Event’s boost to the local economy
(Date of issue: Saturday, 18 July 2009)
Carlisle is set to receive a boost to the local economy this
November, when it welcomes back a prestigious UK car rally.
The city has been confirmed as the finishing venue for the
‘Roger Albert Clark Rally’ - named in honour of the former RAC
Champion driver. An estimated 50 historic rally cars will take part
along with support crews. The event is likely to attract thousands
of spectators.
The Crown Hotel Wetheral has already received a large booking
from one of the teams taking part in the event. Paul Hicks, General
Manager of the Crown Hotel Wetheral, said:
“I am delighted that Carlisle has retained this
high profile event. We have already secured a significant
accommodation booking and we look forward to welcoming and looking
after more of the crews and spectators.”
The rally starts from Pickering Showground, Yorkshire on Friday,
13 November. The cars arrive in Carlisle on Saturday, 14 November
for an overnight halt. Sunday, 15 November is spent in the Scottish
borders and the Dumfries area, before another night in
Carlisle.
The final day of the rally, Monday, 16 November, takes crews
into the daunting Kielder forest complex in Northumberland before a
lunch-time finish in Carlisle city centre for the champagne
spraying ceremony. The Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor William
Graham, will wave the cars over the finish line.
Now in its sixth year, the Roger Albert Clark Rally re-lives
that era with a competition aimed at amateur competitors in cars
taken mainly from that era. Stig Blomqvist, 1984 World Rally
Champion and winner of the inaugural Roger Albert Clark Rally in
2004 has confirmed his entry for this year’s event.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson said:
“Over the last six years, the Council has
supported the organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally with their
arrangements and have helped it develop into a successful event.
We’ll be pleased to welcome them back and are delighted to be
chosen as the venue for the finish. It will help raise the profile
of the city nation-wide.
“We have a rich heritage of rally driving in the
region and this event will generate great opportunities for local
business and tourism with competitors and fans coming from all over
the UK staying for two consecutive nights within the city.”
An independent assessment of the value that the rally brings to
the regional economy has revealed that more than £600,000 will be
spent in Carlisle as a direct result of the rally. In addition,
national media and TV exposure will provide a further boost by
bringing the natural beauty of the region to a wide audience.
Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall, from the Yorkshire-based De
Lacy Motor Club, is proud that the rally will be making a
significant contribution to tourism related businesses as a
traditionally quiet time of the year. He said:
"Mid-November is inevitably a slow time for
tourism. The Roger Albert Clark Rally will fill around 15,000 hotel
beds across the region, while restaurants and other regional
businesses will also benefit."
For further information about the event visit www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org