Drivers will race into York at the end of a rally through North Yorkshire.

FLASHBACK: Rally championship winners Marcus Dodd and John Bennie arrive at the finish at the Eye of York in their slightly battered Ford Escort last year

More than 150 cars will descend on the Eye of York at the end of this year's Trackrod Motor Rally Championships.

Among the racers will be Boyzone star Shane Lynch, a keen participant in the sport.

The event sees racing stages across North Yorkshire on September 25 at sites including Oliver's Mount in Scarborough, Dalby Forest, Langdale and Staindale Forest.

The rally, which has been running since 1977, moved to North Yorkshire for the first time last year.

The culmination in York will offer members of the public a chance to admire the cars, some of which will be vintage models.

Rod Parkin, of organisers Trackrod, said: "Last year was such a huge success that we decided to come back.

"North Yorkshire is the perfect place for this sort of thing. The venues for the rally stages are brilliant, and City of York Council have been excellent in accommodating us."

The council's outdoor events officer, John Coombes, said: "The city is pleased to have such events as they provide both an attraction for residents and visitors and also bring trade."

The council has agreed to close the Eye of York to traffic so that the rally vehicles can meet.

They will start to arrive from about 2pm.

Other areas of York closed by the council this month include part of Parliament Street while a crane lifts air-conditioning units into the new Vision Express near Barclays Bank.

An area between Feasegate and High Ousegate will be closed between 11pm on September 25 and 5am on September 26.

Similar work is being carried out at the new Davygate Centre, with an area of the street closed overnight between September 22 and 23.

Laying of service pipes in Ogleforth means traffic will be prohibited between 9.30am and 4.30pm on September 20 and 21.

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