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Rally Ireland (Sligo) - 11-12 Mar 06

Posted: June 19, 2006 9:55 PM - 35997 Hits

  • Rally Ireland boosts economy by €6.7 million this year
    WRC could secure €230 million benefits over 5 years
  • Rally Ireland Shortlisted for PR Award
  • IRELAND TO BECOME WORLDS FIRST SUSTAINABLE RALLY
  • Ireland edges closer to World Rally Championship
  • Ireland’s WRC Bid Advances
  • Footage from this year's rally, that was shown on TV in the past number of weeks is now available on line.
  • Rally Ireland continues to gain support from Catalunya
  • Watch Rally Report from RTE's O.B. Sport
  • Testing Times for O’Mahony & Higgins
  • TREBLE TOP FOR DONNELLY MOTORSPORT TEAM
  • GASS GOES WORLD CLASS
  • JENNINGS TAKES WORLD CLASS SECOND
  • McCLOSKEY’S TOP TEN FIGHTBACK
  • Even more photos!
  • RALLY IRELAND CHALLENGES WRC DRIVERS
    IRISH TAKE FIRST AND SECOND
    WRC DRIVERS CARLSSON AND ATKINSON TAKE THIRD AND FOURTH
  • Photos

Posted: June 19, 2006 9:55 PM

Rally Ireland boosts economy by €6.7 million this year
WRC could secure €230 million benefits over 5 years

Research conducted by the University of Ulster on the Irish bid to secure a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) found that Rally Ireland generated an economic contribution to the country of more than €6.7 million during its event in March of this year. This figure represents a large increase on the €3.6 million that the October 2005 pilot event generated.

  Rally Ireland, a joint initiative of the Northern Ireland Events Company and Fáilte Ireland, generated an average spend per person attending of over €110 and created over 6,800 bed nights for the North West region.

  Seán O’Connor, co-promoter of Rally Ireland said: “We welcome this very comprehensive research by the University of Ulster which estimates the value of a WRC round to be €29 million each year.  When you add the value to the global TV exposure for Ireland which international research values at €17 million, the annual value of hosting a WRC round would be €46 million to the country as a whole.”

  The University of Ulster teams conducted the research at the event held in Fermanagh, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Tyrone. The North – South event is supported by both Governments and involved over 1,500 volunteer officials working over the rally weekend.  

Dr. David Hassan who conducted the research project said: “This is truly groundbreaking research in terms of sport.  Rally Ireland have sought to not only quantify the economic impact of the event, but also its contribution to building social capital and social cohesion.   

“The level of social capital created, that is the value of the voluntary hours worked at the 2006 rally was more than €265,000, a not insignificant amount as it was a one-off event. To this end Rally Ireland exists as an exemplar of good practice,” he said.

  The WRC has one of the fastest growing global television audiences of any sport, increasing by 30 million viewers last year to an audience of over 800 million and growing.

  Dr. Hassan is keen to stress, however, that if the event is successful in securing WRC status, the benefits will be even greater.  “When we consider that there is an additional spend in world championship level on corporate hospitality, the per capita spend could increase dramatically if Rally Ireland is successful in securing a WRC round.  The Championship has very high profile international sponsors and the competing teams tend to ensure that these hospitality opportunities are maximised,” he concluded.

Rally Ireland Shortlisted for PR Award
Rally Ireland has been shortlisted for a PR award by the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) of Ireland. Short-listed in the 'Media Relations' section, this nomination has come at a critical time for the event, which is due to learn in the coming months, if its bid for a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) has been successful.
IRELAND TO BECOME WORLDS FIRST SUSTAINABLE RALLY
To mark United Nations World Environment Day, Rally Ireland has announced plans to become world leaders in the area of sustainable motorsport. The World Rally Championship (WRC) candidate event has set the ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2010, the first major motorsport event to do so.

Rally Ireland is supported by both the British and Irish Governments and was recently judged to be capable of running a WRC round by the sports governing body. Based in the North West of Ireland, the 700 km long event is targeting a place in the 2007/08 World Series which is broadcast in more than 150 countries and would generate €29 million per annum for the economy.

“Rally Ireland intends to take a number of proactive steps to develop our environmental sustainability over the next three years and we will enlist experts from both North and South to help in the process” said Co-Promoter Seán O’Connor. ‘’ We have also started discussions with car manufactures regarding the introduction of a Bio fuel category in the event which again would be a world first”

Commenting on today’s announcement Minister for the Environment Dick Roche T.D said: “We want to involve the whole community in promoting sustainability and it is good to see an Irish based world level sports event taking global leadership in the area. ‘’

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Rt. Hon. Peter Hain MP also welcomed the moved and stated: ‘’A few weeks ago I emphasised the importance of achieving sustainable development. I am there very encouraged that Rally Ireland has taken this proactive step to become the first carbon neutral motorsport event in the world. This plan underlines once again the value of cross border co-operation in sport ‘’

“Rallying is highly popular with the youth market and we hope that in taking this initiative we will contribute to the promotion of the sustainability message not only in Ireland but to the 800 million global TV audience of WRC’’ concluded Seán O’Connor.

The WRC is one of the most exciting sports in the world and is run in 16 countries over four continents on a number of surfaces. The Irish event is based between Sligo and Enniskillen and is one of six candidates for the WRC. A decision regarding the outcome of the bidding process is expected later in the year.

Ireland edges closer to World Championship

Potential for 800 million TV viewers and creation of Ireland’s largest sporting event

  Rally Ireland has come a step closer to securing a round of the prestigious World Rally Championship (WRC) from next year with the news that the world governing body’s official observers have submitted positive reports on the official WRC candidate event in March. Rally Ireland is a cross border initiative supported by both Governments.

  The Fédération Internationale d’Automobile (FIA) observers’ tasks were to review all sporting, safety, medical, media and marketing elements of the 700km event run in the North West.   Their reports concluded that Ireland had the capability to host a World Rally Championship event.  

Ronan Morgan, Co-promoter of Rally Ireland said:
“We’re delighted to have passed the FIA inspection process, as this demonstrates and confirms our ability to organise and deliver an event at the WRC levels expected.  We know we have a great support network here in Ireland which came out in force to help achieve this goal for the whole island.’’

  However, Rally Ireland officials cautioned that, despite the event passing this major test, five other countries were also in contention for WRC status. This will require an ongoing lobbying campaign by all parties supporting the Irish bid to ensure that Rally Ireland is included in the 2007/2008 WRC calendar scheduled to be announced in July after a FIA meeting in Paris.  

