Lurgan Park Rally - (Sat) 2 Jul 16

JENNINGS' JOY AT 4TH LURGAN RALLY VICTORY

Posted: September 12, 2016 6:05 AM

Fermanagh man Garry Jennings scored a start to finish win on last Saturday’s Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally. Co-driven by Michael Moran in his Subaru Impreza WRC, this was Jennings’ fourth consecutive victory on the event.

Banbridge man Kenny McKinstry, also in Subaru, kept the pressure on Jennings throughout the eight short sharp special stages. Eleven times a winner over the years and dubbed ‘King of the Park’, McKinstry had no answer to Jennings’ stunning speed. Even a collision with a 6th stage straw bale did not make too much of a dent in Jennings’ lead. A smoky, low oil pressure engine didn’t slow his progress either.

Former Irish Tarmac and National Rally Champion Declan Boyle, co-driven by his cousin Brian Boyle, made the trip to Lurgan from Lettermacaward in North-West Donegal and, although a comparative stranger to the specialised nature of the Lurgan Park lanes, gave the rally a real good go and finished an impressive 3rd in his Fiesta WRC.

There was particular interest in the 2wd category, and Armagh man Damian Toner in his Escort, who won the Loughgall Rally earlier this year, took the honours against very strong opposition. Keith White and Frank Kelly, also in Escorts, were 2nd and 3rd in the 2 wheel drive race, but despite much wheel spinning in the at times slippy conditions, could make no impression on the flying Toner. There was a chance that Shane McGirr in his rear wheel drive Starlet could upset the Escort apple cart, but Fivemiletown man McGirr was forced to call it a day two stages before the end when his Starlet blew a head gasket.

Once again the rally, now in its 37th year in Lurgan Park, attracted a large crowd of spectators, undeterred by changeable weather conditions. The event ran on schedule and without incident and the Park remained in pristine condition. The event is supported by the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and organised by the North Armagh Motor Club Ltd.

Results

Posted: September 12, 2016 5:57 AM

 1 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) 15:55.6
 2 Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) 16:09.5
 3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) 16:17.8
 4 Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smyth (Mini Countryman WRC) 16:27.4
 5 Derek McGarrity/Dairmuid Falvey (Ford Fiesta WRC) 16:32.5
 6 Stuart Biggerstaff/Fraser Mulholland (Subaru Impreza WRC) 16:33.1
 7 Robert Woodside/Rachel Robinson (Ford Fiesta R5) 16:50.2
 8 Pat O’Connell/Adam Coffey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) 16:50.3
 9 Damian Toner/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort MkII) 16:53.6
 10 Ray Brammer/Mo Downey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 17:07.4

Class Winners
Class 2:  Alan Smyth/Richard Kinloch (Suzuki Swift S1600) 
Class 3:  Martin Teggart/Arnold Lutton (Ford Escort MkII) 
Class 4:  Damian Toner/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort MkII) 
Class 5:  Robert Woodside/Rachel Robinson (Ford Fiesta R5) 
Class 6:  Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza S12B) 
Class 7:  Stephen Mawhinney/Nigel Magee (Talbot Lotus Sunbeam) 
Class 8:  Drew Wylie/Barbara English (Ford Escort RS1800) 

Leaders
SS1-8 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)

Stage Winners
SS1 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS2 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS3 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS4 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS5 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS6 Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru Impreza WRC S14)
SS7 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS8 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)

Lurgan Park Rally - (Sat) 2 Jul 16 - RESULTS
Results on Line | Results by: RallyScore.Net
Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Seeded Entry List

Posted: June 29, 2016 4:42 PM

ORCHARD MOTORSPORT LURGAN PARK RALLY STAR SHOW

Posted: June 29, 2016 9:22 AM

This Saturday’s Lurgan Park Rally, which starts at 10am, is shaping up to be another impressive event, with a top class entry as well as an array of family entertainments on offer.

Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings in his Subaru World Rally Car has won the rally for the last three years and he promises he will be trying hard to make it a fourth top of the podium finish. Garry will be trying hard as well to get his rallying back on track following the disappointment of retiring after just one stage of the Donegal International when his Impreza engine blew up. Engineers in the UK have been working hard since to make sure Garry takes his place amongst the fifty invited crews contesting the 8 special stages of this showcase Orchard Motorsport sponsored event.

Ranged against Jennings at the top end of the entry list are some very talented drivers. Declan Boyle in his Fiesta WRC for example, although on his first visit to Lurgan Park in a 4wd car, is stunningly fast everywhere, and has International Tarmac and National Rally titles under his belt as testimony. Behind Boyle is 11 times Lurgan Park winner Kenny McKinstry in his Subaru. Banbridge man Kenny so wants to make it a dozen wins. Derek McGeehan in his attractive Mini WRC is seeded in the top six. The Draperstown man led Lurgan Park initially last year and eventually finished 3rd. Former multiple Tarmac Champion Derek McGarrity, this time in his Fiesta WRC, could be another in the winning frame come Saturday, while Robert Woodside in his Fiesta R5 could spring a surprise.

