Ulster Rally wins top award after 1st year in Enniskillen

MEMBERS of the Todds Leap Ulster Rally's organising committee were left speechless at the British Rally Championship's (BRC) end of season awards night in Manchester on Saturday when Rally NI was again named Rally of the Year.

The BRC Rally of the Year award was first presented in 2003 with the Ulster Rally taking the honours in 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2012. This year the same Todds Leap Rally N.I team had cause for double celebration on Saturday, Clerk of the Course Lewis Boyd accepting the award on behalf of the organisers and hundreds of volunteers for the fifth time on his 50th birthday.

2013 threw up a new set of challenges for the Ulster Rally team as the entire five-event rally shifted across Northern Ireland to Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the first time.

Clerk of the course, Lewis Boyd, was taken aback with the award, but he was keen to pay tribute to his fellow volunteers.

“We were very surprised to receive the award for the event in its first year in Fermanagh," he beamed “but none of it would be possible without the hard work and support from our 800 volunteers, Fermanagh District Council, Todds Leap, Sport NI, the Fisher Foundation, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the many local businesses who helped us deliver such a high quality enjoyable event. Everyone involved should give themselves a massive pat on the back."

It was our pleasure to host the Ulster Rally during their visit in Enniskillen. 

1st WallPod installed in Northern Ireland at Belmore Court

The no-nonsense pro-active charity Zero Carbon World (ZCW) is dedicated to undertaking projects that reduce carbon emissions in the UK today.

To support the development of a national charging infrastructure and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, ZCW are donating 1000 Electric Vehicle (EV) ‘WallPod’ Charging Stations to businesses around the UK.

Today ZCW announce the donation of two more WallPods to The Belmore Court & Motel inEnniskillen. Belmore is the first business in Northern Ireland to join Zero Carbon World.

Each WallPod is simple, robust and reliable. Supporting both a 13-Amp socket and 32-Amp connector they enable all EV drivers to recharge overnight or ‘top up’ their vehicles as required.

“There are no restrictions to use our network. You don’t need to be a member, subscribe, pay in advance or use a smart card to access electricity. Wherever EV drivers are, they can recharge while eating, sleeping, working or simply relaxing “ said Kevin Sharpe Founder of ZCW and Chair of the Trustees. “We are extremely proud to be creating the UK’s only Open Charging Station Network”. 

Terry McCartney, owner of Belmore and The High Sherriff of Fermanagh stated: “Installing a WallPod reconfirms our commitment to reducing pollution as part of our Green Policy and is visible evidence that we support green travel.” He continued: “We are also opening our business to a relatively new market of electric vehicle owners giving them the option of an overnight charge. I am delighted that I am the first in the area to attract EV drivers to local businesses.”

Growing rapidly with 66 donations to date, ZCW is on track to install 1000 WallPod’s in the UK by the end of June 2012.