Josh Cornwell & Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta R2) SS14
No pressure brings big pressure for Pryce in Ulster
Posted: October 4, 2017 4:29 AM
Welshman Osian Pryce lost a second possible British Rally Championship win to a fuel-related problem aboard his Ford Fiesta R5 at this week’s John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally.
Osian and co-driver Dale Furniss had been in the thick of the action through the Northern Irish lanes. They ended the opening leg less than a second behind rally leader Keith Cronin after a string of fastest times through the treacherously slippery stages.
Their efforts would, however, count for nothing when they were forced to retire the Alphera/Hills Ford from second place on the 11th of 14 stages.
Despite a second successive early bath, Osian found plenty of positives in his trip across the Irish Sea.
“I’ve been struggling to find the confidence in the car on the last few rallies,” he said, “so to come here and be competitive like this is good news for me. I think we all know that, when it comes to anywhere in Ireland, Keith [Cronin] is probably king. He’s got so much experience of these conditions and this style of road; so to be with him and beating him on some stages is really good for me – especially with this one being my second event in the car on Tarmac.”
Pryce was particularly pleased with his storming drive through the final three Friday stages, when he slashed Cronin’s advantage from 19 seconds to nine-tenths of a second. On stage four – Holly Hill – he was an astonishing 12 seconds faster (a second per mile) than everybody else. And that included dropping time with a 360-degree spin.
“Friday afternoon was fantastic,” Osian said. “We came here to win and, ultimately, that hasn’t been possible. But what we have done is show the pace we have and show that we’ve been able to take good time out of Fredrik [Ahlin, series leader] and leave him behind a bit here. That really shows progression for me. I’m happy with that.”
The smiles weren’t quite so wide on Saturday.
“I got caught out under braking at the first stage on Saturday,” said Osian. “I had to grab the handbrake and spin the car. That meant we slid backwards into a wall – the wall definitely came off second best…
“We dropped around 20 seconds with that problem – the exhaust was squashed and the concentration had gone a little bit for the rest of the stage. We were still quickest again on one of the stages in the next loop, but it was on the repeat of that stage where we went off backwards that our rally ended.
“The car cut-out, just like it did on the Nicky Grist. I was so sure it was the same problem, I jumped out of the car, gave the fuel pump a whack and that got it going again. We were able to go flat-out for a quarter of a mile or something like that when it happened again. I did the same again and we could get the car started, but when we put it under load and tried to pull away it wouldn’t run at all.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of frustration to have the problem again and it goes without saying it hasn’t helped our championship situation. I said before the event we had to win to keep the title chances alive. Now we’re firmly in the hands of the other drivers and our chance is slim, to put it mildly. The final round (138.com Rally Isle of Man) is a double-header, which means we still have a mathematical chance of taking the title and that’s all the motivation I need."
Cronin commands Ulster Rally to set-up BRC title showdown
Posted: October 4, 2017 4:27 AM
Three-time BRC champion Keith Cronin and co-driver Mikie Galvin claimed victory on round six of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship – the John Mulholland Ulster Rally (18/19 August). The Irish pairing took their second win of the season in their M-Sport–prepared Ford Fiesta R5 to set-up an exciting title fight ahead of the season curtain call on the Isle of Man.
Finishing second on the Ulster Rally was Swedish sensation Fredrik Ahlin and his Norwegian co-driver Torstein Eriksen in their Skoda Fabia R5. The result was their best finish on a Tarmac event as they maintain their championship lead ahead of the end of season crescendo with Cronin and Galvin. Rounding out the BRC podium was local crew Marty McCormack and navigator David Moynihan (Fabia R5) who clinched their third rostrum of the season.
The legendary Ulster Rally was to provide two days of enthralling action around Derry/Londonderry. Crews were waved off into the event by the mayor of the city, Maolíosa McHugh under the shadow of the Guildhall. Over 130 miles of slippery, bumpy and narrow Tarmac lanes faced the British Rally Championship crews – providing a heart-pumping spectacle as the championship fight took another step forward to its end of season showdown.
Torrential rain showers added an exciting extra ingredient into the opening days proceedings before wet, but drying stages played host to the second and final day of action.
Sailing across the rain-soaked stages were Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin in their DMACK-supported Ford Fiesta R5. Cronin and Galvin are the regaining Irish Tarmac Champions and used all of their knowledge to set the fastest stage time on the opening test, before breaking away from the pack on the subsequent stages. Despite a puncture scare early on Saturday morning, the M-Sport crew never looked back and held the top spot throughout the 14 times stages to take their second BRC win – backing up their dominant Ypres victory in June.
Keeping them honest across the two-day event was the Welsh crew of Osian Pryce and Dale Funrniss. The Ford Fiesta R5 partnership held onto Cronin’s coattails and at the overnight halt had brought the gap-down to a mere 1.1 seconds going into the second day. Unfortunately for Osian and Dale, history repeated itself and the fuel-pump on the Fiesta packed-up once again – replicating the retirement from the Nicky Grist Stages – round five of the BRC.
Fredrik Ahlin and Torstein Eriksen had enjoyed a ding-dong battle with Pryce all event long and once the Welshman dropped from the leaderboard, Fredrik was the only man left to challenge an on form Cronin. Setting top three stage times all weekend, Ahlin had declared himself an all round driver after a strong display on the Irish Tarmac. Second place in Ulster puts the championship power in his hands and is ready to fight Cronin on the Isle of Man for the title.
Jonny Greer has had a disappointing season by his high standards and elected to not score BRC points on the Ulster Rally. The Northern Irishman went in search of an outright podium and a win in the Irish Tarmac Championship. Deciding to use unhomologated tyres to allow him to fight for Irish supremacy, this made him ineligible for BRC championship points.
