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Greer In Gear on Round One of the 2017 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship!

For Immediate Release: 12th February 2017

Greer In Gear on Round One of the 2017 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship!

Jonny Greer and Brian Crawford in their Citroen DS3 R5 took a superb victory on the Pacenotes Stages Rally, held at Kirkistown race-circuit round one of the MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship on Saturday. The Carryduff driver in his DGM Sport machine was fastest on the opening two tests, but the Citroen trundled into service worryingly on two cylinders after stage two. The fault was traced to a simple wire, and with the DS3 back to full health, fastest times on the final three tests sealed a thirteen second victory. “We had a great day, really enjoyed the rally and delighted to get the win” said Jonny at the event prize-giving. “Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Brian Crawford for keeping me right all day, the team for a great car again also to the North Armagh Motor Club and all the marshals and volunteers for a brilliant event!”

Seven times NI Rally Champion- Derek McGarrity in an R5 Ford Fiesta took second place, but was lucky to even make the start! “A seal went yesterday (Friday) at lunch-time in the turbo and the car was pluming out expensive smoke! The team worked frantically until 1am this morning to get us here. In that respect too I’m more than happy with second. The R5 car is a nice car, and I like it but I do have a WRC version coming in soon.” In third for the second year in a row was Peader Hurson in his new Ford Fiesta WRC. The former Irish National Champion’s only drama was a spin on the second stage which dropped him to lower reaches of the top ten, before clawing back to third. A fine fourth in his S10 Impreza was Robin Phillips with his daughter Laura in the co-driver’s seat. The Saintfield driver was a NI Champion back in 2000. Another former champion- Conor McCloskey was holding third place after four stages in his Fiesta WRC only for engine failure to halt the Kilrea driver on stage five.

Fifth was rally car trader Kieron Graffin in another DS3 R5, with Alan Carmichael in the Mini WRC sixth after a steady start. Alan is planning a full attack on the championship, and at Kirkistown finished ahead of three times NI Champion Kenny McKinstry in his S8 Impreza WRC. In eighth and winning Group N were names Allen and Connolly. Back in 2007 the late Glenn Allen won the series with Damien Connolly alongside in his WRC Corolla. Now his son Philip made a sensational rally debut with Damien’s brother-Martin along-side, and the new Allen team complete with the support of Philip’s grandmother Vera had much to celebrate!
Two wheel drive winner in a fine ninth overall was Keith White with Paul Mulholland in the 2.5 Millington MK1 Escort, another great performance by the Crumlin driver. Tenth and just four seconds behind was an amazing achievement for Dessie McCartney. Taming his 2.5 Millington engined Darrian, the 1975 Galway and 1980 Ulster Rally winner, now into his 70’s has carried on the McCartney rallying dynasty, so famous in the 70’s and 80’s when Dessie and his late brother Ronnie competed at the top level in the UK and Ireland.

Third two wheel drive car home was the 1600cc Peugeot 208 R2 driven by Kyle White in thirteenth overall, whilst the top three in Group N was completed by Evo’s of Clive Kilpatrick and Geoff McMahon.

Other class winners were: Karl Fallis- class 1 (Honda Civic), Colin Price- class 3 (Vauxhall Corsa), Kyle White- class 4- (Peugeot 208), Jamie Grant- class 5 (MK2 Escort), James Kennedy- class 6 (MK2 Escort), Kyle Orr- class 8 (Mitsubishi Evo) Richard Hall- class 11-Historic (Porsche 911), Drew Wylie- class 12- FIA Historic (MK2 Escort). Round two of the McGrady Insurance series is at Bishopscourt for the Ballynahinch Motor Club’s event on 11^th March.

2017 McGrady Insurance MSA ANICC Northern Ireland Rally Championship-Round One results

1st Jonny Greer/ Brian Crawford                  Citroën DS3 R5                        30:13.0

2^nd Derek McGarrity/Robert Travers            Ford Fiesta R5                        +0:13.0

3rd Peadar Hurson/Gary McElhinney            Ford Fiesta WRC                    +0:55.4

4th Robin Phillips/ Laura Phillips                    Subaru Impreza S10                +1:07.9

5th Kieron Graffin/Paddy Robinson                Citroën DS3 R5                       +1:12.7

6th Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont                  Mini WRC                               +1:19.3

7th Kenny McKinstry/John Wallace                Subaru Impreza S8                 +1:36.6

8th Philip Allen/Martin Connelly                    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X          +1:42.1

9th Keith White/Paul Mulholland                   Ford Escort MkI                       +1:48.6

10th Dessie McCartney/ Geraldine McBride Darrian T90 GTR                    +1:52.9

DOWNLOAD FULL RESULTS

2016 McGrady Insurance MSA ANICC Northern Ireland Rally Championship 2017—Rounds

1              Pacenotes Stages-Kirkistown    Tarmac                 North Armagh Motor Club  

2              Bishopscourt Stages                      Tarmac                 Ballynahinch Motor Club     11^th March

3             Ballypatrick Stages                           Tarmac                 Mid Antrim MC                       6^th May

4             Mourne Rally                                      Tarmac                 Newry Motor Club                 10^th June

5             Lakeland Stages Rally                   Gravel                      Enniskillen Motor Club         2^nd September

6              Bushwhacker Rally                         Gravel                   Omagh Motor Club                23^rd September

7            Down Rally                                          Gravel                   Rathfriland Motor Club         14^th October

*Reserve events- Cookstown MC- 29^th July, Magherafelt & District MC- 4^th November

Press Release issued by Andrew Bushe Promotions- F-Andrew Bushe Promotions t-@andrew_bushe

Kenny McKinstry Heads Entry for Pacenotes Rally Magazine Stages!

