Circuit of Ireland Rally organisers look to the future with European Rally Championship

The legendary Tarmac showcase, one of the oldest and most famous in existence, has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years under the guidance of rally director Bobby Willis, becoming a leading round of the FIA European Rally Championship.

Earlier this year, the 2015 running of the rally earned the coveted Best Event/Festival Experience at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, while the organising team have received widespread praise for constantly breaking new ground in terms of event organisation and promotion.

However, due to funding issues, Willis has taken the decision not to organise the Circuit of Ireland Rally in 2017 and until such time that more commercial backers are in a position to provide much needed financial support.

ERC General Co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley said: “We wish to put on record our grateful thanks to Bobby Willis and the Circuit of Ireland Rally for three very successful rounds of the ERC from 2014-2016. The Circuit of Ireland was not only one of the most famous events on the ERC calendar but also one of the most  original and demanding rounds of the championship. We understand and accept Bobby’s decision but we will keep the door firmly open in the hope that if the Circuit of Ireland does return, it could do so as a round of the ERC.”