Map now online
December Rally Report 12
Sunday, December 16 2001 - 11:25am
Will Downing and John Dier - Rosslare

The map has been embargoed until now so as not to give any competitors an unfair advantage - remember, one of the rules of this rally is that all entrants only learn the route a coule of hours before they begin their traversing of the Wexford countryside.

That, and to stop any budding rally drivers to try out the route some dark evening ahead of the event.

After all, the locals in the Newbawn area have been kind enough to allow two official rallies in the space of a month - unofficial rallies don't do anyone any good.

As for the best vantage points - to get to the best early viewing point near the start at Aughboy Bridge, go to the cross at Nash, where the rally will take a quick left-right at a staggered four-road cross.

This is only accessible from the northern end, and to get there, travel from Ballinaboola to Cassagh, take the left in Cassagh - just after the pub - and continue down that road.

The next decent vantage point is Rathnageeragh Bridge - take the road from Ballinaboola to Foulksmills, turn right at Crossphillip, and continue straight to Rathnageeragh.

The cars will come towards you and take a sharp 90 right to Neighbourly Bridge.

Following that, Ballygarvan will provide a useful spot to witness the action.

This is accessed from the R734 at Dunmain Cross - take a left turn if coming from a northerly direction, and very shortly, look for the sign where the R735 forks off from this road towards Gusserane.

After going through Gusserane village, you will come upon the point where the rally takes a 90 degree left turn and heads south towards Boley.

This leaves two good vantage points between here and the end of the stage, both accessible throough Clongeen village.

To get to the first one, near Mullinderry, go west from Clongeen to the five-road cross near Knocknageer.

Take the northerly exit towards Mullinderry - shortly along this route, you will come upon the course, which snakes along in a north-easterly direction towards Longgraigue.

The final vantage point can be found by leaving Clongeen via the Foulksmills Road.

Two hundred yards past the school, take the left-hand fork rather than the main road to Foulksmills.

At the next crossroads, turn left - this will bring you to the point where the cars take a sharp almost-hairpin left, back towards Brianstown.

The rest of the junctions between there and stage end, are sealed off for safety reasons, as the route cuts across these junctions, so there would be little to see anywhere.

These are the only permitted access points as the other routes have been sealed off.

Please obey marshalls instructions during the event, and do go to the safe vantage points that they stipulate.

A pop-up version of the route is available HERE.