Motor Club official says Donegal could play future role for WRC

A leading Donegal Motor Club official says that this county should work to position itself as a possible host for future rounds of the World Rally Championship.

Bernard Gallagher, the PRO of the Donegal Motor Club, was speaking this week after Motorsport Ireland was forced to shelve plans to bring a round of the 2025 WRC to Ireland.

Motorsport Ireland identified three locations - MTU Kerry, Limerick Racecourse and Waterford Quays – were Ireland to have been successful in a bid to return the WRC to these shores.

However, issues over government funding forced Motorsport Ireland to put a pause on its plans.

Now, Gallagher believes that Donegal could play a key role in the future. In 2007 and 2009, stages of Rally Ireland, a round of the WRC in those years, were held in Donegal.

“The only positives to take, with a new government on the way in Ireland and now a stable government back in Northern Ireland, is that Donegal and the North West region may play a bigger part again should the opportunity arise in the future - which we hope it will,” Gallagher told Donegal Live.

Motorsport Ireland had sought €15m government funding for its plan. The body says that it will continue to explore a possibility of hosting the event beyond 2025.

Frosses rally kingpin and businessman Donagh Kelly has been involved in the Motorsport Ireland team during their process.

On Tuesday, Motorsport Ireland confirmed 'with regret' that Ireland was no longer being considered to host a round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship.

The governing body was informed by Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht Thomas Byrne that the department would need 'at least six months' to undertake a further analysis of the Motorsport Ireland proposal.

Gallagher said: “Motorsport Ireland had worked hard with the clubs during a selection process and is extremely disappointed that the government were unable to support the Irish rally fans in securing a round of the WRC.

“The promoter and rally teams have a lot of Irish connections through Craig Breen's legacy, our own Donagh Kelly and others who work within the WRC, now and down through the years.

“Ireland is a place where everyone wants to come to rally. With stages like our own Knockalla & Atlantic Drive now world famous, and others like Mollls Gap, the list goes on of iconic stages could host the WRC.

“This statement from Motorsport Ireland clearly points the blame at the Government and Minister Thomas Byrne which is disappointing as we draw closer to an election.”

Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Haper said earlier in the week: “I am saddened that it has come to this but unfortunately, we are left with no option.

“We always stated that the FIA World Rally Championship could only come to Ireland with the financial support of Government while always being aware that the funding may not be forthcoming.

“It is a great shame to have to hand this great opportunity, and the economic benefit it would bring, over to another awaiting country.”