Circuit of Ireland 2014 - to include the ERC

Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.

Graham

RMS Photographer
Messages
32,990
Location
By the sea
Drives
Press Cars
Monte Carlo Legend Launches Circuit of Ireland Lisburn Stages

1298819.jpg


1298820.jpg


(L-R) 1964 Monte Carlo Rally and 5 times Circuit of Ireland Rally winner Paddy Hopkirk , Mayor of Lisburn, Cllr Margaret Tolerton and Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis.

The Circuit of Ireland’s renowned ‘Lisburn Power Stage’ will make a welcome return visit to the City this Easter.
Part of the European Rally Championship for 2014, the iconic Rally has announced a rerun of the thrilling stage at Lisburn’s Civic Centre on Saturday 19th April.

First included in the Circuit’s route in 2011 and repeated in 2012 the popular Lisburn stage attracted huge crowds and support both within Lisburn City Centre.

Lisburn’s state of the art Civic Centre, situated on the scenic River Lagan will be the hub of the action and Circuit partner Lisburn City Council will host a full range of family focused entertainment for rally fans and visitors in the City that day.

World Rally Hall of Fame inductee and 1964 Monte Carlo Rally winner Paddy Hopkirk helped launch the Lisburn stages along with Mayor of Lisburn, Cllr Margaret Tolerton and Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis.

Legend Paddy, who has chalked up 5 Circuit of Ireland Rally trophies, celebrates the 50th anniversary this year of his famous 1964 Mini Cooper victory in Monte Carlo.

Welcoming Paddy and the Circuit of Ireland to Lisburn, Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Margaret Tolerton said:
“I am delighted that the Circuit of Ireland is once again visiting our city and allowing our residents the opportunity to watch well-known rally drivers undertake a ‘super-special’ rally stage in Lisburn. The Council expects a high number of spectators at the event and I am delighted to advise that once again there will be a family fun day in Castle Gardens with activities and stalls for all ages on Saturday 19th April.

“Lisburn City Council is committed through its Tourism Unit to supporting a variety of events being held within the Council area; and to have the opportunity to work with the Circuit of Ireland team once again is a privilege,” she concluded.

Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis said, “Lisburn is one of the most hotly contested and best supported stages of the Rally. In 2012 the Lisburn Power Stage determined the overall result of the event - Andreas Mikkelsen lost time when he hit a hay bale and the Circuit was ultimately won by Juho Hanninen.

“We anticipate an equally exciting stage in the Lisburn area on Easter Saturday and would like to pay tribute to Lisburn City Council for all their support and contribution to the Circuit of Ireland both this year and during previous events.

“Entries will be opening soon and already there has been substantial interest from a number of competitors in mainland Europe for the International Rally as well as our national competitors at home. The event regulations are currently with the FIA (4 wheel motorsport) and will be published as soon as they are returned.” explained Bobby Willis.

For up to date information on the 2014 Circuit of Ireland visit http://www.circuitofireland.net/
Follow on Facebook .com/circuitofireland or twitter @CircuitIreland.
 

Graham

RMS Photographer
Messages
32,990
Location
By the sea
Drives
Press Cars
Literary Flourish for Circuit’s Banbridge Stage

1299483.jpg


Banbridge’s Bronte Homeland has given its name to a special stage of this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally taking place on Easter Saturday, 19 April.

The ‘Bronte Homeland’ stage is the longest competitive stage during the two day European Rally Championship event which will take in nearly 30 Km of picturesque roads between Banbridge and Rathfriland. Competitors will cover the special stage twice and as well as that, shoppers will be able to get alongside all the action in Banbridge town centre on the Saturday afternoon, when the cars will be assembled in ‘The Cut’ during a Rally Regroup.

The closed road special stage will include many of the Bronte heritage locations which celebrate Banbridge’s connection to the famous Bronte sisters through their rector father Patrick Bronte. Patrick was born and brought up in the region before studying at Cambridge University and finally settling in Yorkshire where his literary daughters Emily, Charlotte and Anne lived and wrote their world famous novels Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Helping to launch the Bronte Homeland stage of the Circuit of Ireland is Chairman of Banbridge District Council, Cllr Olive Mercer and Rally Event Director, Bobby Willis with Bronte period models - Stuart Allister and Joanne Magennis.

Local star Kenny McKinstry is particularly pleased that the Banbridge area will have so much of the action, “It’s wonderful to hear the organisers are running a stage so close to Banbridge. The roads in this area are incredible and always popular with the drivers. A special stage of this length will be a real test of man and machine.

“To also have a ‘regroup control’ in the centre of Banbridge will be fantastic and a real opportunity for shoppers and rally fans to get up close and personal with the competitors.”

