12/09/06 - Rathfriland Motor Club is delighted to announce our plans for the 2006 McGrady Insurance Down Rally. After it’s inaugural event in 2005 to bid for championship status, we are pleased to be hosting the eighth and penultimate round of the MSA Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship – Northern Ireland’s premier rally championship. New for 2006,we will also be hosting a counting round of the Superdrive Motorsports Centre 2 Wheel Drive Challenge.

The event will be held on Saturday 21st October 2006 and will be based at the Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle and will consist of 9 gravel stages (up to 40 stage miles) in the Newcastle, Rostrevor and Kilkeel region with a centralised service park in Newcastle’s Donard Park.

As a round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, we can expect entries from all over the province, which in turn should give a significant boost to the local economy. Top rally teams such as Kevin Lynch and Martin McNicholl, Glen Allen and Damien Connolly and not forgetting last years winner Sean Devine all in their respective World Rally Cars.

The close battle for the 2006 Championship title is now heating up and like last year could be decided on the penultimate round. This will make for a great battle over our 9 special stages and would be a great opportunity to crown the 2006 Northern Ireland Rally Champions in Newcastle Town Centre.

The Newcastle and East Down region has a proud rallying history as the town played host to the Circuit of Ireland Rally in the mid '70s and early '90s. The Down Rally will re-ignite this motorsport tradition and will provide a new treat for many local rally fans.

Below is a brief outline of this year’s event.

Rally Headquarters
Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle.

Event Format
9 Stages. 95% Gravel & 5% Tarmac (Up to 40 Stage Miles)

Mechanical Scrutiny
Newcastle, Co Down.

Documentation
At Rally Headquarters.

Driver’s Briefing
At Rally Headquarters, Sat 21st @ 08:30hrs

Event Start
At Rally Headquarters, Sat 21st @ 09:01hrs

Services
Donard Park, Newcastle
@ 11:13hrs (30mins)
& 13:44hrs (40mins)

Event Finish
At Rally Headquarters @ 17:00hrs

Entries Close
Saturday 7th October 2006

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