As well as the top drivers in the World Rally Cars, much interest is sure to be generated by the leading Escort protagonists, with drivers such as Frank Kelly, Damian Toner, Keith White and Adrian Hetherington promising to provide much sideways frenzied action through the course of the day. There are many interesting cars in the line up – Ray Brammer is making the trip from Kings Lynn, the popular Pat O’Connell from Cashel has again entered, young ‘tigers’ include Callum Devine (Vauxhall Adam), Kyle White (Citroen C2) and Alan Smyth (Suzuki Swift).

A driver likely to give the Escort men a run for their money is Fivemiletown’s Shane McGirr in his fantastically fast Starlet RWD. There are so many good drivers it is not possible to list them all here. Lurgan Park is not just about the action on the special stages of course. It really is a Motorsport day out for families, friends and sponsors. The centralised paddock area of the beautiful park lends itself to socialising, barbecues and posing! The comprehensive family entertainments, mostly all free, are really brilliant for the children, who always seem to leave the park with a smile on their faces – painted on or not! There will be static classic car displays and a fascinating as well as exciting show by the Trialstar Motorbike Display Team.

The rally is supported, not just commercially by Orchard Motorsport, Roadside Motors (Peugeot) Ltd and Pacenotes Rally Magazine, but by the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The North Armagh Motor Club, under the direction of William Fullerton and Clerk of the Course Barry Taggart, have a large and expert team to make sure the day goes smoothly, and above all safely. The same basic team has been organising the ultra successful Lurgan Park Rally since its inception in 1980 when the late Bertie Fisher won in an Mk2 Escort. This year’s event promises to be as good as all those that went before.

Orchard Motorsport Top Ten:
1 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC)
2 Kenny McKinstry/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC)
3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC)
4 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Ford Fiesta WRC)
5 Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smyth (Mini WRC)
6 Jonny Leonard/Geraldine Leonard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
7 Pat O’Connell/Adam Coffey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
8 Stuart Biggerstaff/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC)
9 Ray Brammer/Mo Downey (Subaru Impreza WRC)
10 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Final Instructions 1 / Stage Maps

Posted: June 24, 2016 5:43 PM

Available from:

Lurgan Park Rally

Donate to Drive with RiverRidge Recycling’s Rally Team

Posted: June 20, 2016 9:21 AM

THE RiverRidge Recycling Rally team is offering motorsport fans unprecedented access to the sport they love, as one lucky winner will have the chance become Oran Donnelly’s co-driver in the Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally, in aid of Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

The eight stage event, which is organised by North Armagh Motor Club, is taking place on Saturday 2nd July 2016 and is supported by Stinson’s Orchard Motorsport company, as well as Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Eamon Doherty, Director, RiverRidge Recycling, a keen motorsport fan and rally driver commented,
“This really is a dream come true for many motorsport fans, it will be brilliant to be sitting in with Oran Donnelly, who is an outstanding rally driver, as he takes on this highly bold and exciting race course.”

Over the 35 years since its inception, the Lurgan Park Rally has developed into an absolute showcase event, with brilliant motorsport action allied to family fun and a sociable service paddock, all within the confines of the beautiful Lurgan Park.

Eamon continues,
“The Lurgan Park rally is always a special day in the motorsport calendar, each year I get the opportunity to enjoy the rally for many reasons. From a competitive point of view, there are some of best rally drivers in the country competing and the atmosphere is always electric which creates such a major buzz for both competitors and fans alike and now for Oran’s new co-driver.

“This is also a great opportunity for us to raise money for the NI Children’s Hospice, as all monies from the ‘donate to drive’ campaign will go directing to this outstanding charity. This incredible team of people offers essential support and most importantly a high level of experience to little kids facing the biggest of life’s challenges.

“So we are understandably very proud to be offering our support to NI Children’s Hospice, and the monies raised from the co-driver opportunity, no matter how big or small, will undoubtedly help the Hospice continue its exceptional work.”

If you would like to be Oran Donnelly’s co-driver for the day at the The Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally, you must donate a minimum of £20 to https://www.justgiving.com/EamonDoherty. The draw will be made on Saturday 25th June 2016 and the winner will be directly contacted. All proceeds go directly to the NI Children’s Hospice.

Live Radio coverage for Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally

Posted: June 12, 2016 11:20 AM

With this year’s Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally only a matter of weeks away the organisers North Armagh Motor Club are delighted to announce that for this year “Live Radio” will be one of the additions to the popular park rally.

Joining commentary regulars Ian Beasant and Richard Young for this year will be Radio regulars Chris Rawes and Xavier McCartan. The quartet will bring all the news and stage end action for regulars in the park this year, as well as listeners worldwide ensuring that none of the high speed action is missed.

Chris Rawes will head for Lurgan Park straight after his attendance providing LIVE ERC Radio at the Kenotek Ypres Rally the previous weekend in Belgium while Xavier McCartan will make his way to County Armagh direct from the Goodwood Festival of Speed where he will have provided commentary over the course of the previous weekend at the famous Rally Stage alongside confirmed Rally Fan and competitor Tony Jardine.

