Gulf World Rally Team Ireland Launches 2009 Car
Gulf World Rally Team Ireland have today launched their new 2009 Mitsubishi Evolution 9 in the lead up to Rally Ireland. The Irish pairing of Shaun Gallagher and Paul Kiely will contest their home event starting in Enniskillen this Thursday and continuing over the following three days with the finish in Donegal Town on the Sunday. The weekend will see the paring contest over 365 of competitive kilometres divided into 19 stages.
Shaun Gallagher, Gulf World Rally Team Ireland driver, said “I am very excited with Rally Ireland only a few days away. The car looks great and the set up feels right. My mechanics have been working nonstop over the last month to have everything at its best for my home event. When we were testing I really felt the hand of history on my shoulder rallying in the Gulf Oil colours. The blue and orange colours are famous all over the world, from Steve McQueen to Heinz-Harald Frentzenand and all the other greats who have raced under the Gulf Oil banner. The rally is going to be very competitive and it will not be easy for our national or international drivers. Finishing the rally and seeing the ramp on Sunday will be at the forefront of my mind from the get go. As we saw in 2007, Rally Ireland takes no prisoners and only thing I will say is, expect the unexpected!”
Dermot Fallon, Managing Director, Gulf Oil Ireland, commented; “Rally Ireland is going to be very competitive. The Gulf Oil brand has a strong international racing pedigree and we feel there is no better way to support Irish motorsport with our entry in Rally Ireland. We are delighted with our new partnership with World Rally Team Ireland and having Shaun Gallagher leading the team in 2009. We will be contesting a number of national events this year and we are considering competing in more rounds of the World Rally Championship. For now, our focus is on a strong finish in Rally Ireland.”
Tommy Mullen, Chief Executive Officer, World Rally Team Ireland remarked; “Our testing pre Rally Ireland went well and we are confident with the car set up. The weather will play a critical role in this year’s opening round of the World Rally Championship. It is a big move for Shaun back into four wheel drive but I feel is well prepared for it. We have gone under a full rebranding over the last few months and a lot of rally supports have said they are looking forward to seeing famous blue and orange of Gulf Oil on Irish tarmac in Rally Ireland.”
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