Chariots of fire

By Eoin Harmon

Dublin City is to be transformed into a rubber-burning and pulsating racing circuit on Sunday, June 3rd.

The Bavaria City Racing motor-sports exhibition will see many types of racing cars and bikes drive laps around the city streets.

Starting from O’Connell Bridge and Aston Quay, the route passes through College Green, D’Olier Street, Burgh Quay and Custom House before finishing at the North Wall Quay.
According to Linda McGarry, the Marketing Director of Bavaria City Racing Dublin, the capital has several merits for hosing such an event.

“It’s been held in two other cities, and Dublin will be the third. It originated in Rotterdam, and then it moved to Moscow,” she said.

“The topographic nature of Dublin is very suitable to the track”, she continued.

“It also doesn’t have a Formula One event, so the impact will be good and people will enjoy it.”

While the Formula One cars will be the primary attraction, including McLaren’s drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, there are many other vehicles and personalities hoping to impress.

“We have Le Mans cars, WRC cars, Superbikes (including Northern Irish rider Eugene Laverty), Pro Drift cars, and of course, we have the Supercars – the Ferraris, the Spykers, the Koenigseggs etc,” McGarry said.

The organisers are also seeking volunteers using an online form to help the day run as smoothly and as safely as possible.

“Depending on your answers, our production team will be able to allocate you to an area of volunteering, whether that’s on track, or whether that’s crowd control. It all depends on your experience and ability,” she said.

Bavaria are planning to run three more City Racing events, so everyone involved will hope for a successful day out.

It is possible to view the exhibition from a free spectator viewing area, but tickets for Grandstand seating at Custom House (O’Connell Bridge is sold out) cost €75.90. Grandstand and F1 Paddock tickets cost €163.90.