With Greer not scoring, up stepped Marty McCormack and navigator David Moynihan. The Irish crew rolled their Kumho-shod Skoda in dramatic style in Ypres and hired a Fiesta R5 to keep their championship aspirations alive. Back in the Fabia and McCormack was back to his brilliant best, threading the Czech machine through the narrow lanes to land his third podium of the season and putting himself in contention for a top three in the championship standings.
Irishman Desi Henry made a welcome return to the series after electing to miss the Nicky Grist Stages as he too rolled his Fabia R5 in Ypres. Along with Liam Moyinhan the pair threw everything at the rally to try and return to the rostrum but this time they had to settle for a respectable fourth in their Michelin-shod Skoda.
Alex Laffey was eager to bounce back after a retirement on the Nicky Grist Stages. Bounce back he did, as he and co-driver Patrick Walsh survived the two-day encounter to bring home their Pirelli-supported Fiesta R5 into fifth place and in the process has helped M-Sport close the gap to rivals CA1 Sport in the teams’ standings.
Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod were due to make it five tyre manufacturers in the top six but the Hankook Ford Fiesta R5 driver had to retire on the second day due to a broken throttle cable which had caused havoc all weekend – denying the Welsh pair their third podium on the bounce.
Creighton wins battle of attrition in Prestone Motorsport News Junior BRC
William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan claimed their second win in the Prestone Motorsport News Junior BRC after two days of gruelling action on the Irish asphalt roads. The Peugeot 208 R2 crew last won on the gravel, on the Pirelli International Rally back in April and were determined to win their home event and strengthen their position at the top of the championship standings. A blistering run made Creighton untouchable as the Michelin-star notched up his fifth podium from six events.
The Northern Irish crew enjoyed a battle royal with fellow championship leader Callum Devine and Keith Moriarty on the opening day but Devine’s charge was halted on Stage 10 when the alternator cried enough – sending the Opel ADAM R2 driver into an early retirement and denying the fans of titanic tussle in the junior formula.
Norwegian star Oscar Solberg declared at the start of the event that he was going to take it easy and build his experience of Irish Tarmac. The Pirelli-backed driver ignored his own advice and pushed like Oscar only knows how. Right from the start, the Scandinavian gave it his all – bouncing the Ford Fiesta R2T between the grass banks and hedges. Solberg’s team, MH Motorsport certainly had its work cut out as they rebuilt the Fiesta throughout the event. With the car looking like a patch-work quilt at the end of the 130-mile marathon –Solberg and co-driver Patrick Barth finished second, claiming their first podium since their victory on round one – the Border Counties Rally.
Also in the fight for the rostrum positions were local stars Marty Gallagher with Dean O’Sullivan sat alongside. The 208 R2 crew were having their best showing in the BRC to date but a seized gearbox on the second stage of the final day put paid to their event and championship assault.
‘Famous Five’ for Cornwell in Cadet Cup
Englishman Josh Cornwell breezed to his fifth win in the Cadet Cup to claim the inaugural championship in his Ford Fiesta R2. After a third place on the Nicky Grist Stages, Cornwell had to travel to Northern Ireland to finally secure and seal the title. With Tom Woodburn expertly guiding, the Dorking-based driver set some rapid times – quick enough to put him in the mix with the more powerful and younger cars in the Junior BRC category and in front of five-time BRC champion Jimmy McRae on the overall classification.
The only other driver who could mathematically challenge Cornwell was MH Motorsport teammate Alex Waterman and his co-driver Harry Thomas in a similar Ford Fiesta R2. The pair did all they could, but they couldn’t stop the Cornwell freight train this time around and despite only being in their first full season of rallying, the pair can hold their heads high – showing some impressive pace in the BRC.
Rounding out the top three in the Cadet Cup was the team from Harper Adams University led by James McDiarmid and Max Haines-Messenger. The Ford Fiesta National crew suffered driveshaft woes on the opening day before a more consistent run on the second allowed them to pull clear of fourth placed crew Nabila Tejpar and Richard Bliss (Ford Fiesta R2).
John Morrison and David White claim BRC titles in Northern Ireland
In the National Rally Cup, John Morrison and Peter Carstairs were the sole runners in the class on the Ulster Rally. The Scottish crew had to bring the Mitsubishi Evo 9 to the finish to put the title out of reach from Donnie Macdonald who was absent from the Derry/Londonderry event. Flinging the big Japanese machine around the lanes, the new NRC champions stepped out of the car at the finish, pleased with their weekends work.
David White and son Matthew were in a similar position, as they too had to finish to wrap-up the BRC4 title. The father and son duo love the Tarmac events and were keen to tick off the iconic Ulster Rally from their rallying bucket list. The Barnsley-based team started to hear noises from the gearbox on Saturday afternoon and lost the intercom with three stages to go. Keeping cool heads the White’s came home in the top 10 in the BRC section – scoring their first outright championship points and the all important BRC4 title.
Quotes from round six – John Mulholland Ulster Rally
Ulster Rally – Keith Cronin – First Overall – Ford Fiesta R5
“It started out with a big fight early on and there was nothing between us after the first day. Tyre choice was a complete lottery and we capitalised on a good decision on the second day to bridge a gap. Unfortunately we then got a puncture so we had to build a lead all over again! We have the best chance other than Fredrik [Ahlin] to win the title and he is the clear leader but rallying is rallying. We had a bit of bad luck at the start of the year, maybe we will have some luck at the end to give us a chance to fight for the title.”
Ulster Rally – Fredrik Ahlin – Second Overall – Skoda Fabia R5
“This event was a real, real tough one. Hats off the Keith [Cronin] his pace on the wet Tarmac was unbelievable. We couldn’t match it but we have got a lot closer to the front running pace this year compared to last year so we are always learning. We are going to need to drive hard on the Isle of Man and it will be really fun to drive in a fight for the title. It’s going to be interesting, let the quickest man win.”
