Euro M-Sport will not be providing fuel this weekend's West Cork Rally

The Euro M-Sport stand at the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham last January. Pic: Martin Walsh.

The refuelling debacle that dominated Irish motorsport at the beginning of the year took another major twist yesterday (Monday) when Motorsport Ireland announced, following communication from Euro M-Sport (its appointed fuel supplier for the next three years) that they (Euro M-Sport) will not be attending this weekend's Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally, the opening round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

The Irish governing body, in a statement on their website said, "The event refuel area will remain in operation for self-refuelling only, in line with the published guidelines." 

Motorsport Ireland added that it will continue to engage with Euro M-Sport on the matter and will issue further updates in due course. So what has changed within in the last ten days as Euro M-Sport had their fuel rig in operation at the Jeremy O'Connor Longford Arms Midland Rally?

The refuelling situation hit the headlines in early January when Motorsport Ireland decided that all rally events under its jurisdiction were to have a separate refuelling area situated two kilometres from the service park. It appears the decision to use control fuel in all MI rallies was based on the report of a three-man working group within the Motor Sport Council (MSC).

Further MI announcements cited "key clarifications" including the fact that the fuel tender was introduced as a way to ensure adherence to insurance commitments. Clubs were not informed who gave and what were the commitments. The two-kilometre restriction was subsequently lifted, however, it was still included in a document issued by the governing body stating it was the preference of their insurers.

Euro M-Sport have apologised to Motorsport Ireland and its customers for such short notice of their decision. It remains to be seen how this will affect the West Cork entry.

The Euro M-Sport statement said, "during our regular pre-event checks for this weekend, an issue was identified that we sought immediate clarification on. Due the technicalities of the service we provide, and having still not received a clear and definitive answer, we have found ourselves in the difficult position where we cannot risk our business. We feel we have a solution to this issue, but unfortunately, the speed at which this will happen is outside of our control."

So what is the issue, who and what does it involve? The organising Cork Motor Club and the West Cork Rally are blameless but they have been placed in a very delicate situation and deserve a full explanation. The situation is really is between Motorsport Ireland and Euro M-Sport, ironically, three MI personnel involved in the refuelling situation have key official roles in Clonakilty this weekend.

It's now almost four years since Leo Hassett stepped away from his role as CEO of Motorsport Ireland and there are concerns about the governance of the sport despite assurances of transparency, fairness and respect. Motorsport Ireland president Aiden Harper didn't respond to a query.