This Easter Weekend will once again see the running of the 2005 Circuit of Ireland International Rally, which will be the second round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. This year's event, sponsored by Meteor Electrical - Ireland's premier electrical wholesale suppliers, will take place from 25th to 28th March and once again be based in Enniskillen using the Killyhevlin Hotel as its Headquarters.
The Ulster Automobile Club stated that it was very pleased that the Killyhevlin had agreed to act again as Rally Headquarters and is certain that this will help enhance this year's event.
The Rally's Clerk of the Course, Neil Malcolm, who has been involved with the Circuit since 1976, is in charge of the event for the third year and intends to build on the success of last year's Rally. Neil expects an even bigger entry this year and believes that thousands of rally fans will flock to Enniskillen to watch the 2005 event. Neil has retained some of the changes that he introduced last year, such as the Easter Stages Rally taking place on Easter Saturday, rather than the Monday as had been the case previously, with the crews leading the International competitors onto the stages and having them to themselves in the afternoon.
The big change for 2005 is that the spectator stage at St Angelo will be a Super Special featuring a bridge and a tunnel with two cars going head to head at the same time.
Neil said:
"Such a stage is normally associated with the World Rally Championship but, it is entirely appropriate that the Circuit, the Premier Motorsport Event in Ireland, the country which has the most WRC cars in the world, is the Rally which features such a stage. This will be the first time that World Rally Cars will be seen going head to head on a proper Super Special in Ireland. For this reason we expect large crowds and lots of great rally action so make sure and get down to St Angelo nice and early."
Day one of the Meteor Electrical Circuit of Ireland International Rally will consist of the Spectator Super Special at St Angelo and four closed road stages in the Derrygonnelly / Rossinver / Ballyshannon area, which will be run once before the crews tackle the Super Special again. On Easter Sunday, there will be four stages run twice in the Rosslea / Cootehill / Monaghan area and then the cars will return to the St Angelo Super Special. On Monday, 28th March there will be three stages, which will be run twice - these are located between Ballygawley and Cookstown. The cars will then complete the Super Special and proceed straight to the Finish Arch.
The Meteor Electrical Circuit of Ireland National and Historic Rally will join the International field on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Scrutineering and documentation for all three events will take place at St Angelo on Friday, 25th March.
The Ulster Automobile Club is planning centralised servicing on each day of the event. These will be located at Belcoo on the Saturday, Clones on the Sunday and in Cookstown Main Street on the Monday.
Neil stated,
"As we are all aware, motorsport can be dangerous so I would take this opportunity to ask spectators and members of the press to pay particular attention to any advice given to them by our marshals. They are there to ensure the safe running of the event and not to spoil your enjoyment."
The Ulster Automobile Club would like to thank Meteor Electrical, Fermanagh District Council and the Northern Ireland Events Company for their continued support and welcomes on-board BT Broadband which has agreed to the sponsor the Media Centre.
Speaking at the conference John Conway, Managing Director of Meteor Electrical said:
"Meteor Electrical is proud, once again, to be here today as title sponsor of the 2005 Circuit of Ireland International rally. With time drawing nearer to Easter weekend both the Meteor Staff and myself are becoming increasingly excited about this years event. With new and exciting developments coming to light surrounding the 2005 rally I hope that Meteor can continue to add significantly to the positive profile that the circuit has enjoyed for so many years. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone attending this years event a safe and enjoyable Easter Weekend."
Councillor Gerry McHugh, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, commented:
"Fermanagh District Council is delighted to be associated with such a household name as the Circuit of Ireland and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with the Ulster Automobile Club and the new Sponsors, Meteor Electrical. I have no doubt that both visitors to the county and residents alike will be looking forward to Easter 2005 and will thoroughly enjoy a true sporting spectacle"
Entry forms and regulations for all three events have been published and are available from the Club Office in Holywood or can be downloaded from the Club's website ulsterautomobileclub.co.uk . A number of entries have already been received. Given the time restrictions imposed by the Road Closing Order, the Club expects that it will not be able to facilitate all the entries it receives. Neil Malcolm's advice therefore is "if you want to take part in any of the three rallies being held at Easter, get your entry in early as 25th February is the closing date."
Rally Programmes containing the Entry Lists and maps of the stages will be available from businesses in Enniskillen and further a field during the week leading up to the Rally. Programmes can also be ordered on the Internet from justrally.co.uk
