Organisers have confirmed that they will run stages from Thursday 20th September through to Saturday 22nd, taking the event, which will incorporate Druidale Motor Clubs’ Duke Stages Rally, back to its traditional format and revered place as one of the biggest challenges in the sport.
Rally Isle of Man Chairman John Gill confirms the news: “The organising team is fully aware of this events standing at the heart of British and Irish rallying. Since the return of the rally was announced many competitors have told us they would like to see it come back as three days. We are proud of the fact that it has a heritage to live up to, and excited that we have been able to ensure that the first step towards that is to deliver a traditional style event.”
“Scrutineering has always taken place during Thursday, and since the cars and competitors are here let’s use the opportunity to re-launch Rally Isle of Man in style!”
The opening evening is set to feature four stages, before daytime and evening legs on Friday and daytime stages throughout Saturday.
The team is also mindful of the current financial environment, both within the sport and generally, and is working to offer the best possible value for money to competitors.
Rally Isle of Man was most recently a three-day event in 2008, when recently-announced event Patron Mark Higgins and co-driver Rory Kennedy scored the closest ever victory in the rally’s history, by just 11.6 seconds over Irish champions Eamonn Boland and Damien Morrissey.
The route for the 2012 edition is currently being confirmed with local authorities and organisers hope to announce further information in the next few days – and whether you’re a competitor, official or spectator, the exciting plans will have you chomping at the bit for the return of Rally Isle of Man!
