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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.
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.
See: Millions Tune In As Rally Championships Speed To Stormont
(BMcC)
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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.
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.
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.
30 November 2011
Circuit Of Ireland Success 'Racing Certainty'
News that the Circuit of Ireland Rally will be part of the famous Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC) in 2012 has been welcomed. DUP MLA Gordon Dunne has welcomed what he called an exciting development: "To have secured a sporting event of this magnitude is fantastic news for Northern Ireland both in terms of tourism and the economy.
Circuit Of Ireland Success 'Racing Certainty'
News that the Circuit of Ireland Rally will be part of the famous Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC) in 2012 has been welcomed. DUP MLA Gordon Dunne has welcomed what he called an exciting development: "To have secured a sporting event of this magnitude is fantastic news for Northern Ireland both in terms of tourism and the economy.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
