Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally @ Shackelton - (Sat) 2 Aug 14

William Splashes to Shackleton Junior Rally and Championship Victory!

Posted: August 4, 2014 12:16 PM

The sixth round of the 2014 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, took place on the former military base at Shackleton on Saturday for the Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally. It was the first time that the Maiden City Motor Club event was contested by the Junior 1000 crews and a record eight cars took the start. The series also supported by the rally classified ad site www.rallysales.eu is now in its third season, and the 14-17 year olds are guided by highly experienced rally drivers and co-drivers who brave the co-driver’s seats to pass on their valuable experience to these teenage stars of the future.

Round five of the series was scheduled for July 13th at Bishopscourt, but sadly for the Junior’s the Ballynahinch Motor Clun event was cancelled due to a lack of entries in the main field, but thankfully there were no such problems at Shackleton with over eighty adult rally crews entered.

Leading the Junior’s away in torrential rain, which was relentless all day, was Moira’s William Creighton. Winner of the first four rounds in his Citroen C1 and with the loss of round five, which he was going to miss, the championship could be sown up at Shackelton, and that’s duly what he did. There was a slow start on stage one, when he dropped four seconds on stage one, but pulled back eight on stage two to command a lead he wasn’t to lose. With co-driver Liam Regan they took four fastest times over the six soaking stages, to win by thirty-six seconds and clinch the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland with two rounds remaining! After a successful debut rally season in 2013, William is also leading the UK Junior 1000 series this season, and has to be a name to watch out for in the future.

Eoghan Bogue had a new co-driver again, the experienced Ian Regan, and the Micra mounted runners were fearing their horse-power disadvantage on the long fast straights, but Eoghan more than made up for this on stage one, with a fastest time, despite running wide on the second junction. Three more second fastest times saw him maintain second place to the finish, despite a few more half-spins and over-shoots. In third was Philip White and Matthew Mason in another Micra, although they were initially headed by Michael McGarrity on the first stage. The high-light of Philip’s day was a fastest time on the final stage, but he never really was close enough to threaten Micra mate Bogue.

Michael McGaritty along with Bogue and White was joint second in the series heading into this round, but was unable to challenge his championship rivals in the wet conditions, as the C1 aquaplaned down the fast straights. With Bogue however not contesting next weekend’s championship round the Solway Coast event in Scotland, Michael has a chance to gain again that coveted second spot. In fifth place, albeit almost a minute behind Michael was newcomer Peter Bennett with Arthur Kierans taking a break from his BRC duties with Daniel McKenna to read the pace-notes. The 14 year old Loughgall driver in his smart C1 nevertheless had the drive of the day and very much enjoyed his Junior 1000 debut.

Moira’s James Partridge had former driver Gary White alongside for the first time in the Peugeot 107. There were a few dramas during the event, including a massive over-shoot on stage three, but sixth place was secured, and once again James enjoyed the competition in one of his final Junior events. Seventh was the only female driver in the series, Alex Harper with her Micra. Alex was adapting to the extremely wet conditions, and suffered a spin on stage three, but it was really on stage five that she woke up and once again recorded times around fellow new-comer this season Bailie McClinton. Bailie and co-driver Niall Burns received stage maximums on the first two tests for a wrong entry to a chicane, and that ruined their chance of seventh place. Once again this total newcomer to rallying showed some decent pace, and made few mistakes in the streaming wet conditions.

Round seven of the McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland is the Solway Coast Rally which takes place at the Dundrennan Military Range on Sunday 10th August. It’s a round of the UK, Scottish and this series with 25-30 Junior 1000 crews contesting their own rally over the tricky military ranges.

Results

Posted: August 4, 2014 12:11 PM

Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally @ Shackelton - (Sat) 2 Aug 14 - RESULTS (Main Field)
Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally @ Shackelton - (Sat) 2 Aug 14 - RESULTS (Junior)

RiverRidge Recycling DogLeap Tarmac Stages Rally 2014 Launched

Posted: July 25, 2014 8:25 AM

Pictured at the launch are (LtoR) Deputy Mayor, Alderman Gary Middleton of Derry City Council,
Eoin McGuickan, Operations Manager of RiverRidge Recycling
and Alderman Alan Robinson, Mayor of Limavady
with members of the Maiden City Motor Club and some of the key competitors.

The RiverRidge Recycling Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally was officially launched in Limavady on Wednesday 23rd July. A number of sponsors, organisers including the Foyle Hospice, the nominated charity of the event were present.

The Rally is set to take place on Saturday 2nd August at Shackleton. This year’s event, organised by Maiden City Motor Club, is set to thrill rally fans from far and wide and boost tourism to the area by providing a truly action-packed day!

Clerk of the Course, Ian Connolly, commented,
“I am really looking forward to the rally and I am very confident that the team will put on a great event. It is particularly pleasing that RiverRidge Recycling are back on board again. Jon McIvor has made this event very successful over the past couple of years and that will be a hard act to follow. We intend to stick to the same format, which proved so popular with the competitors last year. There will be six stages totalling just short of 40 stage miles. Value for money is always important so I am delighted to confirm that there will be no increase in entry fee.

“Last year’s rally was incredibly successful, and we would urge people that if they are still looking to take part in the rally, there are still some last minute entry places available. They are filling up, so please register as soon as possible! I'm also very happy our nominated charity is once again, the Foyle Hospice. This is a very worthy cause and the work they do and care they give, is remarkable. I'm delighted that we are able to assist in a small way.”

Leading waste management and recycling company, RiverRidge Recycling is the main sponsor of the DogLeap Tarmac Stages Rally at Shackleton for the third year running. Eamon Doherty, Financial Director at RiverRidge Recycling said, “This was an easy decision for the company and I to support. RiverRidge's ethos is very much about assisting the community, business and local events through practical activities and sponsoring events. For us this is a key event in our calendar. For a number of years I’ve been involved in motorsport and when possible I head off at the weekend with my brother-in-law and operations manager at RiverRidge Recycling, Eoin McGuickan, and ‘cruise’ around the countryside in my Ford Escort Gp4 Rally car.”

The Derry City Council Deputy Mayor, Alderman Gary Middleton and the Mayor of Limavady Borough Council, Alderman Alan Robinson, were also present at the launch. Derry City Council Deputy Mayor, Alderman Gary Middleton very much welcomed the return of the rally after the major success of last year's event, stating: “The return of the rally is great news for the area as it attracts visitors from all over and is a great event for all over. This is a great event for all including locals, businesses and the wider community across the in the North West.”

The Mayor of Limavady Borough Council, Alderman Alan Robinson added: “The past few years have been particularly difficult for motorsport during the recession, so it is great to see that the RiverRidge Recycling DogLeap Tarmac Stages Rally is going from strength to strength. I’d like to commend the Club for their hard work and efforts to date in ensuring such a successful event!”

Rally Launch - (Wed) 23 Jul 14

Posted: July 21, 2014 10:31 PM

Wednesday July 23, 2014 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Limavady Arts Centre

Regulations / Details

Posted: July 8, 2014 9:36 PM

Maiden City Motor Club "RiverRidge Recycling Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally" Saturday August 2nd
Shackelton Ballykelly
Six stages with approx. 40 stage miles.
A Round of the "Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland"

Full details, Regulations and Entry Form available at

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