ONE of the most popular sporting events in West Cork, the Fastnet Rally, which brings the curtain down on the Dunlop National Rally Championship will be based in Bantry and sponsored by the Westlodge Hotel, strengthened by a major involvement with Bantry Town Council and Bantry Business Association.

Taking place on the October bank holiday weekend, the rally itself will take place over eight special stages in the vicinity of the host town on Sunday, October 30th. The cars willbe based in the square in Bantry during the event creating a fantastic buzz around town

The Fastnet Rally is the tenth and final round of the series along with being a counting round of the Southern 4 Rally Championship.

Photo:Joe Lane

The Fastnet Rally will become the latest addition to other sporting fixtures in Bantry that include the Bay Run halfmarathon, ,National Windsurfing championship, road trotting and national road bowling competitions and next year will see the return of the Atlantic Challenge the international contest of seamanship.