Laois Heartlands Rally - 12 Jun 11

Posted: July 1, 2011 11:04 PM - 22805 Hits

Round 3 - 2011 Midlands East Rally Championship

LAOIS RALLYSPORT CLUB HEARTLANDS RALLY 2011 DVD LAUNCH - (Sat) 2 Jul 11

Posted: July 1, 2011 11:04 PM

Laois Rallysport Club are holding a social night on Saturday 2nd July 2011 at 8:30 p.m. in O’Loughlin’s Hotel, Main Street, Portlaoise.
The club recently worked tirelessly to bring to fruition the very successful Heartlands Rally 2011 in association with O’Loughlin’s Hotel and Laois County Council.
Saturday night will see the club host the premiere of the Heartlands Rally 2011 DVD which will be shown on screens throughout the bar.
All are welcome and it promises to be a very enjoyable night.

Photos

Posted: June 12, 2011 10:13 PM

M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)

LINK REMOVED - Sideway Shot Motor Sport Photography

Results

Posted: June 12, 2011 10:07 PM

1 David Condell/Sorcha Kelly (Ford Escort Mk II) 68m 59s
2 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 69m 04s
3 John Hendy/Alan Whyte (Toyota Corolla RWD) 69m 06s
4 Paraic Cummins/Graham Kelly (Ford Escort G3) 69m 53s
5 Shay Power/John Rafter (Ford Escort Mk II) 70m 17s
6 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 71m 30s
7 Paul McEnroe/Andrew Browne (Subaru Impreza N14 GpN) 71m 48s
8 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet RWD) 71m 53s
9 Moss Fitzgerald/Denis Cremin (Toyota Corolla RWD) 73m 14s
10 Gordon Rogers/Philip McEntee (Ford Escort MkII) 73m 28s

Leaders After:
SS1 Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty (Renault Clio R3)
SS2 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3-6 David Condell/Sorcha Kelly (Ford Escort MkII)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty (Renault Clio R3)
SS2 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3 David Condell/Sorcha Kelly (Ford Escort Mk II)
& John Hendy/Alan Whyte (Toyota Corolla RWD)
SS4 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS5 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS6 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)

results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

TOWN MAP / Scrutiny Times / FINAL INSTRUCTIONS No 1

Posted: June 10, 2011 11:14 PM

Laois Heartlands Rally - 12 Jun 11 - TOWN MAP

Laois Heartlands Rally - 12 Jun 11 - Scrutiny Times

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: June 9, 2011 11:39 AM

Laois Heartlands Rally - 12 Jun 11 - TIME AND DISTANCE SCHEDULE

Entries Still Open

Posted: June 7, 2011 9:48 AM

Entries will remain open:

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Laois Rally Sport Club (Facebook Page)