Welcoming the Circuit of Ireland, Banbridge District Chairman, Cllr Olive Mercer said:
“We are delighted to have an international spotlight shone upon one of the jewels in the crown of the Banbridge region. We are immensely proud of our Bronte connections and view the Circuit of Ireland Rally and the resulting Eurosport television coverage and interest as a great opportunity to promote our literary heritage set in a spectacular rural landscape.”

During the Rally Regroup period, Banbridge District Council has planned a three hour festival of family fun activities on Easter Saturday afternoon. Adding a carnival atmosphere and entertaining shoppers and visitors in Newry Street and Bridge Street will be stilt walkers, jugglers, samba dancers and Rally themed performers.

Thanking Banbridge District Council for their support, Circuit of Ireland Event Director, Bobby Willis said:
“Banbridge’s link to the Bronte family is in itself a story worth telling. It has been our intention throughout the planning of the Circuit of Ireland Rally to tell these stories – some high profile and others less known – of Northern Ireland, so the world can witness our rich heritage and beautiful scenery, as a stunning backdrop to the iconic Circuit of Ireland Rally.”

The 2014 Circuit of Ireland has been billed by ERC organisers Eurosport Events as one of three ‘legendary’ events alongside the Acropolis and Corsica rallies. It takes place on 17-19 April and will be the first fully asphalt race of the European Rally Championship.

For up to date information on the 2014 Circuit of Ireland visit http://www.circuitofireland.net/
Follow on Facebook .com/circuitofireland or twitter @CircuitIreland.
 

Neil Kirkpatrick

RMS Regular
Messages
1,111
Location
Antrim
Drives
Subaru Impreza P
2014 Circuit of Ireland organisers along with Ards Borough Council will hark back to the heady days of the 1930s TT Races with the introduction of a new Ards TT Town Centre Special Stage on Friday, 18th April taking in Conway Square and surrounding urban and rural roads in the Newtownards region.

Top European motorsport stars such as Lebegue, Caracciola and Nuvolari who in the 1930’s were as high profile as today’s F1 heroes, Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso, all took part in the world famous Ards TT Races from 1928 until 1936.

Circuit of Ireland organisers aim to recreate the atmosphere of those glory days when up to half a million spectators from the island of Ireland and beyond converged to watch Alfa-Romeos, Talbots and Mercedes cars take on the celebrated Tourist Trophy roads challenge. This year on Good Friday morning, Conway Square in the heart of the market town will once again echo to the sounds of world class machinery when over 100 competitors will pass through a Time Control in the Town Square on their way out to the first competitive stages of the day. Drivers will then return to Newtownards on Friday evening for a closed road ‘Special Stage’ through the streets of the town.

The 2014 Circuit of Ireland has been billed by ERC organisers Eurosport Events as one of three ‘legendary’ events alongside the Acropolis and Corisca rallies. It takes place on 17-19 April and will be the first fully asphalt race of the FIA European Rally Championship.

Helping to launch the Ards TT Town Centre stage was Ards Mayor, Cllr Stephen McIlveen along with Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis. Linking the past to present day rallying and making a special ‘show’ appearance at the Ards stage will be the classic 1930s green Talbot 105 (pictured) owned by local motorsport enthusiast Nick Ward.

Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis said, “A Talbot 105 car entered the inaugural Circuit of Ireland event in 1931 and we’re delighted to profile such a fantastic classic car for the Ards TT Special Stage - this is an area hugely synonymous with motorsport glory.

“In terms of the Circuit, this is a first for the Ards area and I’d like to pay tribute to Mayor McIlveen and the Council’s vision and foresight in bringing such a high profile motorsport event to the region. In addition to Newtownards, the event will help showcase ‘Destination Strangford’ and the beauty of the lough itself.

“Town Centre stages are incredibly popular with fans and the general public and we look forward to welcoming visitors to Ards town centre on Good Friday. It’s a huge undertaking in terms of infrastructure and safety equipment, but plans are well underway and I believe it will be a fantastic and exciting event for Ards and the surrounding region.”

Mr Willis added, “An important factor of our programme will be our road safety message ‘Keep the Race in its Place’ and alongside the Council we will be highlighting road safety and its importance for everyday drivers.”

Mayor of Ards, Councillor Stephen McIlveen, who originally proposed that Ards Borough Council support the new stage of the rally, said: “The Circuit of Ireland is a prestigious motorsport event and to have a stage of the rally introduced here in Ards is a real coup. It adds yet another reason to visit and enjoy this area’s attractions and brings a boost to the local economy, as well as our growing reputation as a venue for high quality events.

“Ards Borough Council is delighted to be backing this part of the rally and, as someone who worked both behind and in front of the scenes to bring the event to Ards, I personally am very pleased that we will be welcoming the cars, the drivers and the spectators to what is sure to be a truly memorable occasion.”

For up to date information on the 2014 Circuit of Ireland visit http://www.circuitofireland.net/

Follow on Facebook .com/circuitofireland or twitter @CircuitIreland.
 
Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.
Top