news

Thursday 25^th June 2009

Antrim Countdown to Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally

Top local rally drivers Eugene Donnelly and Toni Kelly joined forces today at Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre to officially launch the 2009 Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally. This year’s event takes place on 127 competitive miles and 14 stages in the Antrim and Mid-Ulster regions. Set to kick off early afternoon on Friday 21^st August with a ceremonial start at Antrim’s historic Barbican Gate, the rally finishes at the same location on Saturday 22^nd August.  

Originally held in the Antrim area in 1976 when the inaugural Ulster Rally took place, the international event returns to the region for the first time in over 20 years. Rally HQ will be based at the Holiday Inn Express at Junction One and the event’s Central Service Park will be located in a section of the outlet shopping complex’s extensive car parks.  Organisers expect 300 drivers and co-drivers, supported by over 600 service crew, to be competing in150 rally cars over the two day period.

Ballygawley based multi-activity centre Toddsleap.com is once again backing the race as title sponsor and managing director Benny O’Hanlon said, “As a racing enthusiast this is an event worthy of support – the calibre of drivers racing on our roads makes for a very exciting major spectator event. This is a marvellous showcase for Antrim and beyond.”

Leona Barr, centre manager of Junction One who hosted today’s launch said, “We’re delighted to stage this special launch of the Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to Junction One during Rally week-end in August.”    

The international event will attract competitions from the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the British Rally Championship, the British Rally Challenge and the UK and Irish Mitsubishi Evo Challenge. The Toddsleap.com event also forms a round of both the British and Irish Ford Fiesta ST series and the UK Citroen C2 Cup and Suzuki Swift Sport Cup.   

The Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally is expected to attract up to 10,000 spectators from Ireland, the UK and further afield at both the start ramp and throughout each special stage. It’s also set to be broadcast on local TV, nationally and on global networks reaching an estimated audience of 30,000 on Rally Week-end. 

Clerk of Course Michael Johnston paid tribute to key sponsor Toddsleap.com and partner Antrim Borough Council saying, “It’s wonderful to make a fresh start this year with a  new start/finish zone and brand new stages which will undoubtedly challenge both old hands and newcomers to the race.  This is the second year that Toddsleap.com have been the main sponsor of the Ulster Rally – their passion for the event is awesome and we are delighted to have them on board again.

“In addition to cash funding, Antrim Borough Council have provided  support and the use of facilities including the excellent Vanguard Depot for our scrutineering teams. We’re also very pleased today to welcome and thank representatives of our many sponsors whose support is especially appreciated in today’s difficult economic conditions.”

For the first time the organisers are delighted to welcome competitors from the Renault Clio R3 West European Trophy. Explained Michael Johnston, “This has been made possible due to support from the Events Growth Fund and we wish to thank the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and Sports Minister Gregory Campbell for their invaluable funding support.

“We’re also grateful to Junction One for hosting today’s launch event and of course for enabling us to create a Central Service Park in the shopping centre’s large car park.” 

Newly elected Deputy Mayor of Antrim Cllr Alan Lawther said he was delighted that the Borough is to play host to such a prestigious sporting spectacular. “It’s an honour for Antrim to welcome the Ulster Rally back to the Antrim region. We’re looking forward to both local people and international guests sampling the delights of Antrim and enjoying a safe yet thrilling motorsport event. On behalf of the Council I’d like to wish the organisers the very best of luck for August 21st and 22nd and hopefully we’ll be blessed with some superb weather.”

Ends

Media contact: Simon Mooney at Mooney Media Tel 07803 891 893 or email [email protected] or Carol Anne Dornan/Susan Craig/Hannah McKee ANGLEPR Tel 028 9187 3504/079895 25536 (for Toddsleap.com) or Rosemary Allister JPR Tel 07880 504928. 

Editors’ Notes

• The Ulster Rally is an International Motor Car Special Stage Rally on closed public roads
• ToddsLeap.com Ulster Rally encompasses 350 road miles and 127  miles of competitive stages.

• Event takes place on Friday 21^st and Saturday 22^nd August with pre-event preparation starting early on Thursday 20^th August including Central Service Park set-up
• The event is designated an ‘International Rally’ and sanctioned by the FIA – motorsport’s governing body. It is one of only two such events run in Northern Ireland.
• 14 special stages (7 each run twice) and 7 visits to the Central Service Park at Junction One
• Rally HQ at Holiday Inn Express, Junction One
• 2009 is the 33^rd Ulster Rally
• Up to 800 volunteer officials are involved in running the event
• 150 competing cars – approximately 1000 competitors/crew members
• Rallying is the 4^th most popular sport in Ireland
• First car at official start in Antrim Town Centre on Friday 21^st August at 14:30.
• Cars run at one minute intervals. With a maximum of 150 cars it means 2.5 hours for each control
• Cars return to Junction One Central Service Park at 18:00 and 22:00.  Last car arrives approximately 01:00 (Sat)
• Re-start on Saturday 22^nd August at 07:00
• Cars return to Antrim four times during the day – 09:00, 12 noon, 14:30, 17:30.
• Official finish in Antrim Town Centre scheduled for 16:15 (national Rally) and 17:45 (International Rally) 

The Event Sponsor

Toddsleap.com

At Toddsleap.com having fun is a serious business.  Set in 100 acres of picturesque countryside near Ballygawley, this purpose built, off-road activity centre offers the very best in high octane thrills.  With extreme off road driving, quad biking, paintballing, clay pigeon shooting and archery, plus bespoke team-building activities, there’s something to suit every visitor, every group and every budget.

And there’s more.  Toddsleap.com will shortly be introducing an awesome 100 feet high inflatable slide, guaranteed to challenge the nerve of even the most hardened thrill seeker.  But while excitement is paramount, so too is safety, and visitors wear top quality protection equipment at all times.

And so to bed….after an action-packed day, why not chill out and relax in Toddsleap.com’s ultra comfortable self catering log cabins!

For more information, visit www.toddsleap.com or by call 028 8556 7170.