Seeded Entry List

Posted: June 7, 2011 9:47 AM

1 Alan Ring Co . Kerry Adrian Deasy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 8
2 Mark Courtney Co. Meath Mick Courtney Toyota Celica ST205 15
3 Tommy Doyle Co. Longford Liam Moynihan Renault Clio R3 7
4 Rodney Wilton Co. Cavan Conor McMahon Ford Escort 14
5 David Condell Co. Carlow Sorcha Kelly Ford Escort 14
6 Mark Donnelly Co. Tyrone Barry McNulty Renault Clio Maxi 7
7 John Hendy Co. Meath Alan Whyte Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 13
8 Michael Curran Co. Meath Sean Hayde Ford Escort Mk2 13
9 Trevor Culbert Co. Wicklow Martin "fidgy" Costello Ford Escort Mk2 13
10 Liam Howlett Co. Wexford Leo Tector Ford Escort Mk2 13
11 James Coleman Co. Waterford TBA Ford Escort Mk2 13
12 David Percy Co. Tipperary TBA Ford Escort F2 Maxi 13
13
14 Kevin O Connor Co.Limerick tba Citroen C2R2 6
15 Mark Nangle Co. Meath Nollaig Breen Subaru Impreza 4
16 Alan O'Callaghan Co. Clare Cathal McGrath Subaru Impreza 8
17 Paul McEnroe Co. Meath Andrew Browne Subaru N14 4
18 Vincent McAree Co. Monaghan J.p. McAree Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 8
19 Stephen Wright Co. Monaghan Susanne Wright Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 GpA 15
20 Stephen Furey Co. Donegal Trevor Graham Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
21 Lloyd Hutchinson Co. Wicklow Kevin Flanagan Austin Mini Cooper S 9
22 Ian Gunning Co. Roscommon Fred Holmes Ford Escort 13
23 Shay Power Co. Kilkenny John Rafter Ford Escort Mk2 13
24 Daniel Gorman Co. Laois Eoin Gorman Ford Escort 13
25 Michael Brazil Co. Meath Ger Buckley Peugeot 205 RWD 11
26 Larry Brady Co. Laois Anne Brady Ford Escort Mk2 13
27 Seamus Doyle Co. Carlow Kevin Barry Ford Escort Mk2 13
28 Jack Newman Co. Meath John Paul McAree Honda Civic 11
29 Paul McDevitt England Alan Keena Toyota Corolla 11
30 Paul O'Brien Co. Tipperary John Kinahan Honda EG6 11
31 Shane McGirr Co. Tyrone Jackie Elliott Toyota Starlet RWD 13
32 Declan Tansey Co. Westmeath Nicola Kelly Ford Escort 13
33 Cunningham Frank Co. Galway Ross Forde Ford Escort RS1800 17
34 Moss Fitzgerald Co. Cork Denis Cremin Toyota Corolla GT 11
35 Pat Delaney Co. Laois Joe Hearns Peugeot 205 RWD 13
36 Tony Tuttle Co. Clare AL Meaney Ford Escort 13
37 John Hade Co. Carlow Sharon Nolan Ford Escort Mk2 13
38 Enda McCormack USA Kieran McElhinney Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 8
39 Paddy McVeigh Co. Tyrone Stevey O'Hanlon Subaru Impreza N12B 4
40 Ryan Loughran Co. Tyrone James McCarville Ford Escort Mk2 11
41 Cal McCarthy Co. Cork Eamonn Dullea Honda Civic 11
42 Andrew Fanning Co. Tipperary Derek Gibbs Ford Puma S1600 6
43 Ger Lyons Co. Limerick Stephen O'Brien Honda Civic Vtec 11
44 JJ Wall Co. Laois Willie Fitzpatrick Citroen 9
45 PA Bellew Co. Meath Andres Reid Ford Escort Mk2 9
46 Mark Kane Co. Laois TBA Ford Escort Mk2 13
47 Keith Lyons Co. Limerick Alan McNamara Ford Escort Mk2 13
48 Leo Doyle Co. Kildare Alistair Chambers Ford Escort Mk1 12
49 John Collins Co. Limerick Peter McDonnell Honda Civic Type R 3
50 Vincent Collins Co. Roscommon TBA Ford Escort 12
51 Kieran Guinan Co. Offaly Alan Higgins Ford Escort Mk2 12
52 Paul Lacey Co. Laois Arthur Walshe Ford Escort G3 13
53 William Lawrence Co. Tipperary Donal Ryan Ford Escort Mk2 13
54 Brian Ward Co. Meath Declan Stafford Peugeot 206 Super 1600 6
55 Joey Carroll Co. Tipperary Mark Kirwan Citroen C2 11
56 Peter Sreenan Co. Laois TBA Subaru Impreza GpN 4
57 Patrick Carberry Co. Louth TBA Mitsubishi Evo 7 8
58 David McLoughlin Co. Laois Gareth Mulally Mitsubishi Evo 6 8
59 Paddy Nolan Co. Laois Padraig Gorman Toyota Starlet 11
60 Gerry Kelly Co. Roscommon Karen Kelly Ford Escort Mk2 12
61 Cyril Kerr Co. Kilkenny Peter Keohane Ford Escort Mk2 11
62 Liam Graham Co. Tipperary Eamon Crudden Honda EG6 11
63 Pat Shortall Co. Laois Patrick Delaney Ford Escort Mk2 10
64 Colin Byrne Co. Cork Brian Quinlan Ford Puma 5
65 Anthony Masterson Co. Meath TBA Honda Integra Type R 7
66 Colum Browne Co. Tipperary Lawrence McGrath Honda Civic EK4 2
67 Barry Mahon Dublin Ultan McGowan Honda Civic EK4 2
68 Billy Hayes Co. Kilkenny Pat Knox Honda Civic Type R 3
69 Barry Coleman Co. Westmeath John Corrigan Honda Civic Type R 3
70 Joe Nacey Co. Wexford Andy Hayes Honda Civic Type R 3
71 Paul Woods Co. Carlow Phil Woods Honda Civic Type R 3
72 Barry Murphy Co. Wexford TBA Honda Civic Type R 3
73 Tommie Rafferty Co. Roscommon Finnian O'Connor Ford Escort 12
74 Philip Monaghan Co. Meath Derek Lynch Honda Civic 11
75 Joe Lenehan Co. Roscommon Aisling Grimes Honda Civic 11
76 Liam Bergin Co. Laois Ronan Shanahan Honda Civic Vtec 11
77 Anthony Ryan Co. Laois David Loughney Subaru Impreza WRX 8
78 Mark Kelly Co. Meath Christopher Bradley Honda Civic 11
79 Mark Monaghan Co. Meath Pat Cussen Honda Civic 2
80 Aaron Martley Co. Laois Mark Conlon Toyota Corolla RWD 11
81 Con Mulcahy Limerick Ger Keohane Vauxhall Nova 10
82 Daniel Ryan Co. Galway Jason Ollerenshaw Honda Integra Type R 16
83 John Walsh Galway Chris King Honda Civic EK4 6
84 James Power Co. Galway Declan Kelly Ford Escort RS2000 17
85 David Fitzsimons Co. Dublin Keith Murray Ford Escort Mk2 13
86 Colin Kelly Co. Wexford Shane Purcell Ford Escort Mk2 13
87 Jack Deegan Co. Kildare Trevor Kelly Peugeot 205 GTi 13
88 Pat Murphy Co. Kildare Keith Murphy Peugeot 205 GTi 13
89 Dermot McNeill Co. Offaly Pat Lowbridge Peugeot 205 12
90 David Donoghue Co. Meath Alan Dolan Citroen C2 11
91 Niall Whitty Co. Wexford Michelle Stafford Toyota Corolla GT 11
92 George Condell Co. Carlow Lisa O'Dowd Ford Escort 11
93 Bill Carroll Co. Wexford Noel Kendrick Honda Civic Vtec 11
94 Edward Kelly Co. Kilkenny Paul Kelly Peugeot 106 GTi 11
95 Adrian Keely Co. Galway John Buckley Honda Civic 11
96 Peter Hollingworth Co. Galway Enda Hallinan Honda Civic 11
97 Leon Galvin Co. Wexford Tommy Kelly Ford Escort Mk2 11
98 Christy Kelly Co. Kilkenny John Kelly Suzuki Swift GTI 9
99 Donald Powell Co. Offaly Robert Lewis Honda Civic 2
100 David McCormack Dublin Aidan O'Connor Vauxhall Nova 10
101 Barry Foyle Co. Laois Kevin Finlay Vauxhall Nova 9
102 Mike Garahy Co. Offaly Sean Henehan Ford Escort Mk2 10
103 Aidan Perse Co. Kildare Gavin Mckenna Perse Peugeot 205 GTi 10
104 Simon Cummins Co. Wexford Gerard Foley Vauxhall Nova 10
105 Aidan Cunniffe Co. Westmeath TBA Peugeot 205 GTi 10
106 Mark O'Connor Co. Kildare TBA Citroen Saxo VTS 16
107 Kenneth Treacy Co. Carlow Martin Comerford Peugeot 206 9
108 Emma Britton Co. Westmeath TBA Honda Civic EK4 2
109 Ivan Byrne Co. Carlow Leonard Ramsbottom Ford Puma RWD 11
110 Stephen O'Connor Co. Kildare Mark O'Connor Toyota Corolla 15
111 Ollie Kelly Co. Roscommon Cyril Rollins Honda Civic 1.6VTI 11
112 Michael Conroy Co. Carlow Pat Duffy Peugeot 106 GTi 11
113 Brendan Hearns Co. Laois Stephen Hearns Vauxhall Nova 9
114 Liam Grant Co. Laois Anthony Brady Ford Escort 10
115 Michael McGrath Co. Laois TBA Ford Escort 11
116 Tom Scott Co. Laois Eoghan McEvoy Citroen Saxo 11
117 David Kearney Co. Laois TBA Peugeot 205 GTi 10
118 John Fogarty Co. Laois Michael Culleton Peugeot 205 GTi 10
119 Phil Rowan Co. Laois Brian Murphy Opel Corsa 10
120 Albert Dalton Co. Carlow Anita Dalton Peugeot 106 Rallye 10
121 John Warren Co. Sligo Ruthann O'Connor Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 11
122 Brendan Furlong Co. Wexford Brendan Kearns Peugeot 205 GTi 10
123 Sean Croke Co. Kilkenny Patrick Croke Peugeot 205 GTi 10
124 John McDonald Co. Laois James McDonald Ford Mark 2. 10
125 Seamus Mannion Co. Roscommon John Mannion Ford Escort Mk2 12
126 Raymond O'Brien Co. Offaly Nicholas Egan Austin Mini 9
127 David Dowling Co. Carlow TBA Opel Corsa 10
128 Richard Moore Co. Wexford Eoin Crosbie Vauxhall Nova 10
129 Georgie Bell Co. Westmeath TBA Honda Civic 2
130 David Cleary Co. Wexford Padraig Denton Honda Civic Vtec 2
131 David Hunt Co. Sligo Ivan Hunt Peugeot 106 11
132 Thomas Lynch Co. Laois Stephen Delaney Honda Civic 1.6VTI 11

