Ireland On Course For 2025 WRC
It would appear that there could indeed be a round of the 2025 WRC in Southern Ireland. As I mentioned a few months ago, Motorsport Ireland president Aiden Harper had put out a request for motor clubs throughout Ireland to submit a proposal for a 10,000 square metre area which would house a service park and Rally HQ, meeting the criteria required of a World Rally Championship event.
In turn three proposals (surprisingly all in the province of Munster) were submitted. They were from Carrick-on-Suir, Kerry and Limerick Motor Clubs. The venues would be Waterford City, Tralee and Limerick Racecourse respectively.
Apparently neighbouring motor clubs would be prepared to assist the chosen venue in the running of the event. I am sure even clubs from further afield, including NI, would be available to help. The winning proposal was due be announced imminently. It would be a fitting tribute to the memory of Craig Breen, a former Carrick-on-Suir MC member, if Waterford was chosen. The Waterford quays area was the Southern base for the Rothmans Circuit of Ireland Rally in its hay day way back in the mid 1980’s.
Perhaps the biggest snag for MI will be the funding of such an event. Around £10m is the figure required by WRC promoter to secure a three-year deal. The Irish Government have been approached to assist but a decision from them will not be forthcoming until late February or early March. Communication is ongoing and according to Harper, MI are meeting all the criteria. Hope they have better luck than Bobby Willis’s attempt to run a Rally Northern Ireland.
Cold Turkey
The final event for us in 2023 was the annual Turkey Run Rally at the Shackleton Complex in Ballykelly. When I say “us” our presence included the BMMC Rescue unit plus a few stage marshals. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend.
There were scheduled to be six stages on the runways of the old airfield but due to heavy rain and standing water, stage one was cancelled. A total of 76 cars started but only 34 finished the remaining 5 stages. Winners were Aaron McLaughlin and Darren Curran in their VW Polo GTI R5 while Derick McGarrity/ Conor Duffy were second in a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Maiden City MC were the organisers for this the last time the Shackleton facility will be used for 12 months. In April the closed-road Maiden City Stages Rally is due to take place in the Dunamanagh area as part of the NI Rally Championship and then the Dogleap Rally returns to the forests of Co.Derry in October after some year’s absence.