Ulster Rally – Marty McCormack – Third Overall BRC– Skoda Fabia R5
“We started off a bit slow, we found the conditions very tricky and we had a puncture early on as well. Gradually we built the pace and we wanted to get a good finish here so I am delighted to get third. I find I always take a bit of time to get onto the pace but I am really happy with the performance in the rebuilt car and to be back on the podium is very gratifying.”
Cronin/Galvin clinches dramatic victory in challenging Ulster contest
Posted: October 4, 2017 4:24 AM
A dramatic win for Keith Cronin on the Derry~Londonderry based John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally keeps his British Rally Championship aspirations alive following a start to finish win in typically changeable wet weather conditions which pushed all the drivers to their limits.
While the results show that Cronin was fastest after all of the 14 stages in the North West, he was pushed hard on the Friday loop initially by Swede Fredrik Ahlin, before Welshman Osian Pryce turned up the heat to finish Friday just 0.01 seconds off the lead.
After the first day of torrential rain, weather improved for day two of the Rally and the both drivers were quickly back on the pace. However, it was Pryce who faltered first, spinning his Ford Fiesta on Special Stage 7, Slieve Kirk, handing 17 seconds to Cronin in the process. On the next stage Cronin handed back 14 seconds when he punctured a tyre near to the end of the Drumahoe test.
Pryce kept up the pressure on his rival over the next few stages but mechanical failure brought his challenge to a halt on Stage 11. This allowed Fredric Ahlin back into contention ahead of Carryduff’s Jonny Greer who was handily placed should any of the top two falter.
Marty McCormack pulled ahead of Sam Moffett in Stage 9, but Moffett’s 6th place maximised his Irish Tarmac Championship lead going into the final round in Cork.
Moffett’s nearest Championship rival, Alastair Fisher, was an early departure when his Ford Fiesta suffered overheating issues on only the second stage.
The battle between top Junior Competitors William Creighton and Callum Devine continued into day two before Devine was forced to retire on Stage 10 with electrical failure. Creighton continued on to finish 11th behind National Winner Camillus Bradley in his Mark II Escort.
Last year’s National Winner, Alan Carmichael performed well on day one before losing time on day two with a puncture and eventually finished 13th overall. .
Two wheel stars from 2016 Michael Dunlop and Rob Fagg were again putting in competitive times before brake failure pushed them off the stage and into retirement.
Rally sponsor, John Mulholland had a fraught run on Friday and never made up the time lost when he slid into a ditch in tricky wet conditions.
Commenting at the finish, Event Director, Robert Harkness said; “This has been a tremendous weekend of motorsport. The changeable weather conditions proved challenging for all the drivers, and the Organisers over the fourteen stages which made for an interesting event for rally fans”.
“I would like to congratulate not only the winners but everyone who supported the event whether they were a competitor, spectator, one of the 800 volunteers and our sponsors John Mulholland and Derry City and Strabane District Council who all made this year’s Ulster Rally such as success.”
1 Keith Cronin/Mike Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5) 2:06:03.8
2 Fredrik Ahlin/Torstein Eriksen (Skoda Fabia R5) 2:06:59.2
3 Jonathan Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) 2:08:11.8
4 Martin McCormack/David Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) 2:08:29.3
5 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) 2:08:59.0
6 Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Ford Fiesta R5) 2:09:36.5
7 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5) 2:11:50.5
8 Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta R5) 2:13:41.6
9 Alex Laffey/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta R5) 2:14:21.7
10 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort MkII) 2:18:27.6
Class Winners
Class A1: Keith Cronin/Mike Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5)
Class A2: John Coyne/Stephen Joyce (Porsche 997)
Class A4: William Creighton/Liam Regan (Peugeot 208 R2)
Class A6: Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont (Mini WRC)
Class H1: Barry Jones/Iwan Griffiths (Ford Escort)
Class H2: Keith McIvor/David Burns (Ford Escort)
Class B1: Michael Nutt/David Nutt (Honda Civic)
Class B2: William Herron/Geoff Patterson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)
Class B3: Brian Black/Ian Crozier (Toyota Starlet)
Class B4: Raymond McLaughlin/Martin McBrearty (Ford Puma)
Class B5: Michael McDaid/Daire Maguire (Ford Escort MkII)
Class B6: Oran Donnelly/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort MkII)
Class B7: Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort MkII)
Class B8: Wayne Sisson/Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X)
Leaders
SS1-14 Keith Cronin/Mike Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5)
Hampshire rally team have high hopes of victory at the penultimate round of the British Rally Championship in Northern Ireland
British rally team MH Motorsport will field a four car squad at this weekend’s Ulster Rally (18th/19th August) and will be hoping to take victory in both the Junior and Cadet category of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC).
After five rounds of the series, Junior BRC front runners Oscar Solberg and Patrik Barth find themselves in fifth place in the standings thanks to an unlucky exit from the Nicky Grist Stages in July. Whilst it’s a tall order, mathematically the Norwegian son of WRC ace Henning has an outside chance at the title and will head to Northern Ireland with nothing but a win in mind.
The Ulster Rally takes place on the closed public roads surrounding the Londonderry base and despite asphalt not being Solberg’s preferred surface, the Ford Fiesta 1.0litre R2T ace believes he has the pace to head the pack this weekend.
“Of course I am more at home on gravel but we showed in Ypres Rally that we can be at the front” he says.
“I have lots or asphalt experience from the DRIVE DMACK WRC Trophy last year but Ireland will be a new challenge for me. We need a good set up and good notes. If we have that then the car is capable and so am I”.
