Craig Breen has been voted World Rally Driver of the Year by the WRC.

Craig Breen is on the verge of a second World Rally Championship title in two years as he heads to Spain this weekend for the Rally de Espana, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

On what was his first rally in over eight months, Wexford’s James Stafford, in his rear wheel drive Darrian T90 GTR, took a well-earned victory in the Kilkenny-based Raven’s Rock Rally.

These are difficult times for all involved in Irish motorsport and while Sunday’s Circuit of Munster Rally is going ahead as planned, a number of the top crews have withdrawn as a mark of respect following the fatalities at last week’s Cavan Rally.

IRISH interest in next month’s Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the 2012 World Rally Championship, has been severely diluted as Tyrone’s Kris Meeke and his Kerry co-driver, Paul Nagle do not appear on the 89-strong entry list that was announced earlier this week.

DUNLOP National Rally champion, Tim McNulty will receive the Vard Memorial Trophy at the National Rally Championship awards ceremony at the Clayton Hotel, Galway tomorrow night.

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.

THESE are busy times for Craig Breen, yet another emerging Irish rallying star.

Jean Todt was today elected the new president of the FIA following a landslide victory over Ari Vatanen.

Jean Todt has today confirmed his candidature for the role of FIA president.

MAX MOSLEY may have confirmed he will not stand for re-election as FIA president, but in proposing Jean Todt as his successor, the 69-year-old has opened up a whole new can of worms.

Rally Ireland kicked off the World Rally Championship in torrential rain, a new a season brings fresh hope but on today's six stages, Sebastien Loeb, the five-time World Rally champion, illustrated, yet again, that he's the one they all have to beat in '09.

Jari-Matti Latvala’s bid to claim his maiden World Rally victory remains on course after he consolidated his advantage over Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen on the second day of the Swedish Rally.

Reigning World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb’s hopes of extending his early-season advantage at the top of the standings were ended after he crashed out of the Swedish Rally.

Reigning World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb dominated the French Rally to close in on title rival Marcus Gronholm at the top of the drivers’ standings.

World Rally champions, Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena in a Citroen C4 WRC won the Shell Donegal International Rally.

Marcus Gronholm claimed the lead in the World Rally Championship with second place behind his Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen in Norway today.

WORLD Rally champion Sebastien Loeb had to fend off Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo as he opened his defence of the crown in Monaco.

FORMER World Rally champion, Carlos Sainz, claimed his third stage victory of the 2007 Dakar Rally as he raced into Kayes almost four minutes ahead of the field.

World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb has all but ruled out driving in the season-ending Rally of Great Britain.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to support Ireland’s bid to qualify for a round of the World Rally Championship from 2007.

Former World Rally champion Colin McRae is to appear at the Ordnance Survey Ireland Rally of the Lakes 2005, which will take place over the May weekend.

Isle of Man driver, Mark Higgins and his Belfast co-driver, Michael Gibson in their Ford Focus World Rally Car have tightened their grip on the AnswerCall Direct Ulster Rally.

Former World Rally champion Richard Burns has thanked his fans for their continued support as he continues his battle against a brain tumour.

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

Colin McRae retained his top-three position in the Dakar Rally today after surviving a scare on the 700-kilometre trek to Mauritania in western Africa.

Colin McRae scored his first podium finish on the Dakar Rally today to put his speeding penalty to the back of his mind.

Colin McRae survived the longest stage yet of the Dakar Rally in an impressive sixth overall today.

RALF SCHUMACHER is confident of retaining his drive with the Williams Formula One team until 2006 once his current deal ends at the end of 2004, the German driver said last night.

Results after Round 1 - West Cork Rally

The Australian round of the World Rally Championship could be removed from the calendar because of a dispute between the event’s commercial and sporting departments.

Rally fanatic Juliet Ward from Cork has been voted the first ever Irish winner in the 2002 rallyXS Pirelli Girl competition.

Four-time world champion Tommi Makinen was forced out of the Rally of Catalunya before the start of the second leg through engine failure.