PICTURES | Top class rally action returns to Longford

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Escabar was the venue on Sunday last for the launch for the upcoming car rally on the Sunday, March 5 in Longford.

Approximately sixty people attended the event with invited guests, sponsors and rally enthusiasts alike getting all the information on this much anticipated event. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

It's been four years since the Midland Motor Club ran such an event which is a round of three different championships.

Following a photo shoot in the garden area of Escabar, the club held a reception where a presentation was given on the rally.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Turlough McGovern spoke about the benefits of having such an event in Longford and wished the club the very best over the week-end.

Orlagh Reynolds from the Longford Arms, who is joint sponsor of the event, said she was looking forward to the rally and what it will bring to not just to Longford town but to the wider area of county Longford.

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Gerry Rowley, representing Admore Air Corp as joint sponsor, said they were delighted to be involved in the event and was looking forward to seeing motorsport action over the weekend.

Inspector Declan McGlynn from Longford Garda Station spoke about the safety aspect of the rally and was working closely with the club to ensure a safe and enjoyable rally for everyone involved. He wished the club well and hoped everyone would have an enjoyable weekend in Longford.

The Clerk of the Course Seamus McTigue then gave an overview of the rally and the location of stages and service areas. He thanked all the sponsors of the event, the officials, and in particular the residents along the rally route.

He thanked the businesses of Templemichael Business Park where Service will be held together with St Mel's College for Parc fermé. He stressed the need for everyone to keep safe on the roads during the rally and to ‘Keep the Race in its place’ by leaving the racing to the rally drivers and not on the open roads around Longford.

The weekend kicks off on Saturday, March 4 with a ceremonial start outside the Longford Arms Hotel at 7pm where people can get an opportunity to view the cars and drivers before going back to Parc fermé.

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On Sunday, March 5, the action starts early with the first stage at 9.30am. The cars will traverse the route of three stages around the Drumlish, Ballinalee and Moydow areas before heading for service for the first time at approximately 11am and then completing another loop of three stages, service before doing the final loop of stages.

The cars are due back into Parc fermé at 4.45pm. Rally programmes will be available in shops and service stations around Longford on the lead up to the rally.