On Tuesday, Motorsport Ireland announced that the country is no longer being considered as a host for the 2025 WRC season.
In December, there was news that Ireland was keen to return to the WRC. However, the entire project has now been shelved.
Motorsport Ireland had planned to host a WRC event from next season for three consecutive years, with the competition taking place in a different location each year.
“It is with deep regret that Motorsport Ireland today confirm that Ireland is no longer being considered to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2025,” Motorsport Ireland stated in its press release.
The project’s failure was ultimately due to a lack of time. Motorsport Ireland explained that undertaking further independent economic assessments alone would have required ‘at least six months’.
Planning for hosting a WRC event in Ireland began in early 2023, with representatives from the federation meeting with Minister Thomas Byrne last summer. At that time, everything still seemed promising, and the meeting was described as fruitful.
Motorsport Ireland did not hide its disappointment, expressing frustration with the process. The federation plans to continue working with Minister Byrne, hoping that a rally could still potentially be organized in Ireland in the future.
“Motorsport Ireland notes and appreciates Minister Byrne’s commitment to undertaking the necessary assessments and analysis required and will continue to communicate with him, his Department and WRC Promoter GmbH to see if alternative hosting years are possible beyond 2025,” the federation said in its statement.
News of the Irish WRC project facing difficulties surfaced in early April. Motorsport Ireland needed to secure €15 million from the government, to be spread over three years. However, sufficient assessments could not be completed in time. The federation had set a mid-April deadline for decisions.
The WRC Promoter is planning a 14-event calendar for next season, which would include one more rally than this year. Along with Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Paraguay are also considered for inclusion. The Canary Islands are confirmed as a new addition to next year’s WRC calendar.
The WRC Promoter has also stated that the calendar for next season is expected to be published by the end of June.
