POWER TO THE PEOPLE

It will be the first time in the UK that a city has closed its roads for a competitive stage of a motorsport event - and the organisers are promising it will be a spectacular sight.

Competitors will roar through the streets in the Power Stage which will mean the roads closing at 4.30pm and the action will be shown on the Internet around the world.

The Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter, said: “Everyone in Lisburn is looking forward to seeing the cars rev along Queens Road, where they will negotiate a tricky hairpin turn at the Seymour Street junction, before passing along the front of the Civic Centre at Lagan Valley Island and finishing the stage on Canal Street.”

And Mr Porter said everyone had come together to ensure the whole day would be something special.

“Not only have we brought one of the most famous rallies in the world to our streets, but we will also be hosting the perfect Easter Saturday family day out with entertainment and activities scheduled all day in the Castle Gardens area,” he added.

Activities will include art and craft workshops from 12noon in the air shelter, RampRage BMX Stunt Team, children’s fun fair amusements, street entertainers, face painters, live music from local bands throughout the day, electric car demonstrations from the Donnelly Motor Group and the F1 car display on Queens Road from 5pm.

Mr Porter added: “Since we revealed the Rally would be coming to Lisburn there has been a real buzz with local business and traders preparing for a particularly busy Easter weekend.”

Circuit of Ireland Rally Director Bobby Willis managed the World Rally Championship Super Special Stage at Stormont in 2007 and said he was delighted with the level of interest in the Lisburn stages.

“As the Circuit celebrates its 80th anniversary it really is great to have the support of such a great City as Lisburn,” said Bobby.

“Over 100 entrants including reigning Circuit champion Derek McGarrity and Steve Perez, who will be bringing the iconic Lancia Stratos back to the Rally, will compete along with Lisburn drivers Alistair Hall in a Peugeot 205 GTI and Andrew Mulholland in a Mk 2 Ford Escort.

“When I took over the day-to-day running of the Circuit last year I said that I wanted to bring Rallying back to the people and that’s exactly what the Lisburn Power Stage will do. I believe these city centre stages are the future of Rallying and I think it is fantastic that Lisburn have been able to facilitate this.”

Rally fans all over the world will be able to watch the action as it unfolds at www.utvdrive.co.uk.

Fans can also watch the live streaming from their iPhone with the UTV Drive app which can be downloaded for free from iTunes.

The 2011 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally in association with UTV Drive will see competitors from towns and villages all across Ireland negotiate 16 competitive stages across counties Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Antrim and Monaghan.

Easter Sunday will see competitors return to the Armagh City Hotel from 4pm for a podium finish.

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