Night stages and new two-day format for Ulster Rally
The 2025 Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is returning to a classic two-day format that promises classic special stages with real European prestige on the weekend of August 15th and 16th.
Entries are now open and Northern Ireland Motor Club anticipates another strong field of competitors. Across the two legs of the asphalt event, crews from the UK and Ireland can look forward to tackling more than one hundred competitive miles in the Newry and Banbridge areas.
Based in Modern Tyres’ state-of-the-art facility in the Carnbane Industrial Estate, the Ulster Rally gets underway on Friday afternoon from 3pm with the first of three stages.
These are repeated that evening, with organisers scheduling a regroup in Newry followed by a visit to the service park back at Modern Tyres’ premises when light pods will be fitted. Friday's leg is due to conclude around 11.30pm – and cover almost forty-five stage miles.
The action resumes at 9.30am on Saturday, with stages based around Banbridge. Again, three distinct stages will be run twice, with a regroup in Banbridge and service at Modern Tyres. At fifty-six miles, Saturday’s action ends at 4.45pm when the winners are crowned.
Clerk of the Course, Wayne Turkington, said: “In a nod to the Ulster Rally’s rich heritage, this year’s event is going to feature the return of several classic stages, including one not seen since 1998, alongside a brand-new test. In fact, only one stage from last year will be used in this edition, ensuring a fresh and exciting challenge for every single competitor.”
As one of only two international rallies in the UK, the Modern tyres Ulster Rally is once again a round of the FIA European Rally Trophy and Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Saturday will also feature standalone competition for the Irish Tarmac Championship’s Junior drivers, with the popular Micra Challenge making its much-anticipated return.
“With a mix of night-time action, legendary roads and international championship status, August’s rally promises to be one of the highlights of the motorsport calendar,” he added.
This is the fifth year Modern Tyres is backing the Ulster Rally, with a series of special nods planned to celebrate the business’s sixtieth anniversary in 2025.