Rathfriland MC has been awarded a Road Closing order by the ANICC Stage Rallies Committee for the 2012 Down Rally. Only ten Road Closing Orders are issued each year by local Government, seven being used for Motorcycle Road Racing with Rallying getting the other three. Traditionally the Circuit of Ireland and the Ulster Rally use up two of these with the other being utilised by Magherafelt's Tour of the Sperrins in recent years. Rathfriland MC members are already well advanced in their plans for the 2012 event which will include eight tarmac stages in and around the local area.