Printable View
http://circuitofireland.tv/ to stream live footage from the Easter Stages Rally across the world for 12 hours on Saturday 30th March !!
Entries:
http://www.easterstages.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/seeded_list_for_programme_final_18mar13.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=2qbSgFAEHww
Easter Stages Rally Cancelled
The management of the Easter Stages Rally, due to take place this weekend across Counties Down and Antrim, have been forced to cancel the event. The decision has been made in light of the hardship being faced by residents in the area, and the heavy snow. :(
The event was scheduled to start on Saturday in Lisburn and finish in Ballynahinch later that evening.
The reason given was the heavy snow in the counties and also the hardship being faced by residents in the area as a result.
A number of roads in the Dromara Hills area, around Slieve Croob, made up part of the rally's route - but they are currently buried under snowdrifts of up to 12ft.
Event spokesperson Bobby Willis said: "People in the area, particularly farmers, are facing critical issues at the moment, including the loss and death of livestock. Therefore, the management team has decided unanimously that it is inappropriate for the rally to continue.
"As well as conveying sensitivity to people in the area at this time of hardship, our fear is also that the road closures that are necessary for the rally to run, may further hamper what has become crucial access in the area.
"The rally could also put additional pressure on emergency services, which are already stretched."
He added: "We are currently exploring alternatives to run the rally at a later date but, whilst we have had a huge setback, our sights are now firmly set on the Circuit of Ireland 2014 and returning the European Rally Championship to Northern Ireland."
The one-day Triton Easter Stages Rally was set to replace the Circuit of Ireland Rally in 2013, which was postponed due to insufficient funding.
Mr Willis said that a huge number of entries had been received for the event, which was to feature as Round 2 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and Round 3 of the Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship.
"We are all disappointed and for sure the competitors will be too," said Bobby, "but we must remember that this is a sport, and right now there are more pressing issues in the area. The farmers and residents are having a terrible time and we should definitely be thinking of them.
"We would like to thank everyone who has assisted and supported the rally to date. Over the next week we will have a clearer vision of where we go from here and we will let everyone know."
Easter Stages Rally 2013 website
Sounds good