The IRC is no more

With Eurosport Events being named as the new promoter for the European Rally Championship, the end has come of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The hugely successful championship will be canned at the end of this season, marking an and to it's short but spectacular 5 year history.. The series has seen drivers such as Kris Meeke, Juho Hanninen and Andreas Mikkelsen crowned as champion's, and was once thought to be close to rivalling the WRC for viewer figures and beating it in competitiveness.

Designed to “give new opportunities to young or amateur rally drivers competing in recognised regional and international rallies, while offering organisers an innovative TV format concept, created by Eurosport”, the IRC in it's current format evolved from the International Rally Challenge in 2007. Peugeot was the dominating force in the early days, with Skoda coming into the series and gradually dominating the series.

Eurosport Events stated: “The FIA World Motor Sport Council has confirmed at its meeting in Paris today an agreement between the FIA and Eurosport Events for Eurosport Events to become the promoter of the FIA European Rally Championship from the 2013 season onwards. The agreement will mean the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which Eurosport Events created and has promoted since its inception in 2007, will not run next year in its current format across Europe.”

Eurosport Events promotional contract of the ERC extends to 10 years, beginning next year, 2013.

“Eurosport Events is delighted to have secured this exciting opportunity and will announce full details, including the provisional calendar for 2013, at a later stage.”