Star rally driver Jonny Greer (centre) launches Belfast as a key host in this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally alongside Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Arder Carson (left) and Circuit event director Bobby Willis (right). 

The city of Belfast will once again be a key host for this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally with organisers revealing a new home for the Circuit’s Rally HQ and Service Park at iconic Belfast landmark, the King’s Hall Complex, Balmoral.

Famous for its boxing showdowns, pop concerts including the Beatles in 1964 and agricultural festivals, The King’s Hall will play host to the Circuit which will be one of the last large scale events at the popular 1930’s venue.

Bobby Willis also paid tribute to Circuit partner Belfast City Council who alongside Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and the majority of NI regional councils, provides significant support for the Circuit which last year attracted almost 79,000 visitors to Belfast and other locations throughout Northern Ireland.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson joined international rally driver Jonny Greer to launch Belfast’s role in the 2016 event.

The Circuit of Ireland Rally takes place on 7-9 April and is the third of 10 rounds in the 2016 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). The 2016 event is also part of the 2016 British Championship (BRC) the Irish Tarmac Championship series and is a counting round of the Northern Ireland Championship.

Circuit organisers will in due course announce further details on the rally route, stages and entries.

In addition to Belfast City Council other regional councils supporting the 2016 Circuit of Ireland Rally are Ards and North Down, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Causeway Coast and Glens, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Antrim and Newtownabbey. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Mid and East Antrim Council are also expected to formally pledge their support of the international event in the coming weeks.

Entries are set to open in early February and organisers are expecting another bumper entry in 2016. The team would also welcome new volunteers to help manage each of the stages and anyone interested can contact organisers via the volunteer page on www.circuitofireland.net.

For up-to-date information visit http://www.circuitofireland.net. Follow on www.facebook.com/circuitofireland or www.twitter.com/CircuitIreland.