19/05/2008
Rally Ireland Will Kick Off 2009 Series
The roar of high performance rally cars is to return to Ireland early next year.
As Rally Sardinia finished on Sunday - with another victory for Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, marking his 40th World Rally Championship win - news that Rally Ireland will launch 2009's 12-round series has emerged.
The FIA World Motorsport Council has voted to award Ireland a round of the World Rally Championship with the provisional dates being Thursday 29 January to Sunday 1 February.
This year's rally proved to be the biggest sporting event in Ireland, with up to 200,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers and the 2009 rally will again be a cross-border event - held in the same regions.
This year's highly successful rally, the first ever such WRC event to take place anywhere in Ireland, ran across eight counties, north and south of the border, and was opened with a 'super special stage' in the grounds of Stormont in Belfast and concluding with a special stage on Sligo's Atlantic coast at Mullaghmore.
Following the FIA's decision Rally Ireland founders Sean O'Connor and Ronan Morgan said they were "honoured that Ireland has been awarded the most prestigious position of opening the 2009 WRC series".
"This is a direct result of the hard work by thousands of volunteers who worked on our event, our fantastic fans and the outstanding levels of political support we have received since we started the project.
"The residents of each stage must also be commended for their co-operation and support in making Rally Ireland the huge success it was," they added.
Sardinia rally picture by: Adam McCalden
See: Millions Tune In As Rally Championships Speed To Stormont
(BMcC)
As Rally Sardinia finished on Sunday - with another victory for Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, marking his 40th World Rally Championship win - news that Rally Ireland will launch 2009's 12-round series has emerged.
The FIA World Motorsport Council has voted to award Ireland a round of the World Rally Championship with the provisional dates being Thursday 29 January to Sunday 1 February.
This year's rally proved to be the biggest sporting event in Ireland, with up to 200,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers and the 2009 rally will again be a cross-border event - held in the same regions.
This year's highly successful rally, the first ever such WRC event to take place anywhere in Ireland, ran across eight counties, north and south of the border, and was opened with a 'super special stage' in the grounds of Stormont in Belfast and concluding with a special stage on Sligo's Atlantic coast at Mullaghmore.
Following the FIA's decision Rally Ireland founders Sean O'Connor and Ronan Morgan said they were "honoured that Ireland has been awarded the most prestigious position of opening the 2009 WRC series".
"This is a direct result of the hard work by thousands of volunteers who worked on our event, our fantastic fans and the outstanding levels of political support we have received since we started the project.
"The residents of each stage must also be commended for their co-operation and support in making Rally Ireland the huge success it was," they added.
Sardinia rally picture by: Adam McCalden
See: Millions Tune In As Rally Championships Speed To Stormont
(BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 January 2009
Cross Border Rally Revs Up For Action
Cross Border Rally Revs Up For Action One of the most prestigious rally events in the world accelerates into the border counties this evening.
Cross Border Rally Revs Up For Action
Cross Border Rally Revs Up For Action One of the most prestigious rally events in the world accelerates into the border counties this evening.
13 June 2008
Maximise WRC Rally Boost For West: MacSharry
Picture: (Sardinia Rally), by Adam McCalden A west of Ireland politician has called for some forward thinking ahead of the rerun of a major international sporting event to the area next year.
Maximise WRC Rally Boost For West: MacSharry
Picture: (Sardinia Rally), by Adam McCalden A west of Ireland politician has called for some forward thinking ahead of the rerun of a major international sporting event to the area next year.
25 May 2010
Rally Worth €30M To North West
The Topaz Donegal International Rally is expected to bring €30 million to the North West economy, according to its sponsors. The international event is expected to attract 70,000 spectators this year, 20,000 more than usual owing to the new town stage around Buncrana on the opening day.
Rally Worth €30M To North West
The Topaz Donegal International Rally is expected to bring €30 million to the North West economy, according to its sponsors. The international event is expected to attract 70,000 spectators this year, 20,000 more than usual owing to the new town stage around Buncrana on the opening day.
19 June 2013
Eddie Shaw Resigns Over Anti-Abortion Leaflets Given To Schoolchildren
Eddie Shaw, the man at the centre of the controversy surrounding pro-life leaflets given out to primary school children, has resigned. The leaflets were promoting the anti-abortion legislation rally, Vigil for Life, being held in Dublin on 08 June.
Eddie Shaw Resigns Over Anti-Abortion Leaflets Given To Schoolchildren
Eddie Shaw, the man at the centre of the controversy surrounding pro-life leaflets given out to primary school children, has resigned. The leaflets were promoting the anti-abortion legislation rally, Vigil for Life, being held in Dublin on 08 June.
21 June 2010
Irish Rally Star Dies After Cliff Fall
A young rally driver has died after his car plunged off a cliff at the weekend, during a section of the Donegal International Rally.
Irish Rally Star Dies After Cliff Fall
A young rally driver has died after his car plunged off a cliff at the weekend, during a section of the Donegal International Rally.