Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 2012 Flyer!
Mar 29, 2012 | View Post
Ben Crealey becomes inagural Irish junior series winner!
Junior Winner: 14-year-old Ben Crealey
(Image: Jonathan MacDonald) 14-year old Ben Crealey made history on Saturday, when he became the first ever winner of the McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland in round one of this brand new series for 14 – 16 year olds – the Magic Bullet Stages – which took place at Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Kyle White and Rhys Bunting finished second and third respectively, with all seven of the youngsters successfully completing their first ever stage rally.
Even before the action began, at the pre-start drivers briefing series organisers announced that the end-of-season winner would will given a tour of the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team premises and have the chance to ride in one of the team’s Fiesta WRC cars alongside either Jari-Matti Latvala or Petter Solberg. As none of the youngsters were previously aware of this, the smiles on their faces confirmed that this news went down well and that it is a prize worth winning.
The Junior section of the event comprised four of the main event’s six stages and, following a storm earlier that morning, the surface of the track and the surrounding asphalt roads were drying quickly in the strong wind. First off the line was Adam Bustard and his co-driver Jason Harron in their Chevrolet Spark.
But as soon as they started knew something wasn’t right and, following a frantic night’s work changing their car’s engine, the throttle cable had come loose. Although frustrated to have lost time, they were pleased to still have been fourth fastest through the stage.
Fastest out of the blocks was Crealey. In his Nissan Micra he and co-driver Liam Regan set a time that was an impressive 21.6 seconds ahead of their closets rivals.
White and Alan Purdy in their Peugeot 107 were second fastest – a great effort considering the OK board had fallen from its location on the roof and caused White to be distracted for a few seconds. This made it close, as they were only 1.3 seconds ahead of third-placed Bunting in his Citroen C1, who had Andy Bushe next to him calling the corners – and in a loud voice when the intercom failed during SS1.
With Bustard/Harron fourth, Connor Woods and Niall McGrath were fifth, but all was not well with their Nissan Micra and, although their crew tried to improve things, the 14-year old from Derrygonnelly would have to save his best for the next round. In sixth and seventh after the first stage was Eoghan Bogue/Andrew Richie and James Partridge/Phil Cherry – both in Nissan Micras – and both admitting to be taking things cautiously to begin with.
As it turned-out, the performances on the first stage set the scene for the rest of the day and Crealey went on to win the next two stages, albeit by a much-reduced margin. But on the fourth stage it was White who set the pace and stopped the clocks 7.3 seconds ahead of anyone else.
However, Crealey had done enough to take a well-deserved victory and, after a calculated drive through the final stage with no mistakes, he and Regan booked into the last control 33.2 seconds ahead of White, with Bunting third a further 20.9 seconds back. Bustard had done well to overcome the irregular delivery of power throughout the day to finish fourth, whilst one of the most impressive performances came from Bogue, who had never driven a car until a few weeks ago until he became involved with the Junior 1000 series and was therefore pleased to finish fifth.
Woods was frustrated that, due to his car issues, he could not show his true potential and ended his day in sixth, whilst Partridge was pleased to have made it to the finish after clipping a few tyres and straw bales – as did most of the drivers at some point during the day.
At the finish an absolutely delighted Ben Crealey said:
“I can’t believe I’ve just won. I’ll be on cloud nine for weeks now. I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for the next round.”
Co-driver Liam Regan said:
“Ben drove brilliantly all day and never put a wheel wrong. He certainly deserves his victory.”
The second round of the series takes place at Bishopscourt on 17th March and, as it’s St Patrick’s day, whoever wins on this occasion is likely to be celebrating more than ever – but only with soft drinks of course!
The 2012 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland is supported by Yokohama tyres and SuperDrive Motorsports Centre.
Feb 22, 2012 | View Post
McGarrity Wins Carryduff Forklift N.I. Rally Series Opener!
– Glengormley’s Derek McGarrity claims emphatic victory at Magic Bullet Stages Rally.
– 14-year-old Portadown driver Ben Crealey secures round one victory in inaugural McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland.
Derek McGarrity and navigator James McKee claimed victory at the opening round of the 2012 Carryduff Forklift MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship on Saturday.
The Glengormley rally car and helicopter dealer was in dominating form at the Magic Bullet Stages Rally, held at County Down’s Kirkistown Race Circuit.
Driving his Subaru Impreza WRC S14, McGarrity led the event from start to finish, eventually claiming the win by 38.3 seconds from Kevin Barrett and Declan Tumilty.
