Rally Islas Canarias replaces Rally Principe de Asturias

Eurosport Events, the promoter of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, has today announced that Rally Islas Canarias ‘Trofeo El Corte Ingles’ will replace Rally Principe de Asturias on the 2010 IRC schedule.

The event will become the fourth round of the 12-event IRC series and take place from 28 April-1 May.

A one-year agreement has been reached between Eurosport Events and the Canarias Sport Club with an option for a two-year extension.

Confirmation of Rally Islas Canarias’ inclusion in the IRC is the result of a successful collaboration between Eurosport Events and Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo. This was instigated after the organisers of Rally Principe de Asturias decided they could not honour the terms of their agreement with Eurosport Events and declared they would no longer host the IRC round, which had been due to run from 9-11 September.

Marcello Lotti, the General Manager of the IRC, said: “We are grateful to President Carlos Gracia Fuertes, of Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo, who supported the IRC in finding a quick and solid alternative solution after Rally Principe de Asturias encountered financial issues. Rally Islas Canarias enjoys a good reputation and benefits from a strong organisational background. We are hopeful this partnership will not be a one-off experience.”

Rally Islas Canarias is an all-tarmac event and is one of the most famous rounds of the Spanish asphalt championship. The rally organisers are making special arrangements for IRC international regular teams to transport their cars and equipment to the event.

The revised 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge schedule is as follows:

Round: Event (Country) Date (Surface)
01: Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo (Monaco) 19-23 January (Asphalt)
02: Rally Internacional de Curitiba (Brazil) 04-06 March (Gravel)
03: Rally Argentina (Argentina) 19-21 March (Gravel)
04: Rally Islas Canarias (Spain) 28 April-01 May (Asphalt)
05: Rally d’Italia Sardegna (Italy) 04-06 June (Gravel)
06: Geko Ypres Rally (Belgium) 24-26 June (Asphalt)
07: Sata Rally Açores (Portugal) 15-17 July (Gravel)
08: Rali Vinho Madeira (Portugal) 05-07 August (Asphalt)
09: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic) 27-29 August (Asphalt)
10: Rallye Sanremo (Italy) 23-25 September (Mixed)
11: RAC MSA Rally of Scotland (United Kingdom) 15-17 October (Gravel)
12: FxPro Cyprus Rally (Cyprus) 04-06 November (Mixed)

source: ircseries.com