The Cadet Cup has been a different story for the MH Motorsport team and has been dominated largely by Josh Cornwell and Richard Bliss. However, Alex Waterman and Harry Thomas showed a sign of things to come with a Cadet victory at the last round in Wales and despite the duo contesting only their first season in the sport, returned a mature drive to bring them back into the title chase. Waterman remains open minded as to his chances in Northern Ireland.
Hampshire rally team have high hopes of victory at the penultimate round of the British Rally Championship in Northern Ireland
British rally team MH Motorsport will field a four car squad at this weekend’s Ulster Rally (18th/19th August) and will be hoping to take victory in both the Junior and Cadet category of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC).
After five rounds of the series, Junior BRC front runners Oscar Solberg and Patrik Barth find themselves in fifth place in the standings thanks to an unlucky exit from the Nicky Grist Stages in July. Whilst it’s a tall order, mathematically the Norwegian son of WRC ace Henning has an outside chance at the title and will head to Northern Ireland with nothing but a win in mind.
The Ulster Rally takes place on the closed public roads surrounding the Londonderry base and despite asphalt not being Solberg’s preferred surface, the Ford Fiesta 1.0litre R2T ace believes he has the pace to head the pack this weekend.
“Of course I am more at home on gravel but we showed in Ypres Rally that we can be at the front” he says.
“I have lots or asphalt experience from the DRIVE DMACK WRC Trophy last year but Ireland will be a new challenge for me. We need a good set up and good notes. If we have that then the car is capable and so am I”.
The Cadet Cup has been a different story for the MH Motorsport team and has been dominated largely by Josh Cornwell and Richard Bliss. However, Alex Waterman and Harry Thomas showed a sign of things to come with a Cadet victory at the last round in Wales and despite the duo contesting only their first season in the sport, returned a mature drive to bring them back into the title chase. Waterman remains open minded as to his chances in Northern Ireland.
Hampshire rally team have high hopes of victory at the penultimate round of the British Rally Championship in Northern Ireland
British rally team MH Motorsport will field a four car squad at this weekend’s Ulster Rally (18th/19th August) and will be hoping to take victory in both the Junior and Cadet category of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC).
After five rounds of the series, Junior BRC front runners Oscar Solberg and Patrik Barth find themselves in fifth place in the standings thanks to an unlucky exit from the Nicky Grist Stages in July. Whilst it’s a tall order, mathematically the Norwegian son of WRC ace Henning has an outside chance at the title and will head to Northern Ireland with nothing but a win in mind.
The Ulster Rally takes place on the closed public roads surrounding the Londonderry base and despite asphalt not being Solberg’s preferred surface, the Ford Fiesta 1.0litre R2T ace believes he has the pace to head the pack this weekend.
“Of course I am more at home on gravel but we showed in Ypres Rally that we can be at the front” he says.
“I have lots or asphalt experience from the DRIVE DMACK WRC Trophy last year but Ireland will be a new challenge for me. We need a good set up and good notes. If we have that then the car is capable and so am I”.
The Cadet Cup has been a different story for the MH Motorsport team and has been dominated largely by Josh Cornwell and Richard Bliss. However, Alex Waterman and Harry Thomas showed a sign of things to come with a Cadet victory at the last round in Wales and despite the duo contesting only their first season in the sport, returned a mature drive to bring them back into the title chase. Waterman remains open minded as to his chances in Northern Ireland.
Hampshire rally team have high hopes of victory at the penultimate round of the British Rally Championship in Northern Ireland
British rally team MH Motorsport will field a four car squad at this weekend’s Ulster Rally (18th/19th August) and will be hoping to take victory in both the Junior and Cadet category of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC).
After five rounds of the series, Junior BRC front runners Oscar Solberg and Patrik Barth find themselves in fifth place in the standings thanks to an unlucky exit from the Nicky Grist Stages in July. Whilst it’s a tall order, mathematically the Norwegian son of WRC ace Henning has an outside chance at the title and will head to Northern Ireland with nothing but a win in mind.
The Ulster Rally takes place on the closed public roads surrounding the Londonderry base and despite asphalt not being Solberg’s preferred surface, the Ford Fiesta 1.0litre R2T ace believes he has the pace to head the pack this weekend.
“Of course I am more at home on gravel but we showed in Ypres Rally that we can be at the front” he says.
“I have lots or asphalt experience from the DRIVE DMACK WRC Trophy last year but Ireland will be a new challenge for me. We need a good set up and good notes. If we have that then the car is capable and so am I”.
The Cadet Cup has been a different story for the MH Motorsport team and has been dominated largely by Josh Cornwell and Richard Bliss. However, Alex Waterman and Harry Thomas showed a sign of things to come with a Cadet victory at the last round in Wales and despite the duo contesting only their first season in the sport, returned a mature drive to bring them back into the title chase. Waterman remains open minded as to his chances in Northern Ireland.
BRC title race hots up ahead of Emerald Isle visit
Posted: August 11, 2017 5:16 AM
The Prestone MSA British Rally Championship races across the Irish Sea for the penultimate event of the series with the legendary Ulster Rally the next stop on the action-packed calendar. The championship’s only visit to Northern Ireland in 2017 will see Britain’s premier rallying series tackle the two-day, closed road Tarmac event on the 18/19 August.
Where are we going? – Round 6 – Ulster Rally
The British Rally Championship returns to Derry/Londonderry for the 2017 Ulster Rally – round six of the exciting rallying series. Not only is the BRC reaching its end of season crescendo, but also the British crews will go toe-to-toe with the best from the Irish Tarmac Championship – providing an added challenge in the quest for overall victory.
