Rally enthusiasts urged to 'keep the race in its place'

World Rally Championship spectators were today urged to leave driving at high speeds to the professionals.

In a message issued on the eve of the world championship’s launch in Enniskillen, Environment Minister Sammy Wilson welcomed a new road safety radio advertising campaign aimed at those attending the Rally Ireland event or watching at home, particularly young men.

The new radio campaign, with a voice-over by Fermanagh rally driver and World Rally Championship competitor Niall McShea, tells spectators to ‘keep the race in its place’.

The Minister said: "My department is always looking for ways of getting the road safety message across to all sections of society and this initiative will enable us to target the group most at risk on Northern Ireland’s roads.

"Young men, especially those with a keen interest in motor sport, will no doubt get a great thrill out of seeing the world’s top rally drivers competing at high speeds.

“However they need to be aware there is a big difference between driving behaviour on the special stages and everyday driving behaviour on the road.

“The high-speed racing people will be enjoying over the next few days takes place in a controlled environment in specially designed cars driven by experienced rally drivers.

“Those skills cannot be put to the test on any road by any driver.

“Spectators and rally enthusiasts should be under no illusion that away from the special stages, speed on the road kills.”

Mr Wilson said the Department of the Environment's road safety message would also be delivered through direct advertising at tomorrow’s launch event at the Northern Ireland Environment Agency owned Enniskillen Castle.

The message has also been delivered online on the Rally Ireland website.

Notes to Editors:

1. The first round of the World Rally Championship, Rally Ireland, begins on Friday 30 January 2009 at Enniskillen Castle, Co. Fermanagh.
2. Niall McShea is 36 years old and lives in Enniskillen. He has entered the rally in a S-Tec hired MEM Proton Satria Neo S2000.
3. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.