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ERC Circuit of Ireland to begin amidst “wonderful landscape”

The first stages of round two of the FIA European Rally Championship will show off the "wonderful landscape" of the local area, according to the Circuit of Ireland chief.

From the service park at Kings Hall, Belfast, the ERC crews will head north on the morning of Friday 7 April to the Mid and East Antrim Borough of Northern Ireland to begin the competitive action.

The 21.02-kilometre Cairncastle stage near Larne will kick things off prior to the 11.87km test of Knockboy close to Ballymena, which will be repeated again in the afternoon as SS4.

Event Director Bobby Willis said: "We are delighted to work with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The roads will be hugely exciting and spectators can look forward to seeing rallying at its best.

"Last year, the Circuit of Ireland Rally featured on 81 channels and in 22 markets and I think it's fantastic that the wonderful landscape of Mid and East Antrim will now be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world as well as the large numbers who will travel here to enjoy that unique Circuit of Ireland experience."

Welcoming the rally, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Cllr Billy Ashe added: "The Circuit of Ireland's growing international status and partnership with Eurosport will give the Borough wonderful exposure to a global audience."

Willis (left) and Cllr Ashe (right) are pictured at the Ballymena Showgrounds (which will stage a remote refuel) with local rally driver John Mulholland, a competitor in the Irish Tarmac championship who will contest the Circuit of Ireland in a ŠKODA Fabia S2000.

Zdroj: fiaerc.com