Superdrive Motorsports Centre confirmed sponsorship of the two-wheel-drive category of the Hankook Northern Ireland Rally Championship for the fourth consecutive year at a press launch at Tyrecall in Antrim.
 
Northern Ireland 2WD Champion James Kennedy collected his prize of a £500 team day at Superdrive and the much coveted Circuit of Ireland International Rally Larne Perpetual Trophy kindly donated by the Ulster Automobile Club in 2008.
 
This unique and historic trophy had been missing for more than thirty years prior to 2008 and was re-discovered in his attic by the previous winner Russell Brookes who last won the trophy in 1977. Other winners on the trophy include Roger Clarke, Cathal Curley and Dessie McCartney.
 
In last year’s series Kennedy sealed his place in his 2 litre MKII Escort at the penultimate round of the Championship in the forests of County Down in October. Competing in the final event, The Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally, Kennedy and co-driver John Rowan suffered an accident on the first stage, severely damaging the car. Fortunately the car has been re-built but Kennedy is planning only to compete in a few selected rounds of the Championship in 2009.
 
The 2WD competition in Northern Ireland is second to none on the island and an action packed year of rallying is sure to entertain competitors and spectators alike.  
 
Superdrive Manager Safron Thomas said: "We are extremely proud to continue our sponsorship of one of the most competitive categories in the Hankook Northern Ireland Rally Championship and look forward to another year of total non-stop 2WD action!
 
"We’re also really excited that UTV’s RPM rally programme will be bringing the Hankook Northern Ireland Championship into the living rooms of Ireland and the world for the first time.
 
"It will be an excellent opportunity to showcase what our province has to offer in terms of the quality of our competitor and spectator friendly events, and of course our highly entertaining rallying!"
 
The Superdrive Two-Wheel-Drive Challenge & UAC Perpetual Trophy prizes include a £100 part payment of entry fee for another round of the Hankook Northern Ireland Rally Championship for the first place two-wheel-drive in each round and a £500 team or corporate activity day at Superdrive in 2010.
 
Any two-wheel-drive car, including cars in the newly introduced Montgomery Motorsport Historic Category entered in any of the Championship rounds is eligible for the prizes provided they display the Superdrive 2WD Championship Decals.

Any team competing without decals will forfeit any Northern Ireland Championship Points gained on the event. Decals will be available at each event’s scrutiny and Rally Office or are available by contacting the centre on 028 3885 2545.