Motorsport: Rathfriland Motor Club are set to hold their first Targa Rally event

The rally, which has attracted support from local retailers Around A Pound and Banbridge District Council, sees crews show off their driving skills on a route which snakes from Newry, through the outskirts of Rathfriland to Ballyroney and Katesbridge and back.

Targa Rallies have only recently been introduced to Northern Ireland and provide beginners with a chance to get started in Motorsport using standard road going cars.

The route sees crews tackle short driving tests against the clock in private yards and lanes, usually following a set route through cones and bales, with penalties awarded for touching markers or taking the wrong route. The crew with the least penalties at the end of the Rally are declared the winners.

Over 40 cars are expected to start rally from the Sheepbridge Inn just outside Newry at 10am on Saturday morning and crews will jump straight into action with their first test in Around A Pound’s yard, a short distance from the start. 15 further tests follow before the cars arrive back at the Sheepbridge for the finish.