IRELAND CONTINUES TO PLAY THE WORLD WAITING GAME
Irish government interest in Tarmac event still unclear after funding deadline expires
The World Rally Championship resumes in Kenya today (Thursday) with Ireland’s chances of a 2025 calendar slot still uncertain.
Bosses of the proposed Irish event are trying to secure €15 million from their government to land a three-year deal for what would be a first WRC appearance since 2009.
Motorsport Ireland chief Aidan
Harper had previously set March 14 as the deadline for the funds to be in place. But during a meeting with Motorsport Ireland-affiliated clubs last week it is understood he suggested an announcement would be imminent.
A source said: “Motorsport Ireland had anticipated an answer on the eve of the recent West Cork Rally but that didn’t materialise. Indeed, a request to MI president Aidan Harper on the situation went unanswered. It appears that at an online meeting of the MI-affiliated clubs, Mr Harper, in his closing address, advised the attendees of the imminent announcement. While there’s no indication of what the outcome will be, senior officials are hoping that it hasn’t slipped through their fingers.”
The source also suggested the recent resignation of prime minister Leo Varadkar “is not expected to have any impact on the decision”.
However, even if Motorsport Ireland can secure the necessary backing, it could still face a battle to land a spot on the WRC fixture list in light of continued interest from Paraguay, Saudi Arabia and USA, plus the two-year deal Rally Islas Canarias has landed.
“We are working very closely with WRC Promoter, we are trying to keep our date pencilled in,” Harper said previously. “There are many other countries looking to come onboard, [however] I’ve always said that if we are not going to receive the funding, then we will say it straight up and move on. But it would be an awful shame not to get it.”
Additional reporting by Martin Walsh