The Ulster Rally will get underway with a Ceremonial Start in the heart of the Walled City, with crews being waved off into the 135-mile event under the shadow of the Guildhall on Friday lunchtime. In between the stages, competitors will visit the rally Service Park at Ebrington Square several times throughout the event allowing engineers and mechanics to work on the state-of-the-art rally cars and repairing any damage experienced on the challenging route.
The BRC competitors will contest 14 timed stages through the bumpy narrow lanes, with competitive speeds at times north of 100mph – the classic event offers a real test to the country’s top rally drivers. Throw in the extra difficulty of changeable Irish weather conditions and stages are there to be tamed by the brave and equally ready to claim the unwary.
For those successful enough to make it to the end of the event on the podium, will be spraying the champagne on Saturday afternoon at Ebrington Square, with the Peace Bridge and city skyline providing the dramatic backdrop to the celebrations.
All of this adds up to one exciting weekend of motor sport action with a large crowd expected. Highlights from the rally will be broadcast around the world via Channel 4, BT Sport and Motorsport TV network shortly afterwards.
Last time out – Round 5 – Nicky Grist Stages
Two rounds ago the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship visited Ypres in Belgium for the first overseas round in the championship’s 59-year history and the event certainly didn’t disappoint. From the slippery cobbles and shiny asphalt in northern Belgium, the BRC teams had just two weeks to return to their bases, turn the cars from Tarmac trim to gravel specification before traveling to round five, the Nicky Grist Stages in Builth Wells, Wales. The Nicky Grist Stages is unique as drivers tackled eight dusty gravel stages on the opening day before switching back to Tarmac for another 12 stages over the asphalt roads through the Epynt Ranges.
Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss (Ford Fiesta R5) led for most of their home event and were set to become the fourth different winner this season, but on stage 12 the Welsh pairing suffered a high-pressure fuel pump failure. The same corner on the famous Epynt Military Ranges claimed another championship protagonist as three-time BRC Champion Keith Cronin and navigator Mikie Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5) carried to much speed into the bend, resulting in the Irish crew rolling out of the event.
Keeping clear of all of the drama was Swedish star Fredrik Ahlin and his Norwegian co-driver Torstein Eriksen. The Scandinavian pairing put the preasure on Pryce all event and were primed and ready to pounce once the Welshman was left stranded on the road-side. The Skoda Fabia R5 crew made it a hat-trick of wins this season and now sit pretty at the top of the points table heading to Ireland.
Matt Edwards is a man building momentum this season, as the Welshman now has two second place finishes to his name from Ypres and the Nicky Grist. The Welshman returns to the scene where he made his R5 debut last year and the Ford Fiesta driver could be a dark horse for this year’s championship as the season heads to its climax.
Rhys Yates became the eighth different driver to spray the champagne this season as he took a fine third overall on the Nicky Grist Stages – narrowly fending off Tarmac ace Marty McCormack who was in Alastair Fisher’s Fiesta for the weekend – keeping his championship aspirations alive.
The Prestone Motorsport News Junior BRC podium in Wales was a repeat from Ypres as Callum Devine was masterful once again in his ADAM R2, fending off fellow countryman William Creighton (Peugeot 208 R2) and local hero James Williams (Ford Fiesta R2T), who took a popular home podium.
In the Cadet Cup, Alex Waterman notched-up his first victory of 2017. This kept him in the hunt for the championship title and denied championship leader Josh Cornwell the chance to wrap up the title early, taking the battle to the Ulster Rally.
David White can almost put one hand on the BRC4 trophy following a win in Wales while BRC newcomer William Hill showed great pace in his Ford Fiesta to take the National Rally Cup victory.
Local heroes hoping for the luck of the Irish on home soil
Welshman Elfyn Evans claimed the 2016 BRC title on last year’s Ulster Rally, taking his third BRC win in row. With home pride dented, Irish crews will be throwing everything at the event to restore Irish honour and claim a local win on home soil.
Keith Cronin (Cork) and Mikie Galvin (Killarney) have already made history this season by taking maximum BRC points on the Ypres Rally – the first overseas round in the British Rally Championship’s 59-year history. The M-Sport pairing sit fourth in the overall standings and will hope to secure their second victory this season in the Ford Fiesta R5, thus elevating them up the championship order heading to the season finale on the Isle of Man.
Eager to lift the trophy and take a popular home win will be Marty McCormack (Maghera) and David Moyinhan (Kesh). The pair experienced a high-speed off on the slippery Tarmac of Ypres in their Skoda Fabia R5. The Czech machine has now been rebuilt – ready for the crew to tackle their local event. With the Nicky Grist Stages just two weeks after Ypres, McCormack hired a Fiesta R5 and finished fourth to keep his championship aspirations well and truly alive coming into the Ulster.
Desi Henry (Portglenone) and Liam Moynihan (Cork) have had a season to forget in 2017 with the Fabia R5 crew’s best and only finish to date coming on the Scottish Rally with a fifth overall. Henry was running in a promising second in Ypres until a roll into a field saw him drop too much time to continue. Electing to miss the Nicky Grist Stages to get his Skoda straight and on song, Desi and Liam will be gunning for their first podium this year as they aim to become the ninth different crew to taste champagne this season.
Another crew who have also not had any luck this season is Jonny Greer (Belfast) and Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick. The pair finished third in the competitive championship last season but 2017 has seen little in reward for the Citroen DS3 R5 crew. Greer claimed a fine second to Elfyn Evans in Ulster last year and will be keen to repeat the feat and show his worth on his home event.
On the recent Ypres Rally and Nicky Grist Stages, Callum Devine (Feeny) and Keith Moriarty (Limerick) in their Opel ADAM R2 have been untouchable in the Junior BRC with dominant wins in Belgium and Wales to bring them to the summit of the points standings.
