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30/01/2009
Pouring Rain Slows Rally World Champion
Rally Ireland is well and truly underway in the North West today as the first of an expected 250,000 spectators braved pouring rain and winds, and freezing temperatures over the rest of the weekend, to view the three-day spectacle, which opens the World rally Championships for 2009.
The rally officially started in Enniskillen yesterday with the last stage to hit Donegal Town on Sunday afternoon.
The crowds are not being put-off though by a controversial €25 euro charge to view the final stage in Donegal town.
The charge has been defended by a local political representative, Councillor Johnathon Kennedy, who also added that the fee is just an option for two small areas in the town.
Meanwhile, as rain poured down this morning, five-times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb began the defence of his title at Rally Ireland poorly and initially had fallen behind, with atrocious conditions forcing him into third place in the first stages, which began last night in Co Fermanagh.
However, he quickly recovered and is now back today leading the field.
Loeb, who was leading his teammate Dani Sordo by 44.4 seconds by Friday afternnon, was clearly much happier with the afternoon stages, having stated his preference for a boat rather than a car this morning in the teeming rain: "It was very good that time," he said after Stage 5 - "There wasn't as much water and the grip was a lot better."
The ceremonial opening in Enniskillen on Thursday was followed by the start of competitive action in Glenboy, Co Leitrim early in the darkness this morning.
Loeb, is aiming for a sixth successive title, and will again be the man to beat.
His main rivals will be his Citroen team-mate Daniel Sordo and Ford duo Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.
Ford are the sole remaining major rival to the Citroen team after the withdrawals of Japanese manufacturers Subaru and Suzuki because of the current world financial crisis.
Other changes to this year's championship include the staging of the opener in Ireland, as opposed to Monte Carlo, which has been the traditional curtain-raiser since 1973.
(BMcC/JM)
The rally officially started in Enniskillen yesterday with the last stage to hit Donegal Town on Sunday afternoon.
The crowds are not being put-off though by a controversial €25 euro charge to view the final stage in Donegal town.
The charge has been defended by a local political representative, Councillor Johnathon Kennedy, who also added that the fee is just an option for two small areas in the town.
Meanwhile, as rain poured down this morning, five-times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb began the defence of his title at Rally Ireland poorly and initially had fallen behind, with atrocious conditions forcing him into third place in the first stages, which began last night in Co Fermanagh.
However, he quickly recovered and is now back today leading the field.
Loeb, who was leading his teammate Dani Sordo by 44.4 seconds by Friday afternnon, was clearly much happier with the afternoon stages, having stated his preference for a boat rather than a car this morning in the teeming rain: "It was very good that time," he said after Stage 5 - "There wasn't as much water and the grip was a lot better."
The ceremonial opening in Enniskillen on Thursday was followed by the start of competitive action in Glenboy, Co Leitrim early in the darkness this morning.
Loeb, is aiming for a sixth successive title, and will again be the man to beat.
His main rivals will be his Citroen team-mate Daniel Sordo and Ford duo Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.
Ford are the sole remaining major rival to the Citroen team after the withdrawals of Japanese manufacturers Subaru and Suzuki because of the current world financial crisis.
Other changes to this year's championship include the staging of the opener in Ireland, as opposed to Monte Carlo, which has been the traditional curtain-raiser since 1973.
(BMcC/JM)
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02 February 2009
Rain Fails To Dampen Loeb's Rally Ireland Victory
Torrential rain and the cancellation of two stages of the opening round of the World Rally Championships failed to halt another victory by French driver Sebastien Loeb at the wekend.
Rain Fails To Dampen Loeb's Rally Ireland Victory
Torrential rain and the cancellation of two stages of the opening round of the World Rally Championships failed to halt another victory by French driver Sebastien Loeb at the wekend.
01 December 2008
Lakelands Launch For World Rally Championships
Although there's no super, high profile Belfast launch at Stormont this year, Rally Ireland 2009 will start instead in the lakelands of Fermanagh. January 29 will mark the revised ceremonial start of Rally Ireland 2009, which takes place in Enniskillen and the event proper will begin the following morning with the first stage in Cavan.
Lakelands Launch For World Rally Championships
Although there's no super, high profile Belfast launch at Stormont this year, Rally Ireland 2009 will start instead in the lakelands of Fermanagh. January 29 will mark the revised ceremonial start of Rally Ireland 2009, which takes place in Enniskillen and the event proper will begin the following morning with the first stage in Cavan.
06 November 2007
Rally Ireland Revs Up
Ireland north and south is to get a global audience next week with some 46 countries screening full live coverage of two of the special stages from Rally Ireland.
Rally Ireland Revs Up
Ireland north and south is to get a global audience next week with some 46 countries screening full live coverage of two of the special stages from Rally Ireland.
16 November 2007
Championship Leader Races Out Of Belfast - Into Hospital - And Out Of The Race
There was high drama on Friday afternoon as Marcus Gronholm, who has been leading the World Rally Championship - and his co-driver, Timo Rautiainen - were taken to Sligo General hospital following a collision on Stage Four of the inaugural Irish round of the event.
Championship Leader Races Out Of Belfast - Into Hospital - And Out Of The Race
There was high drama on Friday afternoon as Marcus Gronholm, who has been leading the World Rally Championship - and his co-driver, Timo Rautiainen - were taken to Sligo General hospital following a collision on Stage Four of the inaugural Irish round of the event.
26 November 2008
Stormont Rally Stalls
There will be no high-octane Stormont launch for the World Rally Championships first event of 2009.
Stormont Rally Stalls
There will be no high-octane Stormont launch for the World Rally Championships first event of 2009.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
