Ulster Rally - (Sat) 17 Aug 24

Rally Programme - Available to Download

Posted: August 14, 2024 3:08 PM

ULSTER RALLY PREVIEW - MATT EDWARDS - Calling Ulster Rally winner almost impossible

Posted: August 14, 2024 12:51 PM

Welshman Matt Edwards says it is anyone’s guess which Rally2 driver is going to come out on top when a capacity field assembles in Newry this weekend for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally.

Edwards – who heralds from the seaside town of Llandudno – is a double winner of the closed-road competition which hosts the penultimate round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Success came when he was at the pointy end of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship – a competition he went on to dominate on three occasions, with his most recent title coming in 2021 when he prevailed at the end of a season-long battle with his compatriot, Osian Pryce.

Once again, Edwards is in contention to lift a trophy, with a win on Easter’s Circuit of Ireland and top-three finishes in Killarney and Donegal keeping him in Irish Tarmac title contention. However, with February’s Galway International ending in retirement and therefore counting as one of his permitted drop scores, the pressure is very much on Edwards to score strongly.

“It is hard to say,” was Edward’s response when asked if his previous victories on the Ulster lanes makes him something of a favourite. “That was some time ago now. I think there are five or six of us all needing a good result on this event and everyone is still trying to find seat time in their cars and driving at competitive speeds, so picking a clear favourite is very hard.

“However, I think having a general feel for the geography of the Newry area, even if the stages are not the same, does help. I don’t think there is much, if anything, identical to the route of 2021, but going by past results, I would say I am comfortable on the technical nature of the roads in the area and enjoy the challenge they bring. They’re slower in terms of average speed to Donegal, for instance, but that suited us on the Circuit this year, so that bodes well for us.”

In some ways, the scenario Edwards faces this Saturday is similar to 2021 and although a win will not guarantee him the crown before the Cork ‘20’ International, it will go a long way. “It gives us a simple goal,” he admits. “It was nice to be able to prepare appropriately for that in 2021 and deliver when it mattered, so I will be calling on that experience again for this one.

“The pace is going to be hot from the first mile, as has been the way on every other round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. Myself and Dave [Moynihan co-driver] have been quick out the blocks on each of the last few rallies now, with seat time and my familiarity with the Ford Fiesta Rally2 improving, so we should be there or thereabouts come the end of the Ulster.”

Further information on spectator viewing points, as well as a time and distance schedule and seeded entry list for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, are now available from the official event website (www.ulsterrally.com), link below.

CRONIN AND GALVIN READY FOR TARMAC TITLE RUN-IN

Posted: August 14, 2024 12:51 PM

The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is entering its title run-in phase, with just this Saturday's Ulster Rally and the Cork '20' International remaining to be completed. Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin are endeavouring to regain the Tarmac crown they last held in 2016, and will be targeting a win on the Ulster in the M O’Brien Group of Companies/Lyons Motor Group/Shane Casey Electrical Services Ford Fiesta Rally 2 to maximise their chances of securing the championship in Cronin's home county of Cork next month.

Cronin holds a slender lead at the head of the ITRC Driver standings, 1.5 points ahead of Matt Edwards, with Callum Devine a further 8.5 back in third. Josh Moffett in fourth place is 23 points off Cronin's tally. With 22 points awarded for a win, the destiny of the Tarmac Championship title is still wide open, and the best five from seven scores rule effectively narrows the margins even further. With five rounds already completed, the protagonists will be dropping their worst results from here on, and maximum points will be the target for all. Cronin and Devine have two wins each in the series so far, while Edwards has one.

"Obviously if we won both rallies it would put it beyond all doubt, but there are some other combinations that would work for us as well, depending on where the others finish," said Cronin. "A win in Ulster would be ideal, we could then see what was required in Cork and work our targets around that," he added.

