08th March – Bishopscourt Stages – Ballynahinch & District MC
05th April – Tour of the Sperrins – Magherafelt & District MC
24th May – Maiden City Stages – Maiden City MC
05th July – Loughgall Stages – North Armagh MC
19th July – The Down Rally – Rathfriland MC
RESERVE EVENTS
01st November – TBC
08th November – TBC
The Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championships will get underway in Fivemiletown later this month with both the gravel and sealed surface events totalling ten rounds at nine rallies in what is set to be a bumper year, writes William Neill.
The NI Forest Rally Challenge opener, supported by Samsonas, already has an almost half-full entry ready to tackle the event prepared by Omagh Motor Club before attention switches to the Northern Ireland Rally Championship schedule that leads us to summer.
The Race & Rally Bishopscourt Stages will return on March 8 with a single-lap format that proved popular last season, using a mix of the main race circuit and surrounding roadways that eliminates splits and merges on the stages. From there it is over to road-closed events starting with the GO Tour of the Sperrins on April 5 and Eakin Brothers Maiden City Stages on May 24.
North Armagh Motor Club has moved its round from Kirkistown to Loughgall for the first time since 2021 and the Down Rally will round out the sealed surfaces where drivers compete alongside the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship runners.
Heading into the remaining gravel rallies over the course of September and October the event names are familiar but, following the Trailer Parts Lakeland Stages, will be a two-day McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally. Each leg will count as a round in regards to championship points.
The return of the Dogleap Rally last year was a popular decision and Maiden City Motor Club has placed its effort behind the continuation of the event steeped in history.
Rallies themselves will feature the new for 2025 class structure mandated by governing body, Motorsport UK to align regional championships. Additionally the top-spec category eligible for points will be the latest homologated Rally2 and R5 four-wheel-drive cars. Modified cars with larger non-homologated turbocharger restrictors of 34mm (homologated cars use a 32mm restrictor) can take part on individual rallies and compete for class awards, but are not eligible for the championship to keep in line with the Motorsport Ireland Forest Championship set to visit some of the same events.
Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship 2025
RD1:March 8 Race & Rally Bishopscourt Stages – Ballynahinch & District MC
RD2:April 5 GO Tour of the Sperrins – Magherafelt & DMC
RD3:May 24 Eakin Brothers Brian James Trailers Stages – Maiden City MC
RD4:July 5 PRM Loughgall Stages – North Armagh Motor Club
RD5:July 19 Down Rally – Rathfriland Motor Club
Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge 2025
RD1:February 22 Samsonas Fivemiletown – Omagh MC
RD2:September 6 Trailer Parts Lakeland Stages – Enniskillen MC
RD3:September 19 McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally – Omagh MC (Leg 1)
RD4:September 20 McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally – Omagh MC (Leg 2)RD5:October 11 Dogleap Rally – Maiden City MC
ATTACHED PHOTOS
Photos may be used free of charge with credit to William Neill / www.NeillPics.com
Captions
DM: The 2024 Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge title holder, Derek Mackarel.
JG: Last year’s Northern Ireland Rally Championship winner Jonny Greer.
Aidan Wray won the PRM & RPM Motorsport Loughgall Stages Rally by 6.4 seconds in a Volkswagen Polo Rally2 – outperforming a narrow second-place finish last year – after early leader, Marty Toner was side-lined with an electrical fault, writes William Neill.
Under Peter Ward’s guidance, it was the Pirelli-shod IN Sport driver’s first overall win after a measured start, fifth fastest on the opening 3.1-mile Manor test within the spectator-friendly country park.
Onto the first pass of the 5.9-mile Kinnegoe closed road stage and the Strabane driver moved up three places thanks to a joint fastest time with Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy who, on their first visit to the County Armagh village, were in testing mode for the upcoming Stonethrowers in Tipperary.
Wray was faster on the repeated loop, 2.2 seconds gained on the Manor test and another 0.2 seconds on Kinnegoe to leave a gap of just half a second before the park stage was reversed. And it was that change where Wray seen the opportunity to pull ahead, 3.8 seconds quicker on the stage to leave a 3.3 seconds advantage with two stages to go.
Doherty took 0.2 seconds back on the unaltered Kinnegoe but Wray was the winner of both the rally and the final stage, again over three seconds quicker than the Skoda Fabia Rally2.
Two-time winner Aaron McLaughlin returned to a Ford Fiesta R5 – the newer-spec Volkswagen Polo Rally2 option not ready following the three-day Donegal International. While the Carndonagh driver and Darren Curran were 51.8 seconds down on Doherty’s pace they secured the final podium spot by 41.6 seconds and took a SS5 win along the way.
