Friday, 13th June 2008
Donegal looks set for a bumper tourism injection of over €30 million as the Topaz Donegal International Rally Ireland takes over the county this weekend. [Figure from the Donegal Motor Club].
The Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment, Mary Coughlan, was on hand to officially start The Topaz Donegal International Rally Ireland which will see over 50,000 spectator’s line the roads of Letterkenny as Ireland’s premier rally drivers compete for championship points as part of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The future of the Rally, which is one of the country’s oldest annual rallies, had been in doubt until Topaz, Ireland’s largest fuel and convenience retailer took over the sponsorship of the event, investing almost a quarter of a million euro in sponsoring and supporting the event over the next 3 years.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, said, “I am delighted to officially open the 2008 Topaz Donegal International Rally. The Rally, which is one of Ireland’s premier sporting events, brings tens of thousands of people to Donegal every year. The economic importance of the Rally to the county and indeed further afield, cannot be understated. It secures vitally important tourism revenue which has obvious and very significant benefits for the area. I whole-heartedly compliment the volunteers of the Donegal Motor Club who work tirelessly each year to ensure the event runs smoothly. It is testament to the success and durability of the product that another new sponsor has come on board this year in the form of Topaz, a full 36 years on from the first Donegal International Rally.”
Having finalised their entry lists, the Donegal Motor Club confirms that a total of 175 teams from Ireland and the UK will participate in 4 rally categories over the weekend. The main event, the International Rally begins on Friday while the Historic Rally, which features classic rally cars and the Fiesta Sporting Trophy Ireland take place on Saturday 14th. Up and coming rally drivers will also have their chance to shine at the Junior Rally on Sunday 15th.
Clerk of the course, Danny Gormley, commented: “Every year the Rally grows in popularity and this year is no exception. We had a large number of enquiries from crews throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Unfortunately not everyone can gain entry as the calibre of applicants was so strong. We have had a huge reaction from the success of last year’s Rally and I can tell that the 2008 Rally is going to be the best yet.”
Danny Murray, CEO of Topaz said, “The Rally is of huge importance to the Donegal region and can be enjoyed by the entire family. We know that the Rally will go from strength to strength and we are proud to be partnering with the Donegal Motor Club for the next 3 years. We have completed the re-branding of all our retail dealer service stations in Donegal to coincide with the start of the Topaz Donegal International Rally Ireland, so that visitors will be in no doubt of our commitment to Donegal and the Rally.”
For Further Information:
Stephen McNamara
Phone: 087 917 6941
Or
Eleanor Newman
Phone: 01 -703 8622
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