Standing equal with Devine and Moriarty and the top of the table is William Creighton (Moira) and co-driver Liam Regan (Belfast). The Peugeot 208 R2 pairing won the second round, the Pirelli International Rally, and have backed up that breakthrough win with podiums in Scotland, Belgium and Wales to put them right in the mix for the championship fight.
Marty Gallagher (Letterkenny) and Dean O’Sullivan (Convoy) have shown strong pace all season on all surfaces and are within touching distance of an outright class win. The Peugeot 208 R2 team secured a third in Scotland and with a good haul of points from the other four rounds, watch this local crew as they fly through the lanes in pursuit of becoming the fifth different winner in the front-wheel-drive category this season.
18-year-old Josh McErlean is the youngest competitor in the series but the man from Kilrea is not letting his tender age get in the way of performance on the stages. The young-gun started the season in his own Citroen C2 R2 and the Northern Irishman showed flashes of brilliance in the French pocket-rocket. His pace was noticed by leading Junior BRC team MH Motorsport, who gave McErlean a chance to pilot a state-of-the-art Ford Fiesta R2T for the Nicky Grist Stages. After a disappointing retirement from a potential podium position, Josh) returns with the nimble C2 as they go in search for a strong finish on home soil.
Live Radio for Ulster Rally
Posted: August 11, 2017 4:22 AM
Join us live with radio coverage through the two days of this year’s John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally and listen to all the action and reaction as it unfolds.
The Northern Ireland Motor Club has enlisted Rally Radio regulars Chris Rawes, Xavier McCartan and Toni Kelly of Rawcast Media to report from the stages to a world-wide audience.
Chris is looking forward to this year’s event; “Last year saw record numbers logging onto the live radio and there’s lots to hear. We bring you up to the minute information from the end of each stage with driver interviews, a rundown of what’s happening on the ground as well as all the latest results.
“It’s really easy and it’s free, just visit ulsterrally.com and click the ‘Listen Live’ button. So if you are watching the stages, log in on your phones and here the live commentary. Alternatively, if you can’t make it, you can log on from anywhere in the world!”
Chris, Xav and Toni have worked together in the past and their experience and enthusiasm will no doubt add to the excitement and flavour of this year’s event. Chris has reported from international events since 1998 and is now the voice of the ERC where he reports and voices television programmes from every European Rally Championship round.
Xav runs his own PR company and is involved on a day to day basis with rallying in the UK and Ireland. They are joined again this year by local Letterkenny based rally driver and presenter Toni Kelly.
Planning to see some action…then download the spectator guide to see where all the stage viewing areas are or order a programme online. Programmes will also be available from the Media Office at the Service Park in Ebrington, Visit Derry Offices, Derry~Londonderry as well as newsagents and garages throughout the area.
You can also keep up to date with latest news and updates on the events, through our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ulsterrally
Seeded Entry List
Posted: August 11, 2017 4:19 AM
1 Fredrik Ahlin/Torstein Eriksen (Skoda Fabia R5) [A1 - Int]
2 Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
3 Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
4 Osian Pryce/Dale Furniss (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
5 Keith Cronin/Mike Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
6 Robert Barrable/Damian Connelly (Hyundai i20 R5) [A1 - Int]
7 Martin McCormack/David Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) [A1 - Int]
8 Jonathan Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) [A1 - Int]
9 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) [A1 - Int]
10 Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
11 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5) [A1 - Int]
12 Matt Edwards/Darren Garrod (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
13 Josh Moffett/James Fulton (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
14 Rhys Yates/TBA (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
15 Alex Laffey/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
16 Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont (Mini WRC) [A6 - Nat]
17 Martin Cairns/Andrew Purcell (Ford Fiesta WRC) [B9 - Nat]
18 Kevin Eves/William Lynch (Toyota Corolla) [B7 - Nat]
19 Callum Devine/Keith Moriarty (Opel Adam R2) [A4 - Int]
20 William Creighton/Liam Regan (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Int]
21 Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [B7 - Nat]
22 Eugene Meegan/Darrgah Mullen (BMW 1M) [B7 - Nat]
23 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2) [B7 - Nat]
24 James Williams/Dai Roberts (Ford Fiesta R2) [A4 - Int]
26 Paul Britton/George Tinsley (Subaru Impreza N12) [B2 - Nat]
27 William Herron/Geoff Patterson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [B2 - Nat]
28 Marty Gallagher/Dean O'Sullivan (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Int]
29 Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Int]
30 Oscar Solberg/Patrik Barth (Ford R2T) [A4 - Int]
31 John Mulholland/Jeff Case (Skoda Fabia R5) [A1 - Int]
32 James Slaughter/Niall Burns (Ford Fiesta R5) [A1 - Int]
33 Willie Mavitty/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [A1 - Int]
34 Gavin Kelly/Eamonn Gillespie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [A1 - Int]
35 Sean Devine/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [B2 - Nat]
