20,000 spectators expected in Laois for the Heartlands Mini Stages Rally

Laois Rallysport Club announce the launch of the inaugural running of the Heartlands Stages Rally in conjunction with O’Loughlin’s Hotel and Laois County Council.   The launch will take place on Saturday the 14^th of May at 7:30 p.m. at O’Loughlin's Hotel on the main street of Portlaoise.   An exciting night is promised and all are welcome.   There will be a static display of Rally cars on the main street followed by the usual photographs and light refreshments will be served after.

The rally will take place 4 weeks later on the 12^th of June 2011.   The event will be over two 20 Kilometre closed road stages.    The stages will all be close to Portlaoise with easy access for spectators. 

The motor sport enthusiasts of Laois Rallysport Club have been working for five years to procure this event for Portlaoise, and the intention is to make it an annual international festival building to a point where it attracts in excess of 50,000 visitors to Laois over the June weekend. 

This Rally couldn’t run without the help and support of the people of Laois, O’Loughlin’s Hotel, The County Council, Voluntary Groups, all our Sponsors and especially the residents of Laois who will be affected by the road closures. Laois Rallysport club are especially grateful to the residents who have welcomed the event to their areas and shown huge enthusiasm for the Rally    

The June 12^th event will kick off with Rally teams arriving into Portlaoise from Friday the 10^th of June.  Saturday will see the crews carry out a Recce of the stages with the Rally running on Sunday the 12^th June.   Large crowds of spectators are expected into the region giving a much needed economic boost to the County.