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| Historic First for Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally |
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30-Jun-10 @ 12:34 PM |
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Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Junction One will play host to the Ulster Historic Rally, one of five events in this year’s Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally which takes place on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August.
In a first for Ulster Rally organisers, the ‘historic’ event is one of 8 rounds of the 2010 Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship and will feature a range of 1960’s and 70’s cars including iconic minis, porsches and escorts. 2009 MSA British Historic Rally champions and local competitors Dessie Nutt from Castlerock and Bangor’s Geraldine McBride are currently second overall after four rounds of this year’s event and lie two points behind leader Graham Waite from Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Officially launching the 2010 Ulster Rally at Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre were top competitors Jonny Greer from Carryduff, current leader in the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and Robert Barrable, 6th overall in Citroen Irish Tarmac Championship and first in his class at Galway, Killarney and Donegal. Robert is leading both the Irish and British Rally Championship Citroen Racing Trophy series. Also attending the launch event were ‘Historic’ runners Dessie Nutt, Drew Wylie and Omagh’s Ryan Barrett. Special VIP guests also included Tourism Minister Arlene Foster and Mayor of Antrim Cllr Pam Lewis. This year’s first ever Ulster Historic Rally is supported by Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Major Event Growth Fund.
Other drivers competing in August include Trillick based Alastair Fisher who currently leads the Irish Tarmac Championship and Gareth McHale who is trailing Alastair by one point in the Irish Tarmac event. Alastair, nephew of sporting hero the late Bertie Fisher, will compete with co-driver Rory Kennedy who partnered Bertie during the 1990s. Bertie Fisher was an Ulster Rally winner in 1982, 1991, 1995 and 1996.
The 2010 Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally encompasses127 competitive miles, 300 road miles and 14 stages in the Antrim and Mid-Ulster regions. Set to kick off at lunchtime on Friday 20th August with a ceremonial start at Courthouse Square in Antrim, the rally finishes at Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre on Saturday 21st August.
Originally held in the Antrim area in 1976 when the inaugural Ulster Rally took place, the international event returns to the region once again after last year’s successful event which was voted Best British International Rally. Rally HQ will be based at the Holiday Inn Express at Junction One and the event’s Central Service Park will be located in a section of the outlet shopping complex’s extensive car parks. Organisers expect 350 drivers and co-drivers, supported by over 600 service crew, to be competing in up to 175 rally cars over the two day period.
Ballygawley based multi-activity centre Toddsleap.com is once again backing the race as title sponsor and managing director Benny O’Hanlon said, “As a racing enthusiast this is an event worthy of support – the calibre of drivers racing on our roads makes for a very exciting major spectator event. This is a marvellous showcase for Antrim and beyond.”
Leona Barr, centre manager of Junction One who hosted today’s launch said, “We’re delighted to stage this special launch of the Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to Junction One during Rally week-end in August.”
The Ulster Rally is a counting round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, the Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge UK & Ireland, Citroen Racing Trophy UK & Ireland, the Ford Fiesta Sport Trophy UK & Ireland, the Suzuki Swift Cup and the BRC Challenge.
The Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally is expected to attract up to 10,000 spectators from Ireland, the UK and further afield at both the start ramp and throughout each special stage. It’s also set to be broadcast on local TV, nationally and on global networks reaching an estimated audience of 30,000 on Rally Week-end.
Clerk of Course Michael Johnston paid tribute to key sponsor Toddsleap.com and partner Antrim Borough Council saying, “It’s wonderful to be back in Antrim again this year. The course will undoubtedly challenge both old hands and newcomers to the race. This is the third year that Toddsleap.com has been the main sponsor of the Ulster Rally – their passion for the event is awesome and we are delighted to have them on board again.
“In addition to cash funding, Antrim Borough Council have provided support and facilities in kind including their excellent Vanguard depot. We’re very pleased today to welcome and thank representatives of our many sponsors whose support is especially appreciated in today’s difficult economic conditions. We’re also grateful to Junction One for hosting today’s launch event and of course for enabling us to create a Central Service Park in the shopping centre’s large car park.”
Newly elected Mayor of Antrim Cllr Pam Lewis said she was delighted that the Borough is to play host again to such a prestigious sporting spectacular. “It’s an honour for Antrim to welcome the Ulster Rally back to the Antrim region. We’re looking forward to both local people and international guests sampling the delights of Antrim and enjoying a safe yet thrilling motorsport event. On behalf of the Council I’d like to wish the organisers all the very best for August 20th and 21st and hopefully we’ll be blessed with some superb weather.”
For more information visit www.ulsterrally.com
Press release by Paul Biggerstaff, Secretary, Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally. |
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