The event winner was on the top of his game from the start. While others struggled in the early morning slippery conditions, McGarrity emerged from stage one with an impressive 15.4 second lead.
Those in trouble included reigning N.I. champion, Kenny McKinstry. The Banbridge pilot spun and stalled his Subaru during the opening test, losing a mammoth 50 seconds.
Former champion Connor McCloskey was another in trouble after a wrong tyre choice left him slipping and sliding around the track. Both McKinstry and McCloskey found themselves outside the top 30, and their hopes of challenging for victory were ruined.
Event leader McGarrity already had a healthy cushion between himself and his rivals, but he continued to set the pace throughout the day. He went on to set fastest times on all but one stage, leaving him with another Kirkistown victory under his belt.
Kevin Barrett and Declan Tumilty were the image of consistency throughout the event. They held second overall from start to finish, gradually increased the gap between themselves and the remainder of the pack as the day progressed.
In the tussle for third, Ray Brammer and Derek McGeehan locked horns. McGeehan took first blood, moving his Mini WRC into the top three after stage one. But Brammer fought back, and two stages later, it was the Impreza WRC pilot that occupied third overall.
McGeehan and navigator Laurie Smyth were to have the last word though. They picked up their pace through the final two tests to retake the position and claim third overall. Brammer and navigator Jody Wilson finished less than five seconds adrift in fourth.
Reigning champion Kenny McKinstry, who had Martin Cairns calling the notes, enjoyed a superb recovery drive after his stage one problems to take fifth overall. But unfortunately for former champion Connor McCloskey, car troubles forced him out of the rally after stage four.
In the battle among the production category crews, Trevor Ferguson and David McElroy secured the award from Neil and Tanya McCance, while top two-wheel-drive honours were sealed by Drew Stewart and David White. They finished 25 seconds ahead of Simon Woodside and Steven Dowds.
Junior 1000
The event also hosted the opening round of the inaugural McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland. The series is open to 14-16 year old drivers in 1000cc cars, and there were seven young hopefuls at Kirkistown.
They each contested four stages during the day, and it was one of the youngest drivers entered that went on to win the event. 14-year-old Portadown teenager Ben Crealey, with Liam Regan navigating, secured the win by more than half a minute from Kyle White and Alan Purdy, with Rhys Bunting and Andrew Bushe third.
Round 2 – McGrady Insurance Stages
Round two of both the Carryduff Forklift N.I. and McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 series will bring competitors to Bishopscourt on 17 March. The event, which is also sponsored by McGrady Insurance, welcomes all spectators and features a hugely popular jump. More details can be found online at www.nirally.com.
Carryduff Forklift N.I. R1 Results
1 Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 25m13.4
2 Kevin Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Impreza WRC) +38.3s
3 Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smyth (MINI WRC) +1m02.6s
4 Ray Brammer/Jody Wilson (Impreza WRC) +1m07.2s
5 Kenny McKinstry/Martin Cairns (Impreza WRC) +1m11.7s
6 James Gillen/Ken Sproule (Impreza WRC) +1m18.9s
7 John McGaffin/Lesley McGaffin (Impreza WRC) +1m20.3s
8 Drew Stewart/David White (Escort) +1m48.0s
9 Kieron Graffin/Mark Massey (Lancer Evo) +1m50.0s
10 Trevor Ferguson/David McElroy (Impreza) +2m00.3s
McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 R1 Results
1 Ben Crealey/Liam Regan (Nissan Micra) 22m15.6s
2 Kyle White/Alan Purdy (Peugeot 107) +33.2s
3 Rhys Bunting/Andrew Bushe (Citroen C1) +54.1s
4 Adam Bustard/Jason Hanon (Chevrolet Spark) +56.2s
5 Eoghan Bogue/Andrew Ritchie (Nissan Micra) +1m01.6s
6 Connor Woods/Niall McGrath (Nissan Micra) +1m29.6s
7 James Partridge/Phil Cherry (Nissan Micra) +3m21.8s
Feb 20, 2012 | View Post
Magic Bullet Stages Rally 2012 – Seeded Entry List
Click the link below for Seeded Entry List
Feb 14, 2012 | View Post
Magic Bullet Stages Rally 2012 – Final Instructions No 1
Click the links below for Final Instructions No 1
Feb 14, 2012 | View Post
McKinstry Heads Kirkistown Rally Spectacular!
(Image: Jonathan MacDonald)
Next weekend’s Magic Bullet Stages Rally, held at Kirkistown Race Circuit, hosts the opening round of the 2012 DGM/Carryduff Forklift Northern Ireland Rally Championship.
