Motorsport Ireland selects three venues for Ireland's World Rally Championship bid

Motorsport Ireland has selected venues in Co Kerry, Co Limerick, and the South East Region as part of a bid to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Ireland between 2025 and 2027. 

Ireland previously hosted a round of the World Rally Championship in 2007 and 2009 and is currently seeking to secure a spot on the calendar for the next three years.

Motorsport Ireland has been working on a bid since August 2023, reviewing submissions from all 32 affiliated clubs in Ireland. 

Such was the strength of the venues submitted that Motorsport Ireland has decided to put forward three separate venues for the bid, rotating the venue for each year that Ireland is seeking to be included in the World Rally Championship. 

Aiden Harper, Motorsport Ireland President, said that the venues in Kerry, Limerick, and the South East Region were "world-class," and will serve as "ideal hubs" for the event. 

"It was an honor for me and the selection panel to see the commitment from our clubs and volunteers in the three areas putting together such strong bids to potentially host WRC Rally Ireland from 2025 onwards," Harper said. 

Harper noted that the bid is predicated on securing Government funding, adding that Motorsport Ireland will require a €15 million investment for the bid. 

However, he said a successful bid would yield up to €300 million over the course of three years in addition to greatly benefiting local economies in Kerry, Limerick, and the South East. 

WRC Promoter GmbH said: "Ireland is an incredible country and since the last running of Rally Ireland in 2009, the world teams have been wanting to return.

"We look forward to continue working with Motorsport Ireland and the FIA to work through the necessary steps to secure a calendar slot for Ireland’s bid."

The FIA World Rally Championship is the highest level of global competition in the motorsport discipline of rallying, while it is the second-most-viewed motorsport event in the world after Formula One. 

The 2022 championship drew a global television audience of 841 million, while the championship's social media accounts boast a combined following of almost seven million people. 

Motorsport Ireland estimates that the championship will draw attendances of 200,000 people if it returns to Irish shores in 2025.