A joint North/South initiative to secure a round of the prestigious World Rally Championship, titled Rally Ireland, was launched today.
The bid is backed by Fáilte Ireland, through its International Sports Tourism Initiative, and the Northern Ireland Events Company.
A 235km long pilot event in the northwest region is planned for October 14-16 this year.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, and the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, helped to launch today's bid to host a round of the WRC.
The target date for WRC status has been set for 2007.
