Eurosport Events, the promoter of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, is proud to announce the 2009 IRC calendar which will be presented to the FIA World Motorsport Council on December 12.

The 2009 IRC calendar features 12 rounds, continuing the tried and trusted formula of combining well-known classic rallies with new events in emerging markets. Next year, there is a roughly 50-50 mix of asphalt and gravel rallies, as well as five exciting new events joining the existing line-up.

The changes reflect the increasing prominence of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in world motorsport, following yet another successful and highly-competitive season this year.

The 2009 series will start with the world famous Monte Carlo Rally in January: the oldest and most prestigious event in the history of the sport. Other events joining the IRC calendar this year for the first time include the all-new Rally of Curitiba in Brazil, the Sata Rally Acores in Portugal, the Rally Japan and finally the RAC MSA Rally of Scotland in the United Kingdom.

Geraldine Filiol, Managing Director of Eurosport Events:

"The IRC has taken a number of major steps forward throughout 2008, with the levels of competition and ground-breaking live television coverage underlining the spectacular rise in the profile of the series. For 2009, we are embarking on our most ambitious season yet. Not only do we start the year with the legendary Monte Carlo Rally – which is an emblematic event on the world sporting calendar – but we visit the South American continent for the first time, making the IRC a truly global series that is accessible to everyone."

2009 IRC provisional calendar:

21-24 January      Monaco          Monte Carlo Rally (a)
05-07 March        Brazil          Rally Int'l de Curitiba (g)
03-04 April        Kenya (TBC) (*) Safari Rally (g)
07-09 May          Portugal        Sata Rally Acores (a)
18-20 June         Belgium         Ypres Westhoek Rally (a)
09-11 July         Russia          Rally Russia (g)
30 July-01 August  Madeira         Rali Vinho Madeira (a)
21-23 August       Czech Republic  Barum Rally Zlin (a)
10-12 September    Spain           Rally Principe de Asturias (a)
24-26 September    Italy           Rally Sanremo (a)
22-24 October      Japan (**)      Rally Japan (g)
19-21 November     United Kingdom  RAC MSA Rally of Scotland (g)

(**) Dates to be confirmed