If Rally Ireland is successful in securing a round of the WRC, it will create the largest sporting event on the island of Ireland generating €145 million over a five year period.  Co-promoter of Rally Ireland Seán O’Connor explained “While the direct economic benefit in the region is significant, it is access to a global TV audience of 800 million people that will allow us showcase Ireland, North and South, to the world.”

  Sligo was the host city for Rally Ireland this year while Enniskillen hosted the event’s service park. The event has generated widespread support from all political parties as well as from leading sporting figures including Eddie Jordan, Brian O’Driscoll and Eddie Irvine. Rally Ireland is jointly sponsored by Failte Ireland and the Northern Irelands Events Company.

 
Ireland’s WRC Bid Advances
Rally Ireland, the ambitious north/south initiative to secure a round of the World Rally Championships (WRC) from 2007 has passed a key test from the sports’ world governing body, the FIA.

FIA Medical Delegate Dr. Phil Rayner, who attended the official WRC candidate event in March, has deemed that Rally Ireland is ‘capable of providing WRC standard medical services.’   

Rally Ireland General Manager John Bristow said: ‘’ We are very pleased with this news from the FIA and want to pay tribute to all the medical staff involved throughout the event and both north and south of the border.”  

The medical staff along with the team of over 1,500 volunteers who worked on this years’ event in the north-west now await the report of the FIA Sporting Delegate who was there to review all sporting, safety, media and marketing elements.  This report is expected by the end of May.  

The recommendations of this report coupled with the medical report are the key to Irelands’ success in its WRC bid.  Five other countries are also bidding to host a round of the prestigious series and it is expected that the FIA will make their announcement in July of this year on which events have been successful.

Footage from this year's rally, that was shown on TV in the past number of weeks is now available on line
If you were unlucky enough to miss the coverage of Rally Ireland on television over the past number of weeks, do not worry.

Rally Ireland has been able to gain access to footage of the rally used on television, and it is now available on the Rally Ireland website for free.
Rally Ireland continues to gain support from Catalunya
Fresh from spectating at Rally Ireland two weeks ago, Dungannon’s Kris Meeke has started his JWRC challenge this weekend in Spain, and he strongly believes that Rally Ireland has a place in the WRC.

Speaking on WRC radio, Meeke said, “There's no point in trying to get an event the same as Corsica or Catalunya into the WRC calendar - theres no challenge in that for anyone. Rally Ireland showed that the tarmac there has a different and a unique quality that nowhere else in the world has with jumps and bumps and speed. That's the reason why we we should get into the World Championships - so that drivers like Loeb and Soldberg can be put through their paces by the challenges Ireland has to offer.”

Meeke is now in his third year at JWRC level, and is keen to make his experience show. After the first loop of stages today, Meeke leads from Czech driver Prokop by 20 seconds.

Unfortunately Dublin’s Gareth MacHale could not repeat his feat of Rally Mexico and finish in the points. He crashed out on SS1. His team is currently assessing whether to re-enter the rally tomorrow under SuperRally rules. This is all part of the steep WRC learning curve for MacHale, who will next compete in the Tour de Corse in two weeks time.
Watch Rally Report from RTE's O.B. Sport
Testing Times for O’Mahony & Higgins
Rally Ireland was a character building event for Brian O’Mahony and co-driver John Higgins. Not only had they to face the challenging and difficult stages set out by the organisers but they also had to contend with stiff competition in class 6, most notably from Darren Gass and Seamus O’Grady.

After a good start with 15th fastest time overall on SS 1, Donegal 1, O’Mahony maintained a comfortable class lead from Gass until a spin on SS 5, Tyrone1, resulted in the OM Concrete backed car dropping a wheel into a drain and loosing almost ten minutes. With their comfortable lead now slashed to just 1 second a strong run was needed to finish the day, but this was not to be as a poor tyre choice resulted in an ill-handling Puma and further time losses.

Day two proved little better for the Cork/Mayo crew as they suffered a variety of costly setbacks including both a puncture and intercom failure on SS 7, Leitrim1, as well as having the engine inexplicably die for several minutes on the penultimate stage, Ireland North West 2. Entering the final stage O’Mahony hoped for a clean run but the first junction saw even this small wish dashed as the clutch pedal went to the floor leaving Brian with no drive and forcing him to pull it back up with his foot.

“This rally was probably the most testing rally I have ever competed in. I don’t think I was ever happier to finish a rally yet.”
TREBLE TOP FOR DONNELLY MOTORSPORT TEAM
Victory on Rally Ireland, by Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely has made a unique treble for the Donnelly Motorsport team. With Eugene also victorious in Galway on the opening round of Ireland’s top rally series, the Irish Tarmac, and brother Charlie scoring victory in Mayo to lead the Irish National series, the Maghera men hold the top positions in Irish rallying at the moment. It’s an entirely unique situation.


Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely win Rally Ireland.


Rally Ireland is Ireland’s qualifying event for the WRC, and a rally Eugene was keen to support. “I think that it would be fantastic to see the WRC in Ireland, we have such great stages, organisation and enthusiasm for it here.” Originally entered in a Skoda Fabia WRC, this was changed to the familiar Corolla after a parts supply problem. “Despite the little difficulties at times, we really haven’t ruled out the Skoda for competitions at a later date. It is something I’m keen to develop. We ran the Corolla at the weekend with last years engine as the new unit that we had used in Galway was on it’s way back having been checked by the scrutineers, so we were a little down on power than Galway.” Eugene was also well down on time on stage one, almost forty seconds off leader Gareth MacHale in the Focus WRC. “I hadn’t accounted for the bumps during the recce. I found the two pass rule a little different to adapt to and I hadn’t allowed this in the set up of the car. It was all over the place!”

Quickly though the Esker Corolla stormed up the timesheets. Fastest on stage 2, and stage 4 it was into service in Enniskillen now 38 seconds off the lead. “We tried a new cut in the Kumho tyre for the next stages, as it was getting wet and it worked brilliantly. I was much happier with the set up as well.” That was an understatement, it worked superbly, the team visibly faster, a staggering 20 seconds faster than Gareth in fact on stage 5 saw the gap down to 18 seconds. Then with the pressure on Gareth stalled on the start line of the next test losing almost 20 seconds, Eugene responding with a superb time a further 13 seconds faster.

