The second Gannonball Run soapbox race is to be run again in the town on the 31st August Bank Holiday. Dungannon hosted the breath taking, action packed town centre event last year and this year it is expected to be bigger and better.

'The GannonBall Run' will see 'soap box' carts scuttle from Castle Hill down a 1/2 km specially made track, dropping down through Market Square and finally ending up at the bottom of Church street.

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or just enjoy a bit of DIY - then you may be crazy enough to race down the centre of Dungannon in your own home-made soap box racer. Last year the PSNI recorded soapboxes exceeding 25mph at the steepest stages of the race track!! Teams will have the opportunity to race their soapboxes down the track four times throughout the day.

Mayor The Lord Morrow MLA of Clogher Valley is looking forward to an exciting closure to Dungannon's summer events programme. He said:

''Dungannon has once again presented the community with a wide range of diverse and exciting summer events which include sporting and arts activities for all ages. We are delighted to welcome back the Gannonball Run after its massive success last year. It is a fitting to close the summer months and I wish all of the organisers and participants the best of luck with this unique event.''

Councillor Walter Cuddy, Chairman of Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP) and the organising commitee believes this event is perfectly suited to the geographic layout of Dungannon's Market Square:

''Dungannon's natural hilltop layout makes it an ideal arena for a race of this kind and we are expecting over 50 soapbox entries from local businesses private groups and local community groups. The Department of Social Development, through the Neighborhood Renewal Programme have agreed in principal to support 8 local residential groups to build and enter their own soapboxes.''

The event is organised by Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP) in association with Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Dungannon Enterprise Centre, Dungannon Motor Club, Dungannon & District Motorcycling Club, First Wave Design, South West College and B.E.A.M.