Conor McCloskey will not defend his Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship title in 2009

Image: www.roydempster.com

Conor McCloskey won't defend his Northern Irish title in 2009 as he wants to contest gravel events in England and Scotland, according to Motorsport News.

McCloskey secured the Pacenotes NI Rally Championship on the recent Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally (pictured above), to become the youngest winner of the series. He will concentrate on events across the water next year though, starting with the Rallye Sunseeker in February.

McCloskey explained to MN:

Nothing is 100 per cent but I'd like to do a few more gravel events outside of Northern Ireland and the Sunseeker would be a good one to do.

I've got nothing against the Northern Irish series, but I need to try something else."

He also plans to contest a handful of Scottish Rally Championship rounds as well.

Glens of Antrim Rally 2008 video clips:

In-car Taylor Patterson Torr Head and Glendun

Incar Alistair Cochrane

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• Pacenotes MSA N.I. Rally Championship 2008 Down Rally report and videos: Conor McCloskey victorious in his Ford Focus RS WRC
• Conor McCloskey becomes the youngest winner of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship
• Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship Standings after the Lakeland Stages 2008