- Peugeot UK's 2009 IRC Champion co-driver Paul Nagle (left) and driver Kris Meeke (right) look on as Xavier Gavory, the IRC General Coordinator presents Bobby Willis, Circuit of Ireland Rally Director with IRC Supporter Event status.
The Circuit of Ireland has received Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) Supporter Event status in a major coup for the organisers of the world’s second oldest rally.
IRC Supporter Event status allows the Circuit of Ireland to be profiled on a world stage and signals the IRC’s intent to consider the Rally as a potential host.
Promised changes to Circuit of Ireland and an ambition to place the historic rally once again on an International stage heralded the arrival of Belfast-based global motorsport supremo Bobby Willis, who took control of the day-to-day running of the event last month.
Accepting the IRC Supporter Event status at the recent IRC awards ceremony in Paris, Circuit of Ireland Rally Director, Bobby Willis said:
“Having this prestigious charter bestowed upon the Circuit of Ireland is the first step in our strategy to re-awake the sleeping sporting giant that is the Circuit of Ireland. On top of that, Circuit of Ireland will be the only rally event to be granted "Supporter Event" in Ireland for 2010.”
Present at the special ceremony in Paris was Tyrone and Peugeot UK driver Kris Meeke who was recently crowned 2009 IRC champion. He commented:
“The global success and growth of the IRC is testament to the popularity of rallying across the world and I’m delighted that Circuit of Ireland is to become part of this family.”
Xavier Gavory, the IRC General Coordinator said:
“The IRC Supporter Event status will give the Circuit of Ireland the opportunity to once again increase its international standing while consolidating its reputation on a national level.
“The Circuit of Ireland will benefit from the strengths of the IRC brand and aid promotion internationally through on-demand video highlights available on the IRC website.”
Circuit of Ireland, Rally Director, Bobby Willis said:
“I want to build interest in the Circuit of Ireland beyond our current base, hopefully bringing new championships and funding partners to the Circuit.
“This will take time to realise, and I am appealing for competitors, volunteers and fans to get in touch via Facebook or our new website (www.circuitofireland.net), when it is complete early next year, to register for the latest news as it develops.”
In 2010, the Circuit of Ireland will be staged during its traditional Easter slot with precise details to be released in the near future.
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Tags: 2010, bobby willis, circuit of ireland rally, facebook, intercontinental rally challenge, IRC, ireland, itrc, oldest, prestigious, status, supporter event