Kenny McKinstry won the 2016 Pacenotes Rally Magazine Stages. Image: William Neill/NEILLPICS.COM

Kenny McKinstry Heads Entry for Pacenotes Rally Magazine Stages!

The best of Northern Ireland’s rally talent is gearing up for this weekend’s Pacenotes Rally Magazine Stages Rally, round one of the 2017 McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship!

The UK and Ireland’s only dedicated rally magazine is backing the event for the second successive year. Regarded as the clubman’s rally bible, each edition of the monthly publication is packed full of rally news, reports, photographs and features from the world of rallying, from club level to the World Rally Championship.

Pacenotes’ roving reporters and photographers will also be at Kirkistown on Saturday, and more than 80 entries have been received for the North Armagh Motor Club Ltd rally spectacular, including four past and current champions – Derek McGarrity, Kenny McKinstry, Connor McCloskey and Robin Phillips.

Last year’s event winner Kenny McKinstry heads the entry list, this time in an S8 specification Impreza WRC. He heads reigning champion Derek McGarrity, who won the New Year Stages Rally at the same venue less than two weeks ago. The Glengormley man plans to wheel out his Ford Fiesta R5 once again, in a bid to secure another win ahead of the World Rally Car crews.

Connor McCloskey, who once held the accolade of being the youngest ever N.I. champion, starts the event at number three in his Fiesta WRC. He debuted the car at Kirkistown less than two weeks ago and now that he has a better feel for his new mount, he could be a real challenger this weekend.

Jonny Greer and Brian Crawford will also be in the fray with their Citroen DS3 R5, while Peadar Hurson and Damien Connolly are wheeling out their new Fiesta WRC for the first time.

RALLY GOOD DAY IN STORE AT LOUGHALL COUNTRY PARK

25 April 2016 – Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye.

RALLY GOOD DAY IN STORE AT LOUGHALL COUNTRY PARK

Rainbow Communications has teamed up for the tenth year with NAMC (North Armagh Motor Club) to present the 2016 Loughgall Country Park Rally (Co Armagh) on Sat 21^st May.

The highly popular two wheel drive only event, an important round of the 2016 North Armagh Motor Club Championship, is now in its 18^th year and is expected to attract over 60 competitors.

Martin Hamill, Director of Rainbow Communications, Northern Ireland’s largest independent business telecoms provider said: “We are delighted to help lend our support to an event which has now become a very popular fixture not only in Armagh but the wider Northern Ireland rally calendar.  Loughgall Country Park is an extremely challenging circuit for the rally teams and it also provides some excellent vantage points for fans to get up close to the action and see some top class rallying.  On behalf of Rainbow Communications I’d like to wish all competitors the very best of luck and we look forward to welcoming rally fans old and new to this unique motor sport event.”

William Fullerton Clerk of Course from NAMC said: “Our club is most grateful for the continued financial and practical support from Rainbow Communications which makes this event, now in its 18^th year, possible. We are also indebted to Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council for their grant aid support and also along with them, DARD and AFBI government departments for our use of the magnificent Loughgall Country Park. This is the perfect venue for the event and has been praised and enjoyed year on year by the list of top line competitors who have competed. Interest is already gathering and we look forward to another fine and safe event this year.”

The 2016 Loughgall Country Park Rally starts at 9.30am sharp and will be decided over six Special Stages run on 100% tarmac roads.  Admission is by programme only at a cost of £10 with children under the age of 16 being admitted free.

Last year’s event was won by Damien Toner and Paddy O’Toole in their Escort Mk2.  Closing date for entries is Monday 16^th May 2016, entry forms are available at www.namcc.com Anyone who wishes to help out Marshalling at the event is advise to contact Eddie Martin on 07727 960594.

NOTE TO EDITOR: For further information please contact Lawrence Duffy of Duffy Rafferty Communications on Belfast (028) 9073 0880.

Rainbow Communications is Northern Ireland’s largest independent business telecoms provider and currently supplies and manages the telecoms and communications requirements of over 10,000 businesses throughout the UK and Ireland.

Rainbow Communications Loughgall Country Park Rally – Regs and Entry Form!

(Photo Credit William Neill)

Regulations and Entry Forms are now available for this year’s Rainbow Communications Loughgall Country Park Rally, on Saturday 21 May 2016 at Loughgall Country Park, Co. Armagh.

