ISC confirmed as WRC promoter

The 10-year deal - which officially starts in 2010 - with the sport's governing body, the FIA, was announced this morning upon completion of the final contract details. The tendering process closed last year and the parties have been in negotiation since then.

ISC was selected by a panel made up of WRC event organisers, the WRC commission and representatives from the FIA.

FIA president Max Mosley said: "We received significant interest in this tender but ISC, with its experience in rallying and its ambitious plans for the Championship, proved a worthy winner.

"We can now look forward with a great deal of optimism as ISC implements its comprehensive strategy for the Championship's future."

ISC, formerly owned by David Richards, has held the commercial rights to the WRC since 1996. North One Television took over ISC in October, 2007. Due to ISC's commercial position in the WRC, the new deal will start immediately and run until the end of 2020.

Neil Duncanson, ISC Chairman, said: "This represents the start of a new era for the sport - a genuine opportunity for everyone involved in the World Rally Championship to work together to build something special for the future.

"We are really excited about the challenge, especially reaching out to new rally fans as our media landscape morphs into the digital age."