Fourth and fastest two-wheel-drive Jason Black was delighted following his home rally result with Karl Egan, ahead of Jason Mitchell who fought back from a costly SS1 spin that seen the second IN Sport car beached for over a minute. In the comeback drive of the rally from 77th to fifth, along with Paddy McCrudden, the position was improved by 32 places on SS2 alone.
Jason’s brother, Gareth Black and Connor Dunlop, in another Toyota Starlet, put last year’s differential-based retirement aside to finish sixth, 6.1 seconds from Mitchell but ahead of category rival and first of the Ford Escort Mk2 runners, John Bradley by 5.3 seconds.
Loughalll newcomer Colin Price was as far back as 12th in a Toyota Starlet before he headed back to Ballymena in eighth, 21 seconds ahead of former event winner Camillus Bradley with John Gordon rounding out the top ten ahead of Joe Hegarty – all Escort runners.
CLASS WINNERS
Class 1: Trevor Wilson/Paul Mulholland (Ford Escort Mk2)
Class 2: Anthony Quinn/Ryan McAleer (Ford Fiesta ST)
Class 3: Andrew Frizzell/James Hedge (Vauxhall Nova)
Class 4: Chris Murphy/Shea Breen (Ford Escort Mk2)
Class 5: Jonathan Strain/Kyle Diffin (Peugeot 205)
Class 6: Gareth Black/Connor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet)
Class 7: Jason Black/Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet)
Class 8: Albert McClenahan/Alexander Preston (Ford Sierra Cosworth)
Class 9: Richard O’Lone/James Turkington (Ford Fiesta Rally3)
Class 10: Aidan Wray/Peter Ward (Volkswagen Polo Rally2)
Class 11: Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta Rally2)
RESULTS
1 Aidan Wray/Peter Ward (Volkswagen Polo Rally2) 33m38.8s
2 Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +6.4s
3 Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta R5) +58.2s
4 Jason Black/Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet) +1m39.8s
5 Jason Mitchell/Paddy McCrudden (Volkswagen Polo Rally2) +2m19.5s
6 Gareth Black/Connor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet) +2m25.6s
7 John Bradley/Ryan Crozier (Ford Escort Mk2) +2m30.9s
8 Colin Price/Damian Doherty (Toyota Starlet) +2m34.5s
9 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2) +2m55.5s
10 John Gordon/Conor Lavery (Ford Escort Mk2) + 3m09.9s
Aaron McLaughlin will start as favourite at the PRM & RPM Motorsport Loughgall Stages Rally on Saturday July 6, with both the spectator-friendly Loughgall Country Park and nearby closed road test on the agenda, writes William Neill.
The number one seed will be looking for his third Loughgall win in a row following a switch to a Volkswagen Polo Rally2. Victory, with Darren Curran, has come this year already at St Angelo Stages back in May and the pair arrive in County Armagh following their three-day home rally – the Donegal International. Seat time has been a plenty and will stand the crew well.
Regular visitors to North Armagh Motor Club events will recall a fourth place finish at the Echlinville Distillery Stages Rally that got the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship underway – a series in which McLaughlin remains in contention of for a podium finish.
Aidan Wray was close to winning last year despite only one fastest stage mid-event. Returning in an IN Sport Volkswagen Polo Rally2, the Strabane driver is joined, on this occasion, by Niall Burns.
In car three, a Skoda Fabia Rally2, Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy cemented their place as front-running contenders with second at this year’s Circuit of Munster – Callum Devine the only man ahead – after the eight-stage event and now lead the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
Damian Toner first won Loughgall in 2015 and quickly became the man to beat within the technical but fast park stages. After a taste of a Ford Fiesta R5 last year, the Armagh driver is weighing up options of either the same again or returning to his trusty Ford Escort Mk2 that would see him as top two-wheel-drive runner in car four.
Jason Black, on his local rally, starts at five with Karl Egan alongside in a Toyota Starlet, ahead of Marty Toner and Ben Teggart with a Proton Millington adding to the variety.
Camillus and John Bradley will keep the Escort fans happy before Ben McFall, who leads the Junior category in the Northern Ireland championship, in a Mitsubishi Lancer E9.
Other entries include former winner Norman Armstrong, while Adrian Hetherington debuts a Rallysport Development Ltd Fiat 131 and Graeme Nesbitt, son of two-time Irish champion Andrew Nesbitt, continues his opening year at the wheel.
Action starts with the first of seven stages at 10am within the park where there will also be a static show, service area for the 80 competitors and the champagne finish at 4.45pm, followed by prize giving.
Admission is £10 per adult with under 16 free and includes a free programme at the entrance. Car parking within the park is also included.
