LOCAL RALLY FANS ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE CIRCUIT OF IRELAND MOMENT
Organisers of this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally are calling on the public to share their favourite moments from the Circuit of Ireland Rally to mark the event’s 85th year.
The Circuit of Ireland, which takes place 7th – 9th April this year, is part of the fabric of Ireland’s rich motorsport history. Last year, the Rally attracted nearly 80,000 spectators and more than doubled its global television audience from 15 million to 40 million.
Members of the public who have spectated or volunteered with the Rally over the years are invited to share their favourite moments by contacting Rally organisers via social media www.facebook.com/circuitofireland or www.twitter.com/CircuitIreland or e-mail moments@circuitofireland.net.
Event Director Bobby Willis said, “The Circuit of Ireland Rally is rich in history. My first memory of the Circuit of Ireland Rally was as a boy with my father recounting numerous stories about the Rally. I’ve been involved in the Circuit of Ireland Rally for several decades now and have heard many wonderful stories down through the years about it and those involved – funny stories, poignant stories, the sport’s incredible fans and sacrifices made by drivers to ensure they could take part.”
Mr Willis added, “We are really keen to collate some of these superb stories as part of our celebrations for the Rally’s 85th year and would urge anyone to get in touch with the Circuit of Ireland office. We would love to hear from you.”
The Circuit of Ireland Rally is once again part of the prestigious FIA European Rally Championship.
Jimmy McCaherty and Winslow Trimble were the first winners of the Ulster Motor Rally, the Circuit’s predecessor, in 1931 in an Austin 16 Saloon. Since then, the Rally has attracted major international and local names including Paddy Hopkirk, Roger Clark, Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, Bertie Fisher and Austin MacHale. In recent times both Andreas Mikkelsen and Esapekka Lappi have competed on the Circuit and scored valuable points on their way to Championship wins.
The Rally will take place across County Down, County Antrim and Belfast from 7th – 9th April. For full details on this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally, visit www.circuitofireland.net . Follow on www.facebook.com/circuitofireland or www.twitter.com/CircuitIreland.