Lurgan Park Rally - (Sat) 4 Jul 15

Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally Preview

Posted: June 30, 2015 9:12 AM

This Saturday's (4th July) annual Lurgan Park Motorsport Rally has once again got all the ingredients for a superb family day out, starting with the excitement of top seed Garry Jennings in his Subaru Impreza WRC chasing a Lurgan Park victory hat-trick.

Fermanagh man Garry, fresh from a superb win on the Donegal Rally, will face some talented top drivers in what is an extremely interesting entry. The organising North Armagh Motor Club has allowed for an increase in the number of competitors, for this event, up to 60 plus reserves.

Seeded behind Garry Jennings is multiple Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity, also in a Subaru, Derek McGeehan in a Mini WRC, 11 times Lurgan Park winner Kenny McKinstry in his Subaru WRC, Melvyn Evans (Subaru) from Wales, a former Irish National Champion, Kevin Kelleher (Subaru), a former National GpN Rally Champion, Stuart Biggerstaff (Subaru) a former NI Rally Champion and the very talented driver Emma McKinstry (Subaru) at No.8.

That is just the top layer of a very interesting line up. Former Irish Forestry Champion Pat O'Connell in his Lancer for example is at 10. There is a fantastic line up of Mk2 Escorts further down the list ' with drivers such as European Championship leader Craig Breen and former five times Scottish Champion David Bogie, as well as such brilliant home drivers as Frank Kelly, Wesley Patterson and Adrian Hetherington. There is variety aplenty in the line up as well with Robert Woodside in the charismatic new Porsche 911 R-GT, Denis Biggerstaff in his MG Metro 6R4, young Callum Devine in the new Opel Adam to name just a few.

There will be 8 special stages through the Park on Saturday, starting at 10.07 am from the ramp in the central paddock/service area. The North Armagh Motor Club team headed by Rally Director William Fullerton and Clerk of the Course BarryTaggart emphasise that throughout the day, safety and security will be the watchwords. The champagne finish, still in the paddock, will be at 17.15 and the prize giving will take place in the bowling pavilion at 17.45.

In recognition of the rally being on American Independence Day, 4th July, there will be an American Theme vehicle display, as well as a display of cars from the 'Scooby Club', the 'Droop Snoot' Club, the Ford Classic cars and the 'Mazda Rotary' club. In addition to all this, there will be comprehensive entertainment activities for children and various trade shows.

As well as Brian Stinson of Orchard Motorsport sponsoring the rally, the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council are lending their full support, especially with the use of the beautiful Lurgan Park. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Darryn Causby, represented the Council at a reception in the Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre earlier this week and will be present at the event on Saturday.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: June 30, 2015 9:09 AM

Jennings aiming for a hat trick of wins

Posted: June 25, 2015 6:45 AM

Fermanagh man Garry Jennings will be aiming for a hat trick of wins in his Subaru World Rally Car when he tackles the iconic Lurgan Park Rally on 4th July. Once again the rally is attracting a top class entry, and Jennings will not get it easy as top drivers such as Kenny McKinstry, Cork's Kevin Kelleher and 7 times Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity, all driving Subaru WRCs, bid for the honour of topping the Lurgan Park timesheets.

The Lurgan Park Rally has built a strong reputation over the years not just as a great family day out, but also as an event that attracts some unusual entries. Just two noteworthy names this year are European Rally Championship leader Craig Breen swapping his 'works' Peugeot for a 2.5 Millington engined Escort backed by James Coleman. Breen was planning to drive the Escort on the Donegal Rally, but that plan was dropped so that Breen could concentrate on the European series Ypres Rally. Another fabulous entry comes from Ballynure's Robert Woodside to drive the Tuthill prepared Porsche 911 R-GT. Robert drove this very special Porsche on this year's Circuit of Ireland and certainly wowed the spectators. Woodside commented. 'We have a connection with Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon, and they, along with Karcher who were involved in the Circuit, are instrumental in making this happen. I've competed a couple of times on the Lurgan Park Rally and always enjoyed it, so it should be really good in this Porsche!'

Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally 4th July 2015.

Posted: June 8, 2015 2:51 PM

Plans for The North Armagh Motor Club's Lurgan Park Rally (Sat 4th July) are now well advanced and indeed competitors are once again showing a strong interest in this very special event. The event is being sponsored by Brian Stinson?s Orchard Motorsport Company, now in its 7th year as headline sponsor. Since the rally started in 1980, when the late Bertie Fisher took victory, there has been many top drivers appear at the Lurgan Park Rally. The most successful of all has been Banbridge man Kenny McKinstry. He first won in '83 and has chalked up 11 victories. Kenny has pledged to be in Lurgan Park again this year and chasing his 12th win. One of the drivers favourite to deprive McKinstry of his wish is Garry Jennings. Fermanagh man Garry has won for the last two years and would dearly love to make it a hat-trick. However Garry also sees the Lurgan Park Rally as much as a social occasion, for the kids, the families, the fans to mix in the wonderful atmosphere of the paddock area.

The rally, set in the wonderful Lurgan Park venue, has been fully supported since the very start in 1980 by Craigavon Borough Council. Now of course under the restructuring process, it is the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, who are continuing that support.

The format of the rally, with short, sharp special stages is the making for exciting action, allied to great ambience as well as an array of family entertainment. This should once again make the Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally, this year on Saturday 4th July, very special.

Regulations Available

Posted: June 4, 2015 10:20 AM

See event website below.

Event Poster

Posted: June 4, 2015 10:13 AM

NEW DATE FOR LURGAN PARK RALLY

Posted: May 1, 2015 5:41 AM

This year Lurgan Park Rally moves to a new date, 04th July. The rally, which is backed by Orchard Motorsport and supported by Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, is in its 35h year running in the beautiful natural amphitheatre environment of Lurgan park. The event is considered a jewel in the scheme of NI motorsport.

To fit in with the busy summer motorsport schedule the organising team, the North Armagh Motor Club (www.namcc.com) has moved to this new date of 04th July. Rally Director William Fullerton reports that it will be all stations go for the Club from now until the end of June as the event represents a massive organisational task. The successful format of the rally, central service area in the park, 8 short sharp special stages with 50 of the best drivers fighting for every split second, will be retained.

Event Website

Posted: May 1, 2015 5:39 AM

Lurgan Park Rally
North Armagh Car Club
Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs - www.motorsportni.org