ENTRY LIST:
Full list will be available at www.rallyscore.net
1 Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (Volkswagen Polo Rally2);
2 Aidan Wray/Niall Burns (Volkswagen Polo Rally2);
3 Eddie Doherty/Tom murphy (Skoda Fabia Rally2);
4 Damian Toner/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2);
5 Jason Black/Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet);
6 Marty Toner/Ben Teggart (Proton Millington);
7 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2);
8 John Bradley/Ryan Crozier (Ford Escort Mk2);
9 Ben McFall/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer E9);
10 Gareth Black/Conor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet).
Last year Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curren in the super quick Fiesta R5 took top honours to win the Loughgall Stages Rally for the second time, from Adrian Wray/Martin Brady and the Loughgall champion, Damian Toner who first won the event in 2015 in his powerful MK2 Escort. These three top drivers are already entered again this year and each is looking forward to the win, with Aaron stating “it would be brilliant to achieve the third win in a row at Loughgall, where the compact rally format and the competition are really fantastic”
Hoping to spoil Aaron, Adrian and Damian’s chances is a list of top entries which have been already received. Other competitors who hope to compete should note that the maximum entry list of 80 crews is filling fast.
Taking place on Saturday 6 July, the North Armagh Motor Club Ltd organised event now in its 26th year, will again break the tradition of all stages held within the beautiful confines of County Armagh’s Loughgall Country Park and will incorporate the six-mile closed road stage, which is located close to Loughgall village and this will be run three times, in conjunction with the parkland stages.
PRM Group and RPM Motorsport have eagerly agreed to sponsor the event again this year. Managing Director, Philip Morrow, said:
“I am delighted to be associated again with such a high-profile motorsport event in Northern Ireland. It provides the perfect fit for our business interests and as a keen car enthusiast, I am looking forward to seeing some of the fastest drivers in the country compete for the spoils in both the stunning Loughgall country park and the nearby classic closed road stage.”
Competitors will tackle a total of seven stages, four based within the park and three on the closed roads.
The event’s Clerk of Course, William Fullerton, said:
“We are most grateful to PRM Group and RPM Motorsport for their generous, enthusiastic and continued support, and also to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, for their assistance and to DAERA and AFBI Government Departments and the N.I. Forest Service for the use of Loughgall Country Park, the compact format of the event with very low road mileage and central servicing after every two special stages has been well received by competitors”.
Formerly a two-wheel-drive only event, the Loughgall Stages Rally is again open to four-wheel drive cars also and along with the previously dominant two-wheel drive cars, it should once again provide an exciting and competitive spectacle for spectators.
Competitors should note; entries at www.rallyscore.net close at 10.00pm on Wednesday 26th June.
Scrutiny begins at Loughgall Country Park for all Competitors from 3.30pm on Friday 30th June where cars and service vehicles may be left overnight in the service park, which will have security present throughout.
Competitors will have the opportunity to recce the stages (walk or cycle the park and drive the road stage) from 2.30-8.30pm on Friday 5th July and in the park only, from 7.00-8.30am sharp on Saturday morning.
There will be an historic, classic and rally car display in the central arena during the event; anyone wishing to bring a suitable display vehicle, the entry is £10 per car, (including driver and passenger) and club contacts are Brian Stinson, 07761 358907 or Alan Dalzell, 07913 675902. Refreshments are available in the Country Park which will be closed during the rally to other public activities.
The action starts at 10.00am with all stages held on tarmac roads and will conclude at 5.00pm. Admission to the event is £10 for adults (which includes a programme) while accompanied children under the age of 16 are admitted free; limited free public car parking available. For more information, visit www.namcc.com
ENDS.
Notes for Competitors:
Visit namcc.com for further information.
Note for Editors:
Photo caption: Loughgall Stages Rally – 2023 Winners, Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran [Ford Fiesta R5].
Photo by Gary Craig Motorsport Photography.
For more information, contact North Armagh Motor Club Press Officer, Simon Fullerton,
on 07745 891227 or email: sfullerton78@gmail.com
[Loughgall Country Park stages and Kinnegoe closed public road special stages]
Regulations and Online Entry Submission are now available for the North Armagh Motor Club Ltd PRM Group & RPM Motorsports Loughgall Stages Rally.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 6th of July, is sponsored by PRM Group & RPM Motorsports, and will feature seven stages, four within the confines of Loughgall Country Park. and three on nearby closed Public Roads.
Entries for the event should be completed online (including Online payment) at www.rallyscore.net
All correspondence will be posted on Digital Notice Board (DNB): Sportity App (Sign in – LGSR)
Online link: https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/LGSR
Entries Secretary;
Barry Taggart
Telephone +44 (0)7771 892423
e-mail: barry27@sky.com
Note: Enquires only between 6.00pm and 9.00pm weekdays
Jonny Greer and Niall Burns were fastest from start-to-finish at what was the first opportunity to score points in the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship at Kirkistown Race Circuit – winning by 15.3 seconds in a Citroen C3 Rally2, writes William Neill.
Stuart Biggerstaff, supported by rally sponsor Echlinville Distillery, was on form when wet conditions worsened mid-event. A champion himself, the Kinallen man moved his Ford Fiesta R5 into second after the 4.4-mile SS3 – a reverse test from the opening loop with an extra gravel section. Anthony Nestor was alongside to see over the team’s secured place by over 19 seconds.
Back to Greer and after SS2 the Carryduff driver reported a clean line was appearing on the stage but conditions remained greasy and noted the bottom section was particularly difficult before half-time.
SS4 and the leader slid off the road at the flying finish, showing how difficult it was to maintain the correct pace. The final stage format for SS5 and SS6 was the longest of the day, and Greer was cautious of the desired final result.
Derek McGarrity’s long association with the North Armagh Motor Club event stood the Skoda Fabia R5 driver in good stead with an early second, 2.4 seconds behind the lead time on SS1. The distance from both Greer and Biggerstaff increased throughout the day however, to have to settle for the final podium place with Paddy Robinson.
Donegal’s Aaron McLaughlin and Darren Curran were down in eighth after SS1 but bounced back with a second fastest time on SS2 only to overshoot and go off the road again on the next test. It got worse – poor visibility from the recently purchased Volkswagen Polo R5’s windscreen on SS4 made for a difficult fight back. Third fastest on both the penultimate and final stage made all the difference, moving from seventh to fourth.
Despite a first corner spin Jason Dickson and Martin Brady recovered to finish fifth, 6.6 seconds back but place secured by 7.4 seconds.
Peadar Hurson, in a ROK Motorsport converted right-hand-drive Volkswagen Polo, moved from an early tenth to sixth with a fourth fastest stage time the Newry driver’s highest placing of the day.
In a Proton S2500 debut Marty Toner was seventh and top of the open class finishers.
Niall Henry came across a tyre marking the course on SS1 in eighth, successful track racing driver Michael Cullen was ninth and top lady points scorer Emma McKinstry rounded off the top ten.
Philip Allen was among the front runners but a slick tyre choice and confusion on where to go on another stage, he ended up at the back end of the top 20. As high as third after two stages, we can expect the McGeehan Motorsport-run driver to remain a contender for rally wins.
Colin Price hadn’t competed since May but was fit enough to win the two-wheel-drive race with Billy Regan. The Toyota Starlet was out in front by 16.5 seconds.
Barry Morris’ Darrian T90 GTR+ update was fastest on the first stage with Price finding his feet. A gear shift failure for Morris ruled the early pacesetter out for Price to take control while three others fought it out for second, namely Jaye Nevin, Jonny Cargo and eventual runner up James Kennedy. Peugeot 205 mounted Nevin ended third, but fastest in class.
Top FIA two-wheel-drive points went to Se Og Martin, from Marshall Kennedy.
Leaving Kirkistown Ben McFall leads the junior race from Darragh Kelly. The Mitsubishi Lancer E9 driver from Bushmills jumped from his car 64 seeding to 13th overall, almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival.
With the junior category eligibility based on age, Kelly was fastest in his class by over two minutes using a Peugeot 208 R2. Rally school instructor Joshua Baird sits third.
HISTORIC
Current historic champion Jimmy Mills, guided by Michael Johnston, has started the year off well with full points as the sole finishers at round one. More competition is expected throughout the season.
IN OTHER NEWS
Christopher Murphy, son of event organising committee member, Eddie, had his Ford Escort Mk2 on stage for the first time. From Armagh, but travelling from America to compete was Andrew Frizzle and both Kyle White and Alan Carmichael retired on what was a British Rally Championship test.
CLASS WINNERS
Class 1: Jimmy Mills/Michael Johnston (Ford Escort Mk2); Class 2: Se Og Martin/Sean Walsh (Peugeot 208 R4); Class 3: Peter Dowds/Steven Dowds (Nissan Micra); Class 4: Darragh Kelly/Ashley Boulton (Peugeot 208 R2); Class 5: Jonathan Strain/Scott Strain (Peugeot 205 GTi); Class 6: Colin Price/Bill Regan (Toyota Starlet); Class 7: Jayne Nevin/Eoghan Moore (Peugeot 205); Class 8: Ben McFall/Damian McAuley (Mitsubishi Lancer E9); Class 9: Richard O’Lone/James Turkington (Ford Fiesta R3); Class 10: Jonny Greer/Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2); Class 11: Marty Toner/Ben Teggart (Proton S2500).
NEXT UP
Next up in the five round series is the Race & Rally Stages at Bishopsourt on March 9 which will host a new single-lap stage format. Entries remain open at www.rallyscore.net.
There is more coverage from round one with an action photo gallery set to feature on the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship Facebook page and a highlights package on YouTube.
Results from the Echlinville Distillery Stage Rally
Full results are available from www.rallyscore.net
McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship 2024 points
Full points are available from www.nirallychampionship.com
McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship 2024 Calendar remaining rounds
March 9 – Race & Rally Stages (Bishopscourt Race Circuit) – Ballynahinch & District Motor Club
April 27 – Maiden City Stages (closed road) – Maiden City Motor Club
May 18 – GO Tour of the Sperrins (closed road) – Magherafelt & District Motor Club
July 20 – Tyrone Stages (closed road) – Cookstown Motor Club
November 16 – Reserve date (may be used in the event of a cancelled round)
Follow YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/@NIRally
Follow Facebook page – www.facebook.com/nirallying and www.facebook.com/niforestrallychallenge
Bookmark website – www.nirallychampionship.com
EDITOR NOTE: Photography may be used for publication free of charge providing credit is given to the photographer.
North Armagh Motor Club is pleased to welcome THE ECHLINVILLE DISTILLERY, KIRCUBBIN, NEWTOWNARDS, as new event title sponsor this year.
Shane Braniff is continuing his previous long-standing association with this event, and through his Echlinville Distillery business, is backing the opening round of this year’s McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship.
Based at Kirkistown Race Circuit on Saturday 17 February, The Echlinville Distillery Stage Rally, which is organised and promoted by North Armagh Motor Club Ltd, will attract the crème de la crème of local rally talent as they battle for the spoils at the popular County Down venue. In fact, the entry is filling fast with many of these top -line competitors already committed and/or entered, bringing the total so far, to over 70 crews.
Barry Taggart, Clerk of the Course for the event, said: “We are delighted to be associated with local businessman Shane Braniff, a long-standing supporter of North Armagh Motor Club ltd., Northern Ireland motorsport in general and rallying in particular.”
The Echlinville Distillery which was founded in 2012, began distilling its famous four spirit brands in 2013 which are available worldwide. The Echlinville Distillery is now firmly established as a successful local producer of Irish Whiskey, Gin and Vodka at their Distillery based in Kircubbin, Newtownards.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support North Armagh Motor Club and the opening round of the N. I. Rally Championship 2024,” commented The Echlinville Distillery Managing Director, Shane Braniff. “There’s always a lot of buzz surrounding the opening round of the championship and Kirkistown is always a well-supported event so it’s great to be a part of it and meet the rally fans at the event.”
Competitors will tackle six stages within the confines of Kirkistown Race Circuit, with a similar format (but with minor alterations to the stages) to last year. In an effort to satisfy all competitors’ needs, vehicle scrutiny will be on Saturday morning only, before the rally, with the opening stage set to start at 9.15am. The finish will be around 5.00pm. The stages will be minimum 95% sealed surface.
A limited number of entries can still be made via www.rallyscore.net up until 07 February at 10.00pm. Regulations and future rally information will be available from the club’s virtual noticeboard at www.namcc.com
If anyone would be available to marshal, contact Chief Marshal:
Caroline McGuinness on 07792 037441.
ENDS…
02 January 2024
Further details from:
SIMON FULLERTON
Public Relations Officer
North Armagh Motor Club Ltd
Mob: 07745 891227
Email: sfullerton78@gmail.com
Regulations and Online Entry Submission are now available for round one of the 2024 McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship, The Echlinville Distillery Stage Rally.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 17th February, is sponsored by The Echlinville Distillery, and will feature six stages based within the confines of Co. Down’s Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit.
Entries for the event should be completed online (including Online payment) at www.rallyscore.net
Please submit your competed online entry form, including the appropriate fees and seeding information promptly in order to allow us as organisers to be able to confirm the running of the event and the availability of all the necessary services and equipment at the earliest date possible.
***YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL YOUR ONLINE ENTRY FEE PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED***
Entries Secretary;
Charlie Deering
Telephone / WhatsApp +44 (0)7519 828407
Enquires only between 6.00pm and 9.00pm weekdays, 1.00pm and 6.00pm weekends
e-mail: kirkistownstagesrally@gmail.com
