‘Circuit Challenge’ for invited R5 drivers launched
Circuit of Ireland event director Bobby Willis will run a new event – the International Circuit Challenge – in 2017.
The event will be for 30 invited R5 drivers only and features classic Circuit of Ireland stages in Mid and East Antrim on April 7/8.
The Circuit of Ireland – a round of the European, British and Irish Tarmac championships in 2016 – won’t run this year due to the event’s funding not being secured in time to plan the event.
“It is regrettable that due to circumstances beyond our control we could not run a European Championship Circuit of Ireland this year,” said Willis. “However the intention is to be back in 2018. It is important to keep the team together; to maintain the momentum and it’s always good to try something new. It was also imperative for us to retain the road closing order which enables the Circuit to take place.
“It promises to be a spectacular event and I’ve already had positive feedback from a number of our leading drivers.”
The event will start from Ballymena Showgrounds in County Antrim, and is set to take in four stages – run twice on each day – and 80 miles of competition.