RESERVE LIST
133 Karol McEnroe Co. Meath TBA Honda Civic 2
134 Gerard Hogins Co. Galway TBA Manta 400 13
135 Sean Maher Co. Limerick Jason O'Brien Ford Escort Mk2 10
136 Alan Sheridan Co. Meath Breen McNamee Ford Escort Mk2 14
137 Davy Armstrong NI tba Ford Escort Mk2 14
138 Joe McCarthy Co.Limerick Jenny Lyons Co. Limerick Honda Civic EK4 6

Unseeded Entry List

Posted: May 30, 2011 4:53 PM

Emma Britton TBA Honda Civic EK4 2
Donald Powell Robert Lewis Honda Civic 2
Colum Browne Lawrence McGrath Honda Civic EK4 2
Barry Mahon Ultan McGowan Honda Civic EK4 2
Georgie Bell TBA Honda Civic 2
David Cleary Padraig Denton Honda Civic Vtec 2
Barry Murphy TBA Honda Civic Type R 3
Barry Coleman John Corrigan Honda Civic Type R 3
Joe Nacey Andy Hayes Honda Civic Type R 3
John Collins Peter McDonnell Honda Civic Type R 3
Paul Woods Phil Woods Honda Civic Type R 3
Stephen Furey Trevor Graham Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
Peter Sreenan TBA Subaru Impreza GpN 4
Andrew Slattery Shaun Forde Subaru Impreza N10 4
Paddy McVeigh Stevey O'Hanlon Subaru Impreza N12B 4
Mark Nangle Nollaig Breen Subaru Impreza 4
Colin Byrne Brian Quinlan Ford Puma 5
John Walsh Philip Walsh Honda Civic EK4 6
Anthony Masterson TBA Honda Integra Type R 7
Tommy Doyle Liam Moynihan Renault Clio R3 7
Mark Donnelly Barry McNulty Renault Clio Maxi 7
David McLoughlin Gareth Mulally Mitsubishi Evo 6 8
Anthony Ryan David Loughney Subaru Impreza WRX 8
Enda McCormack Kieran McElhinney Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 8
Kenneth Treacy Martin Comerford Seat Leon 8
Alan O'Callaghan Cathal McGrath Subaru Impreza 8
Christy Kelly John Kelly Suzuki Swift GTI 9
Brendan Hearns Stephen Hearns Vauxhall Nova 9
PA Bellew Andres Reid Ford Escort Mk2 9
Lloyd Hutchinson Kevin Flanagan Austin Mini Cooper S 9
JJ Wall Willie Fitzpatrick Citroen 9
Dermot O'Hagan Pierce Doheny Vauxhall Corsa 9
Barry Foyle Kevin Finlay Vauxhall Nova 9
Raymond O'Brien Nicholas Egan Austin Mini 9
David McCormack Aidan O'Connor Vauxhall Nova 10
Aidan Cunniffe TBA Peugeot 205 GTi 10
David Dowling TBA Opel Corsa 10
Albert Dalton Anita Dalton Peugeot 106 Rallye 10
Simon Cummins Gerard Foley Vauxhall Nova 10
John Fogarty Michael Culleton Peugeot 205 GTi 10
Brendan Furlong Brendan Kearns Peugeot 205 GTi 10
Mike Garahy Sean Henehan Ford Escort Mk2 10
Liam Grant Anthony Brady Ford Escort 10
Phil Rowan Brian Murphy Opel Corsa 10
Richard Moore Eoin Crosbie Vauxhall Nova 10
Michael Conroy Pat Duffy Peugeot 106 GTi 11
Edward Kelly Paul Kelly Peugeot 106 GTi 11
Patrick Delaney TBA Talbot Sunbeam 11
Ivan Byrne Leonard Ramsbottom Ford Puma RWD 11
Paul McDevitt TBA Toyota Corolla 11
Joe Lenehan Aisling Grimes Honda Civic 11
David Donoghue Alan Dolan Citroen C2 11
