Organisers of a popular car rally have expressed their “disappointment” that it will no longer go through Brampton.

The Kielder Forest Rally, formerly known as the Pirelli International Rally, will not be finishing in the town this year after undergoing changes to the schedule.

Pirelli pulled its backing from the rally last year causing a huge shift in the route and the general organisation of the event.

The team behind the event had originally hoped that it would still be possible to bring the rally to an end in Brampton.

Ed Graham, press officer for the rally, said: “It was a big success finishing it in Brampton – the parish council really embraced the event and it was wonderful to see all the cars in the main street there and in front of the Moot Hall.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere and made a great finish to the rally.

“We would have liked dearly to have done that again and kept the relationship with Brampton.”

In previous years, the rally has held its grand finale in the town which usually drew in large crowds as people watched the cars parade through the main street.

When the announcement came that Pirelli had pulled its backing, residents and other fans spoke of how much of a shame it would be for the town to lose the event.

It brings in tourists and racing fans who would spend the day cheering on the drivers as they rolled along Front Street. With that, comes a boost to businesses on the high street and across the area.

David Moorat, chairman of Brampton Parish Council, said: “It’s a disappointment because the Pirelli Rally organisers were quite emphatic about saying to us on the occasions when they came that they thought the welcome that they got from Brampton was overwhelming.

“Unfortunately, Pirelli have withdrawn their support for this so clearly the organisers are on a restricted budget now so they have got to reduce it.

“It’s a great disappointment because it brought quite a lot of extra business to Brampton – it certainly brought quite a lot of crowds into Brampton on each occasion and the local businesses did well out of it.”

Mr Graham added: “Of course it has brought a lot of business into the city over the last years.”

“The hotels and the guest houses on Warwick Road have all full with rally people so obviously they won’t get that benefit.”

The rally will now miss out Carlisle altogether, not just Brampton, which is a “deep regret” for Mr Graham.

It’s a local rally for the organisers too.

However, it is just not financially viable to maintain the route that people have come to know and love over the last 40 years.

He said: “It’s a big wrench to leave Carlisle, the rally has been based around Carlisle for well on 40 years now.

“It has become very much synonymous with the city and it’s a great regret that we’re not able to base the event there this year.

“The withdrawal of Pirelli’s backing which took us all by surprise to be quite honest with you, has meant that we just have to cut our cloth and we can’t afford the wonderful facilities at H&H and the various places that we have used in Carlisle.”

It’s not all doom and gloom for local rally fans – it just means there will be a longer commute to watch the stages.

As suggested by the name, The Kielder Forest Rally will take place in the centre of the Northumberland site in the shadow of the castle.

But, it is unlikely that this is a decision that is set in stone for the coming years and the organisers are optimistic that Brampton – and Carlisle – will see it return.

Mr Graham said: “”It is a real disappointment and a real shame that we are having to leave Carlisle. Hopefully it will be temporary. If, as and when circumstances change, it would be great to come back.”

The six-stage Kielder Forest Rally will run on April 25.