TRNC readies to host rally events

PREPARATIONS are under way for North Cyprus to again host a “super special stage” of the combined Cyprus Rally, as part of the combined European (ERC) and Middle Eastern rally championships in June.

Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality has held a meeting with officials from the North Cyprus Touring Automobile Club (KKTOK) and Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) — the two organisations organising the event that will see international rally stars cross a temporarily united buffer zone in Lefkoşa and enter the city where they will be watched by thousands of spectators lining its streets.

The rally is due to start in South Cyprus on June 15, with the “special stage” crossing into the North scheduled for June 17.

Speaking to Cyprus Today, rally director Canben Özpaşa said: “This fantastic event, which will be the fourth leg of the ERC and Middle Eastern Rally, will be held following last year’s very successful organisation.

“We are currently discussing having a similar race track to last year, but exact details are still being finalised.”

The Cyprus Rally has put cars and crews to the test since 1970. To mark its return to the ERC calendar in 2014 for the first time since 1999, a groundbreaking street stage through the United Nations-controlled buffer zone generated considerable interest on and off the island.

Racers compete on both dirt tracks and tarmac sections, while the June date makes for punishing temperatures.