Chris and Xav have worked together in the past on various European and Irish rallies and their experience will add greatly to the Lurgan Park Rally.

Lurgan Park Rally Event Director William Fullerton said this week “It’s great to have Live Radio coming to Lurgan Park this year, it will add greatly to what is already a super event. The club have worked hard to grow and promte the rally and with Chris and Xavier joining forces with Ian (Beasant) and Richard (Young) it promises to be the most in-depth coverage we have had so far that we can now bring to listeners world wide.”

The event website www.lurganparkrally.com will shortly have the links to access live radio accessible via a Laptop, Mobile Phone etc.

Chris and Xavier will cover live Stage end radio, the latest news from the Service Area and catching up with Ian and Richard during the course of the day, not to mention chatting to all the crews for the very latest dramas and news as it happens.

Speaking to the Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park organisers this week Xavier said
“It is a real honor for Chris and I to be able to come to Lurgan Park and provide radio this year. The experience Chris has with his company RawCast and the ERC will be a great asset for the event and for me personally, coming from Banbridge originally, it is going to be magic. I was here the year that Sean Campbell took Linda Jayne from Downtown Radio for a wee spin, when she got wet in the Opel Ascona 400, so Lurgan Park holds great memories for me as well over many years.”

Both Chris and Xavier will tweet during the course of the day from stage ends as well as the service area too.

Xavier @mexav
Chris @chrisrawes

Lurgan Park Heats up / Live Radio

Posted: June 11, 2016 3:35 AM

The Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally, scheduled for Saturday 2nd July, has hit maximum revs in its preparations, with several of the very top drivers entered. Maximum press coverage is promised, as well as ‘Lurgan Park Rally Live’ non-stop internet radio direct from the event over the weekend. Another promised huge attraction will be the Star Trial Motorbike Display Team.

Former Tarmac and National Champion Declan Boyle has added his name to the fifty strong entry list. The Donegal man will drive his state of the art Fiesta WRC. Although the tight laneways of Lurgan Park will be new to him, Boyle is a very possible victory contender.

Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings in his Subaru WRC has won this Rally for the last three years, and was one of the first entries received by the organising North Armagh Club. Garry relishes top competition, and Boyle should be just the man to provide it!

Further potential winners include Kenny McKinstry in his Impreza WRC S14, dubbed the ‘King of the Park’ in respect of his 11 previous victories, and also former Tarmac and current NI Champion Derek McGarrity in his Fiesta WRC will also add spice to the occasion.

Once again this Orchard Motorsport backed event will have a host of family entertainment on offer, and in conjunction with the Lurgan Park Rally Live initiative, the motor bike display team, the social ambience of the central paddock area, along with pulsating excitement of the 8 ultra competitive rally stages, should make for a very special day in the beautiful environment of Lurgan Park. The rally enjoys great support from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, meaning that everything about the Park will be in tip top shape.

Entry News:

Posted: June 10, 2016 3:41 AM

23 days to go... Entry news;
Declan Boyle is confirmed for the first time in his stunning Ford Fiesta WRC,
Multiple Northern Ireland Rally Champion Derek McGarrity also in his Ford Fiesta WRC and 11 times Lurgan Park Rally winner Kenny McKinstry in his Subaru Impreza S14 WRC!

All Stations Go for Lurgan Park Rally

Posted: May 30, 2016 7:35 AM

he North Armagh Motor Club has announced that their popular Lurgan Park Rally will take place this year on the 2nd July. The event, backed again by Armagh man Brian Stinson and his Orchard Motorsport company will be run along familiar lines, with eight short special stages for the invited fifty rally crews, making for exciting and top class competition. In addition, the event, which also enjoys support from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, will have a full menu of free children’s entertainment, classic car displays and other attractions.

Last year’s winner Garry Jennings in his Subaru WRC has pledged his support for this year’s event, commenting from his Irvinestown oil distribution base,
“The Lurgan Park Rally is always a special day in the Motorsport year. I wouldn’t miss it. It’s been great to win it a couple of times, but more importantly it’s a brilliant day out for the family, with the centralised servicing paddock, meeting friends old and new, and a brilliant social atmosphere.”

Clerk of the Course is again Barry Taggart and Rally director is William Fullerton. Keith Somerville is the man who looks after the paperwork. More information can be obtained online www.lurganparkrally.com

Associate sponsors for the rally are Citroen UK/Roadside Motors Lurgan and Pacenotes Magazine.

Regulations / Entry Form

Posted: May 30, 2016 7:33 AM

Available from:

Lurgan Park Rally

NEW DATE FOR LURGAN PARK RALLY

Posted: May 17, 2016 9:45 AM

This year Lurgan Park Rally moves to a new date, 02nd July. The rally, which is backed by Orchard Motorsport and supported by Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, is in its 36th 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 02th 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.

For further information, the Secretary of the Event is can be contacted at 07745 959141 / +44 7745 959141
Regulations will be available soon.

Event Website

Posted: May 17, 2016 9:44 AM

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