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29/01/2009
Cross Border Rally Revs Up For Action
One of the most prestigious rally events in the world accelerates into the border counties this evening.
For only the second time ever, top name drivers are revving up, ready to take part in the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2009, with all the stages again taking place around the west of Ireland - covering both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.
World Champion, Sébastien Loeb, who won Rally Ireland in 2007, (pictured here racing to an earlier victory by Adam McCalden), is glad to be contesting the event once again.
"The first time we came here everything went well for us and the result proved decisive in our bid to win a fourth world title," recalls the champion Citroen driver.
Commentators relate that the region's fast yet narrow stages are famed for being very bumpy, but the terrain suits the Citroën C4 WRC, since Loeb and teammate, Dani Sordo came first and second in the 2007 event.
Late this afternoon, NI Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell, kicked off the event in scenic Enniskillen and said: "It's Enniskillen's turn to be centre stage with the magnificent Castle and breathtaking Fermanagh scenery providing a striking backdrop for the opening ceremony of the WRC and the first stage of the rally.
"I am particularly pleased that my department has provided significant funding of £850,000 towards the Rally Ireland event and that a region west of the Bann is to benefit from this prestigious rally championship," he said, noting that, for international broadcasters, it will provide spectacular TV pictures of the Fermanagh Lakelands, and showcase Northern Ireland to audiences all over the world.
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster also said: "Rally Ireland presents a major opportunity to promote Northern Ireland to an international audience. When the event last took place here in 2007, it attracted over 250,000 spectators and reached almost 90 million people across the globe."
The cross-border rally is all the more important as it launches the prestigious 12-round global series.
Following Rally Ireland's 2007 success - which ran across eight counties, north and south, and concluded with a special stage on Sligo's Atlantic coast at Mullaghmore - this year's event will also be a cross-border initiative taking place in the same region.
(BMcC/JM)
For only the second time ever, top name drivers are revving up, ready to take part in the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2009, with all the stages again taking place around the west of Ireland - covering both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.
World Champion, Sébastien Loeb, who won Rally Ireland in 2007, (pictured here racing to an earlier victory by Adam McCalden), is glad to be contesting the event once again.
"The first time we came here everything went well for us and the result proved decisive in our bid to win a fourth world title," recalls the champion Citroen driver.
Commentators relate that the region's fast yet narrow stages are famed for being very bumpy, but the terrain suits the Citroën C4 WRC, since Loeb and teammate, Dani Sordo came first and second in the 2007 event.
Late this afternoon, NI Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell, kicked off the event in scenic Enniskillen and said: "It's Enniskillen's turn to be centre stage with the magnificent Castle and breathtaking Fermanagh scenery providing a striking backdrop for the opening ceremony of the WRC and the first stage of the rally.
"I am particularly pleased that my department has provided significant funding of £850,000 towards the Rally Ireland event and that a region west of the Bann is to benefit from this prestigious rally championship," he said, noting that, for international broadcasters, it will provide spectacular TV pictures of the Fermanagh Lakelands, and showcase Northern Ireland to audiences all over the world.
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster also said: "Rally Ireland presents a major opportunity to promote Northern Ireland to an international audience. When the event last took place here in 2007, it attracted over 250,000 spectators and reached almost 90 million people across the globe."
The cross-border rally is all the more important as it launches the prestigious 12-round global series.
Following Rally Ireland's 2007 success - which ran across eight counties, north and south, and concluded with a special stage on Sligo's Atlantic coast at Mullaghmore - this year's event will also be a cross-border initiative taking place in the same region.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