More than 75 entries have been received for the North Armagh Motor Club Ltd rally spectacular, which will take place within the confines of the County Down venue on Saturday 18 February.
Reigning N.I. champion Kenny McKinstry heads the entry list in his Impreza WRC. The Banbridge rally ace was pronounced winner of the 2011 event after it was sadly cut short when fellow competitor, Cyril Doherty, took ill and later passed away.
Organisers intend to observe one minute’s silence in memory of Cyril before the action gets underway on Saturday.
Seeded first, McKinstry will have number one on his doors but will have a tough job on his hands to stay in that position. As the event sponsor suggests, he will need to leave the start line like a “magic bullet” if he is to claim another victory!
Stiff competition will be provided by New Year Stages winner Derek McGarrity, who has entered with his S14 Impreza WRC, as well as Kevin Barrett and John McGaffin, also in Impreza World Rally Cars.
The crowd-pulling favourite MINI John Cooper Works WRC is set to make a return to the venue, this time with Laurie Smyth behind the wheel. Sean Cassidy will be mixing it with the big guns in his unique four-wheel-drive Fiesta, while James Gillen won’t be holding back in his Impreza.
A strong contingent of Group N and two-wheel-drive entries has been received. There is a plethora of crowd pleasing rear-wheel-drive cars, with the likes of James Kennedy, Fintan McGrady and Drew Stewart sure to keep the spectators entertained!
The event also acts as the opening round of the inaugural McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland. This exciting new series is open to 14-16 year old drivers in 1000cc unmodified cars. A number of young guns have signed up, and they will contest four of Saturday’s six stages.
The event gets underway shortly after 9am on Saturday morning, while the winners will spray the champagne at approximately 5pm.
Feb 12, 2012 | View Post
Magic Bullet Stages Rally 2012 – Stage Maps
Click the links below for stage maps
Feb 06, 2012 | View Post
Magic Bullet Stages Rally 2012 – Regs & Entry Forms
(Image: Jonathan MacDonald) Regulations and entry forms are now available for round one of the 2012 Carryduff Forklift Northern Ireland Rally Championship incorporating the first round of the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, the Magic Bullet Stages Rally.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 18th February, is once again sponsored by Magic Bullet Fuel Treatment, and will feature six stages based within the confines of Co.Down’s Kirkistown Race Circuit.
Jan 06, 2012 | View Post
Emma McKinstry Wins Rally Time Trial!
(Image: Jonathan MacDonald) Emma McKinstry secured victory at this year’s McKinstry Motorsport Rally Time Trial. Held at Kirkistown Race Circuit, Emma arrived home 19 seconds ahead of Desi Henry, with James Kennedy third. Ivan Marsden finished fourth while Gary Price and John Waring completed the top six.
Nov 02, 2011 | View Post
Rally Time Trial – Unseeded Entry & Stage Map!
Tomorrow’s McKinstry Motorsport Rally Time Trial is ready to GO! Located at Kirkistown Race Circuit, spectators are welcome to spectate at what will be an action packed day!
Oct 28, 2011 | View Post
Rally TT Entry Deadline Extended!
North Armagh Motor Club Ltd has extended the deadline for competitors to submit their entry for this Saturday’s McKinstry Motorsport Rally Time Trial, which will be held at County Down’s Kirkistown Race Circuit.
Entries will now be accepted until Thursday evening, so don’t delay, submit your entry today!
The motor club has laid on a fantastic value for money event. For just £99, competitors will tackle eight timed runs through the 1.5 mile stage, which will be held on a 95% tarmac and 5% loose surface.
Six stages will count towards the overall times, and helping to keep costs to a minimum, scrutiny will be held on the morning of the event.
Leading four-wheel-drive entries include Kenny and Emma McKinstry in their Subaru Impreza WRC, while Raymond Johnston (Escort Mk2), David Armstrong (Escort Mk2), Roy Haslett (Escort F2), Martin Teggart (Escort Mk2) and Keith White (Escort Mk1) are among the leading two-wheel-drive entries.
“There are 25 entries at the moment,” said event sponsor, Kenny McKinstry. “The motor club needs a few more to make it viable to run. I’d really like to see more competitors support what must be one of the cheapest events of the year.”
“Kirkistown is a great place for a day’s fun without the higher costs that comes with other events,” McKinstry added. “So I’d like to urge anyone with a rally car in their garage to bring it out for a day’s craic on Saturday!”
For a cheap day of motorsport thrills, get your entry in quick!
For more details, contact Simon Fullerton on +44 (0)7745 891227 or email sfullerton@avonmere.wanadoo.co.uk.
