There "will be no Circuit of Ireland Rally next year, a decision taken reluctantly by promoter Bobby Willis in the face of uncertainty over funding," according to Sammy Hamill of the BELFAST TELEGRAPH. Belfast businessman and former rally co-driver Willis "stepped in to rescue the Circuit when it was on its knees" in '09. In the past three years, as the rally "has grown into a flagship round of the European championship, there has been guaranteed funding from the Northern Ireland government as well as private sponsors and local councils who have seen the benefits the event brings in terms of television coverage -- 40 million viewers worldwide last year -- and spending by competitors and spectators." But that agreement "has ended and no decision on an extension is expected until later in the year." Willis said that "this is too late, pointing out that the complex planning is a year round project." He said, "We have been working hard with our key funders to plan ahead for 2017 but regrettably firm confirmation of the financial support package required has still not been agreed and it is now too late for us to plan the 2017 event correctly."
Willis "refuses to point the finger of blame, accepting there are other priorities for a Stormont government only recently in place and now facing the challenges of Brexit" (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 7/27).
