Lark in the Park - (Sat) 27 Apr 13

Report

Posted: April 13, 2016 9:16 AM

The John Mulholland Motors Lark in the Park concluded on Saturday 27th April with a close win for Limavady man Richard Hogg, driving his Mitsubishi Evo6, co-driven by Marc Hanna, after a strong battle with the WRC Mini and it driver/engineer Derek McGeehan and Laurie Smith.

The confines of the City of Culture's St. Columb's Park, saw thousands of spectators descend on it's sun soaked grass banks, with action for all the family, young and old alike.
Children played on the entertainment section, while their parents could watch the rally action, eat a well-deserved ice cream, or enjoy the view in Ebrington Square, and mix it with all the other attractions taking place on the busy Derry/LondonDerry Saturday schedule, with the busy Service area in the 'Golden Sands' of the Square, under the watchful eye of the clock tower.

During this eventful motor rally, brides gathered to have their photograph taken with some of the beautiful open top sports models, before assembling in Guildhall Square for the Foyle Hospice Brides on the Bridge World Record attempt.

Meanwhile in the Park's narrow tracks, rally cars dodged carefully laid bale chicanes, chosen to prevent any major drama's and provide some fancy 'footwork' driving skills of the 40+ starters that made it on to the entry list.

There were a few spills, one provided by Derek Jobb's little Citroen coming to a halt against one of the harder bales, proving too much for the steering rack, forcing early retirement during special Stage 3.

There were a few other retirements as well, but the majority of drivers and their co-drivers reached the finish. Overall Winners was Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna with a time of 5min and 48 seconds, with Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smith a close 8 seconds behind. Third placed driver was Darren McKelvey/Denver Rafferty with a total time of 6mon and 4 seconds. The best 2 wheel drive driver came from Bready, as Derek Gurney/Keith McEvoy did the Park in a time of 6mins and 6 seconds.

In Car

Posted: October 1, 2013 11:22 AM

Derek Gurney / Keith McEvoy (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth)


Andy Bustard / David Young (Ford Escort MkII)

Video Clips

Posted: October 1, 2013 11:20 AM

Results

Posted: October 1, 2013 11:17 AM

Lark in the Park - (Sat) 27 Apr 13 - RESULTS
Results by: RallyScore.Net

Seeded Entry List / Final Instructions

Posted: April 25, 2013 9:38 AM

Lark in the Park - (Sat) 27 Apr 13 - FINAL INSTRUCTIONS 1

Late Entries will be taken.

Maiden City Motor Club

Traffic Arrangements Saturday 27th April 2013 - Lark in the Park - UPDATE

Posted: April 24, 2013 2:24 PM

With just days to go, organisers of the John Mulholland Motors Lark in the Park rally based in St.Columb;s Park and Ebrington Square, has issued final details of traffic management and parking arrangements.

Saturday 27th April is being called a ‘day of days’ for the 2013 City of Culture, with a total of 3 events planned for the Limavady Road / Ebrington / Peace Bridge/ Guildhall Square areas.

Stewards and marshals will be in operation for the Lark in the Park from as early as 8am, with specific ‘no parking’ coned zones in Browning Drive, Limavady Road, Clooney Park East & West, Hinton Park, Ebrington Park, Macrory Park.
Special stewarding measures will be in place for Foyle Fold, Deanfield, Oakgrove and Browning Drive.

The John Mulholland Motors Lark in the Park, begins just after 9am, with the first Special Stage, and the event is expected to conclude by 2.45pm after the 5th stage of the day. The service area for the event will be based in Ebrington Square.

All spectators and visitors to the Lark in the Park should follow directions marking the route to the Car Parks provided in Wilton Park, a secure Car Park off the Limavady Road, and the new ‘Park and Stride’ facility at the new Foyle College campus. There are other car parking facilities available on the City side of the Peace Bridge, only a short walk from the action in Ebrington and St. Columb’s Park.

The co-operation of spectators and visitors to the area is requested for an enjoyable day at the Lark in the Park for all concerned.

These traffic management arrangements will be in place throughout the day, after the Lark in the Park has concluded and the other events in the area begin in mid- afternoon.

Derry City Council are keen to point out the St. Columb’s Park will function as normal for children and adults in the play and adventure areas.

EX WORKS MINI WRC TO CHALLENGE FOR POLE POSITION AT THE LARK IN THE PARK THIS WEEK-END.

Posted: April 23, 2013 8:05 PM

Rallying, a sport associated with closed roads in wild and windy areas of the country lanes, is coming to town this week-end, when Maiden City Motor Club brings the real deal back into its very own City of Culture venue in St. Columb’s Park, and Ebrington Square. On show will be the familiar mixture of Group N, WRC and Historic Rally Cars, all exciting stuff and normally not found in such an environment. But the City father’s found favour and ‘just said yes!’ when they welcomed the Lark in the Park back into its ‘old’ revised venue. Complete with its new sponsor of John Mulholland Motors Campsie and Randalstown, this week-end will see all roads leading to Derry/Londonderry City of Culture 2013.

As the Maiden City Club makes final preparations to stage a spectacular event beside the beautiful Park on the banks of the Foyle, much activity before the dawn of Saturday, will see the course transformed into a tight narrow course, with a speed test that will challenge the best drivers in the country.

At 9.00 am on Saturday morning St. Columb’s Park will awaken to roar of Rally Cars and with the announcement that will delight some, while causing despair to some drivers , is that Derek McGeehan, will be bringing his state of the art JOHN COOPER EX- WORKS MINI WRC to St. Columb’s Park to battle for the overall victory.

For anyone who has the slightest interest in motor sport will remember how the Mini., in the 60’s, dominated rallying and was competing in events throughout the world, culminating in the one of the most famous victories of all, with NI driver, Paddy Hopkirk taking victory on the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. More recently the MINI has made a comeback into rallying as we know it today this state of the art machine will compete against a car belonging to main Sponsor for the event John Mulholland Motors, a Hyundai WRC in the hands of Kieron Grafton .

Once again the Maiden City Motor Club has attracted a high calibre entry, with World Rally Cars, four wheel drive machines and champion drivers dominating the top ten. There will be lots of action throughout the field, including the exciting always sideways crowd pleasing Mk2 Escorts, topped by a really interesting local entry contributing to the mix.

“The sight and sound of the cars taking to the tarmac, some spitting flames and whining turbos will be enormously exciting”, Clerk of the Course Ian Connolly commentated.

Event Director, Declan McCay said recently,
“This event gives the opportunity for members of the public to get up close and personal to rallying. Maiden City Motor Club has planned a wonderful day of motor sport, with family fun, with many other attractions, special attention has been paid to providing superb and safe viewing areas for spectators. Please obey the marshals and view from a safe distance.”

A giant screen will constantly stream footage from the live stage which will make for extra viewing of the action. Those attending the event will be able to see the cars in close quarter s in the service park, located on the ‘golden sands’ of Ebrington Square, allowing everyone to meet the drivers, co-drivers and service crews

The Lark in the Park, is sponsored by John Mulholland Motors Campsie and Randalstown with an associate sponsorship provided by local company McElhinney Metal Recycling.

The day overall, provides the opportunity for a great family day out in the safe environment of St. Columb's Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Northern Ireland. The natural amphitheatre makes it safe and accessible , the easy access to the central service park, with Ebrington Square making a unique day out for everyone.

Support sponsor Kelvin McElhinney, of McElhinney Metal Recycling commented,
“The Lark in the Park Rally has always been special to me, and was pleased at the opportunity to be involved with this year’s event.”

The 2013 John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park is shaping up to be an event with something for all the family

The Action starts on Friday night at 6.00 pm with scrutiny and safety checks taking place at Ebdington Square, giving spectators a chance to mingle with the drivers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Scrutiny will be completed by 9.pm and the driver and crews will get and early night Saturday morning will see the crews get ready for the 5 special stages of the day, with the action starting at 9.00am, so it’s time to get revved up and join the action.

Derry City Council are keen to point out the St. Columb’s Park will function as normal for children in the play and adventure areas.
Spectators are advised to follow the Parking signs guiding rally fans to Wilton Park on the Limavady Road, and the new Park n’ Stride facility at the New Foyle College site, and appeals to follow the advice of marshals and crowd management officials, to avoid parking in ‘No Parking’ zones, of causing inconvenience to local residents.
Special parking facilities are also available on the City side Car Parks, with an easy stroll across the new pedestrian bridge to Ebrington Square.

HIGH SPEED OCTANE FUELLED RACING RETURNS TO THE CITY OF CULTURE

Posted: April 23, 2013 8:02 PM

Maiden City Motor Club are delighted to promote and organise a world class motoring event as part of 2013 City of Culture

Maiden City Motor Club are in the final stages of planning the 2013 Lark in the Park stages rally, which will take place for the first time in 6 years. The event first ran in 1997, it ran annually for 10 years until 2007, winners in the past included Irish legends Andrew Nesbitt and Eugene Donnelly Niall Mc Shea former group N World Champion was a regular competitor in the park. The 2013 Event has now been revived by original event organiser Declan McCay, Declan has taken up the mantel again and is the event director. The event will be taking place within the tight and narrow lanes of St Columb’s park. . Innovations for this special year include a revised route for the five stages and the service park now being located in Ebrington Square.

This year's event takes place on the 27th April 2013. It's a special year, marking the in Derry/ Londonderry, as the UK City of Culture , with the city’s only motor club laying on an event that’s not just an event for the hardened motorsport enthusiast, but for the whole family to attend. The event is taking place in the heart of the city, only a 3 minute walk across the peace bridge. This will give anyone with a remote interest in motor sport a chance to get up close to World Rally Cars, Historic Rally cars and the always sideways Mark2 Escorts while mingling with the drivers.

Maiden City Motor Club is planning a wonderful day of motor sport, where top local drivers in fabulous cars, will demonstrate their skills around the twisty St Columb’s Park lanes, with special attention being paid to providing superb and safe viewing areas for spectators and families, along with a giant screen streaming footage from the special stage located in the park gives everyone a chance to see the drivers competing on the stage, while being able to see the cars in close quarters in the service park, located in Ebrington square, also allowing everyone to meet the drivers, co drivers and service crews.

The crews will descend in the city on Friday the 26th April, with the cars having their final safety checks in Ebrington 6pm until 9pm on Friday evening. This is an opportunity for the public to have a look around the cars in a relaxed environment, with some light entertainment being laid on.

So make Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April 2013 an important date in your diary for some high speed action for the whole family. All the high speed High Octane action will be kicking off at 9am on the Saturday 27th April.

Rally Launched

Posted: April 11, 2013 8:27 AM

L-R Donna Carlin- Secretary LITP, Michelle McGinn – Foyle Hospice, Ian Connolly – COC LITP,
John Mulholland – Title Sponsor pictured at John Mulholland Motors Campsie, with the Skoda WRC Rally Car
Photo: Lorcan Doherty

At a launch today, Maiden City Motor Club formally welcomed Mr. John Mulholland to the 2013 The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park. As one the official partners in the 2013 City of Culture celebrations, the special rally event is gearing up for an exciting Motorsport rally event in St. Columb’s Park and Ebrington Square on Saturday 27th April 2013.

The Clerk of the Course for the event, Ian Connolly added that,
“We are delighted that John has come on board with us to put on this showcase event in this City, making this one of the top rally events for 2013. We are especially pleased of the chance to bring top rally action and a great day out in the Park and Ebrington to all.”

Ian went on to announce that the Event Director for the whole event, Declan McCay, had negotiated a deal with a local TV company again, explaining that The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park event will be televised on Ireland’s leading Motorsport programme, UTV’s RPM Motorsport programme, run by well known presenter Alan (Plum) Tyndall, of Tyndall Productions. Mr. Tyndall from RPM commented that,” …we are pleased to be covering this great event and are happy to announce that the John Mulholland Motors Lark in the Park Rally has been added to the RPM schedules. RPM will be covering it on UTV, TG4, Setanta and Motors TV.”

Ian continued,
“This is really great news for our title sponsor John Muholland Motors, and other sponsors here in the North-West. This will put us in the spotlight again, and give a great focus for McElhinney Metal Recycling and our nominated Charity partners, Foyle Hospice, and everyone who is associated with the event.” John Mulholland added that he wanted to assist in bringing top class rally action to everyone in St. Columb’s Park, and to do this he was bringing two of the top European rallycars to the event in April, in the form of the official factory Skoda and Hyundai rallycars. They will be on show and be driven in the The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park, both for the Scrutiny on Friday night 26th , in Ebrington Square, and for the 5 special stages on Saturday 27th April in St. Columb’s Park. During the Friday and Saturday, there will be a special The John Mulholland Motors Motorsport Unit set up in the Ebrington Square, where there will be many special features such as viewing the rally cars up close and meet some of the top competitors who will be on show over the time of the rally event. John finished, “My team and I look forward to meeting the public on the week-end, to highlight a special event to mark the 2013 City of Culture.”

The Maiden City Motor Club will be bringing more exciting news on the Motorsport front shortly, with some exciting developments in its new established link through The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park. Rally Timetable

Friday 26th April 2013
Rally Scrutiny/car and competitor checks – Ebrington Square – 6pm – 9pm

Saturday 27th April 2013
Service Area – Ebrington Square – 9am-3 pm
Rally 5 stages – St. Columb’s Park - starting 9am – 3pm

John Mulholland Motors are Title Sponsors for Lark In The Park 2013

Posted: March 26, 2013 9:43 AM

Lark in the Park(LITP) Event Director, Declan McCay, is delighted to announce that John Mulholland Motors are the Title Sponsor for Lark In The Park 2013.

"MCMC could not be happier that we have the support of such a professional organisation as John Mulholland Motors, especially when you consider that their franchised marques have such a rich heritage in motorsport at the highest level.
With their help, we are looking forward to making The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park bigger and better as part of the City of Culture 2013 celebrations.
The team are working extremely hard to ensure that everything will be in place for Saturday April 27th. There has been a lot of interest from prospective competitors so I am pleased to say that the regulations and entry form are now available to download from the Maiden City Motor Club website."

Clerk of the Course for the event, Ian Connolly added that,
“With Regulations and Entry Forms now available from the Club website, www.maidencitymotorclub.com we are expecting the next few weeks to be hectic and everyone on the committee are playing fully committed to making this one of the top rally events for 2013, and especially the chance to bring top rally action and a great day out in the Park and Ebrington to all.”

The Maiden City Motor Club will be bringing more exciting news on the Motorsport front shortly, with some exciting developments in its new established link through The John Mulholland Motors Lark In The Park.

Competitors and spectators are reminded to watch the Maiden City Motor Club webpage for any new updates and news about the rally.

Maiden City Motor Club

Clerk of the Course Announced for Lark In The Park Rally

Posted: March 14, 2013 12:14 PM

LITP Event Director, Declan McCay has confirmed that planning for the Lark In The Park, in Waterside’s St. Columb’s Park, is now in full swing.
“At this stage, we are appointing key personnel to fulfil the many roles. The latest update is that Ian Connolly is announced as Clerk of the Course.”

Ian brings a wealth of motorsport experience to the post, with his recent experience as Chief Marshal for the Ulster Rally. He will bring this International Motorsport experience to Maiden City MC’s own premier event, Lark in the Park.

Ian said,
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to act COC for the Lark in the Park. The rally is always popular with both competitors and spectators and this year should be no exception. We are expecting a very big turnout on the day".

Competitors and spectators are reminded to watch the Maiden City Motor Club webpage for any new updates and news about the rally.

The Lark in the Park takes place on Saturday 27th April 2013.

The Lark is BACK !!

Posted: March 8, 2013 2:24 PM

After several years of absence, the Lark In The Park Stage Rally (LITP) will return to St. Columb's Park in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday April 27th as part of the 2013 UK City of Culture celebrations.

This event has always proven to be a very popular with competitors and rally fans as well as with the wider public who may have a more casual interest in motorsport.

Innovations for this special year include a revised route for the five stages in St. Columb’s Park with the service park being located in Ebrington Square .

Event Director Declan McCay says
"I am absolutely delighted that the Lark In The Park is back thanks to the support of Derry City Council, Ilex and The Culture Company. It will be a great family day out with the opportunity for spectators to see rally action in the heart of the city. Entries will be limited to 50 cars so competition for a place will be intense. We will be releasing details of the attractions taking place shortly, but promise a great day out in the Park for all the family, and for the competitors in the rally cars, regulations and entry forms will be available shortly on the Club website. The team is working very hard at present and we want everyone to enjoy the wonderful venue that St. Columb’s Park provides, as it offers a unique challenge for the Maiden City Motor Club to transform it into a motorsport mecca for one day in the year.”

The Maiden City club will be announcing further details about the event shortly as there are many new exciting features going to happen over Derry/Londonderry’s festive weekend in late April.

Websites

Posted: March 8, 2013 2:23 PM

Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs - www.motorsportni.org
Maiden City Motor Club