The penultimate round of the Pirelli-supported MSA British Rally Championship will move to Northern Ireland this week for the second all-asphalt round of the series, the Todds Leap Rally Northern Ireland (17-18 August).Based in Antrim, Todds Leap Rally Northern Ireland returns to the region for the fourth time and features 122 competitive miles over 14 stages in the Antrim and mid-Ulster regions. It will kick off at 12.45 on Friday 17 August with a ceremonial start at Junction One Outlet Shopping Centre, and finishes at 17.40 on Saturday 18 August.In addition to Rally Northern Ireland, the two-wheel-drive only round of the British Rally Championship, other events under the Ulster Rally title include rounds of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, British and Irish Historic Rally Championships. A mixture of 15-inch to 17-inch RX7, RX5 and RE7 Pirelli asphalt tyres will be on offer for the crews competing in the fith round of the UKs premier rally series. The RX7 is a medium compound tyre for dry conditions, while the RE7 is for dry and damp conditions and can be used as a full wet. The N3 will also be available in 15-inch size for wet conditions. This years Pirelli Star Driver, Jukka Korhonen, will travel from his native Finland where he was competing on Rally Finland, round eight of the World Rally Championship. Korhonen made his competitive debut on asphalt back in May where he finished second in class on the Jim Clark International Rally at the wheel of a TEG prepared Skoda Fabia S2000.
The organisers of Wales Rally GB are asking budding and experienced motorsport marshals to sign up quickly in order to support the 2012 event, which takes place earlier than usual from 13th to 16th September. The deadline to register interest is just a couple of weeks away (24th August 2012) and places are filling up quickly.
In total, around 3,000 volunteers help ensure that Wales Rally GB takes place each year, from the marshals responsible for the smooth and safe running of each stage, to the volunteers running the service parks. Opportunities to marshal are available on all three days of the event, although the weekend stages are always the most popular.
Andrew Coe, chief executive of Wales Rally GB organiser International Motor Sports, comments: We take great pride in being able to work with volunteers from the wealth of passionate motorsport fans in Wales and throughout the UK, rather than having to rely on a commercial third party supplier.
So many people get involved because, not only does marshalling look good on your CV, but it also gives you the chance to get close to the world class sporting action. The days might be long, and the weather not always the most hospitablealthough a September date may improve our chances of sunshine! Nevertheless, there is a real sense of camaraderie among the ranks of the fantastic Wales Rally GB marshals and everyone always has lots of fun whilst still doing an essential job.
Interested volunteer marshals for Wales Rally GB 2012 should email staffing@walesrallygb.com to receive instructions on registering at www.msauk.org and www.rallystageteam.co.uk. The final deadline to register as a marshal on the event is Friday, 24th August 2012.
All marshals will be eligible for a ten per cent discount on Wales Rally GB official merchandise purchased from Performance Clothing pre and on-event. Additionally, eligible marshals will be able to gain free access to Wednesdays Practice and Qualifying sessions on production of the 2012 marshal vehicle pass. For more details about these benefits, please contact staffing@walesrallygb.com.
Tickets for Wales Rally GB 2012 are on sale now at www.walesrallygb.com.
