Adams Again at Kirkistown! Round 3- 2017 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland
For Immediate Release: 12th February 2017
Adams Again at Kirkistown! Round 3- 2017 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland
The third round of the 2017 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, in association with www.rallysales.eu took place at Kirkistown for the North Armagh Motor Club’s Pacenotes Stages event. Just three Junior 1000 crews lined up for the six stage event, as Rory Byrne was unable to make it to this round, but the enthusiasm was still there as the 14-17 year old rally stars of the future took to the mixed surface stages for their second visit to the County Down race-circuit.
15 year old Sam Adams from Armoy led the point’s race into round three and started at number one, feeling confident after his victory on the New Year Stages event last month. Indeed the event started well for the Skoda Citigo driver, with two fastest times opening up a second advantage before first service. It was a pattern that continued through stages three and four, despite getting some tyres stuck under the car on the fourth test after cutting a corner too tight. On this event Sam was starting to really push and carry more speed as he continues his Junior rallying learning curve, before attempting some UK Junior rallies this season.
Peter Beaton and co-driver Kenny Foggo once again made their long trip from Nairn near Inverness in Scotland. 15 year old Peter in his Peugeot 107 once again was going to be the big challenger, and had clean runs on the opening tests, despite a lack of traction out of the tight turns. The Scottish crew however were a little frustrated to be losing chunks of time to Sam, but they looked set for a secure second and championship points. However cruelly on the final stage they broke a drive-shaft and retired.
14 year old Marcus McElwee is the youngest driver with the low budget Nissan Micra. The Magherafelt teenager with John Henderson alongside had a spin on stage one, losing over thirty seconds, and was improving his pace all day, but wasn’t set to challenge the leaders. His eventual second place however has also moved him up to third in the point’s standings. The day belonged to Sam Adams taking his second Junior 1000 victory. “Another great event, very much enjoyed the lay-out and the fast corners. Everything went well and thanks to the organisers for staging the event. It would be great if we could get more Junior’s onto the starting line” said Sam before he sprayed a bottle of Shloer at the finish! Round four heads for Bishopscourt for the Ballynahinch Motor Club’s event on 11th March.
2017 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland- Rnd 3 Positions
1st Sam Adams Andrew Bushe Skoda Citigo Sport 37m 48.9s
2nd Marcus McElwee John Henderson Nissan Micra +3m 59s
RET Peter Beaton Kenny Foggo Peugeot 107 RET
Junior 1000 Driver Championship Points after Round 3
1 Sam Adams 36
2 Peter Beaton 20
3 Marcus McElwee 17
4 Rory Byrne 16
Registered co-driver points after Round 3
1 Andrew Bushe 36
2 Kenny Foggo 20
3 James Byrne 8
Issued by Andrew Bushe Promotions- F-Andrew Bushe Promotions t-@andrew_bushe Pictures thanks to Philip Stewart- www.philpics.net Regulations & points available on www.anicc.org.uk
Filed Under: Event news • NAMC
