Carlisle Mayor gives her support to local competitors

(Date of issue: Monday, 3 November 2008)

Carlisle is set to receive a boost to the local economy this November, when it hosts the finale of 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 supporters and support staff. The event is likely to attract thousands of spectators.

As part of the countdown to the event, the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Jacquelyne Geddes will wish her support to Longtown driver, Phil Jobson and his Co-Driver, Caroline Lodge tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 November) at 1pm. Phil and his car ‘Snowy’ will be parked outside the Old Town Hall in the city centre pedestrianised area, the venue for the finale of the race.

The rally starts in Leeds on Friday, 14 November and then spends Saturday, 15 November in North Yorkshire before crossing the Pennines for an overnight halt in Carlisle. Sunday, 16 November is spent in the Scottish borders and the Dumfries area, before another night halt in Carlisle.

The final day of the rally, Monday, 17 November, takes crews into the daunting Kielder forest complex in Northumberland before a mid-afternoon finish in Carlisle city centre for the champagne spraying ceremony. The Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Mrs Jacquelyne Geddes, will wave the cars over the finish line.

Now in its fifth year, the Roger Albert Clark Rally re-lives that era with a competition aimed at amateur competitors in cars taken mainly from that era. All of the competition takes place on private land, with public roads only used at slow speed to take competitors from one special stage to the next.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson said:

"Over the last five 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’re 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/