Longford native aims to bring World Rally Championship back to Ireland

Longford native Aiden Harper is at the helm of Motorsport Ireland as it aims to return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) and host a round in 2025.

The last time Ireland hosted a WRC round was in 2007 and 2009, when the rally was based in the town of Sligo.
Late last year, Motorsport Ireland announced it would submit an application to motorsport governing body the FIA ​​to host the WRC in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Last week at Motorsport Ireland (MI) headquarters, Edgeworthtown native Aiden Harper outlined to invited guests the process involved in selecting a potential rally venue.

Midland Motor Club member Michael Murray (inset) from Lahalla, Roscommon, competed in a Mitsubishi Evo with navigator Ray Fitzpatrick when the WRC came to Ireland in 2007

The selection committee, made up of Motorsport Ireland stakeholders and WRC promoters, selected MI’s potential locations for the event, including Limerick Motor Club (Limerick Racecourse) and Kerry Motor Club (Munster Institute of Technology). ), and three areas that are a combination of both universities. Number of clubs led by Waterford Motor Club (Waterford City).
A key criterion for the applicant was to have a service area of ​​10,000 square meters and an associated rally headquarters and media centre. The committee narrowed down applications from various motor clubs wishing to host the event to these clubs.

So, after considering each candidate, Mr. Harper found nothing problematic in terms of each applicant’s commitment and each venue’s suitability, and agreed to work with all three motor clubs on a three-round rotation between clubs. The decision was made to use the.

If successful, clubs would have the opportunity to hold rounds in separate years between 2025, 2026 and 2027. The tournament requires government funding of 15 million euros over three years and is expected to generate 100 million euros in profits each year. community. It is estimated that up to 150,000 spectators travel to Ireland for the rally each year, many from overseas.

Mr Harper said: “The process to secure the gathering here on the Coast is currently underway and our efforts to secure funding are currently being extended to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sport’s Department of Major Sport and Events. “This is being considered by senior management.” And the media. ”

Mr Harper continued: “Once funding is secured we will meet with all three groups to see if they each have their preferred year and if not we will operate a lottery system.” None of this would be possible without government funding. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. ”

The last WRC rounds held in Ireland in 2007 and 2009 were won by Sébastien Loeb, while Midland Motor Club member Michael Murray, from Lahalla, County Roscommon, rode a Mitsubishi EVO with navigator Ray Fitzpatrick. Participated in the war.