Ulster Rally boss reveals why joining prestigious European series would be so special for showpiece
If all goes to plan, and the Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece ticks all the boxes, the understanding is it will become a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship.
The Championship is touted as the 'ultimate celebration of rallying's glorious past', with each decade from the Sixties right up to the Noughties represented by an array of exotic machinery from Porsche's 911 Carrera and BMW's M3 E30 to Ford's endearing Escort Mk2.
It comprises 10 rounds in 2025, with these running between March and November and visiting several countries, including Spain, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland and Portugal.
Points-scoring rounds typically comprise 90 competitive miles, with crews tackling these over the course of one-and-a-half-days — a formula that works for the Ulster Rally.
If Turkington and his team can bank a slot on the FIA EHRC calendar for 2026 it would have added significance as the Ulster Rally celebrates its 50th anniversary next August.
'We know the eyes of the motorsport world will be on us when the FIA representatives arrive, and we are determined to show that the Ulster Rally is ready to take its place on the European stage,' said Turkington.
'Securing a spot on the FIA European Historic Rally Championship would be a big endorsement of the event's quality and illustrious history.
'To bring the FIA European Historic Rally Championship to Northern Ireland in the same year that the Ulster Rally celebrates its golden anniversary would be incredibly special.
'It would be a fitting tribute to everyone who has contributed to the event over the past five decades, from volunteers and competitors to sponsors and spectators.'
Plans for the 49th instalment of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally are well underway, with one title potentially set to be decided on the weekend of August 15th and 16th.
A win would see the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title return to Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan who have been in imperious form since April.
The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 team-mates have triumphed on three of the four rounds they have started, including the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Killarney Rally of the Lakes, and Donegal International Rally.
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