The countdown to Rally Ireland has begun in earnest today with the release of the entry list of the 90 competitors who will take to the roads of Belfast and the north-western border counties next month as Ireland makes its debut in the World Rally Championship.

Twenty one countries are represented on the Rally Ireland entry list, with competitors coming from as far as Qatar, Japan and the USA, and an impressive entry of 53 competitors from the island of Ireland, north and south. The Key battle on the event is likely to be between reigning World Champion Sebastien Loeb, the French Citroen competitor and Finland's Marcus Gronholm of BP Ford, who currently leads the Driver's Championship by just four points.

The only female driver taking part is Emma McKinstry from Banbridge, County Down. A daughter of Irish rally legend Kenny McKinstry, Emma has competed in the 2006 Rally Ireland candidate event and is a regular on national and International rallies. The three members of the MacHale family are also set to make an impression as father Austin and sons Gareth and Aaron all take to the roads in their Ford Focus WRC cars.

In a country that has a higher percentage of WRC cars than any other in the world, 34 WRC cars are entered, with 11 makes from BMW to Toyota making the start list. All will be competing for one prize; the "Hands Across the Divide" trophy specially commissioned by Rally Ireland.

@Rallyinfo be sure to keep us up to date regarding any Stage info

Not sure if any of you have seen them yet, but I stumbled on the stage routes earlier today Rally Ireland // About

They're included in Appendix 2 I think and the itinerary is Appendix 1....

Chris

Not sure if any of you have seen them yet, but I stumbled on the stage routes earlier today Rally Ireland // About

They're included in Appendix 2 I think and the itinerary is Appendix 1....

Chris

Cool, maps and all

Donnelly had the Fabia out on Sunday in preperation from Rally Ireland, he finished 2nd.

SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT C C WEST CORK HOTEL FASTNET STAGES RALLY AT SKIBBEREEN (FINAL ROUND OF DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP):

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Focus WRC) 65m 40s,

2 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Fabia WRC) 66m 39s,

3 Tim McNulty/Eugene O

course is being built at stormont now...

Rally // Gallery

If you see any Pacenotes snappers/Journos in our red Pacenotes jackets come and say hello we are all Skoda Vrs owners.:rally:

Not anymore Mr Rally Snapper!!

I forgot Rally Info has bought a Subaru pocket rocket. I was looking forward to Rally Info getting hold of this mighty Subaru before Rally Ireland, he would have been the fastest Journo at the event on wheels bar any traffic jams...

I forgot Rally Info has bought a Subaru pocket rocket. I was looking forward to Rally Info getting hold of this mighty Subaru before Rally Ireland, he would have been the fastest Journo at the event on wheels bar any traffic jams...

You're assuming that this Scooby is fast?

Oh it's fast alright... lol Shame it won't be here 'til the first week in December, but at least I can treat myself with an early Christmas present!

Now I just need some shares in Shell or BP... lol

Oh it's fast alright... lol Shame it won't be here 'til the first week in December, but at least I can treat myself with an early Christmas present!

Now I just need some shares in Shell or BP... lol

So that means you'll still have the RS then?

Nope, all being well it will have a new home in Scotland next week

Nope, all being well it will have a new home in Scotland next week

congrats on the sale...

don't forget 2 recomend briskoda.net to him...

Unfortunately I ain't gonna make the Rally, I can't shake this dose I have

Unfortunately I ain't gonna make the Rally, I can't shake this dose I have

:eek: dose. i thought u said u had flu???

:eek: dose. i thought u said u had flu???

Dose of the flu/cold......I dunno what the hell it is but can't shake it

I paid a visit to Gaff this evening to collect some "parcels" for the WRC and can confirm that Gaff does have a bad case, not helped by a dodgy back.

Sleep, bed rest, Lemsip and Strepsils are my prescription to sort you out Gaff ! (Please not I said nothing about glued to the PC all day )

"parcels" for the WRC

:wrthless::wrthless::wrthless:

(Please not I said nothing about glued to the PC all day )

:P

Ya better bring back Pics wit ya

Ya better bring back Pics wit ya

Pics were hard to get, and the flood lighting killed any action pic there were. I have one or two still shots and will post them up when I get back from Eindhoven.

Just posted a pic of the fabia a mate took in the Fabia section

Steve

Loeb in driving seat for Championship victory

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb steered his Citroen C4 WRC through the final stages today (Sunday 18th) without incident to take victory in the inaugural Rally Ireland WRC.

Loeb completed his victory with a 53 second lead over his Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo and Finn Jari-Matti Latvala, taking his first WRC podium, finished third. Loeb now takes a six-point advantage over Finn Marcus Gronholm into the final round of the Championship, Wales Rally GB, in two weeks'' time. Ford Motorsport''s consolation came in the form of winning their 2nd consecutive WRC Manufacturer''s title courtesy of Mikko Hirvonen''s 4th place finish.

Loeb was presented with the Hands Across the Divide trophy by Ministers Mary Coughlan and Margaret Ritchie, representing the Irish and Northern Ireland governments. The trophy represents the cross-border co-operation of Rally Ireland.

Gareth McHale led the Irish challenge over the weekend and gained his second points finish in the WRC when he came home in 8th place. Previously, McHale finished 6 th in Rally Mexico 2006.

Fermanagh driver Niall McShea completed an excellent weekend for Irish rallying when he took victory in the PWRC category. McShea previously won the PWRC Championship in the WRC in the 2004.