While the Killarney and District Motor Club crew finished third on the Grampian Forest Rally, a round of the British Championship, last Saturday, the return to sealed surfaces on the Ulster stages around Banbridge and Newry will be welcome for Cronin. "I've definitely found it easier to adapt to tarmac this year, the couple of gravel rounds of the BRC haven't gone hugely well for us, although we did get on par with the leaders last weekend as the rally went on. Things have just clicked into place sooner on the tarmac," he said. Indeed, wins on the Galway International, West Cork Rally and Jim Clark Rally, second on the Circuit of Ireland, and fastest time on ten of the fourteen stages on the Rally of the Lakes, where a puncture ended his chances of victory, amply highlight his pace on closed roads, an off on the Donegal International being the only blot on the copybook during the season. "Even though it was on a different surface, hopefully the 'seat time' from last weekend will be a help on Saturday too, there is no substitute for it, it's far more valuable in that regard than a day spent testing," Cronin concluded.

The Ulster route will consist of ten stages in all, the first commencing just before 9am. There will be three Services in Newry during the course of the day, with the rally winners due at the Finish Ramp at 5.30pm.

Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin are supported by M Group of Companies, Lyons Motor Group, Shane Casey Electrical Services, Molson Equipment, Pirelli, EARS Motorsport Ireland, Cronin’s Centra (Ballylickey, Union Hall, Leap, Millstreet and Dundrum), Cronin’s HomeValue Hardware, Westlink Service Station and Daybreak Shop, Cremin Coaches, Keohane Seafoods, M-Sport and Wurth Ireland. Their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 is prepared and run by Tom Gahan Motorsport.

CALLUM DEVINE INTERVIEW - More to come from me and Skoda at Ulster Rally

Posted: August 14, 2024 12:48 PM

Reigning Irish Tarmac Champion Callum Devine is keen to kick on in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 at this Saturday’s Modern Tyres Ulster Rally following a winning debut in the new supermini.

Devine caught fellow competitors and local fans off guard in June when he crossed the start ramp of the Donegal International Rally in the Czech-built car following a brief test aboard it.

The decision to switch over from his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to the Fabia was rewarded with back-to-back Donegal successes – an outcome that bolstered the defence of his Tarmac title, and reduced the deficit to his rivals and Ford Fiesta exponents Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards.

Asked if he believes there is more to come from him and the Fabia in a few days’ time, Devine said:
“I hope so. I do feel, having done a rally in the car, that it will help me. In Donegal it was a case of trying different things throughout the rally, particularly with the set-up – there was a bit of learning – but now we’ve something to work on, hopefully we can start a bit stronger.”

Played out over one day, ten special stages, and eighty-three competitive miles, the winner is going to be the person who finds their groove quickest and keeps their driving neat and tidy.

Unlike Cronin and Edwards, 30-year-old Devine – a former Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award recipient – has never visited the top step of the podium at the Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd event, which has undergone something of a refresh in what is its forty seventh year.

“It will be great if we could get a win on the Ulster Rally this time around. We have managed a third and a second on our last two visits, so hopefully we can go one better,” said Devine.

“It would definitely leave us in a good position heading towards the final round in Cork if we do, but no doubt Keith and Mat will be thinking the same. It will be a big battle at the front.

“It will definitely be a strong pace this year, much like all the other rallies have been in the Irish Tarmac Championship so far this year. Hopefully the weather is better – more settled – this time, because in previous years it has definitely added another challenge for the drivers.” Further information on spectator viewing points, as well as a time and distance schedule and seeded entry list for the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, are now available from the official event website (www.ulsterrally.com), link below.

