Déjà vu Northwest expected to draw huge crowds as 140 iconic rally and classic cars head to Sligo

Commencing Friday afternoon next, many of the 140 strong field of iconic rally cars, classics and collector cars will gather in the Sligo Retail Park, Carraroe, to remain there overnight under security.

On Saturday morning April 27, the remaining field will join the gathering before the preparation for departure on the run. Prior to going on their leisurely way, the many motorsport personalities will be interviewed by the well-known WRC commentator Becs Williams, ably assisted by the renowned Alan Tyndal, well known for his RPM motorsport broadcasts.

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At 9.30am the first car will leave Sligo Retail Park, and in a coordinated fashion each of the participants will depart following the predetermined route across some of the most scenic roads from Sligo, out into North Leitrim and down into south Donegal.

Following a closed midday refreshment stop at Frosses in Donegal the field will then head back for Donegal Town, where the public can view the passing convoy in and around Quay St Car Park and listen to interviews and commentary with some of the drivers.

The cars will then make their return to Sligo taking in two of the most classic former stages in the Northwest on route, one in Mullaghmore which hosted the live broadcast for Rally Ireland, chosen then for its beauty with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

For the finishing ceremony, the cars will enter O’Connell Street via The Glasshouse and congregate towards the top where another series of brief interviews will take place and Oceanfm will broadcast live, prior to departing up Harmony Hill and out through the Market Yard.

As an extension The SF Planes, Cars & Coffee will be hosted at Strandhill Airport on Sunday morning from 10am till 12.30 where the Déjà vu rally cars, a panorama of competition machines ranging from the Mini Coopers, Saabs and Renault Alpines of the 60s and 70s; the Ford Escorts, Opel Mantas, and Porsches, of the 80; the Subarus and Toyotas of the 90s, and the WRC Fords and Subarus right up to the latest R5 and WRC cars will be joined by multiple high-flyers from all over the land at the Sunday morning Breakfast Fly-in. Entry on the day will be by purchasing a Souvenir Programme.

All proceeds from the event, the souvenir programme and the Gala Dinner is going to Friends of Rallying a fund to support the families of Gene McDonald and Daire Maguire, driver and navigator who tragically lost their lives on Sligo Stages Rally last year.

Patrons are reminded to keep up to date on Connachtmotorclub.com, on Connacht Motor club social media pages.

The Club are appealing to the public to purchase a programme which has full route details and entry list.