The first fully-open two-day rally in the Model County since September 2000 will bear the name of one of the area's best-loved figures in motorsport.

The Dick Bailey Stages Rally is named after the popular driver who tragically died during this year's Hillclimb in Inistioge.

A native of New Ross, Dick Bailey was a regular competitor in the Wexford Rally, and would have been eagerly looking forward to this year's race had tragedy not intervened.

The name-change proposal earned a unanimous vote at the latest meeting of Wexford Motor Club, of which Dick was a member.

This year's event takes place on the weekend of September 14-15.

Regs are available online on the Wexford Rally website at wexfordrally.tripod.com.