Rally Northern Ireland latest event to be shelved due to pandemic 

This year’s proposed Rally Northern Ireland has now been deferred due to uncertainty over public funding relative to Covid-19

Estonia’s Ott Tanak and Martin Jareoja in a Citroen C3 WRC during day three of the Wales Rally GB in 2019. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA

Rally Northern Ireland will not be part of a round of the FIA World Rally Championship, organisers confirmed yesterday, after the event was shelved over funding fears.

This year’s proposed Rally Northern Ireland has now been deferred due to uncertainty over public funding relative to the pandemic.

Belgium will make its debut on the world calendar by taking the August slot vacated by the proposed Northern Irish leg. Renties Ypres Rally Belgium will take place on asphalt on dates to be confirmed.

Rally Northern Ireland promoter Bobby Willis said: “Tourism Northern Ireland recognises that hosting Rally Northern Ireland in 2021 represented a positive opportunity to profile the region globally and would serve to celebrate Northern Ireland’s motorsport heritage.

“However, it feels Covid-19 could diminish the substantial economic benefits WRC historically bestows upon its host regions, and therefore investment would not represent best value for public money at this time.

“We must accept the situation for 2021 and focus on our discussions to explore the avenues for 2022.” Jona Siebel, managing director of World Rally Championship Promoter, the commercial rights holder for the global championship, added: “It’s sad the WRC will not enjoy the beauty of Northern Ireland this year, but the pandemic continues to impact the global economy.

“Our enthusiasm for a WRC round there remains strong and we look forward to continuing our discussions for 2022.”