The Automobile Club de Monaco said it had “no other option” but to appoint pan-European broadcaster Eurosport to produce television and internet coverage of this month’s Monte Carlo Rally, the opening stage of the 2012 World Rally Championship, if the event was to remain on schedule.
The club, which organises the rally, said it had to take action after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, motorsport’s world governing body, terminated the North One Sport agency’s contract to be the WRC’s global promoter last weekend. In a statement, the club said: “A few days before its start, the 80th Monte Carlo Rally is confronted with the non-fulfilment of the services which should have been provided by North One Sport, former promoter of the WRC.
“Unable at this stage to await the outcome of unlikely negotiations, the ACM has no other option but to arrange by its own means the timing and tracking of the event, which were the responsibilities of NOS up to now, through Stage One Technologies.
“This situation also applies to TV production, broadcasting the race and internet. There again, the ACM took steps by contracting with Eurosport S.A to ensure the best coverage of the event.
“These decisions will allow the 80th Monte Carlo Rally to take place on January 17, 2012 and the scheduled race programme to be scrupulously maintained.”
Motorsport news website Autosport said Eurosport is expected to be soon confirmed as the championship’s full-time production partner for the next three years.
Preparations for the rally were thrown into disarray after the FIA ripped up North One Sport’s contract, accusing the agency of a “fundamental breach of contract.” North One Sport’s parent company, the Convers Sports Initiatives investment vehicle, entered administration in November, leaving the agency needing to find a new financial backer to help it cover its costs related to the WRC contract.