Motorsport: Minister Thomas Byrne had 'positive' meeting with Motorsport Ireland and WRC promoter

Henning Solberg (Ford Focus WRC) pictured on Rally Ireland in 2009. The timing of a proposed round of the WRC in Ireland will be key to assessing the event’s overall benefit and feasibility. The 2009 event took place over the last days of January and the first days of February. Picture: Martin Walsh.

During a recent whistle-stop tour of sports facilities in County Cork, Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media stated that he had what he termed “a positive and constructive meeting with Motorsport Ireland and the WRC promoter” at his department on May 1st last. 

In a letter to his deputies, seen by the Irish Examiner, he reiterated his department’s openness to considering the scope for support for a possible future Irish hosting of the WRC, but that it would have to be later than 2025 to allow for a more detailed and extensive economic assessment.

Minister Byrne again told MI officials that any decision by Government to provide state funding to support the hosting of major sporting events needs to be underpinned by an independent economic analysis and business case. 

Crucially, he also asked Motorsport Ireland to take account of the feedback provided in the meeting, citing the timing of the event which will be an important factor in assessing the event’s overall benefit and feasibility.

The Minister confirmed that Motorsport Ireland wrote to him on May 21st last, stating the WRC promoter has confirmed that alternative hosting years are possible for Ireland to host rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Plans for the recent hosting of the UEFA Europa League Final began in 2022 with a number of separate working groups and cross-government and agency coordination at the highest level - illustrating the need for adequate time and preparation whenever Ireland hosts major sports events.

In mid-April, Motorsport Ireland canned its bid to host a round of the World Rally Championship in 2025 following communication from Minister Byrne, who said that his department would need “at least six months” to undertake further independent economic assessments and analysis of the Motorsport Ireland proposal that sought €15m government funding for its three year (2025-2027) WR rotational plan.

Last Wednesday, Motorsport Ireland announced that it will continue to engage with Minister Byrne and his department for the return of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) to Ireland. 

The announcement from MI said: “This is a progressive step in Motorsport Ireland’s plans to bring the World Rally Championship back to this island. 

“We look forward to assisting department officials with any additional information they require while carrying out their analysis.” 

A legal dispute between Killarney’s Mike Marshall, a well-known senior motorsport official/organiser and the Irish Motorsport Federation (IMF) trading as Motorsport Ireland was resolved at the Dublin Circuit Court yesterday. 

A declaration relating to a decision of the Motor Sport Council (MSC), communicated to Mr. Marshall by letter dated 24th September 2020 is null and void and in breach of fair procedure. 

An order directed the IMF to remove the suspension of Mr. Marshall’s official licence and restore to his grade of Steward, Clerk of the Course, Safety Officer and Stage Commander. 

In light of the ruling and given that the licences of two other Killarney officials were also suspended around the same time and that the Killarney and District Motor Club were also fined €5,000 it remains to be seen what will happen in these instances. 

It appears that the IMF have agreed to cover Mr. Marshal’s costs.

Meanwhile, Donegal’s Kevin Eves (Toyota Corolla) heads the entry for Sunday’s Baltinglass Rally in Wicklow that features a triple run over two stages. 

Another Donegal driver Mark Alcorn (Ford Escort), Armagh’s Jason Black (Toyota Starlet), Scotland’s David Bogie (Ford Escort) and Armagh’s Damian Toner (Ford Escort) spearhead an ultra-competitive top ten, many of whom are also using the rally as a shakedown for the forthcoming Donegal International Rally.