MOTORSPORT:The World Rally Championship comes to Ireland for the first time in November through Rally Ireland, details of which were simultaneously announced in Dublin and Belfast yesterday.

The event begins on Thursday, November 15th with a super special stage at the Stormont Parliament Buildings, in which two cars at a time will compete in a head-to-head over a loop of a specially-designed course in the Stormont grounds.

Rally HQ will be the Clarion Hotel in Sligo, with the service park at Sligo Institute of Technology. The closed-road stages will be run over three days, Friday to Sunday (16th-18th), in seven counties in the north-west - Fermanagh, Tyrone, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan and Roscommon.

Rally Ireland is the penultimate round of the FIA World Rally Championship 2007.

"The route of the event covers one quarter of the counties on the island of Ireland, north and south. That gives us a phenomenal opportunity to reach out to existing rally fans, and will also encourage others to come out and see a rally for the first time in their lives, knowing they will be watching the best drivers in the world," commented Rally Ireland co-promoter Ronan Morgan.

Speaking at the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Minister John O'Donoghue said: "One of the key strengths of Rally Ireland's bid in securing World Championship status is the unique cross-border nature of it."

At Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Minister at the Northern Ireland Office Paul Goggins MP said: "Having the opportunity to bring the WRC to . . . Stormont means thousands of spectators will get the opportunity for the first time to experience the thrills of this exciting sport . . . With many millions of people viewing the event in over 200 territories around the world, kicking off this World Championship round at Stormont will be a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of Northern Ireland internationally."

Rally Ireland is supported by the Irish and British governments, licensed by Motorsport Ireland, and organised with the assistance of the association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs and Motorsport Ireland-affiliated clubs. Jordan Grand Prix founder Eddie Jordan and former international rugby player Trevor Ringland are the respective chairman and deputy chairman of Rally Ireland management board.

EVENT SCHEDULE: Thurs November 15th:Ceremonial start at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast; super special stage through the estate with live television broadcast.

Fri November 16th:Restart - Sligo Three stages in Co Leitrim, Roscommonand Sligo; Service in Sligo; Repeat the three stages from the morning Service in Sligo; Two different stages in Co Leitrim and Sligo; final service and overnight haltin Sligo.

Sat November 17th:Restart - Sligo Three stages in Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh; Midday service in Sligo; Repeat the three stages in Co Tyrone and Fermanagh; final service and overnight halt in Sligo.

Sun November 18th:Restart - Sligo Two stages in County Tyrone; Stage in Co Donegal; Stage in Co Sligo, Live on television; Ceremonial finish - Sligo.