After the short, seven-week winter break, the World Rally Championship now resumes in Ireland.

The Rally Ireland first counted towards the WRC in 2007 and it not only returns to the calendar this year but also has the privilege of kicking off the 2009 series, replacing the Rallye Monte Carlo.

The route extends from the mountains of Sligo to the lakes of Fermanagh, with stages in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.


Special notes:

Rally Ireland is one of just two all-asphalt events in the 2009 12-round series. However, the term 'asphalt' is a misnomer for this cross-border event which is based in Sligo.

The route is a mix of flowing mountain roads and tight, twisty farm lanes. The latter are bumpy and narrow – often little more than the width of a car – with many surface changes. They are used by farmers on a daily basis and will be dirty.

With rain highly likely in late January, they could quickly turn muddy and become treacherously slippery, so much so that a more gravel-based car set-up is likely to work better than a traditional asphalt specification. Ice and snow cannot be ruled out either.


FIA World Rally Championship news:

The big news since the season ending Wales Rally GB has been the demise of the Subaru and Suzuki WRT teams.

Subaru's exit left both Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson in the lurch, but while the latter has secured a drive in Ireland with the Citroen Junior Team, Petter will not compete. Ex-Suzuki men Toni Gardemeister and P-G Andersson are also absent, along with former Stobart Ford men, Gigi Galli and Francois Duval.


News from the Manufacturers' teams:

Citroen Total WRT:

[Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and Daniel Sordo, car #2]

Sebastien Loeb:

"The first time we came here, the conditions were rather delicate, but everything went well for us [and we won] and the result proved decisive in our bid to win a fourth world title. This year's championship kicks off with four rounds that weren't on last year's calendar, but they are not new territory because we did them all in 2007. And our objective hasn't changed either: after notching up five consecutive world titles, we are obviously aiming for a sixth crown! It's going to be an interesting season and I expect it to be very close. Mikko Hirvonen is improving all the time, while Jari-Matti Latvala has really come on, too. There are the other C4 WRC drivers as well, of course, starting with my own team-mate, Dani, and also Chris Atkinson."


Dani Sordo:

"To begin with [this season], I will be out to score as many Manufacturers' points as possible for Citroen. I finished third in last year's Drivers' standings and I would like to do at least as well this time round. And why not one step higher? I would also like to score my first WRC win this year. As in previous years, the season begins on asphalt and that's a good thing, especially for me. I like the Irish stages, but the weather promises to make this year's event difficult. OK, we will be able to choose between two types of tyre, but the Sotto Zero will only come into its own if it really snows. I have prepared hard for this rally though, with a daily fitness training programme, plus some very fruitful testing."


BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT:

[Mikko Hirvonen, car #3 and Jari-Matti Latvala, car #4 and Khalid Al Qassimi, car #9]

Mikko Hirvonen:

"Rally Ireland was difficult in 2007, but this year I feel it's going to be even harder. I think we'll experience ice in places and the roads are so incredibly narrow and fast. Cars cut the corners and pull mud onto the road so it can be dirty and slippery. It's going to be an interesting and challenging event to start the year. We have a two-day test before the rally so that should give us confidence going into the start. I want to be on the podium, but if there's any chance at all, I want to fight for the win. Overall I'm feeling confident about the season ahead. I learned much from 2008 that I'm sure will benefit me this year. After a too cautious start, my speed increased during the second half of the season and that's how I need to start 2009. There are only 12 rallies so it's important to score on every rally. There is no room for zero points from events because there are fewer rallies to make up for it."


Jari-Matti Latvala: