Lark in the Park - (Sat) 16 Jul 05

Posted: July 19, 2005 11:39 AM

Lark in the Park, sponsored by Sean Devine Construction, has a new 2005 winner to add to previous 8 podium finishes, in the form of Cathal Arthurs and Paul Fergus driving their Hyundai WRC to an exciting finish through 5 fast and furious tight Park stages in the Waterside’s luscious St. Columb’s Park in Derry this afternoon.

Simply, Arthurs threw caution to the wind on all 5 stages of the main event, and steered his car through the tight twists and brief straights on this tarmac surfaced event.

Maiden City Motor Club have much to be proud of in this ‘return to the Park’, theme, with all that is good for a family day in the Park.

Certainly, Robert McDaid and his team impressed everyone with the effort and attention to detail for all who took time to spend a day in the Park, entrant or spectator alike, as there was something for everyone.

As for the competition, the spectacle of some of the fastest cars and drivers in Ireland held the thousands of spectators, young and old, enthralled for ever one of the 5 competitive stages, and the special 7-car shoot out.

Arthurs did not have it all his own way, as Niall McShea stormed ahead on the first loop, only to have engine management problems and tyre choice problems, as Niall steered the large Subaru through the narrow paths, and as Niall said, “I wanted to bring the car home in one piece and have no scrapes on this car as I borrowed it from one of the Maiden City team, and it was better to hand it back intact.”

Indeed, other drivers on the pace were Sean Devine, Dennis Biggerstaff, both previous winners in the Park, with a quick Donegal driver in the form of Ivan Stewart, followed closely by Terence Mc Laughlin

After the main stages, a special crowd pleaser was the 7 car shoot-out. 7 of the quickest drivers and entertainers were pitched against the clock for special cash awards and the incentive threw up some interesting results. Dennis Biggerstaff forged his way to the front with the Metro blasting its way round the special course, in a time of 1:36.2, closely followed by Sean Devine in a time of 1:36.6, while the main event winner Cathal Arthurs could not better 1:37.0.

A great day was had by all, and apart from the winners on the podium, motorsport was the winner here in Derry, with a classic family friendly event, that any top Grand Prix or top WRC would be proud of, well done Maiden City and Derry City Council.

1 Cathal Arthurs / Paul Fergus (Hyundai Accent WRC) 06:43.3
2 Sean Devine / Niall Devine Subaru Impreza WRC 06:50.7
3 Denis Biggerstaff / Stuart Biggerstaff Metro 6R4 06:51.6

• Download Full Results and Times in Excel

McAleer Timing - www.clubman-motorsport.com

Photos
rallypics.org
RMS - www.reallymeansounds.com

Maiden City Motor Club

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• New Sponsor – Old winning Format.
• Top 20 Entries
• Regulations are now available for this fun day with some rallying!
• Event details

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11/07/05
New Sponsor – Old winning Format.
Organisers of the 2005 Lark in the Park, Northern Irelands leading motor club, Maiden City Motor Club, have just announced exciting details of a new sponsor plus plans for the format of the 2005 event.
New for 2005, Sean Devine Construction has been announced as the title sponsor for the Lark in the Park, on Saturday 16th of July at St. Columb’s Park in the Waterside in Derry. In addition the Park returns to its original format of special stages in the park and a family day out for rally fans and families alike.
“The news is good for the Park,” said 2005 Clerk of the Course, Robert Mc Daid, “ it’s a win!, win! for everybody in 2005.”
Announcing details of the Sean Devine Construction sponsorship deal, MD Sean Devine said he was, “Thrilled to be associated with the famous Lark in the Park, an event I have admired for many years, and had much to do with my own participation in this sport at International level for a number of years now! As you know I won this event last year, and I feel it is an excellent event our company should be associated with, as it attracts top entrants and thousands of spectators from all parts of Ireland, as well as many of the local families looking for an enjoyable day out.” The Dunamanagh based building company MD continued to say, “it shows how MotorSport and entertainment can be used to bring everyone together for a day out in the Park. I hope all the visitors enjoy a day out in St. Columb’s Park, and wished Maiden City Motor Club well in their work at bringing this and other events to the North-West, as they have been doing on a professional level for 30 years, with their work in this and many other events throughout Ireland.”

Organisers of the 05 Sean Devine Construction LITP have given details of the format of the event. The format goes back to the ‘day-in-the-Park’, a more family based day, with all the action taking place in St. Columb’s Park.

TOP ENTRY 50 of the best competing crews will be in action in Derry’s Lark in the Park. The top entries include a guest entry by Ireland’s Group N WRC Champion, Fermanagh man Nial McShea. McShea won the Production Car World Rally Championship series in 2004, and has taken time out of his busy world rally commitments to make a public appearance at the LITP event. Nial will be driving an Evo 9 in the Park, and will provide much competition to the entry list, and give a chance for the public to get close to a real World Champion. Of course, last year’s winner, Sean Devine will carry the number 1 slot, and defending his title, as the 05 winner. There will be a top class entry with many WRC cars driving their way through the narrow and challenging paths of the Park circuit. Also on the entry list is a former winner, in the guise of Dennis Bigerstaff, with his super quick Metro 6R4, who is always one to watch.

FORMAT
This event will be run with the co-operation of the Derry City Council, who have requested this former format, as it is better for family entertainment and will give the opportunity for children to enjoy the special arrangements that have been made for all the young ‘Park users’. Making a welcome return will be the entertainment loved by young and old alike, - the bouncy castle, face painters, entertainers will be in attendance on the day, allowing the adults time to enjoy the fast rally action.

SPECIAL STAGES
The format for the day will be 5 special stages in the confines of St. Columb’s Park, rally action starting at 10.30am. 50 cars will compete for the various classes, in the 5 main stages, but at the end of the day, a special ‘shoot out’ will take place to compete for the £750 cash prize of the fastest time of the day.

SPECTATOR VIEWING
During the day, spectators will be catered for in the special spectator areas, controlled by the sector marshals, who will allow the safe passage and movement of spectators between stages, allowing safe viewing of the action throughout the day. The layout of St. Columb’s Park allows some superb viewing from safe vantage points, in addition to the easy viewing in the restricted service area, where the spectators can view the rally cars up-close and obtain autographs from some of the best known rally drivers in the country, including WRC Champion Niall McShea.

PARKING & ENTRANCE
Special facilities have been arranged for spectator parking at special locations off the Limavady Road. Spectators approaching from the Dales Corner side, can park in the Oakgrove School site, while on of the main car parks will be available at the Wilton Park football park mainly for traffic approaching from the Caw roundabout and Foyle Bridge side of the Limavady Road.
Entrance to the Park will be by pedestrian gate only, with an entry fee of £5. The special Charity associated with the LITP for 2005, will be the Oncology Department of the local Altnagelvin Hospital.

Finally, the Clerk of the Course, Robert McDaid asks,” .everyone to come to this event to have an enjoyable day in the Park, follow the instructions of the safely marshals, and watch one of the great spectacles that many can only watch on their TV screens. It is a very rare occasion that a motor rally can take place in a city, and in such close proximity to the public, especially with a WRC Champion in attendance”.

TOP 20 ENTRY LIST
No. Driver Co-Driver Car Class
1 S Devine Niall Devine Subaru Impreza WRC 7
2 N Mc Shea K. Calwell Mit. Lancer EVO 9 2
3 C Arthurs Paul Fergus Hyundai Accent WRC 7
4 M Doherty Robin Canning Subaru Impreza 555 7
5 D Biggerstaff Stuart Biggerstaff Metro 6R4 7
6 M Gass A Cullen Skoda Fabia WRC 7
7 I Stewart Timothy Duggan Ford Escort WRC 7
8 J Mc Keown Mandy Mc Keown Ford Escort WRC 7
9 R Hogg Richard Hogg Jnr Mit, Lancer Evo 6 7
10 T Mc Laughlin TBA Ford Escort WRC 7
11 M Howley TBA Ford Escort WRC 7
12 J Mc Ivor Liz Mc Ivor Ford Escort WRC 7
14 S Heavron Vincent Fergus Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 7
15 R Mc Laughlin Lisa Mc Laughlin Mi. Lancer EVO 6 2
16 D Jobb TBA Mit. Lancer EVO 8 2
17 K Watson K Flanagan Mit. Lancer EVO 6 2
18 S Ballantine M Ballantine Mit. Lancer EVO 6 2
19 P Britton TBA Subaru Impreza WRX 2
20 J Crozier Lisa Corey Escort Mk2 6

Maiden City Motor Club

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06/06/05
The event will start and finish at St Columbs Park Waterside Limavady Rd.
Max Number of Entries is 50


Saturday 16th July 2005 Reconnaissance
Saturday 16th July 2005 Scrutiny/Documentation Scrutiny
Saturday 16th July 2005 10.30am Rally starts
Saturday 16th July 2005 5.00pm approx Rally finishes


Rally HQ St Columbs Park
Scrutiny Venue Campsie industrial estate, Campsie
Format 5 stages
Mileage 11 Stage miles ~ 16 Road miles
Surface Sealed

Service Area Venue St Columbs Park, Limavady Rd.
Prize giving St Columbs Park, Limavady Rd. 7.00pm, Sat 16th July

Regulations and Entry form on:

Maiden City Motor Club