Bishopscourt (Ballynahinch) - 18 Mar 06

Posted: March 20, 2006 9:56 PM

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Dungiven’s Kevin Lynch victorious at Saturday's McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally!

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Results
POS DRIVER/CO-DRIVER (CAR ) TOTAL
1 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC) 31:10.0
2 Glen Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 31:34.2
3 Martin Doherty/Derek McGarrity (Subaru Impreza WRC) 31:41.1
4 Sean Devine/Damian Duffin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 32:02.9
5 Paddy White/Graeme Stewart (Subaru Impreza WRC) 32:24.9
6 Martin Elliott/Brian Crawford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 32:36.5
7 Richard Hogg/Andrew Stewart (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) 32:41.6
8 Dickie Curran/Chris Curran (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) 32:43.6
9 Rodney White/Robert Boyd (Talbot Sunbeam ) 33:07.0
10 Stephen Kelly/Sam Paul (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) 33:09.2

Class 1: James Coulter/Ian Kidd (Peugeot 106)
Class 2: Martin Elliott/Brian Crawford (Lancer Evo 6)
Class 3: Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty (Vauxhall Corsa)
Class 4: Jonathan Nevin/Gareth Nevin (Escort Mk2)
Class 5: Walter Nevin/Stephen Nevin (Escort Mk2)
Class 6: Mervyn Williamson/George Hamilton (Escort Mk2)
Class 7: Rodney White/Robert Boyd (Talbot Sunbeam)
Class 8: Sean Devine/Damian Duffin (Impreza WRC)

Leaders after
SS1-6 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Cancelled
SS3 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Download Full Resulrs and Stagetimes in Word Format

Photos:
RMS - www.reallymeansounds.com
neillpics.co.uk
Roy Dempster Photos
SD Rally Photographs
Motorsport Photography by Anthony Hunter
Sperrins Photography - John O'Neill
Eymard Brennan Photography

Ballynahinch & District Motor Club

• 2006 Northern Ireland Rally Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS 14/03/06
County Down's Bishopscourt Stages Rally ready to roll!
This Saturday’s McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally sees the cream of Northern Ireland’s rally talent burst back into action at Bishopscourt Race Circuit. Based just outside Downpatrick, County Down, the circuit plays host to the second round of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship.

One month ago, Dungiven’s Kevin Lynch took victory at the championship’s opening round in his KPL backed Subaru. He survived a close encounter with the Kirkistown Race Circuit scenery on the final stage to take a narrow victory over second placed Michael Curran.

Lynch is still undecided about his attendance at this weekend’s event, and it looks as though he’s going to keep everyone guessing once again, including himself!

"There’s no hard and fast rule at the minute," Lynch said, "and I’ll say the same as last time - there’s a 95% chance I won’t be there. But at the same time, it’s in the back of my mind. Now I’ve sold my tarmac car but I suppose since you’ve asked if I’m going to go, I’ll have to start thinking about it!"

Seeded at number two, Cookstown’s Glenn Allen is aiming to improve on his fourth placed Kirkistown finish. The Corolla pilot, who is also contesting this year’s Dunlop Irish National Championship, admits that circuit based events are not his strong point. Nonetheless, another good points finish at Bishopscourt will bolster his chances of lifting the championship title.

Strabane’s Sean Devine heavily damaged his car at another event in Mayo earlier this month, so his entry is also in doubt. County Fermanagh’s Raymond Johnston, seeded fourth, was perhaps picked up the most surprising result at round one, taking third overall in his Hankook Tyres backed car.

Other crews capable of taking the honours include Dromara’s Denis Biggerstaff, who has his 17-year-old son Stuart in the navigator’s seat. The father and son pairing already proved to be successful at January’s New Year Stages Rally, which they won outright. Listed in their Subaru Impreza WRC, Denis will be aiming to mark victory number two on his card at Bishopscourt, an event which he won six years ago.

Dungiven's Brendan O’Hagan, Ballymena’s George Robinson and Liffey’s Martin Doherty complete the top eight entries. Doherty’s entry is particularly interest as the Impreza pilot has former a Northern Ireland and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion reading the notes. Glengormley’s Derek McGarrity will swap roles for the day and call the notes for Doherty.

Production category
The battle for outright Group N honours at round one couldn’t have been much closer, with Greyabbey’s Dickie Curran and Antrim’s Martin Elliott separated by one-tenth of a second at the event finish! It was a case of ‘round one to Dickie’ but Elliott will be looking for revenge at Bishopscourt. Both men drive Mitsubishi Lancers and will face opposition from former Production champion, Limavady’s Richard Hogg, as well as Gary Rodgers and a host of other drivers.

Superdrive sponsored Two-wheel-drive
Rodney White is one of the favourites for two wheel drive honours. The Crumlin man took his Talbot Sunbeam to second in the category at Kirkistown, second only to Wesley Patterson’s mint Mark 2 Escort. Patterson decided not to enter Bishopscourt, so White’s main rivals will come from Maghera’s Barry McKenna and Draperstown’s Camillus Bradley.

Summary
Scrutiny for the McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally takes place at Modern Tyres Service, Boucher Road (Belfast) on Friday 17 March.
The first car is due over the start ramp at 9am on Saturday 18 March.
All six stages will be based within the confines of Bishopscourt Race Circuit.

Top 20
NO DRIVERS/CO-DRIVERS (CAR)
1 Kevin Lynch/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC)
2 Glen Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
3 Sean Devine/Damian Duffin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
4 Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
5 Denis Biggerstaff/Stuart Biggerstaff (Subaru Impreza WRC)
6 Brendan O'Hagan/Paul Hone (Ford Focus WRC)
7 George Robinson/Tommy Speers (Ford Escort WRC)
8 Martin Doherty/Derek McGarrity (Subaru Impreza WRC)
9 Dickie Curran/Chris Curran (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5)
10 Martin Elliott/Brian Crawford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
11 Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5)
12 Gary Rodgers/Geoff Patterson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
14 John McGaffin/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC)
15 Stephen Kelly/Sam Paul (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5)
16 Kieron Graffin/Neil Doherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)
17 Brendan Kelly/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)
18 Alan Connoly/Rodney Wallace (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)
19 John Walker/Dessie Wilson (Subaru Impreza N8)
20 Paul McKenna/David Crossan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
21 Jonny McKenna/Eugene Okane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)

Full Entry list on

Ballynahinch & District Motor Club

• 2006 Northern Ireland Rally Championship