Additional funding for 2019 Today’s Ulster Rally
Organisers of the 2019 Today’s Ulster Rally are delighted to announce that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council will support this year’s event, which takes place on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of August.
As well as playing host to stages, Banbridge will also welcome crews and their cars on three separate occasions during the event. These regroups are only a two-minute walk from the town centre at Rathfriland Street and offer spectators a great opportunity to see the cars up close and grab a ‘selfie’ with their favourite driver.
The Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Mealla Campbell, said: “With the growth of sports tourism, it is a great opportunity for our borough to host and our council to support a live motorsport event such as the Today’s Ulster Rally.
“We applaud the organisers – Northern Ireland Motor Club – for recognising our borough’s rallying credentials and for helping profile our area to a wider audience. Offering unique visitor experiences is what sets our borough apart as a tourism destination, so the Ulster Rally is a complementary and welcome addition to this year’s events calendar,” she added.
Ulster Rally Event Director, Richard Swanston, said organisers are conscious of the need to bring rallying to the people. “I am very excited to be bringing rallying back to both Banbridge town centre and the surrounding area,” he said, “and I would encourage spectators to come down and see all the cars at the regroups. The sights and sounds at these are just fantastic!”
Between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and neighbouring Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, the competitive route will comprise nine closed-road tests covering a total distance of ninety four miles.
They will be tackled by crews from no fewer than five different championships, including those battling it out for overall and class honours in the British Rally and Irish Tarmac series. Joining them will be those from the FUCHS Lubricants Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship, FUCHS Lubricants Historic Asphalt Rally Championship and the Celtic Trophy.
The ceremonial start, finish and service park are located in the rally’s new base in Newry.
People can keep up-to-date with the latest Ulster Rally news by visiting the official Facebook page or website (www.ulsterrally.com/spectators) where a free spectator guide will be available in the week running up to the rally.
Picture caption: President of the Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd, Robert Harkness, pictured with the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Mealla Campbell.
