Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally to launch at Titanic Quarter
Titanic Super Special Stage to launch Circuit of Ireland 2012
By Bob Hume, 26th January 2012
There was sensational news today at the press launch of the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally.
It was revealed that this Easter's event would start in Belfast for the first time in over two decades, in the shadow of the world-famous Harland and Wolff cranes and new Titanic Belfast building, as the Titanic Super Special Stage, broadcast on Eurosport, starts the famous rally across 6/7 April 2012.
The 2012 Circuit of Ireland Rally will be host to the third round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series in an event that will be broadcast to around 80 million fans across the globe.
Titanic Super Special Stage
As part of the Titanic Festival, Good Friday will see thousands of spectators descend on Titanic Quarter as 120 competitors, including the best Irish drivers and IRC stars from around the world, will compete on a 2km special stage, specially designed to guarantee spectator viewing.
The rally then heads south for 14 more stages over two days centred round the historic host city of Armagh and also including a city centre Power Stage in Lisburn, which attracted 15,000 spectators last year.
Speaking at today‘s launch in the Titanic Drawing offices in Belfast, Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA said: “2012 is a year of utmost importance to Northern Ireland. There are so many special events and anniversaries taking place that we can safely say we have a genuinely exciting experience to offer the world. I welcome the thrilling contribution the 2012 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally will make to the world-class programme of NI2012 events and especially welcome the news that the Rally has been inducted into the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge and is only UK stage in the calendar."
He continued: “That‘s why I am pleased that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has provided financial assistance of £70,000 to support marketing and promotion as well as assist with the cost of running the event.”
Belfast man and global motorsport promoter Bobby Willis, is also Rally Director. He said: “2012 will be the biggest and best Circuit of Ireland Rally in more than two decades as we continue to restore the event to its former glory. The Titanic Super Special Stage will be a feast for motorsport fans and families alike with some of the world‘s biggest rallying stars, including current IRC series champion, Norway‘s Andreas Mikkelsen, thrilling crowds on a stage that will be built beneath grandstands yards from where the Titanic was launched."
Bobby Willis, who organised the Super Special Stage at Stormont in 2007 as part of Rally Ireland, has always been keen to ensure the public get as close to the drivers as possible: "Fans and families will have the opportunity to meet the drivers before a ceremonial start at Belfast City Hall and again in Lisburn and Armagh as we bring the Rally back to the people.
The IRC is one of the most popular motorsport series on the planet with a cumulative audience of 79 million viewers in 2010 and rose to prominence in the UK and Ireland when Dungannon‘s Kris Meeke won the title in 2009.
Among the Irish drivers that will do battle with current IRC series stars Donagh Kelly (Donegal), Jonny Greer (Carryduff), Craig Breen (Waterford), Robert Barrable (Dublin) Mark Donnelly (Omagh) and Alastair Fisher (Trillick).
This year‘s co-sponsors of the 2012 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally include: UTV Drive, Tourism Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Armagh City and District Council, Lisburn City Council and Belfast City Council, Titanic Quarter, Kantar Media, Triton Showers, KDM Hire, Yellow Brick Road, and The Armagh City Hotel.
For further information go to www.circuitofireland.net
