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WORLD RALLY DRIVER DRIVES RALLY SCHOOL FORWARD!

Posted: September 21, 2004 9:10 PM - 2589 Hits

MIKKO HIRVONEN, Subaru World Rally Team driver, has visited Rally School Ireland in Monaghan as part of their 5th Anniversary celebration. Following on from his recent challenging drive at the Wales Rally GB, where he finished 7th, the Finnish driver got behind the wheel of one of the new additions to the School’s fleet, the 2004 Subaru Impreza Turbo six speed rally car.

Posted: September 21, 2004 9:10 PM

Speaking of his first visit to Ireland, Mikko commented” Rally School Ireland is one of the most impressive schools I have visited. I cannot enthuse praise the circuit enough for the excellent facilities and the professional way it run. It is great to see such enthusiasm for the sport. I would recommend anyone to come and have fun – all in a safe environment ”. Guests at the Rally School were given the opportunity to experience the hand brake turns and driving skill of a World Rally Driver as he chauffeured them over the purpose built tarmac and gravel track.

Rally School Ireland was the brain child of Monaghan born David Smyth and was officially opened in 1999. Since then, the School has doubled its fleet and workforce. Each year over 200,000 kms are completed by visitors to the School and has attracted over 30,000 visitors from Ireland and overseas who wish to experience the thrill of rally driving. Although the School has attracted world class rally drivers to the circuit, it primarily offers an adrenaline fuelled driving experience for individuals and groups.

At the opening David Smyth stated that Rally School Ireland was proud to receive a Rural Tourism Award for its contribution to the economy and in its first few years of operation was estimated to have contributed over € 2 million to the local economy. “ We have just completed an investment programme to include a viewing tower, new showroom, cars and a range of new literature - making the investment to date a staggering 2 million euros! In addition to this, we are also pleased to announce that from 2005, the School will be one of the approved motorsports centre in Ireland to which all new rally drivers must attend to complete a rally training course if they wish to take part in competitive rallying as part of the Motorsport Ireland initiative,” added David.

At the celebration, it was also announced that a rally preparation service, a new RSI Rally Round Ireland Challenge (a race to complete the circumference of Ireland in rally stages, all in the aid of charity) and further refurbishment work for a new training and catering facility were also underway.

The circuit has world class associations with Subaru, Pirelli, Texaco, Playstation 2, Sparco and Peltor.