RALLYING TO CROSS THE BRIDGE

Mayo & District Motorsport Club are delighted to announce that after a break of 11 years they will return to the Island of Achill where the 2017 annual Mayo Stages Rally takes place on Sunday the 12th of March.

Over the last few years Ballina and its surrounding area has been home to the Mayo Stages Rally and Mayo & District Motorsport Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all their sponsors, associated businesses in Ballina and the surrounding area, the local residents, Great National Hotel Ballina, Kevin Kennedy Motors, the Garda Siochana and Mayo County Council for their unprecedented support over the years.

2016 was an exciting year with it being the 40th anniversary of the club and the rally did not fail to impress with a record entry list and a crew travelling from the US to compete.

On the 6th of March last it was Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy who took the crown in their Subaru S12 WRC closely followed by Peadar Hurson and Damien Connolly in a simular machine.  We hope to see them all make a return visit to Mayo and head up the entry list this March.

This year’s Mayo Stages Rally will challenge competitors as they weave their way along the dramatic scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way, taking in some of the most beautiful picturesque beaches and the best driving roads in the country from start to finish.  This rally is totally unique as it is the only Irish motorsport event to be held on an island this year and it is guaranteed to be spectacular. It promises to be an exciting race fuelled weekend for competitors and spectators alike and is a must for all the family.

We wish to thank Óstán Oileán Acla who have come on board as main sponsor for the event and will host rally HQ from 10th-12th of March. As a counting round of the extremely popular Sligo Pallets Border Championship, this event is gearing up to be a busy one with competing crews from all over the country and even further afield already making plans to descend on the island, where they will take to the stages on Sunday the 12th of March.

Trevor O’Connell (Clerk of the Course) and his team have decided to keep things interesting with a change from the normal format. There will be two stages run three times covering approximately 100 stage kilometres in this fantastic location. With a tight loop from start to finish, the competing crews can look forward to a laid back start to the weekend as the HQ, scrutiny, trailer park, stages and service area are all on the Island. The only thing that could delay you on the Saturday is stopping to take in the views that line these amazing stages. Be sure to take in the scenery as you will get little chance to see them when the 5 count starts. The stages offer a mixture of fast open roads with many tight sections which will challenge even the most experienced navigators.   We hope you are up to the challenge and look forward to welcoming you all to Achill.

Regards,

Press Relations Officer

Alan McGuire.

Email; mayomclub@yahoo.com