FIA World Rally Championship

15 - 18 November 2007

Click here to view Promotional video from Rally Ireland

Discussions are currently ongoing between Rally Ireland, World Rally Championship (WRC) stakeholders and the sports governing body, the FIA, about the possibility of launching the 2009 WRC season in Belfast next January.

Rally Ireland is the first event of the 2009 WRC season (January 29th – February 1st) and the planned Launch in Stormont Estate would take place the weekend beforehand.

In 2007 Rally Ireland was the most watched WRC event, with more than 62.8 million people tuning in worldwide.  These excellent viewing figures were founded on the opening live stage hosted in Stormont Estate.

Ronan Morgan of Rally Ireland stated that the planned event would be a first in the history of the WRC: “Such an event will be designed to generate significant extra TV coverage for all concerned and to provide the millions of fans around the world with an exciting new spectacle.''

He added that more information will be made available in the coming weeks as the project takes shape.  Belfast-based Bobby Willis will manage the WRC event at Stormont Estate.

Rally Ireland, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and Sport NI,is a unique cross-border event and will travel through eight counties.  

In 2007, Rally Ireland attracted more than 250,000 spectators, generated more than €48 / stg£38 million for the economy and was broadcast in more than 180 countries worldwide.

For further information please visit the Rally Ireland website: www.rallyireland.org