After three years of association with a major tyre retailer, the Ulster Rally has a new driving force! Toddsleap.com is the proud main sponsor of the 2008 event, which runs over the weekend of Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August, 2008, based once more in the City of Armagh.

Whilst the sponsorship deal is new, the association isn't. For ten years, the popular Toddsleap.com rally stage in Tyrone has been an integral part of the rally.

The highly experienced Michael Johnston returns as Clerk of the Course for the 2008 event and describes this year's format as, "Classic Ulster, but with a few unexpected twists!"

The event is once more centred on the historic city of Armagh, with Rally HQ in the Armagh City Hotel. The schedule, which has proved so popular with competitors over the years, consists of the formal start of the International event in the Mall, followed by three stages on the Friday evening.

These stages are then repeated by the International competitors, who are joined by the National rally runners, giving everyone the opportunity to tackle some classic Ulster stages in the dark.

The Saturday leg consists of five stages run twice, giving a total of 135 stage miles for the International crews and 85 stage miles for the National crews. As in previous years, all servicing takes place in Armagh City, which is the focal point for the weekend.

CoC Michael Johnston continued, "The 2008 route contains a number of new stages and will provide a challenging test of skill and commitment, in the best traditions of the Ulster Rally."

Pictured at the recent Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally 2008 sponsorship announcement, from left, Michael Johnston, Rally Clerk of the Course, Mr Benny O'Hanlon, Managing Director Toddsleap and Philip Murray, Rally Event Director

Benny O'Hanlon, MD of Ballygawley-based Toddsleap.com, Ireland's biggest off road and corporate entertainment centre said, "We are delighted to be the main sponsors of the Ulster Rally in 2008. The event promises world class rally action for drivers and spectators alike. We are committed to driving the event forward and are confident that the Toddsleap.com Ulster Rally 08 will be the biggest and most thrilling ever!"