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The Ulster International Rally will form a counting round of the 2026 FIA European Historic Rally Championship when the event celebrates its 50th anniversary on 7 and 8 August 2026.
The prestigious inclusion was announced by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in its recently published calendar for the rapidly-growing historic rallying championship. The Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece event in recent years has played host to both the prestigious British and Irish championships, and now Europe awaits in 2026 as the rally will welcome crews taking part in the FIA EHRC Pre-2000 Championship.
The inclusion of the Pre-2000 category, open to cars built between 1993 and 2000, is particularly exciting for rally fans. This era represents one of the most iconic periods in World Championship and Irish rallying history, the dawn of the World Rally Car regulations and the height of fierce manufacturer and driver rivalries. Spectators could see legendary machinery such as the iconic flat-four Subaru Impreza, dominant Toyota Celica GT-Four and cutting edge 1999 Ford Focus WRC taking to the Northern Irish lanes once again. For many enthusiasts, these cars define the sights, sounds and spirit of rallying's modern golden age, making their return to competitive action a thrilling prospect.
Wayne Turkington, Clerk of the Course for the Ulster Rally, said: "We are extremely proud to be joining the 2026 FIA European Historic Rally Championship. This inclusion recognises the rich rallying heritage of Northern Ireland, the challenging terrain and roads as well as the passionate support from the wider community."
He continued: "We are also delighted to confirm our 2026 date. By moving forwards a week we can accommodate the European championship, while still providing similar conditions, as well as the successful two-day format which worked well this year. Planning is well underway for the 50th anniversary next year and we look forward to welcoming many historic rally competitors and fans from across Europe in August 2026."
The Ulster Rally, a fixture of Northern Ireland's sporting calendar, has seen the very best drivers from around the world take to the Northern Irish lanes across the years, with heritage spanning five decades. Now the rally takes its place among other popular European events, with the inclusion on the FIA calendar further underlining its growing stature on the international stage.
Further details on the 2026 event will be released closer to the event. Teams and spectators are encouraged to mark the dates of 7 and 8 August 2026 in their calendars and monitor www.ulsterally.com for further updates.
