Irelands largest sporting event at risk
Posted: February 24, 2009 2:04 PM
Senator Marc MacSharry has warned that the decision by the Federation
International Automobile ( FIA ) in Paris today (February 18th) is to hold
a review of existing arrangements with a view to moving to a permanent
fourteen round series presents a serious threat to the Irish round which
has been held first in 2007 and again earlier this year. Up to this year
the WRC has been operating on a one year on one year off basis among 24
events.
"While a move to permanent events has not yet been determined or the 14
locations named it is clear that Ireland is at risk and I am urging
Motorsport Ireland the Irish arm of the FIA to use all their influence to
consolidate Irelands position in this prestigious series" explained the
Sligo based Senator who has backed the project since its inception in 2004.
MacSharry stressed that the North – South event, Irelands largest sporting
event with 250,000 spectators and a TV audience in 180 countries was one of
the best organised in the World Series. He stressed that while no data was
available yet for the 2009 event in its 2007 debut, Rally Ireland was
ranked second best in the world in terms of organisation and number one in
terms of TV.
"This is a very valuable event to Ireland, almost € 50 million in economic
terms and therefore all interested parties must lobby hard to retain it for
Ireland" he added. "I intend to fully support motorsport Ireland and other
interested groups in this campaign".
Ireland was again scheduled to host a WRC round in 2011 as part of the
annual rotation of the series. However the FIA plan to bring in the fixed
fourteen round series from 2010. It is understood this potentially follows
the failure of Russia and Indonesia to come up to the standards needed and
so leaves two vacant places.
"We are more than capable of hosting the best event in the world
championship on an annual basis'' concluded MacSharry.
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