2017 Down Rally Cancelled – Rathfriland MC Statement.

Rathfriland Motor Club confirm cancellation of the 2017 Down Rally…

It is with regret that Rathfriland Motor Club Ltd announce that the Down Rally, which was due to take place on 14 October 2017 in forests in the Down area, has had to be cancelled.   This event was to have been a round of the ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship and the Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship.

In mid May 2017 the Club were suddenly advised that Tollymore and Castlewellan Forests, which formed the backbone of the rally in terms of stage mileage, were no longer available for Motorsport, even though these Forests have been used in previous Down Rallies.

Despite best efforts, the Club have been unable to identify suitable alternative Forests in the area to allow us to run a stage event to Championship requirements.