Top positions finely poised for Tarmac's penultimate Ulster round

Posted: August 14, 2024 12:45 PM

Samdec Security International ITRC
Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan lead the Ulster Rally’s 101-car strong entry as the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship heads north for its penultimate round of 2024.
Ten tough stages over 130 stage kilometres will decide this year’s winner and give a strong hint at who could become Ireland’s latest Tarmac Rally Champions.
Devine is yet to win the Ulster Rally but will start first on the road after finishing behind rally winner Adrien Fourmaux 12 months ago. The Skoda Fabia Rally2 pilot is looking to make it three ITRC wins on the bounce, a run that has put him right back into title contention after a tricky start to the year.
Leading the seven-round series are Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin who started the year with two sensational wins but blows in Killarney and Donegal mean they’ll be looking to rebound in Newry. The Cork-Killarney crew hold a 10-point championship lead over Devine and O’Sullivan with Circuit of Ireland winners Matt Edwards and David Moynihan sandwiched between.
Edwards looked set to secure his first-ever Donegal International Rally win last time out only to damage a steering arm on the final day. Still, his never-give-up attitude ensured he picked up third-place points to move within 1.5 points of Cronin.
With dropped scores considered, the gap between Irish Tarmac’s top three crews is cut to a tantalising five points. This is an end-of-season run-in you can’t afford to miss.
Two-time Irish Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett is seeded fourth for the Ulster Rally and is another top name looking to etch his name on the winners' list for the first time.
Up-and-coming Rally2 drivers Eddie Doherty and David Kelly have both impressed this year and will be keen to challenge for a podium finish on Saturday’s stages.

McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC
Local ace Jason Black tops the Ulster Rally’s modified entrants alongside Galway co-driver Karl Egan. The Toyota Starlet duo finished inside the top ten last year as they took Ulster’s two-wheel-drive victory.
Black will face stiff opposition from Ulster rivals Damian Toner and Frank Kelly who themselves are in an intense battle for the Modified ITRC title.
Kelly holds a slender one-point advantage with two rounds remaining and will have to be at his best to withstand Toner who has narrowly missed out on Ulster success in recent years. Camillus Bradley, Oli Benton, John Devlin, and Gareth Black will provide further two-wheel-drive entertainment on the stages outside Newry.

Sherwood Engines Historic ITRC
Wales’ Tomas Davies could seal the Historic ITRC title if results go his way on the Ulster Rally. West Cork and Circuit of Ireland wins have helped give him a 37-point lead over Ray Breen with two rounds to go.
Breen, and co-driver Damien Morrissey, will be hoping to utilise their Subaru Legacy’s power to take their second top-points finish of the year.
Davies will have 2022 championship-winning co-driver Anthony O’Sullivan calling his pacenotes on Saturday with O’Sullivan currently leading the co-driver standings by 12 points.
2023 Ulster Historic winners Trevor Wilson and Paul Mulholland start just behind Davies and O’Sullivan as they look to record their first ITRC Historic win of the year.
Spectators will be treated to the spectacular sights and sounds of Adrian Hetherington’s Fiat 131 Abarth with David Armstrong’s Ford Escort completing the top five Historic entries.

Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC
Barry McIntyre will be aiming for a drama-free run on the Ulster Rally as he bids to move ahead of Dylan Sheehan at the top of the Junior ITRC standings. McIntrye will be navigated by leading Junior ITRC co-driver Brian Keohane.
The Honda Civic duo tops the Ulster’s Junior entry ahead of the Nissan Micra of Philip White and Liam Callaghan.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: August 6, 2024 4:51 PM

