Rally to bring in more tourist spending for popular resort

September might spell the end of the summer season for many resorts but in the borough of Scarborough it is set to be a bumper month of entertainment and sport.

Following support by Scarborough Council, the 2010 International Rally Yorkshire will be based in the resort for the first time in 25 years on Friday September 24 and Saturday 25.

Bringing an estimated 3m to the local economy over the weekend, Scarborough will host the rally's start, finish, headquarters and service area, from where up to 180 competitors will head into Yorkshire forests for a unique experience in British rallying.

In addition to the boost to the local businesses, the event will get the host town and region on television, which will be broadcast around the world.

Clerk of the course Rod Parkin, from Trackrod Motor Club, said: "Scarborough is a very suitable location for an international rally and we wanted to expose rallying to a greater audience by bringing the show into town.

"There will be a great atmosphere around the town. The service area will be based along Marine Drive and the ceremonial starts and finishes will be on the seafront."

Rally Yorkshire will again be a round of many national and regional championships and will be the final stage of the British Rally Championship, licensed by the Motor Sports Association).

In a new development, contenders in the British Isles' premier rally championship will tackle a 20-mile forest stage on Friday evening ahead of the main competition on Saturday.

Competition manager Mark Taylor said: "The move is great news for everyone involved and I am delighted that Scarborough and the council have embraced this world renowned series.

"Scarborough will provide a unique seaside backdrop for the final round of the Championship. This event will provide a major boost for businesses and hoteliers at the end of the holiday season.

"Discussions are now taking place to secure Scarborough as the host venue beyond this first year and if this comes off, it would be a major coup for the popular resort."

Brian Bennett, Scarborough Council head of tourism, said: "The council is very pleased to be hosting the Yorkshire round of the British Rally Championship. This two-day rally is a superb addition to our diverse events programme and will look spectacular based on Marine Drive with its stunning backdrop.

"It will be great for Scarborough, as it will attract several thousand spectators and more than 1,000 drivers, crew, organisers and officials.

"We are now attracting a lot of exciting and varied sporting and cultural events to the area which demonstrates the value of the recent Urban Renaissance inward investment."

The rally is one of a number of big event taking place in the borough this month, including an Acoustic Gathering and Jazz Festival.

In years gone by Yorkshire resorts were winding down in September, ready for most attractions to be mothballed in October until the following spring.

Scarborough Council culture officer Rowena Marsden said: "The profile of the borough is definitely on a high.

"As well as more established events, there are some new additions to this year's calendar which is testament to the year-round appeal of the borough and the efforts that go into attracting these events.

"Unfortunately there aren't enough weekends in September for all the events so they are having to share."