Thus the K.V.C Corolla arrived back at the overnight halt with a 13.4 second lead. “On the first stage on day two we took it relatively easy. I can be a slow starter at times and we were aware of all the muck in the middle of the test. Gareth took time off us, but I’m being truthful in saying that I wasn’t surprised, or that annoyed as we had hardly marked the tyres.” On the second morning stage however Gareth MacHale’s rally ended in a ditch, and Eugene with two minutes in hand over Eamon Boland was able to drive to victory reeling off the remaining stages before the huge crowds at the Sligo finish ramp. “It was a fantastic feeling to win Rally Ireland. It was particularly good for my co driver Paul Kiely, who comes from Sligo, as we have tried to win the Sligo National Rally a couple of times but never did it. It was such a challenging rally and I hardly remember driving on such challenging stages. It’s a full credit to the organisers the way the rally ran, and I think Rally Ireland really deserves to be in the WRC next year.”

Wexford’s Eamon Boland was second in his Focus WRC with World Rally Championship regular, Swede, Daniel Carlsson third in his latest works Mitsubishi Lancer. After the rally Daniel was quick to praise both the rally and Eugene’s performance in the relatively outdated Toyota Corolla WRC. The next event on Eugene’s calendar is the Circuit of Ireland on April 15th and 16th, round two of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
GASS GOES WORLD CLASS
Seventeen year old Darren Gass, co-driven by Conor Foley, took a fine class win on prospective World Rally Championship event, Rally Ireland, this weekend.

Like the rally, the pair represents both north and south of the border, and like the event they were full of expectation for a good result. The first stage on Saturday morning was tricky, the bumps catching many of the drivers unaware, but the youngster from Armagh stayed in touch with his nearest Super 1600 rival. “The car was all over the place.” said Darren, “We thought we’d got a good suspension setup, but the bumps were really bad at speed and I was surprised we weren’t further behind.”

Back at service the Crozier Motorsport mechanics were unaware of the drama that was about to unfold. But when Darren arrived at Enniskillen on just three wheels, they had little time to consider the cause and set about repairing the badly damaged rear suspension. “After the first stage I had no confidence, “explained Darren, “and part way through the second stage the car snapped sideways and spun us off. We seemed to spin for ages and we were lucky not to roll.” He continued, “We ended up missing everything but landed about 35 feet off the road. The lads think a suspension joint broke and the wheel wedged under the rear arch. But whatever caused it we had to drive the rest of the stage and back to service on three wheels.”

With the maximum allowed twenty minutes service time elapsed, the Castrol backed Fiesta was sent on its way with a full complement of wheels. But the team had no time for suspension adjustment, so Darren and Conor eased their way through the next pair of stages, dropping more time when the car stalled at the start of stage three.

With almost ten minutes lost early in the day, the battle for the lead of the class had become a battle to stay in the rally. But stage five was to prove that in rallying you should never give up. The class leader, O’Mahoney, dropped an almost equal time after he crashed, leaving them exactly one second ahead of Darren and Conor going into the final stage of the day.

The conditions on the final pair of stages had been terrible, torrential rain meaning wet tyres were the only choice. The suspension now sorted, Darren had chosen an open Kumho pattern and he used the final stage to lay down the gauntlet to O’Mahoney, setting a time 44 seconds quicker than the astonished Puma driver. 30th overall at the overnight halt was scant reward for the efforts of the pair, but after lying plumb last at the end of stage two, it was some comfort to have re-taken the class lead.

With more rain and another 66 miles of slippery, bumpy stages before the finish, Darren took the sensible decision to take it easy on day two. Showing maturity beyond his years, he set about consolidating his class lead by pushing just enough to keep his concentration. Conor guided the pair through the stages and the methodical approach yielded some top twenty times, popping in an event-best thirteenth quickest on the final run back to the finish in Sligo.

Taking the class winner’s award Darren commented, “That was the most difficult event I’ve ever done. Apart from the last stage, the shortest was about fourteen miles long and the car has been a real handful. It wasn’t made any easier by the bumps, the muck and the weather, but looking back it was a great experience.” He added, “The event deserves to be included in the WRC programme, the organisers have done a fantastic job and it’s a proper challenge for the drivers.”

Check out Darren’s new website at www.darrengass.com for news, events, profiles and photos.

Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill and EMC Autopax for their continuing support: and welcome PIAA, AC Vehicle Components and Sligo Pallets for the 2006 season.
JENNINGS TAKES WORLD CLASS SECOND
Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy took an excellent second in class and seventh overall on the World Rally Championship aspirant Rally Ireland this weekend.

The result was particularly impressive since the crew, representing both sides of the Irish border, came back from sixteenth at the end of stage three. The reigning Group N Irish Tarmac champions dropped over a minute with an errant gearbox and were penalised a further two minutes for being late out of service on day one.

With a replacement gearbox installed and working properly, the pair set about clawing back the deficit, ending leg one in eleventh place overall and third in class N4. The duo’s progress was slightly hampered by the weather, choosing slick tyres for the final two stages of the day, which took place in a downpour.

A very early Sunday morning start from Sligo saw the cars head straight to the customary ten minute tyre service, where appropriately cut Kumho wet tyres were fitted to the new black Mitsubishi. While Garry’s times were never out of the top ten, a combination of ninth then sixth fastest, coupled with retirements further up the order left the crew seventh with just three stages remaining.

Now second in the ultra-competitive production category, just one driver stood between them and victory, unfortunately the driver in question was Chris Atkinson. The factory run WRC driver had led the class from the start in his Prodrive Subaru, and barring a disaster, Garry and Rory would have to settle for runners-up spot. Undeterred Garry pushed on and was seventh quickest on the next pair of stages, but the gap ahead was too great and they remained seventh overall.

By the final service it was clear that the task for the crew in the newly liveried Autosport Logistics Mitsubishi Evo 9 was to stay focused on the last eight mile stage. Garry and Rory’s experience showed as they took a sensible approach to the stage. Still setting tenth quickest time, they drove to the finish in Sligo frustrated at the early time loss, but relieved that the KG Motorsport mechanics had managed to keep them going at all.

“It’s one of those bitter-sweet things,” remarked Garry, “the gearbox cost us time and confidence early on and I’m sure we could have been higher up the leaderboard. But at the end of stage two I thought we’d be watching the rest of the rally from the sidelines. So when the lads got the ‘box changed and we’d only dropped two minutes it was our job to make it count.”

