IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge

A recent addition to the IRC family is the IRC Supporter Event scheme, allowing national events to benefit from the prestige of being associated with the IRC. This scheme will give every participating event the opportunity to increase its international standing while consolidating its reputation on a national level. IRC Supporter Event status will allow rallies to benefit from the strengths of the IRC brand, and to promote themselves internationally through on-demand video highlights available on the IRC website, www.rally-irc.com

Several events have already confirmed their participation in the scheme:

Circuit of Ireland (UK) - 3-4 April 2010

For more informations: www.circuitofireland.net

The Circuit of Ireland Rally is the second oldest rally in the world. Steeped in history, many epic battles can be recounted after almost 80 years of rallying on the Emerald Isle. It is the largest cross-border event on the 2010 Irish rally calendar, and this year's Easter extravaganza, which is round two of the Citroen Irish Tarmac Championship and will take place over 03/04 April. Originally known as the Ulster Motor Rally, the event was first organised in 1931. During those early days, it was run from multiple starting points, similar to the Monte Carlo Rally. Over the years, the event expanded and eventually transformed into a true 'circuit' of Ireland. The changes saw a new name for the event - Circuit of Ireland Rally - and competitors tackled more than 1000 stage miles around the island, in what was a five-day marathon rally organised by the Ulster Automobile Club. During those golden years, the event was the longest tarmac rally in the world, and attracted many world famous names to Irish shores. The likes of Colin McRae, Hannu Mikkola and Henri Toivonen are just a few select names that have graced the 'Circuit' stages. Of course, there were also the likes of British stars, such as Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae, who contested the event when it was a round of the British Rally Championship. In fact, McRae still holds the honour of being the most successful driver to contest the 'Circuit', with seven victories to his name. Modern day rallying requires shorter, more compact events, and the 'Circuit' has moved with the times. The event now runs with a compact two-day format, but has retained its prestigious name and remains as a tough challenge for competitors. The 2010 event is just around the corner, and with IRC Support Event status, the Circuit of Ireland is set to get even better!

SIBIU RALLY (Romania) - 15-18 July 2010

For more informations: www.raliulsibiului.ro

Supported by Citroën Romania, Orange Romania and Red Bull Romania, this year’s Sibiu Rally will celebrate the 10th edition in the “modern era” of this competition. Seven of the past nine editions were elected as “the best organized rally” from the Romanian National Rally Championship. The rally is held in Sibiu, the former European Capital of Culture in 2007, one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. The all-gravel stages are very difficult and very challenging for the drivers and also for the rally cars. The surface is very similar to the one in Greece, Cyprus or Turkey, but the main focus of the organizer, in 2010, is to improve the quality of the most challenging gravel stages in Romania. The rally will start on the 15th of July with a ceremonial start in the heart of the city. The Big Place, surrounded by houses form the XIV and XV century and the beautiful Brukenthal Palace, offers the best set up for a glamorous ceremonial start. On the first competitive day of the rally, the drivers will have to face a super special stage, similar to the racetrack from the Gran Canarias where the Race of Champions was scheduled in the 80’ and one of the most famous special stage in Romania, about 20 km long, called Santa, run by night in front of a huge crowd of more than 15.000 people. The second day of the rally is also the longest and the most difficult day of the rally. The drivers must drive, in front of a huge crowd of spectators, for about 140 km and no one is sure to come back from the mountains in the center of the city. Only 4 drivers succeed to win the most challenging and difficult rally from Romania and all 4 are national champions. The sweet taste of victory will be celebrated with a huge “rally party” for fans, drivers, team members and VIP’s in one of the most known club in the town. With a lot of action on and off the special stages, Sibiu Rally 2010 will try to be at the same level as all the other famous rallies from the IRC Supporter Event calendar.

Allianz Rally (Hungary) - 14-16 October 2010

For more informations: www.mecsekrallye.hu/

The Allianz Rally is one of Hungary’s oldest and best-known rallies, taking in some demanding asphalt stages close to the centre of the country. Some well-known foreign visitors have boosted the burgeoning ranks of Hungarian rally stars in recent years, underlining the event’s status as one of Europe’s premier sporting fixtures. The Hungarian stages take in a wide variety of asphalt roads, ranging from smooth and clean tarmac to broken and rutted farm tracks. Cars tend to cut the corners quite aggressively to find the fastest line, meaning that there are several areas of loose gravel to catch competitors out and provide some memorable sideways action! The event is also well-known for its spectacular scenery, with several lakes and hills making the Allianz Rally a favourite both for fans and photographers. Counting for a round of the Hungarian national championship, the event is part of the IRC Supporter Event programme for the second year. Thanks to a warm local welcome and crowded entry list, the Allianz Rally is one of the highlights of the IRC Supporter Event package.

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