WRC confirms Irish event for 2009

The FIA World Motorsport Council in Monaco has voted to award Ireland a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) once again in 2009.

Not only will Rally Ireland feature in this major event, it will launch the prestigious twelve-round global series. The provisional date set for Rally Ireland is Thursday January 29 and will finish up here on Sunday February 1.

Rally Ireland’s debut in the WRC took place less than one month ago, opening Belfast and finishing up in Sligo after three days of action.

The event, which was broadcast in 180 countries worldwide proved to be Ireland’s largest sporting event of the year with up to 200,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers. Rally Ireland was sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland and resulted in an economic benefit in excess of €50m.