SCOTLAND TO STAGE FINAL ROUND OF INTERCONTINENTAL RALLY CHALLENGE 2009
14 OCTOBER, 2008
Scotland will stage the final round of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) next year, forming a centrepiece event within the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations.
The announcement about the event, secured by EventScotland the national events agency working in partnership with Stirling and Perth and Kinross Councils, was made by the First Minister today.
Making the announcement the First Minister of Scotland, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP said:
“Scotland’s reputation for leading innovation and setting new standards in the motor sport industry makes it an ideal location for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge final. The event will be made even more special as it will be one of the signature events in our Homecoming programme. For 2009 we are inviting Scotland’s friends and family to return home to celebrate our strengths and culture.
“Today that invitation is being extended to the countless rally fans and enthusiasts around the world. With dramatic landscapes, warm hospitality and fierce competition – I hope that many will answer the Homecoming rally call.”
The Intercontinental Rally Challenge was introduced in 2006 as a new rally series, carrying the endorsement of the FIA and is closely based on production cars, with 2 litre, normally aspirated engines. This format is designed to attract more manufacturers to the sport and is now supported by Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Volkswagen.
The international-status event will be decided by three days of competitive driving over timed Special Stages on closed Forestry Commission Scotland gravel roads in Stirling and Perth and Kinross and will include a ceremonial start, service stop and high profile village featuring additional activity for the many thousands of spectators expected.
Paul Bush Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Scotland and demonstrates yet again our nation’s credentials as the perfect stage for major international events. Scotland hasn't hosted a rally of this stature for 20 years and staging the final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge provides an opportunity to further enhance Scotland's reputation within the motor sport industry.”
Eurosport is the global promoter of the IRC series and will be showing live footage, as well as highlight programmes, through their international network. The event will attract around 8.5 hours coverage in total, with 1.5 hours of this being live. The broadcast will showcase Scotland's natural assets, with the route taking in some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.
In addition to significant TV and media exposure, organisers anticipate spectator numbers at the event to grow in excess of 100,000 as the event becomes more established.
Scotland’s stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge will take place 19 – 21 November, 2009.
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Partner quotes
Stirling Council
Councillor Scott Farmer, Depute Leader of Stirling Council and Corporate Resources and Economy portfolio holder said; “I am delighted to welcome this prestigious and exciting event to Stirling. As joint hosts of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, we believe that the event will provide a unique platform for showcasing Stirling and the beauty of its landscape to the world, thereby boosting tourism and delivering major economic benefits to the community.
“The Council looks forward to working with EventScotland and the promoters, International Motor Sports, who have a proven track record for delivering motor rally events throughout the world. As a country with a rich motor sporting heritage, we are also committed to ensuring - in partnership with the organisers and the Forestry Commission - that there is no negative impact on the local environment.”
Perth and Kinross Council
Councillor John Kellas, Convener of Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee with Perth and Kinross Council said; “I am delighted that we have been successful in attracting this major international event to Scotland. Perth and Kinross can expect to benefit significantly from hosting the event in terms of economic impact and global media coverage. The rally showcases some of the most beautiful places in the world as a backdrop, and Perth and Kinross surely fits that bill.”
International Motor Sports
Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of event organiser and promoter International Motor Sports said; “On behalf of IMS and our parent company the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association, we are thrilled to have secured this new event for Scotland alongside our partners EventScotland and Eurosport, as well as our colleagues in Stirling and Perth and Kinross Councils.
“Our hard work to deliver a world-class event which Scotland can be truly proud of is about to begin and we look forward to working closely with all of the agencies involved in hosting an event of this magnitude. In particular, we are very excited about engaging with the strong network of Scottish motor clubs and army of marshals and volunteers, without whose expertise and experience events of this nature would not be possible.”
Eurosport Events
Géraldine Filiol, Managing Director of Eurosport Events, global promoter of the IRC Series said; "We are delighted that Scotland will provide the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with its finale in 2009. Next year the IRC will have an exciting blend of the old and the new. The season is all set to start in January with the closed mountain road stages of the world famous Monte Carlo Rally and conclude - with its newest event - in the challenging forests of Scotland. The inclusion of this prestigious event on the IRC calendar is the latest chapter in the continuous development of the series, as we all look forward to the promise of another exciting season in 2009."
Media enquires
Leon Thompson, Corporate Communications Manager, EventScotland
07778 163 085 or 0131 472 2312.
Notes to editors
EventScotland
EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.
For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org
Homecoming Scotland 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, the national events agency, in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s tourism agency.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 will engage Scots at home and motivate people of Scottish descent, and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given the world.
2009 marks the anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns. The programme’s design is guided by Scotland’s position as the home of Burns, Golf, Whisky, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and as the ancestral home of millions of people around the world.For more information visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com
Motor Sports Association and International Motorsports Ltd
The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is recognised as the sole motor sport governing body for the United Kingdom by the world governing body, the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA).
As the governing body, the MSA is responsible for the governance and administration of all major forms of motor sports in the UK, controlling the technical and sporting rules across the various disciplines.
International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS) is the events management and commercial subsidiary of the Motor Sports Association, United Kingdom. IMS will deliver the rally stage in Scotland.