Media Release: Dolphin Shopping Centre Previews Rallye Sunseeker
Poole, Dorset – Thursday 11 February, 2010; Dolphin Shopping Centre visitors will get a taste of rally fever on Saturday 20 February when an iconic Ford Escort MkII will be displayed ahead of the Rallye Sunseeker, as what is considered one of the UK’s most spectacular motorsport events pays its first ever visit to Poole.
Crewed by local pairing Les Harrogate and Matt Thorne, the 250bhp Escort MkII will be displayed outside Marks & Spencer, offering visitors a chance to admire a Class 8 rally car before it prepares for battle on the Rallye Sunseeker stages on Saturday 27 February. Stephanie Lacey, Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, commented: “It’s fantastic to see such a high calibre motorsport event coming to Poole. It’s not often that our shoppers can get up close to a rally car days before it competes in a major event. I hope our visitors enjoy the display and lend their support to the Rallye Sunseeker, Les and Matt.” Les, owner of the Wimborne-based SCF Hardware company, and Matt, a building contractor from nearby Hinton Martell, share years of national and international rally experience but 2010 marks their first full season of competition together. With a class win (in the then B11 category) at the 2006 event among Les’ notable results, hopes are high for the new team to emulate that success this year. Both crew members will be on hand at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, to chat to visitors and sign autographs. Advance copies of the Rallye Sunseeker programme will also be available for purchase. Les Harrogate said: “To have the Rallye Sunseeker on our doorstep is a real bonus and the new event format will help rallying to reach a new audience in Poole. It’s great to see such interest and have the opportunity to display our car in the Dolphin Shopping Centre.” The only free event on the Rallye Sunseeker programme, the ceremonial start and parade takes place on Poole Quay on Friday 26 February. World Rally cars to historic vehicles will be in situ from 6.15pm before competitors leave the start ramp, flagged off by the Mayor of Poole Cllr Rev Charles Meachin, from 7.30pm. The rally stages take place on Saturday throughout Wareham Forest, Ringwood Forest and Somerley Park. For full event and spectator information visit www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk For those planning to visit Poole and follow the Rallye Sunseeker throughout the weekend, the Dolphin Shopping Centre is the perfect place to stock up on all your rally attire. Ideally situated in the heart of the town with convenient adjacent car parking and boasting over 115 leading high street stores, it couldn’t be easier to do a spot of shopping before the rally fever begins. -Ends- Photography – please click on the thumbnail at the bottom of this release to download the image. Notes to Editors – About Les Harrogate and Matt Thorne Les and Matt compete in the Rallye Sunseeker with thanks to local support from; Holmans of Wimborne, Andrew Witt Estate Agents, Goldstar Onboard Ltd, Cleanaway Mobile Car Valeting, Paul Miller Soils and Aggregates and the Carlisle Design Group. Notes to Editors – About the Dolphin Shopping Centre In 2003, The Dolphin Shopping Centre was acquired by Grosvenor – the leading international property development, investment and management group – for its Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund. The centre contains 115 stores and covers an area of over 47,000 square metres. The Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund was established in 1998. It is a partnership created to invest in high quality, dominant shopping centres around the UK. The Fund is managed by Grosvenor from its office in London, combining the expertise of the company’s fund and asset managers. The Fund currently owns Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole; Coopers Square, Burton upon Trent; Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness; and Freshney Place Shopping Centre, Grimsby. For further information please contact the Dolphin Shopping Centre Press Office: Emma Spearing, Hazel PR Tel: +44 (0)1202 862411 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828 Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com
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