Scotland to stage IRC event
Eurosport - Tue, 14 Oct 18:39:00 2008
Scotland will stage the final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2009.
The event will run from November 19-21 and form the centrepiece within the 'Homecoming Scotland 2009' celebrations.
"Scotland's reputation for leading innovation and setting new standards in the motorsport industry makes it an ideal location for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge final," said Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister.
"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.
"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 IRC started in 2006 and is closely based on production cars, with two-litre, normally-aspirated engines. The format is designed to attract more manufacturers to the sport and is now supported by Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Volkswagen as well as motorsport governing body the FIA.
The event will consist of timed special stages on closed Forestry Commission gravel roads in Stirling, 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.
"The announcement is fantastic news for Scotland and demonstrates yet again our nation's credentials as the perfect stage for major international events," added Paul Bush, chief operating officer of EventScotland, the national events agency.
"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 motorsport industry."
Eurosport, the global promoter of the IRC series, will screen live footage and highlights programmes.
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Comment 1 - 4 of 4
In reply to Ricardo's post, the Killer Kielder stage is still used in rallying. It is a stage in the Pirelli Rally which is part of the BRC(British rally championship)
How about Jimmy McRae senior to flag off the first car as a token of respect to Colin. It would be a nice gesture
Bring back "killer Kielder" to rallying - I remember when this was the highlight of the RAC rally.
Scotland deserves to be nominated for this prestige IRC event since there has been a vast experience gained of well- organised rally's stretching back to the RAC and beyond. Motor sport in general would have been the poorer had Scot's not been competitive participants over the years in all its variations. The location of Stirling, Perth and Kinross is ideal since a good network of roads exists for competitors and rally enthusiasts who wish to be spectators in the forest stages. Well-done Scotland for getting the Intercontinental Rally Challenge final. It is ideal for a centrepiece within the 'Homecoming Scotland 2009' celebrations.
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