World rally championship in disarray after FIA cancels promoter's contract

North One Sport has gone into administration and expressions of interest from others have failed to materialise as an alternative.

IN LIMBO: The rally season starts in just 10 days at Monte Carlo.

LONDON // Rallying's governing body was in urgent talks to secure the future of the world championship on Sunday after cancelling the contract with promoters North One Sport just 10 days before the Monte Carlo season-opener.

The International Automobile Federation said in a statement that North One Sport (NOS) had "conspicuously failed" to deliver its contractual obligations for 2012 and beyond and was in breach of contract.

North One were bought last year by Convers Sports Initiatives, owned by Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov and now in administration.

Antonov has been arrested and bailed in Britain along with his Lithuanian business partner Raimondas Baranauskas on suspicion of fraud and large-scale embezzlement.

The FIA said it had been notified of at least seven expressions of interest to buy North One but none had come to anything.

"Not only has NOS failed to perform in accordance with its contract, it has also been unable to secure the essential investment required to enable it to deliver the Championship," said the FIA.

"This has placed the FIA in an unprecedented situation just 10 days before Rally Monte Carlo in that the FIA will now have to take urgent action to secure the staging of the Championship," it added.

"The Federation is now working tirelessly to ensure the WRC goes ahead as fully as planned to mitigate the consequences of the breach."

The FIA reassured all stakeholders of its commitment to the championship.

"The FIA has now launched urgent top level discussions with several partners and suppliers to guarantee the key organisational and promotional components of the Championships, including timing and tracking, TV production and distribution, as well as sponsorship servicing are put in place," it said.

"The FIA is fully confident that it will deliver a safe, successful and exciting 2012 season," it added.