Paul O'Brien John Kinahan Honda EG6 11
Niall Whitty Michelle Stafford Toyota Corolla GT 11
Cyril Kerr Peter Keohane Ford Escort Mk2 11
Leon Galvin Tommy Kelly Ford Escort Mk2 11
Bill Carroll Noel Kendrick Honda Civic Vtec 11
Ollie Kelly Cyril Rollins Honda Civic 1.6VTI 11
George Condell Lisa O'Dowd Ford Escort 11
Michael McNamara James Dunphy Ford Escort Mk2 11
Paddy Nolan Padraig Gorman Toyota Starlet 11
Moss Fitzgerald Denis Cremin Toyota Corolla GT 11
Liam Bergin Ronan Shanahan Honda Civic Vtec 11
Jack Newman John Paul McAree Honda Civic 11
Peter Hollingworth Enda Hallinan Honda Civic 11
Adrian Keely John Buckley Honda Civic 11
Michael Brazil Ger Buckley Peugeot 205 RWD 11
Liam Graham Eamon Crudden Honda EG6 11
Aaron Martley Mark Conlon Toyota Corolla RWD 11
Ryan Loughran James McCarville Ford Escort Mk2 11
Colin O'Toole TBA Opel Corsa 11
David Hunt Ivan Hunt Peugeot 106 11
John Warren Ruthann O'Connor Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 11
John McDonald James McDonald Ford Mark 2. 11
Michael McGrath TBA Ford Escort 11
Joey Carroll Mark Kirwan Citroen C2 11
Kieran Guinan Alan Higgins Ford Escort Mk2 12
Leo Doyle Alistair Chambers Ford Escort Mk1 12
Dermot McNeill Pat Lowbridge Peugeot 205 12
Tommie Rafferty Finnian O'Connor Ford Escort 12
Gerry Kelly Karen Kelly Ford Escort Mk2 12
Vincent Collins TBA Ford Escort 12
Seamus Mannion John Mannion Ford Escort Mk2 12
David Percy TBA Ford Escort F2 Maxi 13
Paul Lacey Arthur Walshe Ford Escort G3 13
Larry Brady Anne Brady Ford Escort Mk2 13
Seamus Doyle Kevin Barry Ford Escort Mk2 13
Liam Howlett Leo Tector Ford Escort Mk2 13
Daniel Gorman Eoin Gorman Ford Escort 13
Pat Delaney Joe Hearns Peugeot 205 RWD 13
Colin Kelly Shane Purcell Ford Escort Mk2 13
Noel Coogan Michael (mick) Coady Peugeot 306 13
John Hade Sharon Nolan Ford Escort Mk2 13
Keith Lyons Alan McNamara Ford Escort Mk2 13
William Lawrence Donal Ryan Ford Escort Mk2 13
David Fitzsimons Keith Murray Ford Escort Mk2 13
Mark Kane TBA Ford Escort Mk2 13
John Samuel Hendy TBA Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 13
Shane McGirr Jackie Elliott Toyota Starlet RWD 13
Pat Murphy Keith Murphy Peugeot 205 GTi 13
Ian Gunning Fred Holmes Ford Escort 13
David Condell Sorcha Kelly Ford Escort 14
Rodney Wilton Conor McMahon Ford Escort 14
Stephen O'Connor Mark O'Connor Toyota Corolla 15
Mark Courtney Mick Courtney Toyota Celica ST205 15
Michael McCollum Michael Pearson Subaru Impreza 15
Stephen Wright Susanne Wright Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 GpA 15
Bobby Cooper Michelle Silke Toyota Ae86 16
Daniel Ryan Jason Ollerenshaw Honda Integra Type R 16
Mark O'Connor TBA Citroen Saxo VTS 16
James Power Declan Kelly Ford Escort RS2000 17
Cunningham Frank Ross Forde Ford Escort RS1800 17