The next scheduled event in the team’s calendar sees a return to their defence of the Irish Tarmac title. After a disappointing run in Galway, a new location for the next round and the Rally Ireland result will renew their determination on the Circuit of Ireland in mid April.

Rally Ireland and all its competitors were under close scrutiny from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the World Rally Championship’s governing body, as it is vying for inclusion in the 2007 calendar. Garry and Rory would like to wish the organisers success on behalf of the Autocar Logistics team and all its sponsors: Kumho Tyres, Walker Contracts, J&M Enterprises, Sligo Pallets Sydare Eggs, Euro Auto Salvage, OMP, Shell Racing Fuels and KG Motorsport.

McCLOSKEY’S TOP TEN FIGHTBACK
Connor McCloskey and Crawford Henderson gamely fought back to an excellent tenth overall after losing time early in this weekend’s Rally Ireland.

In only the second running of this new rally, the pair was out to put in a good showing, as the eyes of the rallying world tried to gauge the FIA’s response to the wannabe WRC event. Following a good recce, the pair overcame the bumps that caught out many others on the opening two stages. They made their intention clear by setting 12th fastest time, moving to eleventh overall by the first service at Enniskillen airport. Only routine maintenance was required and the nineteen year old from Kilrea set off for a re-run of the seventeen mile first stage.

Part way through the run they ran wide on a slippery four left and clipped a bank, stopping shortly afterwards to change what they thought was a puncture. With both crew out of the car, Connor spotted the problem. “We were ready to change a puncture but when I looked the wheel was absolutely full of muddy clay,” he explained, “The mud was getting onto the tyre but it was still inflated and there was no damage. Two cars passed us before we cleared the mud and got going again, so I reckon it cost us nearly two and a half minutes.”

Stopping mid-stage had dropped them to 21st overall but with the drama still on their minds, they managed to take back some of the lost time on the next stage, moving back up four places before returning to service. Having pronounced the car fit and healthy it began to rain heavily and the crew opted for a wet pattern Pirelli tyre for the final two stages of the day. However, they underestimated the low temperature and had to tip-toe through the first of the pair, having chosen too hard a compound. “We managed to push a bit harder on the last stage,” said Connor, “because the roads were more abrasive, so we were really pleased to get to the overnight halt unscathed.”

Day two began very early and the rain continued. A 6.30am tyre service preceded five new stages, the first of which was the fourteen mile Leitrim test. The Fisher Foundation Award winner was straight on it, posting an eighth quickest overall time and moved the youngster up to twelfth place. “We pushed really hard in the first stage of the day,” explained Connor, “and we took one of the jumps a wee bit fast. I had to back off after we landed because I though we must have broken something, but these Evo 8s are pretty tough and it was fine at service.”

Back at Enniskillen the crew had good reason to be pleased. The car had held together and the momentum had continued on the following stage, leaving them tenth overall with three stages remaining. On any other rally it may have been a quick sprint to the finish, but the total mileage was similar to a single day club event, so a level-headed approach would be required.

Despite admitting to backing off a little too much for the jump on the re-run of stage seven, Connor and Crawford were still ninth quickest, retaining their overall position. Just two stages stood between the Egger backed team and the finish, but ninth place was tantalisingly close. Just over twenty seconds behind Paul Harris in a newer Evolution Mitsubishi, the pair pushed a little harder, taking 6.3 seconds back on the penultimate stage.

With just eight miles remaining, the margin was too much and Connor decided to ease back. “We’d been steadily reeling Paul in all day,” said Connor, “but he spotted us catching him and responded, then we ran out of stages. It has been a fabulous event and we’re only disappointed that we could have been eighth without the early time loss. I suppose the story is the same throughout the field so I’m really pleased to finish in the top ten on an event that deserves a place in the World Rally Championship.”

The next event for the team is even closer to home. The Circuit of Ireland’s new base is in Connor’s home county of Londonderry and takes place over the Easter weekend in mid April.

Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, KBB Doors, Euro Components, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their support in 2006

RALLY IRELAND CHALLENGES WRC DRIVERS
IRISH TAKE FIRST AND SECOND – WRC DRIVERS
CARLSSON AND ATKINSON TAKE THIRD AND FOURTH

Rally Ireland, Ireland’s bid event for the World Rally Championship, concluded this afternoon in Sligo city with Ireland’s Eugene Donnelly taking first, Eamon Boland taking second, Swedish WRC driver (currently ranked 6th) Daniel Carlsson took third and Australian WRC driver Chris Atkinson (ranked 9th) winner of Group N, finished in fourth place overall.

Commenting on the event, Rally Ireland 2006 winner, Eugene Donnelly said: "It would be a dream come true for someone like me who is a true rallyman at heart to have the WRC come to Ireland. We’ve shown that we can provide great challenging stages and inject new ingredients into WRC that will make it special and unique. And I’m delighted to win Rally Ireland."

Chris Atkinson said: ”These are great challenging stages. I'd love to tackle them in my regular WRC car and hope I get a chance to do just that when Rally Ireland gets into the World Championships.”

Sweden's Daniel Carlsson: "This is my second time in Ireland and the stages and atmosphere are great. It is would be a real challenge for the top WRC drivers. It would be great to see Rally Ireland in the WRC.

Gareth MacHale, disappointed to have crashed out of the Rally in Stage 8, looks forward to the prospect of a WRC event in Ireland: “Per capita we have more WRC cars than any other country and the fan base is amazing; they have a great loyalty to the sport. Our roads are unique, the sort of tarmac roads you don't have anywhere else. If it does get into the WRC, which I hope it will, it will be very challenging for the top international teams and drivers.”

