Published Thursday, 24 November 2011
The event, which is sponsored by the Donnelly Group in association with UTV Drive, will run on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of April, and will be the only round of the IRC to be held in Britain or Ireland next year.
The IRC is the third most popular motorsport series on the planet behind Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship, and the Circuit of Ireland's inclusion to the event is expected to provide a significant boost to the event, both in terms of profile and attendance.
When we took over the running of the Rally in 2010 we stated that we wanted to re-awaken the sleeping giant that is the Circuit of Ireland and (this) announcement is the realisation of that vision.", said Bobby Willis,
"Be under no illusions this country can look forward to hosting a truly world class sporting event in 2012, a rally that will captivate the fans and the general public alike as we bring the Rally to the people."
Dungannon driver Kris Meeke, who won the IRC series in 2009, also welcomed the announcement.
"Hosting such a high profile event here is unbelievable and is fantastic news for rally fans in Ireland", he said.
"My congratulations to Bobby Willis and the Circuit of Ireland team who will deliver a sporting event that will showcase my home country on a global scale.
"As anyone who watched the series over recent years will testify, it's highly competitive and makes compulsive viewing.
"I'm certain the reigning IRC champion, Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen and all the competitors and teams will receive a warm welcome here next Easter from the thousands that will attend."