DOWNLOAD REGULATIONS

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

Entry forms should be returned to;
David Bingham – Entries Secretary
10 Irwin Gardens, Lurgan, Co Armagh, BT66 7DP.
Email: dbingham20@hotmail.com
Telephone: 028 38 328300 / 07543 890871 (No Calls after 7pm please).

Kenny Wins Epic Battle on Round One of the 2016 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship!

Kenny Wins Epic Battle on Round One of the 2016 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship!

Kenny McKinstry and Aaron Faulkner stormed the final stage to take a superb victory on the Pacenotes Stages Rally, round one of the MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship. It turned out to be a frantic race, between the two multiple N.I Champions- Kenny in his S14 WRC Impreza, and Derek McGarrity in a 1600cc WRC Fiesta. Amazingly they were tied on time entering the final stage, but McGarrity’s car was in obvious trouble on the first lap, running on three cylinders. Kenny was unaware of this and was visibly on the limit. “I thought I wasn’t going to make it around the corners near the pits, we were really trying. It was a great race with Derek all day and I’m very happy.” As for Derek, he was the first to congratulate his long-time rival. “I’m not sure the cause of the misfire. It cleared on the second lap, so I don’t know why it happened. I must say that I really enjoyed driving this car though, it’s very good.”

Not too far back in third was Peader Hurson in his S10 Impreza WRC, the former Irish National Champion’s only drama was touching a bale in a half spin, in what were sometimes slippery conditions. Two wheel driver winner Wesley Patterson’s 2.5 MK2 Escort was showing signs from a small excursion, running wide whilst trying to overtake a slower Mitsubishi, but the Lisburn driver charged up to fourth overall overtaking Alastair Cochrane who had led the two wheel race for much of the day in his 2 litre MK2. The Bushmills farmer won class 6 ending up eighth overall. Emma McKinstry completed the family success with a fine fifth, whilst Matthew McGaffin powered his Group N Mitsubishi Evo 7 into an impressive sixth, ahead of former N.I champion- George Robinson in his Group A Evo 9. Jonny Morrow brought his Evo 6 into ninth ahead of Clive Kilpatrick’s Group N Evo 9.

In eleventh was championship sponsor Fintan McGrady, having a fine run in his 2.5 MK2 Escort, just 0.4 of a second ahead of Rodney White’s 2 litre Vauxhall engined Sunbeam. Significant retirements included former NI Champion Stuart Biggerstaff in his S9 Impreza, the similar car of Mark Massey with engine problems, Jonny Leonard’s Evo 6 with a damaged intercooler and Historic leader Richard Hall’s Sierra Cosworth with an oil pipe failure.

Other class winners were: Ian Dickson- class 1 (Ford Fiesta), Colin Price- class 3 (Vauxhall Corsa), Kyle White- class 4- (Citroen C2), Johnny Cargo- class 5 (MK2 Escort), Sam Ewart- class 11-Historic (MK2 Escort), Drew Wylie- class 12- FIA Historic (MK2 Escort).

Round two of the McGrady series is on the closed road stages of the Circuit of Ireland, which takes place after Easter this year on the weekend of the 7th to 9th April.

2016 McGrady Insurance MSA ANICC Northern Ireland Rally Championship 2016-Round One results

1st Kenny McKinstry / Aaron Faulkner Subaru Impreza S14 WRC 27:24.6
2nd Derek McGarrity / Nigel Magee Ford Fiesta WRC +0:13.2
3rd Peadar Hurson / Damien Connolly Subaru Impreza WRC +0:38.2
4th Wesley Patterson / Adam Carson Ford Escort RS +1:38.5
5th Emma McKinstry / Kenny Hull Subaru Impreza WRC +1:45.5
6th Matthew McGaffin / Andrew McGaffin Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +1:56.8
7th George Robinson / Tommy Speers Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +2:01.2
8th Alastair Cochrane / David Turkington Ford Escort MkII +2:03.3
9th Jonny Morrow / Simon Morrow Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI +2:13.8
10th Clive Kilpatrick / Jay Colville Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +2:14.8

2016 McGrady Insurance MSA ANICC Northern Ireland Rally Championship 2016—Rounds
1 Pacenotes Stages-Kirkistown Tarmac 13th February
2 Circuit of Ireland National Tarmac 7th-9th April
3 Tour of the Sperrins Gravel 7th May
4 Mourne Rally Tarmac 11th June
5 Tyrone Stages Rally Tarmac 30th July
6 Ulster National Rally Tarmac 19th-20th August
7 Bushwhacker Rally Gravel 24th September
8 Down Rally Tarmac 15th October
*Reserve events- Enniskillen MC- 3th September, Ballynahinch & District MC- 12th November

To keep up to date please check out the NIRC Facebook page-http://www.facebook.com/nirallying and check out www.anicc.org.uk for the series regulations and latest points. Rally results available on www.rallyscore.net

Images thanks to www.philpics.net
Press Release issued by Andrew Bushe Promotions-
t-@andrew_bushe