Despite retiring on Day 1, French Champion Nicolas Bernardi was impressed with what he saw: "It is very different tarmac to what I am used to in France. The stages are safe and I think Rally Ireland can fit into the WRC calendar very easily as a tarmac round of the championship. People here are very friendly and crazy about rallying."

ally Ireland Results
1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 2.20.35.1
2 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) 2.22.32.9
3 Daniel Carlsson/Jonas Andersson (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC) 2.25.06.7
4 Chris Atkinson/Glenn Macneall (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 2.26.06.0
5 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2.28.35.5
6 Aaron MacHale/Ger McMonagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) 2.32.37.3
7 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2.32.37.3
8 Shaun Gallagher/Charlie McGinty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) GpN 2.35.31.3
9 Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) GpN 2.36.43.4
10 Conor McCloskey/Crawford Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) GpN 2.37.01.2

Leaders after
SS1-5 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6-11 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS9 Daniel Carlsson/Bo Holmstrand (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC)
SS10 Daniel Carlsson/Bo Holmstrand (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC)
SS11 Daniel Carlsson/Bo Holmstrand (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC)
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • RALLY IRELAND’S YOUNGEST DRIVER
  • Irish WRC Star on Rally Ireland
  • O’Driscoll Backs Rally Ireland’s World Championship Bid
  • “Keep the Race in its Place”
    Road Safety is the theme of cross-border Rally Ireland event
  • Championship Winning Crew Target Class Victory on Rally Ireland
  • Eddie Jordan supports Irelands World Rally Championship Bid
  • JENNINGS’ NEW CHARGE - Evo 9 for Rally Ireland
  • McCLOSKEY TAKES TO THE WORLD STAGE
  • Gavin Harris goes for Subaru Impreza N11
  • RALLY IRELAND 2006 ROUTE DETAILS AND STAGES REVEALED!
    Stage Details, Spectator points and timetable
    Rally Programmes
  • WORLD CHAMPIONS BACK RALLY IRELAND BID
  • Rally Ireland Counties to get Global TV audience
  • RALLY IRELAND WELCOMES WRC TV INCREASE AND PREDICTS ONE BILLION VIEWERS
  • FRENCH CHAMPION TO CHALLENGE IRISH DRIVERS IN RALLY IRELAND 2006
    CARLSSON RETURNS IN MITSUBISHI WORKS TEAM
    Rory Galligan also hoping to compete in Lancer WRC
    Full Entry List on line
  • Information nights for marshals
  • EDDIE IRVINE SUPPORTS IRELAND'S BID TO QUALIFY FOR THE WRC
  • Rally Ireland Counties to get Global TV audience
  • CHRIS ATKINSON CONFIRMED FOR RALLY IRELAND
  • Atkinson gears up for Irish asphalt challenge.
  • Rally Ireland Counties to get Global TV audience
  • Rally Ireland receives high praise from World Rally Championship establishment
  • Entries Close 3rd February - No Late Entries can be accepted.
  • WORLD RALLY BID TO BOOST ECONOMY BY EUR5 MILLION THIS YEAR
    EUR20 MILLION EACH YEAR IF WORLD STATUS SECURED IN 2007
  • Rally Ireland Delegation meet FIA WRC Commission President
  • WORLD RALLY BID TO BOOST ECONOMY BY EUR5 MILLION THIS YEAR
    EUR20 MILLION EACH YEAR IF WORLD STATUS SECURED IN 2007
  • Rally Ireland ‘Sporting Advisor’ Announced
  • Entries open - Regulations and Entry Form available.
  • Greece supports Ireland's qualification bid for World Rally Championship
  • Ireland on Course to qualify for World Rally Championship
    FIA Safety Delegate Gives Positive Response to Route for 2006 Event
  • RALLY GUIDE 1 NOW AVAILABLE
    Includes draft timetable
  • FIA SAFETY DELEGATE VISITS IRELAND TO REVIEW RALLY IRELAND 2006 COURSE
    VITAL STEP IN IRELANDS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION BID
  • 1,000 SIGN PETITION TO SUPPORT IRELAND’S BID TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
  • Rally Ireland meet Swedish counterparts
  • Rally Ireland announces location for 2006 World Championship bid event
    RALLY IRELAND EXPANDS INTO NEW TERRAIN AS PART OF WORLD BID
  • NEW RALLY IRELAND STRATEGY GROUP APPOINTED
  • IRISH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BID OPTS FOR MARCH DATE
    TARMAC ONLY SURFACE PLANNED
More information on Rally Ireland is available on the event website:
09/03/06

RALLY IRELAND’S YOUNGEST DRIVER
Armagh’s Darren Gass will take the wheel of his Super 1600 Fiesta as the youngest driver to contest Rally Ireland next weekend. Connor Foley will take his place alongside the youngster to guide him over nearly 170 miles of asphalt stages.

The event, which is vying for inclusion in the World Rally Championship in 2007, has attracted some big hitters in all the top classes including WRC drivers Daniel Carlsson and Chris Atkinson as well as JWRC regular Jaan Molder, also in a Fiesta. The Fiestas are joined in Class A6 by several other marques, including Darren’s old Saxo, making a total of eleven runners in the font 1600cc front wheel drive category.

Darren’s outing on the Galway International Rally at the beginning of February was his first time in the brand new car and he proved that his youth belies a speed and ability that will further improve with experience in the car. “We struggled a bit with traction in tight corners,” explained Darren, “and it meant I wasn’t fully committed, so we spun a couple of times. But we’ve made some changes to the suspension settings which should improve the grip for this rally. With the Saxo the trick was getting the rear suspension sorted, with the Fiesta it is going to be the front.”

The team has also altered the engine computer to make the car easier to drive and Darren will get a chance to have a run in the car before beginning to reconnoitre the stages on Thursday and Friday. “The plan is as before, to try and get to the finish and make consistent improvements without any mistakes.” said Darren. The average length of the stages is around 15 miles, so concentration and stamina will be as important as outright speed.”

Darren has chosen this rally as part of a diverse programme of events, which should include rallies in France and on the UK mainland. Closer to home, Rally Ireland has its ceremonial start in Sligo on the West coast at 19.00 on Friday and is based around the Enniskillen airport service area on Saturday and Sunday. Loops of stages are split by regular services and the rally returns to Sligo for an overnight halt on Saturday and the podium finish on Sunday at around 15.00.

Check out Darren’s new website at www.darrengass.com for news, events, profiles and photos.

Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill and EMC Autopax for their continuing support: and welcome PIAA, AC Vehicle Components and Sligo Pallets for the 2006 season.
Irish WRC Star on Rally Ireland
Sixth placed Gareth MacHale and Paul Nagle on last weekends 3rd round of the world rally championship Rally Mexico will line up on the start for this weekends second running of Rally Ireland. Gareth heads to the event buoyed by his recent success on the Rally Mexico and hoping to better his 3rd place overall that he achieved on lasts years first running of the event. Rally Ireland is a candidate event for a position in the 2007 WRC calendar and gives Gareth an opportunity to mix it with top international and national rally talents including Daniel Carlsson in a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC and current Irish tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly is his Corolla WRC amongst others.