Oct 25, 2011 | View Post
Orchard Rally Entry Form & Regs
This year’s Orchard Navigation Rally is going ahead! The event will take place on Friday 7 October in Armagh. Details as follows…
Sep 22, 2011 | View Post
Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally
Last year’s winner Darren Gass in his Subaru World Rally Car heads a strong invited entry for this Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally. Darren will have his sister Kerrie co-drivng this time, on what will be her first rally, reflecting the great family day out spirit of North Armagh Motor Club’s Lurgan Park showcase event.
Armagh man Darren, a former British Junior Rally Champion, will still be taking the rally seriously. He will be driving his recently acquired Solo Petroleum backed Subaru, which he took to victory on the ALMC Stages. Darren commented on the run-in to the event. “I’m going to try my best to win. It won’t be easy, especially with Kenny McKinstry and some of the other top drivers in the entry.”
Fresh from the thronged rally launch at the Rushmere Shopping Centre, where he performed “demonstration runs” in his Subaru, 11 times Lurgan Park winner Kenny McKinstry was in upbeat mood about the event. As he enjoyed lunch in Craigavon Civic Centre hosted by the Mayor, Councillor Alan Carson, Kenny declared his intention to give the rally everything. He hopes to not only round up his number of wins to a dozen, but also to capture the lion’s share of the re-introduced £2500 prize fund.
Third in the list of fifty invited drivers is multiple Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity in his Subaru. Derek missed out on winning last year’s event by a whisker and he is out to redress the balance this time. But then all the drivers in the various classes will be out to prove a point. The exciting Escort Challenge contenders will be no exception, and are headed by Wesley Patterson, Adrian Hetherington and Mickey Conlon in their respective ‘Mk2’s’.
A big point of interest on the rally will be the appearance of seven times Circuit of Ireland winner Jimmy McRae, driving a stunning 5 litre, 380hp Chevrolet Camaro engined Firenza. XS Racing will run the Firenza, and they will also launch a new F1000 Rally Championship in the Park, featuring the new Chevrolet Spark and young F1000 Junior Champion driver Cameron Davies.
In addition there will be an historic section on the rally, an appearance by the iconic rally cars of the ‘Slowly Sideways Club’, and a huge display of Rally Sport clothing by Event Sponsor, Orchard Motorsport.
Although there are several female co-drivers in the event, there is just one driver listed, Emma McKinstry. Banbridge based Emma will drive one her father Kenny’s Subaru Impreza WRC’s. Former works Peugeot driver Garry Jennings from Kesh is the top GpN seed in his Lancer, with Irish Forestry Champion Pat O’Connell from Cashel in Tipperary the 2nd GpN seed and he rounds off the top ten. Gilford’s Mark Doyle has Bobby Campbell co-driving in his Celica GT4. Bobby co-drove the late Bertie Law to victory in 1984.
As well as backing from Brian Stinson’s Armagh based company, Orchard Motorsport, the rally enjoys the support of Craigavon Borough Council, and that includes the use of the beautiful Lurgan Park. Once again the central paddock area in the Park will provide a social focal point as well as the scene of some frantic activity as the cars are refettled between the 8 special stages. This will be the 32nd running of the rally in Lurgan Park.
Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Top 10
1. Darren Gass/Kerrie Gass – Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr – Subaru Impreza WRC
3. Derek McGarrity/James McKee – Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Derek McGeehan/Lawrie Smith – Toyota Corolla WRC
5. Garry Jennings/Kerry McCarter – Mitsubishi Lancer
6. Denis Biggerstaff/Stuart Biggerstaff – Subaru Impreza WRC
7. Mark Doyle/Bobby Campbell – Toyota Celica GT4
8. Gary White/Alan Purdy – Subaru Impreza
9. John McGaffin/Lesley McGaffin – Subaru Impreza WRC
10. Pat O’Connell/Matt Wylie – Mitsubishi Lancer
More details are available from www.lurganparkrally.com.
Jul 26, 2011 | View Post
Rainbow Telecom Loughgall Country Park Rally – Details!
The Rainbow Telecom Loughgall Country Park Rally will take place on Saturday 2 July. Spectators are welcome, with admission by programme at a cost of £10. Children under 16 are free and the action starts at 9.30am.
More details as follows:
Jun 29, 2011 | View Post
Festival of Motorsport Entry List Revealed
The seeded entry list for this weekend’s Burkes of Cornascriebe Loughgall Festival of Motorsport has been revealed!
DOWNLOAD NOW to find out who will be in action this Saturday!
May 18, 2011 | View Post
