Rallying around bid for world championship

Ireland's efforts to host the World Rally Championship (WRC), with its multi-million-euro tourism windfall, go on trial in the north-west next weekend when more than 80,000 spectators are expected to attend Rally Ireland 2005.

Ireland's efforts to host the World Rally Championship (WRC), with its multi-million-euro tourism windfall, go on trial in the north-west next weekend when more than 80,000 spectators are expected to attend Rally Ireland 2005.

The rally will be staged between Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh in what is essentially a dummy run for the WRC.

The pilot event will give the organisers an opportunity to fine-tune the race before an official trial judged by ...