Gareth will drive his five times tarmac champion father Austin’s Sanyo Air Conditioners Ford Focus WRC03 on the event as the WRC05 car is still in transit from rally Mexico. This weekends event will allow Gareth drive the car competitively for the first time on tarmac stages Gareth commented “I have had limited time in the car although I do hope to test the car prior to the shakedown on Friday, it will be interesting to gauge the difference between the two cars”. Rally Ireland will be Gareth’s first tarmac event in Ireland since winning the Irish national forestry championship and the coveted Billy Coleman young rally driver award, “it is great to be back home competing on home soil and in front of Irish spectators, while there were many Irish out in Monte Carlo supporting the team it is not the same as doing a home rally” said Gareth prior to commencing his Reece for the event. Rally Ireland kicks off on Friday at midday with the shakedown on Atlantic View, Mullaghmore Head where Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain will experience first hand the thrill of a WRC car when he co-drives Gareth in the Ford Focus through the 2.5km test. After Rally Ireland Gareth and his co-driver Paul Nagle head to Rally Catalunya, Spain the 4th round of the WR Championship and a return the fast tarmac stages of the championship.

Gareth MacHale is the current Irish National Forestry champion and Billy Coleman award winner 2005, he is sponsored by international air-conditioning company Sanyo Air Conditioners, Maxol Lubricants, All Sports Logistics, Tom Hogan Motors, and global Automation Technology Company ABB. To keep in touch with Gareth’s progress during WRC events log on to www.garethmacahale.com
O’Driscoll Backs Rally Ireland’s World Championship Bid
The leading light of Irish rugby has given his backing to the Irish bid to secure the World Rally Championships from 2007.

Former British and Irish Lions Captain Brian O’Driscoll said: “It is great to hear that Rally Ireland is attempting to gain entry in the World Rally Championship. As the Irish rugby team have shown, we may be a small island, but we are able to compete against the world’s top teams, and I expect Rally Ireland to be able to do same when they reach WRC level. I wish the team all the best in their bid.”

O’Driscoll was speaking ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations game at Lansdowne Road where he will lead the Irish team out against Scotland.

He is one of a growing number of sporting personalities who are backing Ireland’s cross-border bid, including Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan, double World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm (Finland) , Ex World Champion Colin McRae (GB) , three times world co-driver champion Juha Piironen (Finland) and former Formula one driver Eddie Irvine.

This weekend’s event is Ireland’s most ambitious North-South sporting initiative and is funded by Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC). The host city is Sligo with the service park based at Enniskillen Airport. The 268 km event will take place in five counties in the North West of Ireland: - Donegal, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Tyrone.
08/03/06
“Keep the Race in its Place”
Road Safety is the theme of cross-border Rally Ireland event

Both the National Safety Council in the Republic of Ireland and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland are running a joint road safety campaign in association with Rally Ireland on 10-12th March 2006.

The purpose of the safety campaign is to convey life-saving road safety messages to the public and to the high-risk target audiences viewing the event.

Commenting on the National Safety Council’s involvement in the campaign Minister of State for Transport, Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher TD. said, “Rally Ireland is a cross-border event, with Special Stages in border counties, which have a disproportionately high share of road fatalities. Therefore we are able to target high-risk populations and high-risk younger drivers with vital road safety messages. As Rally Ireland is a candidate for the World Rally Championship, it has special importance and we are ensuring that safety messages achieve key prominence in what potentially will be a high-profile event attracting huge attention from drivers and spectators that we all need to influence.”

Mr. Noel Brett, Acting CEO of the National Safety Council added, “Our safety messages are clear – “Keep the Race in its Place” to discourage drivers from speeding on the public road and “Safety Wins” to underline the reality that if safety rules are broken and a tragedy occurs, we are all the losers; society, the community, the sport, the supporters, the grieving families, the victims – everybody loses if safety rules are not followed.”

The “Keep the Race in its Place” campaign reminds people to only watch the Special Stages from safety zones, never to enter prohibited areas, and between stages and afterwards, to follow the rally drivers’ lead by staying within the speed limits, by staying belted-in, and by never ever drinking and driving.

Setting this example are two well known rally drivers who have been recruited to get across these important safety messages to the public in a National and Local Radio advertising campaign, the critical point of danger – Kris Meeke who is two times British Junior Champion and the 2005 World Junior Rally Champion and Aaron McHale successful rally driver and son of rallying legend Austin McHale.

In addition to this, the “Keep the Race in its Place” campaign also consists of:
  • 48 sheet posters on arterial routes to the event, from Dublin and Belfast
  • Admobile posters at special positions between stages running 10-12th March.
  • Advertisements in Car/ Rally/ Racing Magazines
  • Banners to be placed in broadcast positions on each special stage
  • Overprinting of 800 safety bibs for rally marshals with the safety theme, front and back
  • Advertising and safety messages on the official Rally Ireland event website
Championship Winning Crew Target Class Victory on Rally Ireland
Cork rally driver Brian O’Mahony and Mayo co-driver John Higgins are targeting a class victory when they contest next weekend’s Rally Ireland (10-12 March).

The reigning British Super 1600 champions will be pushing for the honours in class A6 during the tarmac event, which is a candidate to become a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2007, in their Team Birkbeck Rallysport run Super 1600 Ford Puma.

It will be the crew’s second outing on Rally Ireland, although last year’s event ended prematurely for the pair. This time around they will be vying for the class honours with Estonian Junior World Rally Championship contender Jaan Molder, who finished 11th overall in the rally last season, but both O’Mahony and Higgins are confident of success.

O’Mahony, 21, said: “Rally Ireland is a chance for us to test ourselves on a world rally standard event and against some world class drivers. We will be pushing for victory in the A6 category as well as looking for a good overall position.”

Higgins, 23, said: “We’re really looking forward to the rally and a chance to compete in a top class event that is a candidate to become a round of the WRC. We aim to win in A6 and get a good result.”

Rally Ireland has attracted entries from all over the world with the list headed by last year’s winner and world rally driver Daniel Carlsson. Subaru pilot Chris Atkinson, who is a regular in the WRC, will also be taking part.

Eddie Jordan supports Irelands World Rally Championship Bid

Eddie Jordan, founder of the Jordan Formula 1 team has come out in support of Rally Irelands bid for a place in the World Rally Championship. The former racing driver competed in several Irish rallies in the earlier stages of his career.

It would be some achievement to put Ireland on the world motorsport stage. It would be a huge win if the Rally Ireland team manage to land it, and I will give them any support I can, said Jordan

The charismatic Dubliner is in an excellent position to be able to comment on what it takes for an Irish outfit to take on the best in the world.