1 Callum DEVINE Noel O'SULLIVAN (ŠKODA Fabia RS Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
2 Matt EDWARDS David MOYNIHAN (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
3 Keith CRONIN Mikie GALVIN (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
4 Josh MOFFETT Andy HAYES (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
5 Eddie DOHERTY Tom MURPHY (ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo) [RC2 Rally2]
6 David KELLY Dean O'SULLIVAN (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2 Rally2]
7 John MACCRONE Kirsty RIDDICK (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
8 James FORD Neil SHANKS (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
9 Andrew PURCELL Liam BRENNAN (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [N8]
10 Jason DICKSON Martin BRADY (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
11 Cal MCCARTHY Eric CALNAN (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
12 Jason BLACK Karl EGAN (TOYOTA Starlet) [N6]
14 Damian TONER Aodhan GALLAGHER (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
15 Frank KELLY Lauren KELLY (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
16 Camillus BRADLEY Crawford HENDERSON (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
17 Steve WOOD Kenny HULL (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [N8]
18 Shane MURRAY Ben TEGGART (FORD Fiesta R5) [RC2 Rally2]
19 Oli BENTON Kyle DIFFIN (FORD Escort Mk2) [N5]
20 John DEVLIN John MCCARTHY (FORD Escort Mk2) [N5]
21 Gareth BLACK Connor DUNLOP (TOYOTA Starlet) [N5]
22 Joe HEGARTY David TURKINGTON (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
23 Johnnie MULHOLLAND Calum MAGUIRE (FORD Fiesta Rally3) [RC3 Rally3]
24 Wayne SISSON Michael HENDRY (MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo X) [N9]
25 Jonny CARGO Mo DOWNEY (FORD Escort) [N5]
26 Stewart MORRISON Johnny BAIRD (FORD Escort) [N5]
27 John GORDON James MCENEANEY (FORD Escort) [N5]
28 Fergal MCGUIGAN Michael MORAN (FORD Escort) [N5]
29 Tomas DAVIES Anthony O'SULLIVAN (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H6]
30 Trevor WILSON Paul MULHOLLAND (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H6]
31 Adrian HETHERINGTON Ronan O'NEILL (FIAT 131 Abarth) [H6]
32 Raymond BREEN Damien MORRISSEY (SUBARU Legacy RS) [H6]
33 Gordon CUNNINGHAM Stuart MCMANUS (MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo IX) [N9]
34 Steven ARMSTRONG Philip ARMSTRONG (FORD Escort) [N4]
35 David ARMSTRONG Ivor FERGUSON (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
36 Hugh MCQUAID Martin BYRNE (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
37 Duncan WILLIAMS Guy WEAVER (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
38 James MCCARVILLE Arthur KIERANS (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [N5]
39 Scott SINGLETON Dylan WILSON (FORD Escort) [N6]
40 Philip GREENLEE Dylan HARRINGTON (FORD Escort) [N6]
41 Gareth IRWIN Justin MCCAULEY (FORD Escort) [N6]
42 vacant, in memory of former winner Craig Breen
43 Joseph KELLY Killian MCARDLE (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
44 Cian CALDWELL Liam EGAN (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
45 Jack BRENNAN John MCGRATH (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
46 Aoife RAFTERY Hannah MCKILLOP (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
47 Chris FORD Neil COLMAN (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2 Rally2]
48 Alan NESBITT Rodney HUGHES (FORD Escort) [N6]
49 Ryan MCARDLE Domhnall LENNON (FORD Escort) [N4]
50 Philip HAMILTON Joe COMERFORD (FORD Escort) [N4]
51 Robbie ALLEN Emer KEARNS (FORD Escort) [N5]