36 Kyle White/Sean Topping (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Int]
37 Josh McErlean/TBA (Citroen C2R2 Max) [A4 - Int]
38 Michael Dunlop/Rob Fagg (Ford Escort Mk2) [B6 - Nat]
39 Oran Donnelly/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort Mk2) [B6 - Nat]
40 John Devlin/John McCarthy (Talbot Sunbeam) [B6 - Nat]
41 Alan Atcheson/Thomas Wedlock (Ford Fiesta S2500) [B8 - Nat]
42 Stanley Orr/Stephen McAuley (Ford Escort) [H1 - Nat]
43 Ernie Graham/Will Graham (BMW M3) [H2 - Nat]
44 Barry Jones/Iwan Griffiths (Ford Escort) [H1 - Nat]
45 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911) [H2 - Nat]
46 Shawn Rayner/Declan Dear (Ford Escort RS2000) [H1 - Nat]
48 Stephen Baxter/Johnny Dinsmore (Ford Escort Mk2) [B6 - Nat]
49 Shane Cullen/TBA (Ford Escort) [B6 - Nat]
50 Michael McDaid Daire Maguire (Ford Escort Mk2) [B5 - Nat]
51 Jordan Hone Aaron Johnston (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Nat]
52 Jimmy McRae Pauline Gullick (Vauxhall Firenza) [H1 - Nat]
53 Robert McKelvey Declan Campbell (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [B2 - Nat]
54 Stanley Ballantine TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [B2 - Nat]
55 Josh Cornwell Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta R2) [A4 - Int]
56 David White Mathew White (Ford Fiesta R2) [A4 - Nat]
57 Alex Waterman Harry Thomas (Ford Fiesta R2) [A4 - Int]
58 James McDiarmid Max Haines Messenger (Ford Fiesta R2N) [A4 - Int]
59 James Wilson Gavin Doherty (Peugeot 208 R2) [A4 - Int]
60 Barry Groundwater Sean Donnelly (Mitsubishi Evo 10) [B8 - Nat]
61 Allan McDowall Gavin Heseltine (Opel Kadett) [B7 - Nat]
62 Wayne Sisson TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 10) [B8 - Nat]
63 Roger Moran Keaton Williams (Ford Escort) [B7 - Nat]
64 Brian Black Ian Crozier (Toyota Starlet) [B3 - Nat]
65 John Morrison Peter Carstairs (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [B8 - Nat]
67 Declan McCrory Graham Henderson (Mitsubishi Evo 10) [B8 - Nat]
68 Joe Gallagher Mo Downey (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [B2 - Nat]
69 John Coyne Stephen Joyce (Porsche 997) [A2 - Int]
70 Gerard McHugh Eatha¡n McColgan (Chrysler Sunbeam) [B3 - Nat]
71 Geoffrey Nevin Paul Nevin (Ford Escort Mk2) [B5 - Nat]
72 Bob Riddles Ian Kidd (Ford Escort Mk2) [B6 - Nat]
73 Conor Cochrane TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [B3 - Nat]
74 John Brazier Alexander Brazier (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [B2 - Nat]
75 Alex McNaughton TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [B5 - Nat]
76 Art McCarrick John McCay (Tba Tba) [B1 - Nat]
77 Marshall Kennedy Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot 306 GTi) [B6 - Nat]
78 Eamon Doherty Damian McAuley (Ford Escort Mk2) [B5 - Nat]
79 Derek Gurney Damian McCann (Ford Sierra 3dr) [B6 - Nat]
80 Alexander Cochrane Chris Johnston (Ford Escort) [B6 - Nat]
81 Peter Bennett TBA (Skoda R2) [A4 - Int]
82 Marty Toner Sharon Clarke (Talbot Sumbeam) [B5 - Nat]
83 Michael Nutt David Nutt (Honda Civic) [B1 - Nat]
84 Dessie Nutt Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) [H1 - Nat]
85 Niall Creighton Gregory Roberts (Ford Cortina Lotus Mk1 ) [H1 - Nat]
86 Philip McKibbin Lynn McKibbin (Ford Escort Mk1 ) [H1 - Nat]
87 Nick Barnett Martin Brady (Honda Civic ) [B1 - Nat]
88 Richard McCartney Liza Haveron (Citroen C2R2 ) [B4 - Nat]
89 Raymond McLaughlin Martin McBrearty (Ford Puma ) [B4 - Nat]
90 Nabila Tejpar Richard Bliss (Ford Fiesta ) [A4 - Int]
91 Mark Stewart Chris Hobson (Ford Escort ) [B5 - Nat]
92 John O' Reilly Nick Sparks (Ford Escort Mk1 ) [H1 - Nat]
93 Jenna McCann John McCabe (Ford Fiesta R2 ) [J2 - Nat]
94 Justin Ryan TBA (Honda Civic ) [J2 - Nat]
95 Jason Black Jack McKenna (Toyota Starlet ) [J2 - Int]
Ulster Rally set to return to Walled City
Posted: June 28, 2017 7:42 AM
A host of Rally stars joined organisers and special guests at the historic Guildhall Square, Londonderry, for the launch of the 2017 John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally. Returning to Derry City and Strabane for the second year promises both competitors and race fans an action packed weekend of motorsport throughout Derry and Strabane on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 August 2017.
This year the Rally welcomes contenders from the FIA European Rally Trophy (Celtic Cup), the MSA Prestone British Rally Championship and the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Stages again feature the full breadth of Counties Londonderry and Tyrone with two regroups, one in Derry/Londonderry’s Guild Hall Square on Friday and the other in Strabane Town Centre on Saturday of the event.
John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally Event Director, Robert Harkness is excited about returning to the Maiden City for this year’s event;
“It is an honour to be returning to such a prestigious venue as the Guild Hall to launch the second year of the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally in this historic City. We have the ideal event base at Ebrington Square with two new regroups this year in Derry and Strabane and a host of classic and challenging stages throughout the region”.
“But it’s not just the venue and stages that make these events, the stars of the event are the drivers, co-drivers and their cars and this year’s Ulster Rally promises a fantastic array of machinery crossing the start ramp in the Guildhall Square at lunchtime on Friday 18 August. We have a great selection of local competitors, many of them young and some very young, who are already making their mark in the sport. Callum Devine, Marty Gallagher and Gordon Noble venture successfully well outside Ireland; we also have Alan Atcheson, Joe McGonigle and Eathan McColgan. And what about our motorcycle racer Michael Dunlop who is now firmly caught up in rallying ?
We welcome the MSA Prestone British Rally Championship back to the Ulster Rally stages and we are looking forward to the battle for supremacy between the R5 cars in the British series and the Irish Tarmac Championship regulars. We are hopeful that our local home-grown talent will again be fighting for pole position in their respective categories in all the major championships included in this year’s event.
Robert continues; “It’s great returning to a venue for the second year and this which could only be made possible by our sponsors Derry City and Strabane District Council and John Mulholland Motors, along with Tourism NI and Visit Derry, our local stage sponsors and the 800 volunteers who give of their time so generously. The plan’s in place to make 2017 the best event yet.”
Headline Sponsor, John Mulholland Motors is based in Randalstown and Campsie and John himself was one of the first to put in his entry for this year’s event.
“This is our second year of a three-year agreement as main sponsors of the Ulster Rally, an event I have been competing in since 1994.
This year is extra special for us as it marks my 25th anniversary of participation in this iconic motorsport event. To celebrate I will be behind the wheel of a new Skoda Fabia R5 sporting a black and gold livery in recognition of us wining the UK Skoda retailer of the year (for the second time).”
Welcoming the event back to the City is Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh; “I am absolutely delighted that the Rally organisers have teamed up with our local club – Maiden City Motor Club – to bring this prestigious sporting event to the North West region for the second year in a row. It's also great to have our local sponsor, John Mulholland from Campsie on board once again.
In terms of economic benefit for the city and region, the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally will have a huge impact in terms of bringing visitors to the City who will stay locally and hopefully spend money at our local restaurants, shops and bars. We are confident the Rally will create a great buzz and excitement across Derry and Strabane throughout the month of August.
Entries for the event are now open and the organisers, The Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd anticipate a top line up of local and International competitors and a host of the frontrunners from the various Irish and Northern Ireland Rally Championships. Also included in this year’s Ulster Rally programme is the popular Historic section and the recently introduced Junior category.
Rally Guide is available to download from the competitors section of the website www.ulsterrally.com/competitors
For latest news and updates on the events, check out the website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ulsterrally
Thinking of Rallying…think the Ulster Rally - New Rally Guide launched for John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally
Posted: May 21, 2017 10:17 AM
With the rally season well underway, it’s time to think of this year’s John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally with the launch the new Rally Guide giving you all the information you need to plan this year’s event. The Rally takes place on 18 and 19 August with the start and finish taking place in the beautiful Walled City of Derry/Londonderry, and a regroup in Strabane and stages amidst the drama of the surrounding Sperrin Mountains.
Robert Harkness, Event Director explains “This year’s Rally Guide gives you all the information you need to plan your trip to the Ulster Rally including the most important part of submitting an online entry.”
Robert continues “However, if there is any other information you need, you can contact us through our website or social media. This year’s event is well into the planning stages and I can assure you, it promises to be as exciting as ever. If you are competing, part of the support crew or enjoying the spectacle, it’s not to be missed.”
Rally Guide is available to download from the competitors section of the website www.ulsterrally.com/competitors
For latest news and updates on the events, check out the website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ulsterrally
Ulster Rally set to return to Walled City in August
Posted: March 27, 2017 9:18 AM
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said she was delighted that Ulster Rally organisers have again teamed up with local club, Maiden City Motor Club and Council to ensure the return of the prestigious sporting event to city and district.
Speaking at a launch event in Ebrington Square on Wednesday 15th March, the Mayor, who was accompanied by rally stars and race organisers, confirmed the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally will take place on the 18th and 19th August and will be returning to the city for its second year and will be sponsored once again by local business, John Mulholland from Campsie. She said, ?We are here today to officially announce the event which will be centred here at Ebrington Square.
"Having the event in the city last year, during its 40th year celebrations, attracted lots of visitors from not only the UK and Ireland but also from throughout Europe. The feedback was fantastic and I'm delighted that those who participated and attended last year enjoyed our beautiful city and district. Many of those I spoke to following the event had visited here for the first time and left with fond memories of the warm and friendly welcome they received during their stop over.
"Motorsport has a huge following across the North West so this will be a real treat for motoring enthusiasts and spectators. This will be an action packed, fun weekend that will not only see visitors coming to the city but will also be a great opportunity for local supporters to enjoy this world renowned motor sport event on their door step."
Robert Harkeness, President of the Northern Ireland Motor Club, promoters of the Ulster Rally said they were looking forward to this year's event in the City; "It's a great privilege to bring the rally back to Derry/Londonderry for the second year. We had great feedback from the competitors after last year's event who particularly liked Ebrington as their base for Service Park. Spectators to the stages were some of the largest we had seen in a number of years in 2016 and we expect those to grow this year again.
"The rally takes a lot of organising and it is only possible with the support of Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Maiden City Motor Club, John Mullholland Motors and over 800 volunteers who travel from far and wide. We are looking forward to an exciting set of revised stages in 2017, especially the introduction of the Re-Grouping halts in Strabane Town Centre which will give spectators the opportunity to get up close to the competitors," Robert continued.
For more information on the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally which will take place on 18th and 19th August 2017, visit the event website, link below.
Dates announced for 2017 John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally
Posted: February 16, 2017 2:32 PM
Keep the date in you diary and make sure you are booked in for the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally on 18 and 19 August 2017. Returning to Derry/Londonderry for its second year, there will be a few familiar stages alongside some different ones, just to mix it up.
Club Chairman Alan Elliott is looking forward to the 2017 event. "We are excited about this year's event which is possible thanks to the continued support of our key sponsor, John Mulholland Motors, Randalstown and Campsie. The John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally operations team are currently finalising all the details and we'll bring you more information as plans progress."
For event updates and latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ulsterrally
News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
Links
Upcoming 
Most