2009 World Rally Championship

[casper]

Rally Ireland hosts the first round of the 2009 World Rally Championship.

The event will feature an amazing cross-border initiative, which will see competitors driving back and forth between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, a unique feature which adds to the rally's charm.

More Info

[vortex003]

Quite a few helicopters will be using both Enniskillen and Sligo for refuelling and pax pick ups over the course of the weekend (30th - 1st).
I clocked 35 different helos at EGAB when the event ran in 2007  - and there were 65 registered to follow all the stages .
It will all depend on finances as to the numbers registering this year though 

[casper]

If you hear of numbers let me know, I might make a wee trip down

[vortex003]

According to the weather forecast it's going to be a washout this year again

Maybe good for rallying but not photography

[Angry Turnip]

Yes, weather doesn`t look like it`s going to play ball-

last year when I was in Lisburn an American tourist came over to me and said "When do you guys turn the heating on?"

Kind of sums up our weather really well.

[vortex003]

Some of the helis are currently making their way to Sligo for the Rally brief @ 1400hrs.

[casper]

I was hoping to get to Enniskillen this weekend but it looks like it's not going to happen

[vortex003]

Well if things do change for you it will be Saturday that sees most if the heli action at EGAB,with the re-fuelling etc mainly split between here and Sligo.
Bring a brolly just in case

[casper]

Looks like I could be up on Sunday (weather permitting) Are there many helos about? Does the cafe be open on a Sunday - wife and few of the kids may come along and filling their bellys will give me time to snap away

[vortex003]

The cafe will be open,but the Sunday stages are all close to Sligo - and in 2007 we only got three or four helos calling late afternoon for fuel before routing back up to 'Ards etc.
The local stages are on Saturday and will be the best day to catch traffic at EGAB.The weather is terrible here today,i hope it picks up a bit over the weekend.
You might see a few fixed wing on Sunday instead.

[vortex003]

Well the weather didn't improve - it was relentless rain all day.14 helicopters called for fuel,pax etc,three of which i hadn't seen at EGAB before.I took some pics and will post a few later on.

[vortex003]

Only three helos showed up today
Very quiet overall compared to 2007,but i suppose the credit crunch affected things in various ways.Here's a few - two from today and one from yesterday.


Below is 'Medical01' which was on standby at EGAB during the local stages.

[casper]

Nice ones. Glad I didn't go up then.