52 David PORTER Terry WALKINGSHAW (FORD Fiesta R5) [N8]
53 Jonathan STRAIN TBC (PEUGEOT 205 Gti) [N4]
54 Jimmy MILLS Ashley TRIMBLE (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
55 Andy JOHNSON Jimmy MCSHERRY (VAUXHALL Chevette HSR) [H3]
56 Andrew BIRD Richard PULLEYN (FORD Escort) [N6]
57 John ADAMS Ian KIDD (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
58 Fintan MCGRADY Dean BECKETT (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
59 Craig MACWILLIAM Guy MACWILLIAM (FORD Escort) [H2]
60 Colm MCFALL Margo CHRISTIE (HONDA Civic) [N3]
61 Robert ERWIN Neil ERVINE (TOYOTA Corolla) [N3]
62 Darragh KELLY Ashley BOULTON (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [N3]
63 Se Og MARTIN Michael LAVERTY (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
64 John O'ROURKE Jack KENNEDY (OPEL Corsa Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
65 Adrian CANNON Ivan HERNON (FORD Escort) [N4]
66 Simon GORDON W John HENDERSON (VAUXHALL Astra) [N5]
67 John O'REILLY Nick SPARKS (FORD Escort) [N5]
68 Daniel HAMILL Garth NEILL (BMW 328 Ti E36) [N6]
69 David PEDLEY Grace PEDLEY (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H6]
70 Noel VALLELY Neill VALLELY (TOYOTA Corolla) [N4]
71 Fabian MCALEER Steven MONAGHAN (FORD Escort) [H2]
72 Owen MALLON TBC (FORD Escort) [N5]
74 Aidan KILKENNY Tomas RYAN (FORD Fiesta Rally4) [RC4 Rally4]
75 Peter HEDGES James HEDGES (FORD Escort) [N6]
76 Chris GEORGE Chris JOHNSTON (BMW 330i E46) [N6]
77 Chris MCGURK Lucie GUTTERIDGE (FORD Escort) [N6]
78 Maurice GASS Damien MCCANN (FORD Escort) [N6]
79 Adam BROGAN Adrian MURDOCH (BMW 328 Ti E36) [N6]
80 Jim MCDOWALL Charlotte MCDOWALL (FORD Escort RS1800 Mk2) [H3]
81 Allan MACKAY Shona HALE (FORD Anglia 'WRC') [N3]
82 Richard SOMERVILLE John NICHOLL (FORD Escort) [N5]
83 John O'KANE Cathair HUGHES (FORD Escort) [N4]
84 Michael NUTT David NUTT (FORD Fiesta R2) [N2]
85 Richard O'LONE James TURKINGTON (FORD Fiesta Rally3) [RC3 Rally3]
86 Iarla CARTY Jack CARTY (OPEL Adam R2) [N3]
87 Mark FAULKNER Tony MCGOVERN (VAUXHALL Nova) [N3]
88 Jamie BOYLE Conor CARR (HONDA Civic) [N3]
89 Francis RAFFERTY Adam LANGAN (HONDA Civic) [N3]
90 Ian DAVIES Ryland JAMES (BMW M3) [H6]
91 Letisha CONN TBC (BMW 1M E87) [N6]
92 Luke CAPLICE David MCSORLY (HONDA Civic) [N3]
93 Cormac MCDERMOTT Ronan DORRIAN (FORD Fiesta) [N3]
94 Malcolm PEDLOW Billy REGAN (BMW 2002 Tii) [H2]
95 Barry LEESON Barry LEESON Jr (AUSTIN Mini Clubman) [N3]
96 Alan MOFFETT Adrian PARK (MINI Cooper One) [N3]
97 Danny O'DONNELL JP BOYLE (TOYOTA Corolla) [N3]
98 Joshua BAIRD John HENDERSON (VAUXHALL Corsa) [N2]
99 Eddie COGAN Ellie COGAN (PEUGEOT 106 Rallye) [N2]
100 Malcolm JOHNSTON Sam MAGILL (FORD Fiesta ST) [N1]
101 Ed COLTON Enda SHIELS (HILLMAN Avenger) [H2]
102 Brian CARSON Adam CARSON (AUSTIN Mini Cooper S) [H2]


Juniors & Micra
103 Barry MCINTYRE Brian KEOHANE (HONDA Civic) [J1]
104 Philip WHITE Brian ROWAN (NISSAN Micra) [J1]
105 Stanley ORR Jane EDGINGTON (NISSAN Micra Kit Car) [M1]
106 Andrew BUSHE Geraldine MCBRIDE (NISSAN Micra Kit Car) [M1]
107 Sean FOY TBC (NISSAN Micra) [M1]
108 Raymond MCLAUGHLIN Martin MCBREARTY (NISSAN Micra) [M1]
109 Richard CREAGMILE Tracey BAXTER (NISSAN Micra) [M1]

Entries Received

Posted: July 8, 2024 10:59 AM

Entries Received:

Main Field: https://www.rallyscore.net/#/entry-list/3160?Modern-Tyres-Ulster-Rally-2024-Entry-Form
Junior and Micra: https://www.rallyscore.net/#/entry-list/3203?Modern-Tyres-Ulster-Rally-2024-Junior-and-Micra-Entry-Form

Sportity

Posted: July 8, 2024 10:58 AM

On Line Entry / Regulations / Rally Guide

Posted: June 23, 2024 7:08 AM

On Line Entry / Regulations:

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Ulster Rally