Entries have now opened for the 47th Rally Isle of Man, which takes place from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th July 2010.Formerly the Manx International Rally, it once again features as a high profile round of the UK’s principal rally championships.
The Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship – Round 4
Reigning British champion Keith Cronin was narrowly denied victory on the Isle of Man International Rally last year after a stunning two-day battle with local hero Mark Higgins.
The Cork driver has already set down a marker in defence of his crown, but the islands roads will provide one of the toughest challenges of the year for all the competitors, across all the events.
In the International Rally that will include crews from the Citroën Racing Trophy, the Ford Fiesta SportTrophy, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge and the Swift Sport Cup.
The Dunlop/Wanago MSA British Historic Rally Championship - Round 5
Gwyndaf Evans electrified the island in 2009 at the wheel of a MkII Ford Escort and the 25th year of the Isle of Man Historic Rally is once again set to be a highlight of the championship. In addition the event will welcome crews tackling the HRCR Cup and the Water End Asphalt Cup
The BRC Challenge - Rounds 4 & 5
Some of the closest competition in British rallying, incorporating the Fiesta SportChallenge and the Citroën C2R2 Challenge Cup, is set to become even tougher as local crews join the fray in numbers for the first time over the double-header Isle of Man Challenge Rally.
As in 2009 the action will this year take place over two days. In making this move the organisers have responded to the requests of competitors and officials to reduce the time required away from work and home. However, as the old saying goes, ‘it’s an event that’s never easily won!’
The International Rally covers 153 stage miles over 21 of the islands famed closed-roads tests. The Historic Rally faces 20 of those covering 142 miles, while 17 stages covering 134 miles await the Challenge Rally crews.
Among the changes for 2010 is an extension to the reconnaissance period as a direct result of competitor feedback, with Wednesday 7th July included from the afternoon. Competitors will be allowed two passes of each stage, with four days available to choose from. Also new is a ceremonial start on Thursday evening, 8th July.
The day will begin with scrutineering and documentation at the TT Grandstand in Douglas, which will be the Rally HQ and central service area throughout the event.
The action will then begin with the ‘shakedown’ stage, running that tea-time (5.15 – 7.30pm). It will be followed with the high-profile start in the centre of Douglas from 8pm.
The rally itself is set to depart Douglas at 10.30am on Friday at the start of a testing eleven hour day, taking in no fewer than 13 special closed public roads stages across the island.
A further eight tests follow on Saturday, and the winners should be spraying the champagne at around 4pm, having battled a 340 mile route.
Entries for all events close on Friday 18th June, so act now and join us in July - last year over 130 rally crews took up the unique challenge of Rally Isle of Man, come and be part of the buzz created by some of the fastest asphalt rallying in the world!
Regulations and entry forms are available now for download from the event website at www.rallyisleofman.co.im, or by contacting the rally office on 44 (0)1624 852 440.
In addition to the regulations, the event has also recently published the Rally Guide, which contains further information to help anyone planning to visit, and the Sponsorship Brochure with details of commercial partnering opportunities. Both are available via the website.
