6th & 7th April
http://www.rally.ie/stories/111027-204535
Titanic Super Special Stage set for sell out!
Posted: February 28, 2012 11:44 AM
Tickets are now on sale for one of the most anticipated motorsport events in Ireland, this year. The Titanic Super Special Stage of the 2012 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally which will begin in Belfast on Good Friday 6 April.
Thousands of spectators are expected to wave off more than 100 competitors from across the world, from Belfast City Hall at 4pm before the Rally superstars take on the challenge of a spectacular purpose built stage in Titanic Quarter.
This year the famous Circuit of Ireland Rally will form the third round of the global Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) with the action and images of Belfast broadcast into the homes of millions around the world, courtesy of Eurosport.
Tickets for the Titanic Super Special Stage, which forms part of Belfast City Council’s incredible Titanic Festival, can be purchased from the Belfast Welcome Centre or
www.circuitofireland.net
Rally Director Bobby Willis is confident the remarkable line-up of drivers and action packed stage will see tickets snapped up in record time.
“Since launching details of the Titanic Super Special Stage in January, we have been inundated with calls and emails from excited fans desperate to know when they can get their hands on tickets. The answer is now!
“The opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest rally stars, such as reigning IRC Champion, Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen and Juho Hänninen of Finland (who have been swapping fastest times throughout recent IRC events) as they hurtle round a track at incredible speeds does not come around often – especially so close to the city !
“We’ll also have a Celebratory Challenge and former world motorcycle street bike freestyle champion Mattie Griffin will amaze the crowds on his BMW F 800 R, before the rally stars take on the stage at Titanic Quarter.”
The Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) will be selling the tickets through the Belfast Welcome Centre. Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Servicing at BVCB said:
“Belfast is definitely ready to welcome visitors from Europe, and further afield, for the Titanic Super Special Stage which forms part of the Titanic Festival.
“The new multi-million pound Titanic Belfast, which will already be open and the famous Harland and Wolff cranes will provide an unforgettable backdrop to the stage which is to be broadcast on Eurosport.
“The Titanic Super Special Stage is an event which will appeal to rally fans and families alike. Advance booking will be essential and tickets are priced between £12.50 and £25 with VIP packages also available through the Belfast Welcome Centre.”
A number of Group B cars will be driven on the Super Special, before the competition, including the hugely impressive Ari Vatanen 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering and 700 brake horse power Peugeot 405 T16, which was driven to victory on the 1989 Pikes Peak Hillclimb in America. This is a very rare appearance for this gem, of which only two cars were only ever built.
Belfast City Centre Management has been working closely with the Rally organisers. City Centre Manager, Andrew Irvine said:
“The Titanic Super Special Stage at 5pm on Good Friday guarantees a great day out for all the family and I’m thrilled that for the first time in over two decades, the Circuit of Ireland will be starting in Belfast.
“The Circuit will add to what is always a busy trading day in Belfast. We have worked closely with organisers so that there will be no disruption to traffic flow around the city centre.
“This is a major boost for Belfast traders, allowing them to showcase their offering to the many tourists expected to attend.”
Mr Willis continued:
“Fans follow the IRC wherever it goes and those visiting Belfast for the first time will not be disappointed thanks to the amazing Easter Weekend programme of events secured by Tourism Ireland and Northern Ireland Tourist Board, along with Belfast City Council.
“Support from the tourism bodies and Armagh, Lisburn and Belfast Councils has once again been incredible and I’m delighted that the 2012 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally has secured such a massive opportunity to promote Belfast, and Northern Ireland as a whole, as the ‘must visit’ European destination of the moment.”
Following the Titanic Super Special, drivers will take on 14 stages centred around the historic host city of Armagh with additional stages across counties Down and Tyrone. Easter Saturday will also see the return of the hugely popular city centre Lisburn Power Stage which is expected to draw thousands of spectators, as in 2011.
Standing and seated tickets for the Titanic Super Special Stage can be purchased at the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast BT1 5AD, +44 (0)28 9024 6609 or online at
www.gotobelfast.com and
www.circuitofireland.net
The Rally can also be followed on Facebook at Circuit of Ireland Rally.
