The Circuit of Ireland is roaring into Ards on Friday 18 April.
The Circuit kicks off in Newtownards at 9am with a Time Control in Conway Square and continues to two stages in the borough as part of the day's rallying.
The world famous rally then returns to Newtownards at 7pm for the ‘Ards Super Stage’. This unique town centre stage will see 120 cars compete in timed heats around the centre of Ards with birds-eye spectator areas right around the special stage.
The 2014 Circuit of Ireland has been billed by ERC organisers 'Eurosport Events' as one of three ‘legendary’ events alongside the Acropolis and Corisca rallies. It takes place on 17-19 April and will be the first fully asphalt race of the European Rally Championship.
Conway Square will play host to some car themed family entertainment throughout the day (11am to 7pm),including a very special appearance from ‘Roary the Racing Car and Big Chris’, with race simulators from the Eddie Irvine Experience, static displays of rally cars and army reserve vehicles and the Cool FM Roadshow providing music.
The outline timings for Friday 18 April are:
9am Time control at Newtownards Town Hall, Conway Square, to start competitive stages
9.15am Stage starts at Loughries
10.30am Road closure at Ballygowan Stage
11am - 7pm Rally-themed Entertainment in Conway Square
12.45pm 1st Stage at Ballygowan
4pm Newtownards town centre road closures
(High Street, Mill Street, Gibson's Lane,Regent Street, Frances Street and Castle Place)
Pedestrian access continues.
6.15pm 2nd Stage at Ballygowan
7.10pm Ards TT Super Stage
Special timed stages around Newtownards town centre.
8.30pm Roads re-open at Ballygowan
9.00pm Newtownards town centre roads re-open.