Dan Lewis
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Registered: 31st Jan 05
Location: Leicestershire
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HINCKLEY is set to stage the first-ever closed road rally in a town centre in England when it plays host to the fifth annual Rally of the Midlands next month.
The spectacle will start on Friday 9th June when competitors taking part in the three-day motorsport event, battle against the clock in a time-trial to take the overnight laurels.
A free show outside the council offices on Friday evening will provide an eye-opener for spectators from around the country prior to two full days of competition at venues around Hinckley & Bosworth and Nuneaton.
Competitors will arrive at Trinity Motors on Friday afternoon for pre-event safety checks before gathering at Argents Mead at about 7pm when they will compete against the clock on a small asphalt stage. The land, privately owned by the Borough Council, will be transformed into a race circuit complete with safety barriers and marshals during the event.
On Saturday (10th) the rally cars will be given a send-off from Hinckley town centre at 9am on their way to compete in eight stages around the district. These will be held at Higham, Mallory Park and Market Bosworth. The cars will return to Hinckley town centre at around 5.30pm.
“This is a great event for the town centre,” said Councillor Rosemary W Wright, Cabinet Member responsible for Culture and Development. “It will enable every resident in Hinckley to experience the high-speed spectacle of rally cars being driven by professional drivers in a safe and controlled environment.”
“The Rally of the Midlands brings visitors from all corners of the UK, in fact over the years we have seen competitors from Spain and the USA take part in the event, all of which helps spread the name of Hinckley and Bosworth.”
“Motorsport is continuing to form a significant part of our promotion of the Borough and the benefits of our activities are illustrated by the huge successes of our local college, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, who have seen their motorsport courses for young students grow beyond belief in recent years,” Councillor Wright added.
Peter Young, of Motorsport in the Midlands, said: "This year's event looks as if it will be the best yet, especially with our newly-created spectacle in the centre of Hinckley and the party atmosphere we hope will be enjoyed by competitors and visitors to the town."
The event continues on Sunday (11th) when a further 12 stages will take place at Bramcote, Arbury Hall and Merevale before the rally reaches a climax in Nuneaton town centre at around 3.30pm.
Hinckley is poo tho, people will try and rob bits from the cars!
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