Preparations for Rally Isle of Man, one of the most important events on the British isles rallying calendar, are stepping up as it prepares to assume its new slot in October as a title decider. Normally, the event would all but be upon us, as it has run in either July or August for more than a decade. However, organisers confirmed late last year that that they intend to re-create it as a highlight of autumn, set to run from 27-29th October 2011. It will be the 48th edition. The move will regain the events’ former position as the final and deciding round of both of the UK’s leading championships, the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and the Dunlop/Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship, as well as the BRC Challenge. The Rally Guide is due to be published in the next few weeks, and entries will open shortly afterwards with the publication of event regulations. With other key announcements also set to be made, the anticipation of the event is set to grow throughout the build-up to what will also be the Silver Jubilee Isle of Man Historic Rally, the event that kick-started historic rallying in the British Isles. ‘We know there are many people asking when the event is on, many who expect it to be in the next few weeks’, says Les Postlethwaite, the Rally Director. ‘Our message to all our supporters, old and new, is to gear up for October, and we hope you’ll all be a part of a new chapter for Rally Isle of Man!’ Rally Isle of Man first ran as the Manx Trophy Rally in 1963 and has been held during July since 2003. It was most recently the British Rally Championship final round in 2000, when it was held at the beginning of September. In 2010 competitors from Australia, Belgium, Finland, Holland, Iceland and Luxembourg tackled the event, in addition to all the home nations. The rally was won by the reigning British Champion, Cork’s Keith Cronin and co-driver Barry McNulty. Ends