rally ireland

Urmo Aava got off to a fabulous start on the rain-lashed Rally Ireland this morning and heads the pack following the opening loop.

SS1 - Glenboy 1 (22.25km): Latvala fastest through SS1 as winter tyre gamble pays off big time in the treacherous conditions; Aava second also on winter tyres; McShea third; Hirvonen fourth; Sordo fifth; Henning Solberg sixth; Loeb seventh said conditions were 'impossible'; Burkart heads t

The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team ultimately missed out on the two titles in 2008 to Sebastien Loeb and Citroen.

The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team ultimately missed out on the two titles in 2008 to Sebastien Loeb and Citroen.

The organisers of the Rally Ireland published the official entry list for their event this week, the opening round of the 2009 World Rally Championship, which runs from January 29 to February 1. In total 43 crews are due to start with 21 in WRC cars. The full entry list is as follows:

The entry list for the Rally Ireland, the opening round of the 2009 World Rally Championship, has been announced with a total of 43 runners, including 21 WRC specification drivers.

Pirelli will take its snow tyre to the Rally Ireland, the opening round in the 2009 World Rally Championship, it was announced today. The Monte Carlo Snow tyre will be offered to competitors as an option instead of 'normal' tarmac rubber.

SS19 - Donegal Bay (12.46 km): Latvala fastest through SS19; Wilks second; Hirvonen third; Petter Solberg fourth; Loeb fifth; Sordo sixth; McShea heads the PWRC category; Loeb leads the overall event by 1 minute 04.5 seconds.

The Subaru World Rally Team has had to withdraw Chris Atkinson from the third leg of the Rally Ireland due to an internal engine problem. Atkinson, who lost over 20 minutes on day 1, when he went off the road in SS4, finished leg 2 in 29th place overall.

SS10 - Drumshanbo (8.66 km): Loeb fastest through SS10; Latvala second; Sordo third; Petter Solberg fourth; Hirvonen fifth; Higgins heads the PWRC category; Loeb leads the overall event by 11.2 seconds at the end of leg 1. Stage times and overall standings after SS10.

SS8 - Glenboy (22.25 km): Loeb fastest through SS8; Latvala second; Sordo third; Petter Solberg fourth; Hirvonen fifth; Henning Solberg went off the road and hit a tree - retired from the leg; Higgins heads the PWRC category; Loeb leads the overall event by 10.4 seconds.

BP Ford's Marcus Gronholm and his co-driver, Timo Rautiainen have both been released from hospital.