Commenting on Jordans support, Rally Ireland manager John Bristow said: This means a lot to our team as Eddie is a great role model for everybody in Irish motorsport and for the team at Rally Ireland.

Jordan joins a list of names of the elite from the world of motorsport who have backed the Irish bid. Current World Championship leader Marcus Gronholm (Finland), former world champion Colin McRae (GB), three times world co-driver champion Juha Piironen (Finland) and former Formula one driver Eddie Irvine have all made public statements supporting the North- South bid to secure a slot in the 16 round world championship series which has an annual TV audience of  over 800 million viewers.

Rally Ireland 2006 takes place in the north-west this coming weekend from March 10th-12th.  The event is Irelands most ambitious North-South sporting initiative and is funded by Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC). The host city is Sligo with the service park based at Enniskillen Airport. The 268 km event will take place in five counties in the North West of Ireland: - Donegal, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Tyrone.

05/03/06
JENNINGS’ NEW CHARGE
Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy take a break from their defence of the Irish tarmac Rally Championship Group N title to contest Rally Ireland next weekend.

The crew will take part in the second running of the event in a brand new Mitsubishi Evo 9 which has been built by KG Motorsport. “We used the Evo 8 in October,” remarked Garry, “and we had been leading Group N when a 20 pence pin broke in the gear linkage. We realised early this year that if we were going to compete against world class drivers, we would have to step up to world class machinery and have the latest version.”

Garry took delivery of the car in the week before the event but admitted he probably wouldn’t get to test it properly. “Plans can change without notice,” he explained, “but in this case the weather is playing a part in our decisions. The cold snap has meant that work has gone mad. We supply lots of private homes and businesses with heating oil and everyone seems to be ordering at the moment. I don’t think we’ll get a chance to test it properly so we’ll use the settings from the old car and see how it goes.”

Garry has committed to take the car to a pre-event press day in Enniskillen, the base for the service area on both days. “Since I am probably the closest driver to the rally, Fermanagh District Council has asked me to take the car for a Town Hall press call on Monday.” said Garry, “The rally may be trying for World Championship status, but it is important that the local community is kept up to date.”

Garry will be available to answer questions and to sign autographs while Councillor Stephen Huggett, chairman of the council, will be joined by Austin Fraser, chairman of the Rally Ireland Steering Group. The car will be on display outside the Town hall from around 10.00 with the press call at 10.30.

The rally itself follows a similar format to 2005 with a ceremonial start outside Sligo Town Hall at 19.00 on Friday 10th March. The 2006 event is, however, an all asphalt affair covering 268 stage miles over just eleven stages. The action begins on Saturday with the first stage at 07.30. Three loops of stages centre on the St Angelo Airport service area to the north of Enniskillen with an overnight halt in Sligo. The final five stages are preceded by a 06.30 service at the airport, and the final Sligo stage takes the crews back towards the Town Hall for a podium finish at 15.00.

As the highest seeded British Group N driver, Garry will be fired up and keen to show his speed in the new car, but he will have his work cut out as the competition will be extremely fierce. World Rally Championship Subaru works driver Chris Atkinson and Nicolas Bernardi, who has top ten finishes in a 307WRC to his credit, are both in Group N machinery and there is plenty of competition from closer to home too, making it a great battle in prospect.

The Autocar Logistics team would like to thank Kumho Tyres, Walker Contracts, J&M Enterprises, Sligo Pallets Sydare Eggs, Euro Auto Salvage, OMP, Shell Racing Fuels and KG Motorsport for their support in 2006

McCLOSKEY TAKES TO THE WORLD STAGE
Fresh from testing their Mitsubishi Evo 8 in Norway, 2005 Fisher Foundation award winner Connor McCloskey and regular co-driver Crawford Henderson will compete on next weekend’s Sligo-based Rally Ireland,

The test came immediately after completing an event at Kirkistown in a borrowed car, the youngster having packed his own off to John Haugland’s Rally School days earlier. “It was a hectic week,” said Connor, “we finished the event in Ireland and set off for Norway the next day. It may seem a bit of an odd place to go before a tarmac rally but the object of the exercise was to improve my all round ability. I think it will make me quicker on any surface, but it has certainly taught me much more about the way the car behaves.”

The team had considered unveiling a new Evo 9 for the Irish wannabe WRC event, but as their focus is on the Irish and British Rally Championships, the new car will remain under wraps until the Circuit of Ireland at the earliest. “We’re really looking forward to competing against some World Championship regulars,” grinned Connor, “although I’m realistic in my expectations in the Evo 8. The likes of Chris Atkinson will probably be in a league of his own but at least it will give us something to gauge ourselves against.”

The event isn’t exactly on the team’s doorstep but the stages will have a familiar feel and the pair is under no pressure. Travelling to the rally’s base in Sligo from Kilrea in Northern Ireland will take about two hours, so they will be fresh for the ceremonial start from outside Sligo Town Hall at 19.00 on Friday.

268 miles of asphalt await the crews, with six stages on Saturday and five on Sunday. All the stages are centred on Enniskillen Airport with an overnight halt based in Sligo. The event’s aspirations for inclusion in the 2007 World Rally Championship mean that there will be delegates from the World governing body, the FIA on hand, meaning everyone will be trying to impress, on and off the stages.

Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, KBB Doors, Euro Components, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their support in 2006

02/03/06
RALLY IRELAND 2006 ROUTE DETAILS AND STAGES REVEALED!
We firmly believe that Ireland is the best location in the world for WRC and thats what we intend to show the FIA and the world next weekend during this candidate event, said Austin Frazer, Chairman of the Rally Ireland Organising Committee.

Mr Frazer was announcing details of the 2006 route and stages, which will take competitors and spectators through 719 kilometres of some of the most beautiful scenery in the North West of Ireland on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March.

The stages of the all-tarmac Rally are named after their host county. The first leg, comprising six stages, will take place on Saturday, 11th March and travel through counties Donegal, Fermanagh and Tyrone. The second leg, comprising five stages, will take place in Leitrim and Sligo on Sunday 12th March finishing at approximately 3.00pm in Sligo city.

The Ceremonial Start of the Rally will take place at Sligo City Hall at 7.00pm on Friday 10th March.

A Pre-Rally Ireland Shakedown event will take place in Mullaghmore Head, Sligo, on Friday 10th March between 12.00pm to 3.00pm. The Shakedown gives drivers get the opportunity to test out their cars on surfaces and conditions similar to the official Rally stages and spectators are welcome to attend to see the drivers and their cars close up.

