THE Ulster Rally has been called off after a young competitor was killed when his car left the road in Co Fermanagh. Timothy Cathcart (20) from Enniskillen died in the crash which happened yesterday afternoon and the race organiser said it was cancelling the remainder of the competition as a mark of respect.
Mr Cathcart's co-driver, Welshman Dai Roberts, was airlifted to hospital by police helicopter. He was in a stable condition last night.
The accident happened during stage three.
"It is with deep regret that the Northern Ireland Motor Club can confirm that 20-year-old Timothy Cathcart from Enniskillen was sadly killed when his car left the road on the Fardross stage of the Ulster Rally," the organisers said.
"His co-driver, Dai Roberts from Carmarthen in Wales, was also injured in the incident and he is currently receiving hospital treatment.
"The local driver was competing as part of the British Rally Champion-ship, on board a Citroen DS3 R3.
"As with all incidents of this nature, an investigation is now being carried out by the PSNI and appropriate local authority.
"The Northern Ireland Motor Club and the Ulster Rally Organising Team together with the sport's governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are cooperating fully with the investigation. The MSA will conduct its own separate enquiry once the police investigation is concluded.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected with the event are with the family and friends of Timothy at this difficult time."
The Ulster Rally is a road event centred around Enniskillen in which fewer than 200 cars are allowed to start.
It involves 130 competitive miles over 15 stages in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Meanwhile, the second Ulster Grand Prix competitor to be injured at this year's event remained in a critical condition yesterday at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
French rider Pierre Favre crashed at Rock Bends during the Lightweight race at Thursday's Dundrod 150 meeting.
The fall led to racing being halted at the Dundrod circuit for about an hour - the second break in action after Kent rider Danny Webb crashed during a practice session earlier in the day, sustaining suspected fractures.
A statement issued by the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club confirmed the French rider was in a "critical" condition in hospital and called for the privacy of his family to be respected.
"Pierre, who is from France, is currently in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast," the statement read.
"We have no more information to release about the nature of his injuries at present and will issue a further update when appropriate."
The Ulster Grand Prix produces the fastest speeds of any road racing event in the world and has claimed the lives of 11 riders since 1951.
Two years ago English rider Lee Vernon lost his life to the sport after crashing on the fourth lap of the Superbike event, also at the Rock Bends section.
* CAR LEFT ROAD: Driver Timothy Cathcart, left, was killed. His co-driver Dai Roberts, right, is in a stable condition