After the resounding success of last year's Festival of Motorsport, plans are well in advance for the LOUGHGALL FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT 08, which is set to take place in Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July.

Jointly organised by Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (NAMCC) Ltd, this year's Festival will once again feature a Historic Rally Car Challenge, Apple Blossom Autotest as well as static historic and classic car displays. And it's all in the aid of charity, with proceeds being donated to Northern Ireland Children's Hospice Care and other Lions charities.

"We are delighted to announce this year's event is set and ready to go," Armagh Lions President Cathal Hughes said. "We are planning to capture the passion and excitement as well as stirring memories of the golden age of motorsport. Loughgall Country Park is the ideal place to witness the sounds, speed and spectacle of many different historic rally cars as they race through the lanes and trees in this terrific venue. From a Lions point of view, however, the biggest winners on the day will be the charities."

A number of changes have been implemented for the Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 08. This year's Historic Rally Car Challenge will be run to MSA Historic Rally regulations, but a select number of spaces will also be provided for modified rally cars. The total number of entries will be limited to 60, so organisers expect that the Historic Rally will be oversubscribed.

"Armagh City and District Council are increasing their support for this year's event," Clerk of the Course William Fullerton said, "and thanks must go to both them and the Department for Regional Development for the use of the fantastic venue. We also have many associate sponsors that are happy to be on board but at the moment, we don't have a title sponsor. However, I'm hopeful that we will be able to secure the backing from a company that will see the obvious benefits of supporting what will once again be a high profile charity event."

Building upon last year's success, the Historic Rally Car Challenge will this year feature all tarmac special stages which will each be more than three miles long, with competitors tackling them eight times.

"Historic rallying is the fastest growing branch of motorsport in the UK," Fullerton continued, "so hopefully we can emulate the success that has already been achieved across the water. Already, a number of competitors have indicated their intentions to take part, and it will be a fantastic day out for all the family."

The Festival is sure to draw thousands of spectators to Loughgall Country Park once again, providing a huge coup for not only Loughgall, but also County Armagh.

Wishing all involved every success, Mayor of Armagh, Charlie Rollston, said, "These two clubs - both from Armagh - are a credit to this city and county and I am delighted to see their combined efforts come to fruition. Armagh City & District Council are proud to be associated with the Festival of Motorsport, and I am looking forward to attending at Loughgall Country Park on 5 July. I would also like to commend them on their choice of charity, as the Northern Ireland Hospice is a worthy, hard-working organisation who provide ultimate comfort and care at a time when it is most needed."

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Hospice Care Fund Raising Officer Peter Shepherd commented, "We are thrilled that Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club have chosen the N.I. Children's Hospice as their charity for this year's Festival of Motorsport. Hospice covers a wide spectrum of services for those with terminal or life-limiting illnesses. We provide palliative nursing care in our specialist units, or in the patient's home, as well as respite care. We can only deliver our high level of professional and dignified care through donations, so the announcement NI Hospice is to benefit from this event is particularly welcome as well as extremely far-reaching."

Regulations for the rally and autotest will be available in the near future, with further details available from www.namcc.com or www.armaghlionsclub.com . More information about the Historic Rally Car Challenge can also be obtained from the NAMCC Historic Rally secretary, Keith Somerville, on 07745 959141, or general information can be obtained from Armagh Lions Club co-ordinator, Ivor Ferguson, on 07712 647546.