Rallying: Ireland will host its own stage of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2007 after it was announced today in Paris that Rally Ireland's application for inclusion was accepted by the WRC.
Rally Ireland had been pushing hard this year, in a joint initiative with Failte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company, to be included on the circuit.
That effort was recognised today by Max Mosley, president of the Fèdèration International de l'Automobile (FIA), who said: "We are pleased to welcome Ireland to the FIA World Rally Championship. Your team worked hard in their bid and set very high standards.
"Rally Ireland will bring many new and unique features to the championship including being the first round to run competitive stages cross border," he added.
The first rally will take place on November 18th-20th, 2007, and will be the "largest sporting initiative" ever on the island, according to Rally Ireland, who estimate it to be worth €46 million to the economy.
Routes have yet to be finalised but it will be a cross-border event.
Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue welcomed today's news, as did Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain.
Mr O'Donoghue described the inclusion as a "wonderful success for Irish motorsport and Irish sport in general and all the more so as it is a cross-border initiative."
Mr Hain added that he was "excited by what hosting a full WRC round will be able to contribute to the economy and the development of social cohesion."
The WRC runs rallies in Argentina, Japan and New Zealand among other venues, and stages comprise of a variety of surfaces including gravel, tarmac, snow and ice.
Rally Ireland was established by former championship-winning co-driver Ronan Morgan and Sean O'Connor, a marketing consultant and driver manager who has worked with the WRC since 1991.
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