GET THE BEST SPECTATOR SEAT IN TOWN!

Posted: May 30, 2011 4:28 PM

Calling all motorsport enthusiasts. Are you interested in viewing the upcoming Heartland’s Rally 2011 up close and personal? If so Laois Rallysport Club have the answer to your prayers.
The club is looking for extra marshals for the weekend of the rally Sunday 12th June 2011. Anyone over 18 is welcome provided they have completed a Motorsport Ireland Approved Marshal’s Training Course. In order to facilitate this the club is holding a Marshal’s Training night on Wednesday 1st June at 7:30 p.m. in The Outback at Grellan Delaney’s pub, Main Street, Portlaoise. The short training session will be followed by the monthly club meeting where the hot topic will be the rally on June 12th. Rally Manager Pat O’Connor says interest in the rally has been phenomenal and entries are coming in thick and fast from all over the country. “In these current times where money is far from plentiful and drivers who used to rally at least once a month now only do maybe three events in the whole year we are beyond proud that we have received such a large number of entries for our rally. It shows that interest is still there for motorsport” says Pat. If your heart is racing and you want to be as close to the action as possible on the big day itself then the marshals training course is the place to be. Once you have completed the course you will be assigned to marshal on location on the stages along with experienced club members and will have a bird's eye of view of the action. So whether you are a diehard rally fan or a novice who doesn’t know your Skoda from your Subaru but wants to be a part of this event get to Grellan Delaney’s at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 1st June and get signed up.

