Ballinaboola has been the on course base for the 2000 Wexford Rally since Friday, yet because of the poor weather conditions, everyone's departed the scene - except me!

Due to the increasing sogginess of the time cards, the timing crew, table compilers and on course reporters have all dashed off to Rosslare's Crosbie Cedars Hotel - the administrative HQ of the event until 2002.

With the final stage ending in Templeudigan, even our on-site reporter John Dier, has gone thundering up towards the foot of Mount leinster to view the climax for South East Radio.

Despite the Wexford Rally contingent in Ballinaboola now consisting of "Moi Tout Simplement", you'll still get the latest information from the rally as soon as it ends, from JD in Templeudigan.

Our noble hosts, Byrne's Service Station of Ballinaboola, have had such a busy weekend as the only store within five miles of the service centre, that they began to run out of food around noon today!

There one of hundreds of businesses across south Wexford who have benefitted greatly from the 2000 edition of one of the south's premier motorsport events.

In all, the local economy is set to benefit to the tune of over £3million thanks to the two bases this year of Rosslare Strand and Ballinaboola - and their proximity to Wexford and New Ross.

In addition, villages such as Foulkmills, Rathgarogue, Templeudigan, Rathnure and Clonroche have also benefitted from the increase in autumnal trade as the Wexford Rally has either pased through or passed near those centres of population.

It will be the biggest boost the local econmy until the end of next month, when the Crosbie Cedars World Darts Grand Prix is beamed live across the world at the end of October - at the same time as the Wexford Festival Opera.

Considering how local proprietors told of the benefits of a £5million cash injection thanks to the Stena Line Irish Masters Darts in Rosslare last February, it seems Co Wexford - and Rosslare in particular - continue to reap the fruits of being the home to so many top class international sporting events.