimented by Minister Byrne that we were doing the right thing by coming good and early with respect to a funding request for a 2025 event. After the meeting, we were referred to the Major Sports Events Unit whom we engaged with and submitted a full event screening application on 6 October…