For further information please see

Laois Rally Sport Club (Facebook Page)

Rally Launched

Posted: May 16, 2011 9:09 PM

Photo: Luke McRedmond

An air of anticipation and excitement accompanied the launch of the inaugural running of the Heartlands Rally held in O'Loughlin's Hotel on Saturday Last. A crowd in excess of 250 people attended. With a display of Rally cars parked on the Main Street it was an ideal opportunity for sponsors and the public to get a taste of the excitement promised for the weekend of the 12th of June.

Laois Rallysport chairman Tom Scott welcomed all to the Launch of the Heartlands Rally. He introduced the speakers and thanked those who attended.

Caithaoirleach of the Town Council Mayor Jerry Lodge spoke at The Heartlands Rally launch he praised the club and the organiser of the launch night Emma Brennan Laois Rally sport P.R.O. In his speech he emphasised the importance of events such as this rally to Co Laois and he acknowledged the support for The Heartlands Rally by the indigenous businesses of Laois. He went on to thank the residents on the stages for their support.

Words of welcome and encouragement for the Heartlands Rally were also delivered by County Manager Peter Carey. He emphasized the commercial importance of events such as the Heartlands Rally to the County Laois and acknowledged the mammoth work put into organising this event. He went on to compliment Laois Rallysport Club on their efforts in procuring this prestige event for Portlaoise and pledged his support in building the Heartlands Rally into an annual motor sport event. Sergeant Redmond Cody head of the Garda Traffic Corps also spoke in support of the Motorsport Ireland's campaign to Keep The Race In Its Place and encouraged youths interested in cars and driving to join Laois Rallysport club and keep the race in its place. He continued to say that all young lives are sacred and the efforts of Laois Rally Sport Club were to be encouraged.

A special message of thanks to the residents who live on the Heartlands Rally stages was delivered by the Heartlands Rally manager Pat O'Connor. He said the people of Laois had embraced the idea of being the Heartland of Ireland and this Heartlands rally. He thanked every body involved in the Heartlands Rally and wished everyone a safe and successful Rally on June 12th. Ivor O'Loughlin from O'Loughlin's Hotel and Helena Flynn Chairperson of Loughran Signs Midlands East Rally Championship also spoke in support of the Heartlands Rally. The celebrations continued on into the early hours and a good night was had by all.

Rally Launch - (Sat) 14 May 11

Posted: May 8, 2011 1:25 PM

Laois Rallysport Club announce the launch of the inaugural running of the Heartlands Stages Rally in conjunction with O’Loughlin’s Hotel and Laois County Council. The launch will take place on Saturday the 14th of May at 7:30 p.m. at O’Loughlin's Hotel on the main street of Portlaoise. An exciting night is promised and all are welcome. There will be a static display of Rally cars on the main street followed by the usual photographs and light refreshments will be served after.
The rally will take place 4 weeks later on the 12th of June 2011. The event will be over two 20 Kilometre closed road stages, each ran 3 times. The stages will all be close to Portlaoise with easy access for spectators.
The motor sport enthusiasts of Laois Rallysport Club have been working for five years to procure this event for Portlaoise, and the intention is to make it an annual international festival building to a point where it attracts in excess of 50,000 visitors to Laois over the June weekend.

This Rally couldn’t run without the help and support of the people of Laois, O’Loughlin’s Hotel, The County Council, Voluntary Groups, all our Sponsors and especially the residents of Laois who will be affected by the road closures. Laois Rallysport club are especially grateful to the residents who have welcomed the event to their areas and shown huge enthusiasm for the Rally

The June 12th event will kick off with Rally teams arriving into Portlaoise from Friday the 10th of June. Saturday will see the crews carry out a Recce of the stages with the Rally running on Sunday the 12th June. Large crowds of spectators are expected into the region giving a much needed economic boost to the County.