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Donegal rally roars into town
16.06.09
INISHOWEN is gearing up
for a hectic day this Friday as the Topaz Donegal
International Rally roars into town for the first
time in seven years.
While the first day of the 2009 event will be based
in the north of the peninsula, people can expect all
the main routes to be busy as many of the estimated
50,000 spectators make their way to one of the most
spectacular legs of the rally.
Gardai in Inishowen are expecting a high level of
traffic congestion on Friday and will be
concentrating their efforts on traffic management
throughout the day. The rally kicks off from the
central pit stop at Station Road, Carndonagh. |
The three stages on
Friday are as follows:
11.38am: Glassalt to Coolcross
12.20pm: Culdaff to Umgall, Malin
12.54pm: Bree, Malin Head to Five Fingers Strand |
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The same three stages
will be repeated again at 2.23pm; 3.05pm and 3.39pm
that day.
All the competitors will then return for servicing
to Station Road at 4.20pm before travelling onwards
to Letterkenny. Day two will feature the roads
around Fanad and Knockalla while day three will
include the fresh challenge of an extended High Glen
plus Atlantic Drive.
A Garda spokesperson in Inishowen said the main aim
was for the international event to run smoothly
during its local leg.
"Our main objective is to make sure that the rally
will pass off without incident for both the
competitors and the many supporters and spectators
who will be attending the event in Inishowen," said
the spokesperson.
"We will be regulating traffic before and after the
event and we will be making every effort to ensure
the main routes are not obstructed and that traffic
is kept moving." Gardai have also advised non-rally
fans to plan ahead if travelling on Friday. "If you
are making a journey to or from the peninsula, we
would advise that you plan ahead and give yourself
extra time to arrive at your destination. Be advised
that there will be extra congestion on the roads due
to both the rally itself and the traffic from
supporters and followers," added the spokesperson.
Gardai will also be conducting random spot checks to
clamp down on any traffic offences during the day.
The three-day rally, from Friday, June 19 to Sunday,
June 21, will see 151 drivers from all over the
country compete on the 300 kilometre course. It’s
estimated the rally will inject more than €25
million into the Donegal economy. |
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