"We are delighted that Scotland will provide the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with its finale in 2009," stated Géraldine Filiol, managing director of Eurosport Events, global promoter of the IRC Series. "Next year the IRC will have an exciting blend of the old and the new. The season is all set to start in January with the closed mountain road stages of the world famous Monte Carlo Rally and conclude - with its newest event - in the challenging forests of Scotland.

"The inclusion of this prestigious event on the IRC calendar is the latest chapter in the continuous development of the series, as we all look forward to the promise of another exciting season in 2009."

In addition to significant TV and media exposure, organisers anticipate that spectator numbers for the Scottish event will grow in excess of 100,000 as the event becomes more established.

"On behalf of IMS and our parent company the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association, we are thrilled to have secured this new event for Scotland alongside our partners EventScotland and Eurosport, as well as our colleagues in Stirling and Perth and Kinross Councils," summed up Andrew Coe, CEO of event organiser and promoter International Motor Sports.

"Our hard work to deliver a world-class event which Scotland can be truly proud of is about to begin and we look forward to working closely with all of the agencies involved in hosting an event of this magnitude. In particular, we are very excited about engaging with the strong network of Scottish motor clubs and army of marshals and volunteers, without whose expertise and experience events of this nature would not be possible."


STOP PRESS: Crash.net Radio spoke exclusively to ANDREW COE on Tuesday to get some details on today's announcement that Scotland will join the IRC in 2009. TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE.