Rally Isle of Man will return to full FIA International status for the first time in almost 20 years this September. The island’s crown jewel four-wheeled motorsport event has been invited to form part of the new FIA European Rally Trophy series and, as a part of that, the FIA Celtic Trophy.
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the world governing body of motorsport, responsible for major series, including Formula One, Le Mans, the World Rally Championship and European Rally Championship.
The move is a significant new step in the re-birth of an event that just five years ago was fighting for its very survival after being cancelled and facing the challenge of re-establishing itself domestically.
The sport’s leading publication, Motorsport News, last month named the rally one of its ‘must-see’ events for 2016, signifying how far the event has come.
To now add a new prestigious level to the top of that tree thrills event chairman John Gill.
‘To be able to confirm we would be the deciding round of a resurgent MSA British Rally Championship just two months ago seemed incredible. To now be making this exciting announcement it feels like it’s Christmas again.’
Throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s the event (then the Manx International Rally) was a top-tier co-efficient 20 round of the European Rally Championship (ERC), with many of the sport’s brightest stars lighting up the famous Manx stages, including Henri Toivonen, Patrick Snijers and Armin Schwarz.
The new series forms the support level for the ERC, with 25 events in 16 countries across the continent. These will then be split into sub-series, with Ireland’s West Cork Rally, International Rally of the Lakes, Donegal International Rally and Ulster Rally joining Rally Isle of Man to make up the Celtic Rally Trophy.
‘There’s a lot to do,’ continued John Gill, ‘not least running to FIA regulations rather than those of the UK sport’s governing body, the Motor Sports Association, as we have in recent years.
Planning for the 2016 event is well underway, with a renewed enthusiasm to deliver to a very high standard one of the ultimate challenges in the sport.
‘We are fortunate to have so much support from competitors, officials and spectators alike, and I thank each of them for the part they play in allowing us to take the event forward.’
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development, also welcomes the news: ‘May I congratulate Rally Isle of Man for being part of this new European Championship.
‘It is an excellent achievement and status for Isle of Man sport and I hope it will be a great success for competitors and teams, and in turn bring increased visitor numbers.’