Rally Route
The rally covers similar territory to 2007 in the Sligo mountains and Fermanagh lakelands in the north-western counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. After Thursday evening's ceremonial start at Enniskillen Castle, Friday's opening leg covers a massive 164.53km and spans 15 hours. It includes a new stage and much of it is in the mountainous Leitrim and Cavan area of the Republic before crossing into Northern Ireland for two tests in darkness. The second day is based around narrow farm lanes near Enniskillen, in Northern Ireland. The short final leg in the Republic includes a new stage through the streets of Donegal town, which is broadcast live on television. Drivers tackle 19 stages covering 366.75km in a total route of 1405.99km.
ROUND 1 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
29 January - 1 February 2009
Thursday 29 January: Ceremonial start
Start Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen 19.30
Friday 30 January: Day 1 Sligo - Sligo
Start Sligo 07.25 SS1 Glenboy 1 22.25km 08.13 SS2 Cavan 1 15.09km 09.01 SS3 Aughnasheelan 1 25.19km 09.42 Serv A Sligo (30 mins) 11.44 SS4 Glenboy 2 22.25km 13.02 SS5 Cavan 2 15.09km 13.50 SS6 Aughnasheelan 2 25.19km 14.31 Serv B Sligo (30 mins) 16.36 SS7 Murley 24.70km 18.54 SS8 Fardross 14.77km 19.39 Serv C Sligo (45 mins) 21.39 Finish Sligo 22.24
Total 164.53km
Saturday 31 January: Day 2 Sligo - Sligo
Serv D Sligo (15 mins) 06.25 SS9 Sloughan Glen 1 27.76km 08.13 SS10 Ballinamallard 1 25.46km 09.06 SS11 Tempo 1 13.46km 09.49 Serv E Sligo (30 mins) 11.54 SS12 Sloughan Glen 2 27.76km 13.57 SS13 Ballinamallard 2 25.46km 14.50 SS14 Tempo 2 13.46km 15.33 Serv F Sligo (45 mins) 17.18 Finish Sligo 18.03
Total 133.36km
Sunday 1 February: Day 3 Sligo - Sligo
Serv G Sligo (15 mins) 07.40 SS15 Geevagh 11.48km 08.35 SS16 Arigna 27.90km 09.00 SS17 Lough Gill 13.51km 09.51 Serv H Sligo (30 mins) 10.41 SS18 Donegal Bay 14.47km 12.09 SS19 Donegal Town 1.50km 13.10 Serv I Sligo (10 mins) 14.33 Finish Clarion Hotel, Sligo 15.10
Total 68.86km Rally total 366.75km
