Lack of rally action offers chance to reflect on decades of motorsport
This will be a July like no other. With no rally to look forward to, we can reflect on 40 years of motorsport in Sligo.
Since 1980 with only one other exception, (the nation’s health impacted on that occasion by the threat of Foot and Mouth in 2001), Sligo’s Motorsport highlight has always been Sligo Stages Rally.
Little did we think back in late 2019 when Ultan Mc Gowan, the newly appointed C.O.C. who was taking on the mantle for his first time, that 2020 was going to bring unprecedented disruption to life as we know it, let alone impact severely on people’s lives in an effort to protect our nation’s health.
Thankfully with the combined efforts and sacrifices of everyone the consequences were not as severe as they could have been, but that’s not withstanding the suffering of those who contracted the virus or sadly lost loved ones due to the pandemic.
With no events taking place we can imagine where we would be had this nightmare not grasped the globe and reflect on the planning which would have taken place and the euphoria which would engulf the region on the Rally weekend of July 12th.
In the run up to this weekend, all the communication with neighbouring clubs would have sought hosts of support of officials, marshals, timekeepers, radio personnel totalling in the region of 350 individuals who travel from extremities of Clare to Cavan, Monaghan to Mayo, Donegal to Galway, Longford and many more, to voluntarily help to run our event. These dedicated enthusiasts would have left home before dawn to arrive at a prescribed meeting point in Sligo by 7.30/ 8am on the Sunday morning.
The stage teams would have already spent a number of months communicating with and building up a relationship with the communities which the rally was due to take place.
As a vital link in the chain of trust which allows for road closing, enabling a rally to run in a controlled and safe environment.
Attracting large crowds of spectators and overnighters to the region in turn benefits the local economy.
The planning by competitors and crews in the preparation of a competition car would have consumed numerous hours and late nights, focusing on the rally date as a deadline.
The production of safety notes on the day prior to the event enables crews to have confidence driving the stages in a competitive manner on the day. Mechanical Scrutiny on the Saturday evening has become a big attraction and since hosting in recent years at Sligo Retail Park, the appealing setting has reached out to young an old alike.
The departure of the cars on the Sunday morning from the elevated retail park, with a clear view of Knocknarea as a backdrop, has been captured by numerous motorsport media.
Unfortunately Rally 2020 will not be as we know it but we can reflect on the 40 years of motorsport in Sligo, those who competed, the winners and losers, those businesses who supported the events, and the many enthusiasts who gave their time generously to make the events happen.