Limerick to present bid to host 2025 World Rally Championship

Limerick Racecourse will present its bid to host the World Rally Championship in 2025 to officials on Thursday.

If successful, the course would be transformed into a 10,000 square metre service park and media centre as well as the WRC fan zone for the duration of the competition, which Ireland is expected to host for three years.

It also would host more than 1,500 volunteers and hundreds of officials, marshals and service crew members from the world’s largest rallying teams, including M-sport Ford, Toyota Gazoo racing and Hyundai shell mobis.

More than 250,000 spectators are expected to travel from overseas for the event, which is returning to Ireland for the first time since 2009.

The team behind the Limerick bid hope the city's proximity to Shannon Airport and motorways will boost their hopes. They will present the bid to officials from the WRC Promoters and Motorsport Ireland.

"Motorsport Ireland initially requested motor clubs to submit expressions of interest after which Limerick was included in a shortlist of three potential locations," said Kieran Ambrose of Limerick Motor Club.

"We feel that Limerick Racecourse is unrivalled in terms of its accessibility, quality connectivity, existing serviced areas, and track record of successfully managing large-scale and high-profile events.

"We look forward to an announcement being made by WRC Promoters & Motorsport Ireland in the days following the visit. No matter the outcome we are looking forward to rowing in behind whomever is successful in the bid to ensure Ireland puts on a show when hosting the WRC."

A decision on the host location will be made by the WRC Promoters and Motorsport Ireland next week. Kerry and Waterford are the other shortlisted locations.

Inaugurated in 1973,