Official: 'Welsh Assembly Government and International Motor Sports Limited secure agreement over the continued sponsorship of Rally of Great Britain'.
The organisers of the Rally of Great Britain have announced that an agreement has been reached with the Welsh Assembly Government that will see the partnership resume in 2010 – and assumingly see the 'Wales Rally GB' tag restored.
A statement to the media read:
"It was confirmed today (October 24), by both the Welsh Assembly Government and International Motor Sports Limited, that an agreement has been reached for the continued sponsorship of the British round of the
FIA World Rally Championship by the Welsh Assembly Government.
"The Welsh Assembly Government's support for the event had been in some doubt as a result of the decision of the
FIA World Motor Sport Council to include the Rally of Great Britain on the
World Rally Championship only every second year.
"However, in June the
FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmed Britain's round on the WRC calendar for 2010."
"When doubts emerged over the rally's status in 2010, we moved to protect our contractual position and taxpayers' money," explained Welsh Assembly Government Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones. "Now that those doubts have been removed we are delighted to continue to bring this event to Wales, with all of the benefits it has for the people and economy of Wales."
"I am pleased to confirm that we have now resumed our partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government to continue to host the event," added Alan Gow, chairman of IMS. "I'm confident that we can build on the current success of the rally and produce a truly spectacular event for the people and businesses of Wales."
