Television coverage for the first time marks another milestone in the quickly-rising popularity of the club level, closed roads stage rallies on the Isle of Man. Following recent discussions, organisers Manx Auto Sport have come to an agreement that secures next months Chris Kelly Memorial Stages sponsored by Mann Construction Ltd will be televised across the UK, a real breakthrough for club rallying on the Isle of Man. The event which takes place on Friday February 11th and Saturday February 12th will see all the action captured by UK based production company MC-Video as crews battle it out on the testing closed road tarmac stages the island has to offer. Lancashire based MC-Video are an independent specialist UK motorsport film-maker who have in recent years covered a whole host of event’s including most recently the MSA BTRDA Asphalt Championship, a round of which was held on the Isle of Man last May. Acting on behalf of MC-Video, local co-driver Rob Fagg put forward a proposal to the organisors of the event which will see it benefit from at least 24 minutes of coverage within one of the Special Stage shows broadcast on Motors TV. The agreement offers an excellent opportunity to promote the islands rallying further as well as the island as a whole, as Fagg explained. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the islands rallying to once again receive promotion and Manx Auto Sport need to be congratulated on taking up this opportunity presented to them. Hopefully this coverage can help to attract further competitors to travel to the island to compete over the challenging tarmac stages it has to offer. Of course although this is good for rallying it is also very positive for the island in terms of the economy with visiting crews using hotels, restaurants, shops etc while they are here, in particular outside of the normal tourist season.” This event is one of three club level stage rallies that take place annually on the island, and which are coming to be considered 'hidden jewels' in the islands hectic motorsport calendar. Manx Auto Sport have been organising the event since 1995, and a core of loyal UK crews has blossomed over the last couple of years as word spreads. They are encouraged by the clubs’ commitment to improving the event year on year whilst keeping competitors at the core and costs to a minimum. Club Chairman Mark Ellison sees this latest move as vindication of that. "In the current economic climate events and sports are struggling to maintain or afford much needed media exposure, so to actually be approached by MC-Video speaks volumes. We work hard to ensure that our competitors, be they visitors or locals, have the highest quality event on some of the most fabulous roads in the world, and it is especially pleasing to see the high regard that the event is held in by our visitors. If you're out there with a rally car, why aren't you here? Come and join the party!" Competing crews who run there own in-car camera systems will be encouraged to submit this for possible use within the coverage while all competitors will be offered the opportunity to provide info on themselves through an online form to assist in the production of the programme. Both of these will be in the interest of the competitor in promoting themselves. Although the exact broadcast date is not know at this time, it is likely to be around three weeks after the event. Entries are still available. Regulations along with information on travel and accommodation deals are available from www.manxautosport.org Ends