NORTHERN IRISH RALLY LULL TO END WITH LATEST NI CHAMPIONSHIP
Eight-time Northern Irish Rally champion Derek McGarrity will return to the contest this year after series organisers recently confirmed that the championship will go ahead in 2021.
Competition returns this month at the spectator-free Bishopscourt Stages – the first rally in over a year to take place anywhere in Northern Ireland – before the Dogleap Stages on August 7 and the Loughgall Stages a fortnight later.
A new addition to the series, promoters have added a closedroad test in addition to those that are based within the confines of Loughgall Country Park. Back-toback closed-road events round off the rejigged championship, with the popular Tour of the Sperrins Rally on October 16 followed by the Tyrone Stages on November 6.
Multiple champion McGarrity has welcomed the news, telling Motorsport News: “I am really looking forward to getting back at it again with there being no competition for so long. For sure, I will be going all out to retain the championship again.
“I have my car – which has been fully rebuilt during the extended break – sitting, ready to go.”
With no spectators allowed at Bishopscourt, the chair of Northern Ireland’s Stage Rallies’ Committee is asking fans to be patient as the Northern Ireland Executive eases lockdown restrictions to bring it into line with the rest of the UK.
“The opening round will be a tentative first step back for rallying and everyone is working hard to ensure we have a safe, Covid-compliant rally,” explained Raymond Linton.
“We know fans are keen to get back on the stages and watch the action, but we must operate our opening round in line with government guidelines.”