Scarborough to host Rally Yorkshire

Following enthusiastic support by the Borough Council, the 2010 International Rally Yorkshire will be based in the resort town of Scarborough for the first time in 25 years. The main event will be based on Marine Drive from midday on Friday 24th until the evening of Saturday 25th September.

Bringing an estimated £3m to the local economy over the weekend, Scarborough will host the rally’s start, finish, headquarters and service area, from where up to 180 competitors will head into the fabulous Yorkshire forests for a unique experience in British rallying.

Rally Yorkshire hosts the final rounds of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship attracting an estimated 35,000 rally fans to see rally cars dating from the early 1960’s right through to the modern era driven by some of the youngest up and coming talent in the UK and Europe.

Credited for bringing this major sporting event to Scarborough, Brian Bennett, Head of Tourism and Culture said: "Scarborough Borough Council is very pleased to be hosting the Yorkshire round of the British Rally Championship. This two-day rally is a superb addition to our diverse events programme and will look spectacular based on Marine Drive with its stunning backdrop. It will be great for Scarborough, as it will attract several thousand spectators and over 1000 drivers, crew, organisers and officials. We are now attracting a lot of exciting and varied sporting and cultural events to the area which demonstrates the value of the recent Urban Renaissance inward investment."

In addition to the boost to the local businesses and hoteliers, the event will feature the host town and region as the backdrop for Sky Sports television programmes in the UK and via the British Rally Championship production company, it will be syndicated in to Europe via Motors TV, to the Middle East via ESPN and further afield in Australia and New Zealand with Fox Sports.

"Scarborough is a very suitable location for an international rally and we wanted to expose rallying to a greater audience by bringing the show into town," said clerk of the course Rod Parkin from Trackrod Motor Club. "There will be a great atmosphere around the town, the service area will be based along Marine Drive and the ceremonial starts and finishes will be on the sea front."

Rally Yorkshire will also be a round of many national and regional championships. In a new development, contenders in the British Isles’ premier rally championship will tackle a 20-mile forest stage on Friday evening (24 September) ahead of the main competition on Saturday. Access for fans and visitors on Saturday will be via the forest drives in Dalby and Cropton.

Beyond 2010, the future host venue is still to be agreed with both parties working hard to find the necessary commercial support to retain this prestigious event in the resort town of Scarborough.

Mark Taylor, DTBRC manager said: Mark Taylor, DTBRC manager said: "The move is great news for everyone involved and I am delighted that Scarborough and the Council have embraced this world renowned series. Scarborough will provide a unique seaside backdrop for the final round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship. This event will provide a major boost for businesses and hoteliers at the end of the holiday season. Discussions are now taking place to secure Scarborough as the host venue beyond this first year and if this comes off, it would be a major coup for the popular resort."