Loughgall Festival of Motorsport (Historic Rally) - (Sat) 5 Jul 08

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Posted: July 10, 2008 4:55 PM

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Posted: July 10, 2008 4:51 PM

Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport hailed a huge success!

Posted: July 10, 2008 3:38 PM

Funds raised for Northern Ireland Children's Hospice and other Armagh Lions Club supported charities is still being calculated after the success of last weekend's Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport!

Despite inclement weather, spectators flocked to County Armagh's Loughgall Country Park for the Festival, which was jointly organised by North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (NAMCC) Ltd and Armagh Lions Club. The festivities included a Historic Rally Car Challenge, Apple Blossom Autotest, static historic and classic car displays, as well as a classic car auction.

"We enjoyed a truly successful day," said Clerk of the Course, William Fullerton. "Thanks to all those spectators who attended, as well as everyone who has played their part in bringing the event to fruition for the second year in succession. It's fantastic to have Wilsons Auctions on board as title sponsor, as well as many other associate sponsors. The combination of NAMCC Ltd and Armagh Lions Club proved to be very fruitful once again, but without the huge support of the public, it simply wouldn't have been a success."

There were plenty of thrills and spills in the Historic Rally Car Challenge, as competitors guided their rally cars through the beautiful surroundings of Loughgall Country Park at speed. Most competitors had little time to admire the scenery, although some decided to take a closer look at the surroundings, resulting in their event coming to a premature end.

Unfortunately, Cathal Curley and Elkin Robinson were among those whose event ended prematurely, after their borrowed Porsche 911 understeered through fence posts and into a field. Meanwhile, Harold McAllister and Alex Ewart also joined the retirement ranks after losing an argument with a tree in their Sunbeam.

There were no such troubles for John Keatley and Maurice Beckett, nor Colin McDowell and Julie Allen. Under the points *totting up procedure, they shared outright event victory, courtesy of fastest times in their class through each stage. Keith McIvor and David Burns were next in line, with Gerard McGinley and John Coll finishing just ahead of Alan Jardine and Jim McSherry.

In the modified category, Wesley Patterson and Martin McGarrity claimed victory by 11 seconds from Kris Meeke and Pamela Ballantine. Dungannon man Meeke was rueing a costly opening stage engine problem which saw him drop 12 seconds to Patterson from the outset, otherwise the result would have been much closer.

Draperstown's Camillus Bradley and Danny O'Neill completed the top three in their Escort, with Mervyn and Laura Wedlock arriving home in fourth ahead of James Kennedy and John Rowan. John Waring and Mo Downey completed the top six in their Escort.

It wasn't all about rallying and the Apple Blossom Autotest saw some of the country's leading drivers attend. Organised in conjunction with Autotest Drivers' Club (NI) Ltd, Ken Irwin sealed another outright victory in his Mini Special, with Sam Bowden taking second ahead of Robert Dickson.

Meanwhile, spectators were also treated to an array of static historic and classic car displays, as well as numerous trade stands. The classic car auction, a new feature for 2008, also proved to be a huge success, with numerous vehicles sold under the hammer!

A truly successful day was enjoyed and plans are already in place for the 2009 Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport. A provisional May date has been set aside for next year's Festival, and once details have been confirmed, announcements will be made on www.namcc.com and www.armaghlionsclub.com.

Full Results / Photos

Posted: July 10, 2008 3:33 PM

*Overall Historic Rally Car Challenge winners were decided on a points totting up procedure. Six points were awarded for being fastest in class over each stage, with five points for second fastest, four for third fastest etc. Both John Keatley and Colin McDowell set fastest class times on each stage, so they shared the overall victory.

Historic Rally Car Challenge overall positions

1= John Keatley/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911) - 48pts
1= Colin McDowell/Julie Allen (Mini Cooper) - 48pts
3 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911) - 46pts
4 Gerard McGinley/John Coll (Talbot Sunbeam) - 43pts
5 Alan Jardine/Jim McSherry (Ford Escort) - 42pts
6 Mervyn Johnston/Wendy Blackledge (Austin Mini) - 37pts

Modified Rally top three
1 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Escort) 32m 50.0s

2 Kris Meeke/Pamela Ballantine (Escort) 33m 00.6s
3 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Escort) 33m 07.8s

Apple Blossom Autotest Results
1 Ken Irwin (Mini Special) 306.5
2 Sam Bowden 308.0
3 Robert Dickson 309.3

Class A: Ken Irwin
Class B: Trevor Ferguson
Class C: Robin Lyons
Class D: Raymond Donaldson

Download Full Results and Times

Photos:
neillpics.co.uk

Posted: July 10, 2008 3:31 PM

Members of Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd with Wilson Auctions representatives, Tyrone and Nicholas Gibson. Also pictured is Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure, Edwin Poots MLA, Councillor Charles Rollston (Mayor of Armagh City and District), as well as Northern Ireland Hospice Care Fund Raising Officer, Peter Shepherd.
The Mark 1 Escort rally car was provided by Harry Burke.
Photo: Jonathan MacDonald/MediaJAM Communications

Local Businesses a Sure Shot for Historic Rally Team!

Posted: July 2, 2008 7:17 PM

Local businesses Foymore Lodge Country Pursuits & Shooting School and AC Vehicle Components have teamed up to support local rally competitor, Superdrive’s Safron Thomas and flamboyant Belfast driver Kieran O’Neill for this Saturday’s Wilson’s Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport.

Kieran O’Neill and Safron Thomas will compete in the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club’s Festival of Motorsport in a 1976 Opel Kadette GT/E. With O’Neill at the wheel, spectators are guaranteed some exciting sideways action from the driver who will be competing alongside some of the UK’s finest drivers including John Keatley, Cahal Curley, Billy Coleman and Kris Meeke.

Kieran said,
‘Its great to have the support of local businesses for this fantastic event and beyond. We are grateful to Foymore Lodge and AC Components for their sponsorship of our rally team.’

Superdrive’s Safron Thomas also received some international sponsorship from her parents’ business, M&R Thomas Automotive Upholstery Specialists in Tasmania, Australia.

Safron said,
‘My parents are avid rally fans and although the sponsorship may not have the same local focus as Foymore Lodge and AC Components they are looking forward to supporting the team in Loughgall this weekend.’

Foymore Lodge Country Pursuits approximately 4 miles from Portadown is Northern Ireland’s premier clay shooting facility and specialises in corporate entertainment activities including 4x4 driving, air rifle shooting and archery.

AC Vehicle Components on the Mahon Road are Co Armagh’s number one motor factor providing quality guaranteed car parts, car components, car body styling kits, car bodyshop materials and panels, brake pads and brake discs, water pumps, driveshafts and more all at realistic prices with good service.

First minister Peter Robinson samples rally action at the Wilson Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport press launch!

Posted: July 2, 2008 5:04 PM

Details of this Saturday's Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport, which has been jointly organised by North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd and Armagh Lions Club in aid of Northern Ireland Children's Hospice and other Lions charities, were announced at Armagh Council Offices on Monday (30 June). Organisers laid on a 'mini special stage', allowing Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, as well as Mayor of Armagh, councillor Noel Sheridan, to sample the high octane thrills of passenger rides in rally cars!

"The rally car experience was a truly exhilarating experience," first minister Peter Robinson said. "I would be a motorsport enthusiast so in many ways it was a dream come true! I am honoured to have been able to launch this event but I'm also deeply moved. I must commend all of the organisers for their determination in seeing this project through to its fulfilment. Clearly they have gone to all lengths possible to make this Festival the success that I know it will be.

"I must emphasise it is a rare trait to see such determination from non-salaried, ordinary individuals, who want to make a difference to the lives of others, especially in such a high priced sport/industry. Northern Ireland Hospice Care/Children's Hospice - the choice of charity - is particularly poignant.

"The success of this event will be from all angles, and will greatly ease and assist the lives of those involved with Hospice Care. There has been tremendous work carried out behind the scenes to bring all of this to light, and with competitors such as Cathal Curley, Billy Coleman, Kenny McKinstry and John Keatley, it's quite an achievement. For the organisers and participants, it is rewarding to see such selfless actions but also tremendously satisfying."

The Festival, which will be based within the beautiful surroundings of Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July, has attracted a wide range of machinery. While the Historic Rally Car Challenge has attracted entries from numerous well known names of past and present rallying, the Apple Blossom Autotest, static historic and classic car displays, as well as a classic car auction, will all provide plenty of entertainment on the day.

Speaking at the launch, councillor Noel Sheridan said: "The Festival of Motorsport was highly successful and enjoyable last year and we are delighted to welcome such a high profile event back to the area. The Festival is a showcase for the wide variety of talent that exists both locally and internationally and I understand that the Rally Challenge has attracted entries from throughout the UK and Ireland, including some internationally known competitors."

Heading the entry list for the Historic Rally Car Challenge, John Keatley and Maurice Beckett will line up in their Porsche 911. Keatley, who went on to win various championships after starting rallying in 1989, starts with number one on his door ahead of Cathal Curley and Elkin Robinson.

Curley is another competitor who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He has been rallying for more than 40 years, and in 1974 he won seven international rallies, including victory at the Circuit of Ireland by more than five minutes - the largest ever winning margin (a record which still stands today).

Billy Coleman is also on the start list, and he is still the only Irishman ever to win the British Rally Championship. He is also a former winner of the Irish Tarmac Championship, as is Banbridge's Kenny McKinstry, who will start at number four with his borrowed ex-Ari Vatanen Escort.

Completing the top five entrants, John Lyons also returns to action with an Escort. His motorsport career started in the early 70s when he became very successful in autotesting. He then transferred that success to the stages, and drove on semi-works basis for numerous manufacturers.

In the modified category, Dungannon's Kris Meeke heads the entry in a Mark 2 Escort, with Draperstown's Camillus Bradley next in line. Wesley Patterson and Mervyn Wedlock also join the fray, with James Kennedy also returning to Loughgall.

Almost 20 entries have been received for the Apple Blossom Autotest, including last year's winner and multiple autotest champion, Ken Irwin. Driving his Mini Special, he will be joined by the likes of Robert Dickson and Steven Ferguson, as well as Noel Cochrane and Robin Lyons, to name but a few.

"It's great to have the support from an enthusiast Armagh City and District Council as well as Wilsons Auctions," Clerk of the Course William Fullerton said. "Working with Armagh Lions Club for the second year in a row has been a pleasure, and we're looking forward to a safe and enjoyable day."

There will also be many classic and historic static displays, and there has been massive interest in the classic car auction, which is being organised by Wilsons Auctions. This will take place at 12.30pm, when there will be an official break from the high-octane proceedings.

Gates open at 8.30am and the admission fee of £10 includes a free colour programme and free car parking, while accompanied under-12s can enter free of charge. The Historic Rally Car Challenge will start at 9.30am and all proceedings will be finished by 5.30pm, when prizegiving will take place in the centre arena.

Historic Rally Car Challenge - top 10 seeds
1 John Keatley/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911)
2 Cathal Curley/Elkin Robinson (Porsche 911)
3 Billy Coleman/Ciara Hughes (Ford Escort RS1800)
4 Kenny McKinstry/Emma McKinstry (Ford Escort)
5 John Lyons/Gerard Kelly (Ford Escort MkII)
6 Mervyn Johnston/Wendy Blackledge (Mini Cooper S)
7 Stewart Clarke/Marshall Clarke (Ford Escort RS1800)
8 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911)
9 David Armstrong/TBA (Ford Escort MkII)
10 John Farrell/Enda Shiels (Ford Escort RS)

Modified category - top 5 seeds
43 Kris Meeke/Pamela Ballantine (Ford Escort MkII)
44 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Ford Escort MkII)
45 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort MkII)
46 Mervyn Wedlock/Laura Wedlock (Ford Escort MkII)
47 James Kennedy/John Rowan (Ford Escort MkII)

Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport gathers momentum!

Posted: June 22, 2008 10:17 PM

The Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport is just a couple of weeks away and organisers have announced more enticing details for the popular high octane extravaganza, which will see proceeds donated to Northern Ireland Hospice Care and other Lions charities!

The festivities, which have been jointly organised by Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd, will be based in the magnificent setting of County Armagh's Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July. As plans for the Armagh City and District Council supported event have gathered momentum, additional support has been secured from a number of local companies.

Once again this year, a number of leading lights from past and present rallying will be enticed to the venue for the Historic Rally Car Challenge. The event, which will feature eight all tarmac special stages around the confines of the park, has attracted an entry from Dungannon's Kris Meeke. As a former protégé of the late Colin McRae, and as arguably the Emerald Isle's leading rally talent, Meeke has confirmed his attendance behind the wheel of a Ford Escort!

Billy Coleman, who is still the only Irishman ever to win the British Rally Championship (a feat achieved in 1974), will also return to Loughgall once again with a Mark 2 Escort. He will be joined by the likes of Cahal Curley and Elkin Robinson in a Porsche 911, as well as John Lyons and John Keatley.

Banbridge rally preparation expert Kenny McKinstry, who is a multiple winner of the Irish Tarmac and Northern Ireland Rally Championships, plans to contest the event in an ex-Ari Vatanen Escort with navigator Tom Geraghty. Winston Henry will have an Escort at his disposal while Mervyn Johnston returns in his Mini Cooper S, and Dessie Nutt plans to navigate for his son, Michael.

Gareth MacHale will provide sweeper duties in a BMW M3, while it is also hoped that Englishman Russell Brookes will return in an Andrews Heat for Hire Sunbeam. Sean Tracey, Martin Ward and Alan Jardine will also join the fray, as will the Keady husband and wife Avenger crew of Jimmy and Hillary Wilson.

There is also a separate class for modified crews and Lisburn's Wesley Patterson has confirmed his entry. He will be joined by the likes of Markethill legend Winston Henry, Mervyn Wedlock as well as Camillus Bradley, who won NAMCC's recent Loughgall two-wheel-drive rally.

The Apple Blossom Autotest, which is being organised in conjunction with the Autotest Drivers' Club (NI) Ltd, has attracted approximately 30 high quality entries. There will also be a large contingent of classic cars and historic rally cars on display, with some vintage lorries and bikes as well, totalling some 150 vehicles!

There has been massive interest in the classic car auction, which is being organised by Wilsons Auctions. This will take place at 12.30pm, when there will be an official break from the high-octane proceedings.

Gates open at 8.30am and the admission fee of £10 includes a free colour programme and free car parking, while accompanied under-12s can enter free of charge. The Historic Rally Car Challenge will start at 9.30am and all proceedings will be finished by 5.30pm, when prizegiving will take place in the centre arena.

Excitement levels for this year's extravaganza are mounting, and with plenty of entertainment for all the family, this is one event not to be missed this summer!

Regulations available

Posted: June 5, 2008 12:59 PM

Car section of:

North Armagh Car Club

Wilsons Auctions to sponsor Loughgall Festival of Motorsport '08.

Posted: May 19, 2008 10:06 PM

Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club (NAMCC) Ltd are pleased to announce that Wilsons Auctions will be the title sponsor for this year's Loughgall Festival of Motorsport '08, due to take place at Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July.

Details were revealed outside Parliament Buildings at Stormont earlier this week, where in addition to the Historic Rally Car Challenge, Apple Blossom Autotest as well as static historic and classic car displays, organisers of the high profile event announced that there will be a further feature - a classic car auction!

"As a representative of North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club Ltd, we are delighted to welcome Wilsons Auctions on board for this year's event," said Clerk of the Course, William Fullerton. "The classic car auction will add a new and exciting dimension to the Loughgall Festival of Motorsport '08, and sponsorship by Wilsons Auctions will ultimately ensure that more money goes to charity."

Wilsons Auctions, which is the largest privately owned auction group in the United Kingdom, was formed in Northern Ireland almost 70 years ago. The company was responsible for the first car auction in Ireland, and given the historic and classic theme of the Festival, is the perfect addition to the proceedings.

"Wilsons Auctions are delighted to be the main sponsor of the Festival of Motorsport 2008 at Loughgall Country Park," Michael Tomalin of the Wilsons Auctions Group said. "Incorporating the classic car auction as part of the event is sure to be a major success for both the promotion of the event and Wilsons Auctions, which inevitably will enhance the overall total raised for charity on the day."

Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure, Edwin Poots MLA, welcomed the representatives of the Loughgall Festival of Motorsport to Stormont. As a keen sports enthusiast, Poots attended last year's event and was stunned when he was treated to a passenger ride in Alan Jardine's Mark 1 Escort.

He said, "I am delighted for Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club. Last year I had the pleasure of attending the Festival and am looking forward to doing so again this year. Because this event is run annually as a fund-raiser, it is great news to have secured the backing from Wilsons Auctions, as this frees more cash for charity. Among those to benefit this year will be Northern Ireland Hospice Care, and I wish all involved the very best for what will be a spectacular day."

Last year's Festival attracted thousands of spectators to Loughgall Country Park in what was a fun-filled day for all the family. Building on that success, this year's Historic Rally Car Challenge will feature a longer stage which competitors will tackle eight times, providing more mileage for competitors and more entertainment for spectators. With sponsorship from Wilsons Auctions, as well as the addition of a classic car auction, July's event promises to be bigger and better than ever before!

LOUGHGALL FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT '08

Posted: April 29, 2008 3:18 PM

After the resounding success of last year's Festival of Motorsport, plans are well in advance for the LOUGHGALL FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT '08, which is set to take place in Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July.

Jointly organised by Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (NAMCC) Ltd, this year's Festival will once again feature a Historic Rally Car Challenge, Apple Blossom Autotest as well as static historic and classic car displays. And it's all in the aid of charity, with proceeds being donated to Northern Ireland Children's Hospice Care and other Lions charities.

"We are delighted to announce this year's event is set and ready to go," Armagh Lions President Cathal Hughes said. "We are planning to capture the passion and excitement as well as stirring memories of the golden age of motorsport. Loughgall Country Park is the ideal place to witness the sounds, speed and spectacle of many different historic rally cars as they race through the lanes and trees in this terrific venue. From a Lions point of view, however, the biggest winners on the day will be the charities."

A number of changes have been implemented for the Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 08. This year's Historic Rally Car Challenge will be run to MSA Historic Rally regulations, but a select number of spaces will also be provided for modified rally cars. The total number of entries will be limited to 60, so organisers expect that the Historic Rally will be oversubscribed.

"Armagh City and District Council are increasing their support for this year's event," Clerk of the Course William Fullerton said, "and thanks must go to both them and the Department for Regional Development for the use of the fantastic venue. We also have many associate sponsors that are happy to be on board but at the moment, we don't have a title sponsor. However, I'm hopeful that we will be able to secure the backing from a company that will see the obvious benefits of supporting what will once again be a high profile charity event."

Building upon last year's success, the Historic Rally Car Challenge will this year feature all tarmac special stages which will each be more than three miles long, with competitors tackling them eight times.

"Historic rallying is the fastest growing branch of motorsport in the UK," Fullerton continued, "so hopefully we can emulate the success that has already been achieved across the water. Already, a number of competitors have indicated their intentions to take part, and it will be a fantastic day out for all the family."

The Festival is sure to draw thousands of spectators to Loughgall Country Park once again, providing a huge coup for not only Loughgall, but also County Armagh.

Wishing all involved every success, Mayor of Armagh, Charlie Rollston, said, "These two clubs - both from Armagh - are a credit to this city and county and I am delighted to see their combined efforts come to fruition. Armagh City & District Council are proud to be associated with the Festival of Motorsport, and I am looking forward to attending at Loughgall Country Park on 5 July. I would also like to commend them on their choice of charity, as the Northern Ireland Hospice is a worthy, hard-working organisation who provide ultimate comfort and care at a time when it is most needed."

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Hospice Care Fund Raising Officer Peter Shepherd commented, "We are thrilled that Armagh Lions Club and North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club have chosen the N.I. Children's Hospice as their charity for this year's Festival of Motorsport. Hospice covers a wide spectrum of services for those with terminal or life-limiting illnesses. We provide palliative nursing care in our specialist units, or in the patient's home, as well as respite care. We can only deliver our high level of professional and dignified care through donations, so the announcement NI Hospice is to benefit from this event is particularly welcome as well as extremely far-reaching."

Regulations for the rally and autotest will be available in the near future, with further details available from

North Armagh Car Club