Clerk of the Course, Tom Nolan said: The challenging tarmac stages for Rally Ireland 2006 pass through some of the most scenic landscape that Ireland has to offer. Given the great array of Irish and international talent coming to compete in this years event, were confident that the event will be a sporting triumph and great entertainment for committed rally fans and first time visitors alike.

DETAILS OF ROUTE

Saturday, 10th March
The 27km Stage One Donegal 1 starts at 7.30am near Belleek and will take competitors past spectator viewing points in the Barr of Ballynacarrick, onto Croagh More and ending near Tullynacross Forest, the last spectator viewing point.

The 28km Stage Two Tyrone 1 starts at 8.30am in the Lough Bradan Forest and travels in the direction of Drumquin, where the first spectator point is located. The other spectator points are at Drumsora and near the end of the stage at Keeran Bridge.

The 27km Stage Three Donegal 2 starts at 11.30am and follows the same route as Donegal 1.

The 26km Stage Four Fermanagh 1 starts at 1.00pm between Irvinetown and Dromore and travels south finishing just outside Ballinamallard. The spectator points are located near Kinine, Carran and at the crossroads at Roscor.

The 28km Stage Five Tyrone 2 starts at 3.20pm and follows the same route as Tyrone 1.

The 26km Stage Six Fermanagh 2 starts at 4.20pm and follows the same route as Fermanagh 1.

Sunday, 12th March
The 22km Stage Seven Leitrim 1 starts at 7.30am in Leitrim at Killycloghan, onto East Barrs, Glenboy and finally ends near Killarga where the last spectator point is located.

The 25km Stage Eight Ireland North West 1 starts at 8.15am in Manorhamilton where the first spectator point is located. The stage continues onto Rossinver and ends just outside of Ardagh.

The 22km Stage Nine Leitrim 2 starts at 11.30am and follows the same route as Leitrim 1.

The 25km Stage Ten Ireland North West 2 starts at 12.00pm and follows the same route as Ireland North West 1.

The 12km Stage Eleven Sligo starts at 2.00pm just outside of Dromahair and will then go along the shore of the scenic Lough Gill Lake, continuing onto the next spectator point at Parkes Castle and ending near Mullaghar.

Rally Ireland will finish at approximately 3.00pm on Sunday 12th March at Sligo City Hall, followed by a prize giving ceremony.

Timetable

Friday
Pre-start entertainment from 6pm
7pm Official start at Sligo Town Hall

Saturday - Leg 1
The stages 'Donegal', 'Tyrone' and 'Fermanagh' are being run twice each throughout the day.

Special Stage (ss) 1 Donegal 1 7.30 (first car)
SS 2 Tyrone 1 8.38
Service A (30 minute) 10.03
SS 3 Donegal 2 11.33
SS 4 Fermanagh 1 12.58
Service B (30 minute) 14.08
SS 5 Tyrone 2 15.21
SS 6 Fermanagh 2 16.19
Service C (45 minute) 17.04

Sunday - Leg 2
The stages 'Leitrim' and 'Ireland North West' are being run twice, with 'Sligo' being the last stage of Rally Ireland 2006.

Service D (10 minute) 6.30 (First car)
SS 7 Leitrim 1 7.28
SS 8 Ireland North West 1 8.13
Service E (20 minute) 10.33
SS 9 Leitrim 2 11.21
SS 10 Ireland North West 2 12.06
SS 11 Sligo 13.52

Finish (Sligo Town Hall) 15.00

SPECTATOR POINTS
Special Stage 'Donegal'
The 'Donegal' stage begins in Belleek, and finishes near Tullynacross Forest. The spectator points are at Barr of Ballynacarrick, Croagh More and near the end of the stage at 'Tullynacross Forest'.

Special Stage 'Tyrone'
This stage starts in the Lough Bradan Forest and travels in the direction of Drumquin, where the first spectator point is located. The other spectator points are at 'Drumsora' and near the end of the stage at 'Keeran Bridge'.

Special Stage 'Fermanagh'
The 'Fermanagh' stage startst between Irvinestown and Dromore and travels south finishing just outside Ballinamallard. The spectator points are located at near Kinine, Carran, and at the crossroads at Roscor.

Special Stage 'Leitrim'

'Leitrim' begins near Glenfarne and finishes north of Killarga. The spectator points are at East Barrs (no parking on the main road) and Glenboy (south east of Manorhamilton).

Special Stage 'Ireland North West'
This stage starts east of Manorhamilton, and travels north before returning back towards Manorhamilton, where the first spectator point is located, just north of Skreeny at the hair pin. The stage travels north to Rossinver, where the second spectator point is located, and the stage finishes near Ardagh.

Special Stage 'Sligo'
The final stage of Rally Ireland begins just outside Dromahair before travelling along the shores of Lough Gill, finishing near Ballure. The spectator points are at Dromahair, Parkes Castle and near the end of the stage at Mullaghar.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PICK UP AN EVENT PROGRAMME WHICH GO ON SALE THIS WEEKEND @ the rally HQ, newsagents and service station along the rally route.
WORLD CHAMPIONS BACK RALLY IRELAND BID
Two former World Rally Championship (WRC) title holders have announced their support for Ireland's bid to host a round of the prestigious championships from 2007.

Great Britain's first ever WRC champion, the legendary Colin McRae, has come out in support of Rally Ireland, in the run up to their candidate event on March 10th - 12th.

"I've been rallying in Ireland for years, and it has always been great. They are serious about their rallying, and the stages are tough and testing but the Irish sure know how to host a rally, and there is a lot of fun after the rallying is done" said the Scot.

McRae continued, "I can't see why there shouldn't be a round of the WRC in Ireland, the championship needs more tarmac rallies. The stages are different to European tarmac rallies, and it would be a real test for today's WRC drivers. It would also be a great place for drivers to compete because the scenery is spectacular. So that would also make it great for TV."

McRae holds the record for being the youngest ever WRC champion when he won in 1995.

Finnish Champion co-driver Juha Piironen has also thrown his weight behind the bid saying: "The appeal of Rally Ireland will be that the tarmac stages are so good to drive in the dry but devilishly challenging when they're wet!"

"The stages I've seen float through beautiful rolling hills, waterfront roads and wide open green spaces. Ireland really is the most beautiful location in the world for WRC" he concluded.

Topics: Rally Ireland 

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