Motorsport Ireland still working on their event return to WRC for 2026

Motorsport Ireland published a press release yesterday in which the organization is saying that they are still cooperating with the Irish government in order to Rally Ireland to host a WRC round in 2026.

Motorsport Ireland is working very hard since last January to secure a WRC slot in the calendar, but their efforts failed as they could not secure the funding for the bid despite the fact that they had already decided some details for their event which are about the rotation system between three cities. The official confirmation came two months ago where Motorsport Ireland stated that the Irish government did not reply to their messages about the funding which means that they were not able to make a bid to WRC Promoter for Rally Ireland's return to the sport for 2025. However, it looks like that Irish government is now cooperating closely with Motorsport Ireland with the intention of clarifying three key factors: a detailed and comprehensive inventory of the services required to be provided by national and local government (including transport, security and other considerations), an assessment of the economic benefits and costs accruing from the event and an analysis of the sustainability of the event. World Rally Championship has visited Ireland four times in the past and 2009 was the last time that Craig Breen's country hosted a WRC round where Sebastien Loeb became the driver with the most victories there.

"This is a progressive step in Motorsport Ireland’s plans to bring the World Rally Championship back to this island", the Motorsport Ireland President, Aiden Harper, said.

"Over the last month we have had constructive discussions with Minister Byrne and the WRC Promoter and we look forward to assisting Department officials with any additional information they require while carrying out their analysis. 

"I greatly appreciate Minister Byrne’s commitment to undertaking the necessary assessments to consider an event of this nature. 

"Ireland has demonstrated it can hold international motorsport events in the past and I have no doubt we will again in the future".

Photo Credits: Motorsport images