White Wins in Dramatic Second Junior 1000 Round
For Immediate Release: 18th February 2013
White Wins in Dramatic Second Junior 1000 Round!
The second round of the McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, took place on Saturday on the Eurocables Stages Rally at Kirkistown. Organised by the North Armagh Motor Club, six junior drivers, aged 14-16 lined up to lead the field away in their 1000cc machines. This series, now in its second year is also supported this season by the dedicated rally classified website www.rallysales.eu , Superdrive Motorsports Centre and Yokohama tyres.
First off the line was 16 year old Kyle White, who finished second last time out, and he was the first to find out how slippery conditions were, with the loose and concrete sections being very greasy. Round one winner Adam Bustard in the Chevrolet Spark was next off, but on lap one he got caught out on a very slippery corner, losing time as he ran into a pile of tyres. However it was all to be academic, as fourth car on the stage Eoghan Bogue had a dramatic slide on the fourth corner, clipped a lorry tyre and the Micra ended up on its roof forcing the cancellation of the stage for the Junior runners. Thankfully Eoghan and co-driver Liam Regan escaped unhurt and the Micra will live to fight another day, so the Junior’s all received a nominal time for the test.
On stage two Kyle White set fastest time, 6 seconds faster than 15 year old William Creighton on his second rally in the Citroen C1. William however had clipped a tyre on his second lap, and the C1 arrived at the end of the stage with a front left puncture. It was more dramatic for Adam Bustard who hit the back of the Spark on the tight concrete section, spun and had to reverse to get back on the stage. It cost the Castlederg driver 10 seconds, but he still maintained third place. Behind him in fourth was 14 year old Michael McGarrity, with Mark Massey in the co-driver’s seat. Michael had also a different Micra for this event, and was learning the new car at this early stage. 15 year old James Partridge with Billy Regan in the hot seat also had a dramatic second stage, the little 107 becoming stuck in the grass after running wide at the top hairpin bend. It was a stage maximum for the Moira driver, but the rest of the day he would be consistent, and picking up more speed.
For stages 3 and 4 the layout was changed with less loose surface sections and leader Kyle White extended that lead by three seconds. It wasn’t without damage to the 107 however, under-steering into a pile of tyres on the final hairpin bend, and nearly rolling the car on the same corner that had caught out Eoghan Bogue earlier in the day. William Creighton was second fastest again, but lost time when he kept accidently selecting 5th gear instead of 3rd, the C1 dropping right off the revs. Third fastest was James Partridge, who is settling in well to the 107 this season, but less settled was Adam Bustard who dropped twenty seconds after another trip into the tyres, with one becoming lodged under the car this time. On stage 4 Kyle White was again fastest with a clean run, but just by 1.4 seconds from William Creighton. It could have been better for William, but again for a couple of missed gear changes. Adam Bustard was third fastest, just a further 1.4 seconds back, despite yet another attraction to the tyres. Michael McGarrity too was improving his pace and experience relative to the other crews.
The final two stages were run in the anti-clockwise direction. The track was faster, drier and provided much more grip. Kyle White had a good grip on the event at this stage, with a lead of over ten seconds, which he extended over the final two tests. For William Creighton is was a matter of consolidating a hard earned second place, as Adam Bustard was now well behind. On the final two tests however, Adam proved how he won the first round with two fastest times, on these fast stages. In the process he still picked up a valuable third place. In fourth, albeit a long way off the leaders was Michael McGarrity, but he was ever happier with his car and improving pace. Fifth was James Partridge, that stage maximum costing him any chance of fourth.
It was a delighted Kyle White and co-driver Alan Purdy who sprayed the fizzy non- alcoholic wine at the finish! William Creighton was delighted with his second place, despite his lack of rally experience, and Adam Bustard’s third places him second in the championship race.
Round three of the McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, takes place at Bishopscourt on the 9th March, and eight Junior 1000 crews are expected to take the start.
To keep up to date please check out our new Facebook page-Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Junior-1000-Rally-Challenge-Ireland/588151257878544
Issued by Andrew Bushe Promotions- www.andrewbushe.com
www.facebook.com/AndrewBushePromotions . Copyright free images by www.roydempster.com
Interested in taking part in the series? E-Mail- jim@superdriveni.com
The Junior 1000 Rally Challenge is affiliated with the Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs and the MSA.
Filed Under: Event news • NAMC
