16-02-09: Organisers of the MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship are pleased to announce that Hankook Tyres will sponsor the 2009 series, and all 10 rounds are to be televised on UTV, Setanta Sports and Motors TV through the popular television show, RPM Motorsport!

The 2009 championship, which kicks off at County Down's Kirkistown Race Circuit on Saturday 21 February, will be known as the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship.

"We're delighted to be associated with such a strong rally championship," Hankook dealer Niall Murray said. "It goes without saying that television coverage is a huge help to any sponsor. We're looking forward to the season ahead and I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful year of rallying!"

The Hankook sponsored series will cover the length and breadth of Northern Ireland, with competitors facing a range of challenges. The championship kicks off with two race circuit based events at Kirkistown and Bishopscourt, before moving to closed roads and forestry rallies.

"We've been working very hard during the winter months to secure a number of new opportunities for the series," said championship co-ordinator, Kieran O'Neill, "so it's fantastic to welcome Hankook Tyres on board as title sponsor."

"Superdrive and Sunoco Fuels are also returning as two-wheel drive and Group N sponsors, while Montgomery Motorsport will sponsor the new historic category. It will be a tremendous year, and the addition of UTV's television coverage is the icing on the cake!"

"None of this would have been possible without the support of our previous title sponsor, Pacenotes Rally Magazine," O'Neill continued. "Over the past five years, Pacenotes has helped raise the profile and increase the coverage of what is one of the most competitive championships in the UK and Ireland. On behalf of the rallies committee, I'd like to thank them for their support, and wish them well in their new ventures."

With details of the 2009 Hankook championship announced, interest in the series is at an all time high. Already, Kirkistown's Eurocables/Pedro Stages Rally has received more than 80 entries, ensuring that competition will be tougher than ever!