PRESS
RELEASE
Tuesday 9 March 2010
UTV
DRIVE TO SPONSOR THE CIRCUIT OF IRELAND
2010 DAKAR WINNING VW RACE TOUAREG
ALSO TO STAR AT THE CIRCUIT
There was a double celebration for the Circuit of Ireland Rally
team today.
At a launch at the UTV studios in Belfast, it was announced
that UTV Drive, one of the leading online car sale websites
is to sponsor the Circuit of Ireland Rally this Easter weekend.
Thanking the assembled guests Rally Director, Bobby Willis also
confirmed that the 2010 Dakar winning VW Race Touareg will play
a pivotal role during the Easter Rally as it makes its first
appearance in Great Britain and Ireland since its stunning victory
earlier this year.
Bobby Willis, Rally Director said:
"We are delighted that UTV Drive is to be principal sponsor.
In the current climate sponsors are scarce and I would like
to thank Jeremy Biggerstaff and his team at UTV Drive for their
ongoing advice and support.
"The 2010 rally will now be known as the UTV Drive Circuit
of Ireland Rally and I am sure the legions of motorsport fans
will appreciate and welcome UTV Drive's involvement."
Jeremy Biggerstaff, Managing Director of UTV New Media, said:
"The Circuit of Ireland has legendary status across the
rallying world and a strong and loyal following among thousands
of rally fans.
"We believe that the Circuit of Ireland Rally and UTV Drive
make a perfect partnership as we share the same vision for future
growth throughout Ireland. Since we launched last Autumn we
have been delighted with both public and commercial response
to our website and partnerships like this reinforce our commitment
to the local motoring community."
Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has given his support to the
Rally:
"Under my newly published Sports Strategy for Northern
Ireland, Sport Matters, Government has made a commitment to
establish Northern Ireland as a world class venue for sporting
events.
"I am therefore delighted that my Department, with this
commitment in mind, has provided funding for the Circuit of
Ireland Rally for 2010.
"I am also particularly pleased that the organisers have
achieved Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) Supporter Event
Status for the 2010 Rally.
"This is not only a major coup for the event but will allow
the Rally to be profiled on a world stage. Sports events, like
the Circuit of Ireland, help promote a positive image of Northern
Ireland to a wider audience and bring important economic benefits.
I wish the participants and spectators a safe and successful
rally."
Since taking over the running of the UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland
Rally a number of months ago, Rally Director, Bobby Willis has
not hidden his ambition to revive this great sporting event
to the levels it enjoyed in the past.
Willis promised changes to bring new crowds to the Rally and
this was evident today.
"I'm delighted to announce that we have secured the 2010
Dakar winning VW Race Touareg which is sure to excite motorsport
fans the length and breadth of Ireland.
"The Race Touareg is the pinnacle of all-terrain motorsport
having triumphed across 9,500kms in the world's toughest motorsport
cross-country marathon.
"I have worked with the VW team on Dakar for a number of
years, the Race Touareg is a remarkable piece of engineering
and technology and took first, second and third in this year's
Dakar - the winning team led by the rallying legend Carlos Sainz,"
said Willis.
"The VW Race Touareg will perform a series of press engagements
before the Circuit begins and then can be viewed by fans in
Dundalk, Newry and Banbridge and also can be seen before each
of the 15 stages across the Easter weekend."
Adding his blessing to the launch at UTV today was the most
successful driver in the Circuit of Ireland's long history -
seven time winner Jimmy McRae.
"The Circuit of Ireland holds dear memories for me and
the re-introduction of the night-time stage evokes special thoughts
having battled rally greats such Billy Coleman, Russell Brookes,
Pentti Airikkala and David Llewellin across the famous Circuit.
"I've known Bobby Willis for many years and support his
plans to re-awaken the sleeping giant that is the Circuit of
Ireland and restore it to its past glory."
A marathon 18 mile (29km) night-time stage will be the centrepiece
of this Easter's Circuit of Ireland Rally with thousands of
fans expected to descend on Dundalk for the ceremonial start
on Easter Saturday 3 April before the rally moves on to 15 stages
in Counties Down, Armagh, Louth and Monaghan.
Precise maps and information surrounding the locations of each
of the 15 stages will be available in the Circuit of Ireland
programmes, which will be available for advance purchase online
at www.circuitofireland.net and from retailers in the area before
and during the event.
Other sponsors of the 2010 UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland include
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Banbridge District
Council, Dundalk Chamber, Triton Showers, Hankook Tyres, the
Park Hotel, Dundalk; KDM Hire; The Web Bureau and Kantar Media.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally
" Circuit of Ireland is an institution across the rallying
world
" Second oldest rally in the world (est.1931) owned by
the not-for-profit Ulster Automobile Club
" The Circuit is one of the biggest annual rallies in Ireland
" In 2010 it will take place on 3-4 April in its traditional
Easter slot
" In 2009, Eugene Donnelly took the title in a Skoda Fabia
WRC
" Rallying is one of the most popular spectator sports
in Ireland - faithful following north and south
" In 2010 the event will start in Dundalk with a ceremony
at 11am on Easter Saturday, with the rally starting at 12.30.
Return to Dundalk late that evening.
" Entries will be capped at 135
" The service park this year will be in Carnbane Industrial
Estate, Newry
" Cars will regroup in Banbridge (Solitude Park) Saturday
afternoon at 16.00, enabling the public to 'get up close and
personal' with the drivers.
" Night stages south of Banbridge on Saturday night
" Finish in Newry late on Easter Sunday afternoon
" The Circuit of Ireland has received Intercontinental
Rally Challenge (IRC) Supporter Event status in a major coup
for the organisers of the world's second oldest rally.
" IRC Supporter Event status allows the Circuit of Ireland
to be profiled on a world stage and signals the IRC's intent
to consider the Rally as a potential host
