Rally Ireland 2011 may now be known as Rally Ireland Cork after the announcement that the next Irish running of the World Championship will be based in the southern capital.
A club announcement stated that Cork Motor Club had been chosen by the governing body of the sport in Ireland to be the first to stage the world championship under a new scheme by MSI.
"We want the clubs to get more involved in the organising and running of the Irish round and feel that this is the way to go," a spokesperson stated.
A CMC representative said news about the proposed scheme had been known to just a few and with the help of some members of the Rallies Committee, the vote had been swayed in favour of Cork Motor Club.
"We have produced two Billy Coleman award winners in a row and our ability to have an over subscribed entry for West Cork this year when others cannot even attract 100 starters was the key to securing the honour of being the chosen one," said a club spokesman.
John Naylor, the newly elected President of the Motor Sport Commission for 2009, was unavailable for comment last night.But another member, who did not wish to be named, stated: "I suppose people here felt we can't beat them, so we might as well join them."
A full list of personnel including a COC will have to be appointed over the coming weeks.
The club may also enlist the help of the motor clubs in the Cork area to help.
"A popular Rally Ireland legacy for our own lads" was how others in the sport described the news.
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