Entries for Rally Ireland (28 Jan-1 Feb), the opening round of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, closed with total of 43. Of these, eight entries come from the four participating registered world championship teams, seven from the registered Junior world championship drivers and just over half of the entries are World Rally Cars.

The list of entries is the first official indication of some of the names of teams entered for the world series, but without surprises. There is no change for the lead drivers or the team title for Citroen Total or BP Ford, no change in the name of the Stobart team of Fords but with a new driver entering the scene. This is the Estonian driver Urmo Aava. And a new team called Citroen Junior Team, including Sebastien Ogier and Chris Atkinson. The anticipated Munchi's world championship rally team have opted to miss this event, while BP Ford, Stobart and Citroen Junior have all entered non-championship scoring third drivers, respectively Al Qassimi, Henning Solberg and Conrad Rautenbach. Top drivers missing since last year include Petter Solberg, Toni Gardemeister (who competes on Rallye Monte Carlo instead) and PG Andersson (who is entered on national rallies in Norway). In the Junior world championship category, there are four Super 1600s and three Group R cars.

It has been less than 15 months since the 2006 Rally Ireland was the first world rally held in Ireland. This time the all-asphalt event will be run in wintry conditions with the possibility of snow. Main changes to the event concern a ceremonial start at Enniskillen, the Northen Ireland town closer to the border with the Irish Republic, instead of Belfast and on the final day a downtown stage in Donegal City.

The closing date for entries to Rally Norway 2009 has been extended one week. This is aiming to offer new opportunities to a number of potential competitors who has asked for more time to get organised so they can sign up for the Norwegian WRC round. At least this is what the official press release announced. The initial closing date was Tuesday 6 January 15.00 hours. Now this has been extended until Tuesday 13 January 15.00 hours. Stig Rune Kjernsli, Clerk of the Course, confirms that there is a steady stream of entries. All cars registered are top class N4 and A8. There are also several participants with the new S2000 cars becoming the favourite class from 2010. The gossip corner has a different opinion and all is due to Petter Solberg who is not on the entry list yet and have asked for the extension.

3mmm