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| Gordon Noble Joins Circuit Team as Clerk of the Course |
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12-Feb-10 @ 09:48 AM |
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Tyrone man Gordon Noble, a well known figure in Irish motorsport, has been announced as Clerk of the Course for the Circuit of Ireland rally, taking place on Easter weekend, 3 and 4 April.
With 25 years of experience of motorsport both on and off the track, Gordon held the same position for last year's WRC Rally Ireland event, and is well-prepared for the April rally which is expected to attract up to 15,000 spectators each day.
He will be assisted by Tom Walsh, from Westport in Mayo, who was Clerk of Course for Rally Ireland in 2007 when Gordon was his deputy.
With responsibility for meeting safety regulations for the 15 rally stages over 270 miles across four counties and managing a team of up to 700 marshals Gordon doesn't underestimate the challenge ahead of him.
He said:
"I'm honoured to be asked to be Clerk of the Course for the biggest cross-border sporting event in Ireland this year. It's a great opportunity to show off beautiful parts of the border counties and display a really professional set-up."
Gordon stressed that the event relies upon the commitment of the many enthusiastic marshals. He appealed for their support in to make the rally the most prestigious motorsport event in Ireland again.
"It is a huge responsibility and not a job I take lightly or underestimate but with the support of Tom Walsh who brings a wealth of experience, and our marshals it's an event we hope will be a big success and one we can build on.
"A lot of hard work is going in to reinvigorate the Rally and we hope that it will be a stepping stone to even bigger things. There are lots of very loyal rally fans but we want to welcome visitors outside the usual fan base and bring big economic benefits to the area."
Gordon, who works as a DRD engineer in Omagh, will be responsible for the sporting side of the rally, ensuring that safety regulations set by the world governing body of motorsport, the FIA, the British Motorsports Association and Motorsport Ireland are met.
Gordon, who is originally from Kesh in Fermanagh, first became involved in rallying in the 1980s in Omagh, and went on to be co-driver for Alastair McCrae.
He also navigated for Trevor Cathers and the late Mark Fisher, who won British and Irish titles during the 1990s and for Niall McShea when he was 2004 production World Rally champion.
Race Director Bobby Willis said:
"I am delighted that someone with Gordon's reputation and standing in the rally community has agreed to join our team. Competitors and rally fans alike will recognise that the vast experience he brings will ensure a professionally run rally."
The Circuit of Ireland has received Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) Supporter Event status in a major coup for the organisers of the world's second oldest rally.
Seen as a significant step to incorporating a round of the IRC into the Circuit of Ireland format in 2011, the IRC Supporter status has not been bestowed upon any other rally in Ireland or Scotland.
The Circuit of Ireland forms round two of the Irish Rally Championship.
Full details regarding this year's circuit will be released shortly.
News item by Rally.ie |
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