TEAMS will tackle six stages in Co Antrim this afternoon in their respective opening legs of the Todds Leap Ulster Rally and the Todds Leap International Rally Northern Ireland, part of the Irish Tarmac Rally and Dulux Trade British Rally championships.

ALTHOUGH senior officials of Motorsport Ireland (MI) met with FIA vice-president Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week, a return for Rally Ireland as a round of the World Rally Championship is still based on the availability of finance.

The rest of the first day's action at Rally Ireland has been abandoned due to flooding.

The economic impact of the World Rally Championship in the north west of the country is estimated at €46m, according to research by the University of Ulster.

Marcus Gronholm was victorious on home soil as he won a seventh Rally Finland title to extend his FIA World Rally Championship lead to 13 points.

FIA World Rally Championship leader Marcus Gronholm was in imperious form on day one of Rally Finland in Jyvaskyla on Friday.

FORMER team manager to Billy Coleman, Mayo-based Tom Walsh has been appointed as clerk of the course for Rally Ireland’s debut in the 2007 World Rally Championship.

THE start of the Irish Tarmac Championship looms — beginning with the Galway International Rally — and Pirelli Tyres are the series sponsor.

FIA World Rally Championship, Rally of New Zealand