1 92 George Condell/Lisa O'Dowd Ford Escort 1:17:05
2 82 Daniel Ryan/Jason Ollerenshaw Honda Integra Type R 1:22:17
3 106 Mark O'Connor/Derek Tobin Citroen Saxo VTS 1:23:19
4 93 Bill Carroll/Richard Moore Honda Civic Vtec 1:25:19

82 Daniel Ryan/Jason Ollerenshaw Co. Galway/Co. Galway Honda Integra Type R 16
92 George Condell/Lisa O'Dowd Co. Carlow/ Ford Escort 16
93 Bill Carroll/Richard Moore Co. Wexford/ Honda Civic Vtec 16
97 Leon Galvin/Tommy Kelly Co. Wexford/ Ford Escort Mk2 16
106 Mark O'Connor/Derek Tobin Co. Kildare/ Citroen Saxo VTS 16

An air of anticipation and excitement accompanied the launch of the inaugural running of the Heartlands Rally held in O'Loughlin's Hotel on Saturday Last. A crowd in excess of 250 people attended. With a display of Rally cars parked on the Main Street it was an ideal opportunity for sponsors and the public to get a taste of the excitement promised for the weekend of the 12th of June.

Laois Rallysport chairman Tom Scott welcomed all to the Launch of the Heartlands Rally. He introduced the speakers and thanked those who attended.

Caithaoirleach of the Town Council Mayor Jerry Lodge spoke at The Heartlands Rally launch he praised the club and the organiser of the launch night Emma Brennan Laois Rally sport P.R.O. In his speech he emphasised the importance of events such as this rally to Co Laois and he acknowledged the support for The Heartlands Rally by the indigenous businesses of Laois. He went on to thank the residents on the stages for their support.

Words of welcome and encouragement for the Heartlands Rally were also delivered by County Manager Peter Carey. He emphasized the commercial importance of events such as the Heartlands Rally to the County Laois and acknowledged the mammoth work put into organising this event. He went on to compliment Laois Rallysport Club on their efforts in procuring this prestige event for Portlaoise and pledged his support in building the Heartlands Rally into an annual motor sport event. Sergeant Redmond Cody head of the Garda Traffic Corps also spoke in support of the Motorsport Ireland's campaign to Keep The Race In Its Place and encouraged youths interested in cars and driving to join Laois Rallysport club and keep the race in its place. He continued to say that all young lives are sacred and the efforts of Laois Rally Sport Club were to be encouraged.

A special message of thanks to the residents who live on the Heartlands Rally stages was delivered by the Heartlands Rally manager Pat O'Connor. He said the people of Laois had embraced the idea of being the Heartland of Ireland and this Heartlands rally. He thanked every body involved in the Heartlands Rally and wished everyone a safe and successful Rally on June 12th. Ivor O'Loughlin from O'Loughlin's Hotel and Helena Flynn Chairperson of Loughran Signs Midlands East Rally Championship also spoke in support of the Heartlands Rally. The celebrations continued on into the early hours and a good night was had by all.

Laois Rallysport Club announce the launch of the inaugural running of the Heartlands Stages Rally in conjunction with O’Loughlin’s Hotel and Laois County Council. The launch will take place on Saturday the 14th of May at 7:30 p.m. at O’Loughlin's Hotel on the main street of Portlaoise. An exciting night is promised and all are welcome. There will be a static display of Rally cars on the main street followed by the usual photographs and light refreshments will be served after.

The rally will take place 4 weeks later on the 12th of June 2011. The event will be over two 20 Kilometre closed road stages. The stages will all be close to Portlaoise with easy access for spectators.

The motor sport enthusiasts of Laois Rallysport Club have been working for five years to procure this event for Portlaoise, and the intention is to make it an annual international festival building to a point where it attracts in excess of 50,000 visitors to Laois over the June weekend.



This Rally couldn’t run without the help and support of the people of Laois, O’Loughlin’s Hotel, The County Council, Voluntary Groups, all our Sponsors and especially the residents of Laois who will be affected by the road closures. Laois Rallysport club are especially grateful to the residents who have welcomed the event to their areas and shown huge enthusiasm for the Rally



The June 12th event will kick off with Rally teams arriving into Portlaoise from Friday the 10th of June. Saturday will see the crews carry out a Recce of the stages with the Rally running on Sunday the 12th June. Large crowds of spectators are expected into the region giving a much needed economic boost to the County.