2014 Northern Ireland Rally Championship

Cool FM Host Gareth Stewart Hits the Rally Stages!

Posted: March 5, 2014 1:21 PM

Cool FM breakfast show host, Gareth Stewart will be in at the deep end this season as he experiences the 2014 McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship from different perspectives. The Bangor based radio host is keen to compete, and will have his first experience of the sport on the opening round at Bishopscourt on the 15th March. Here he will get a run in a rally course car, and also a behind the scenes look at how an event is run, thanks to members of the Ballynahinch and District Motor Club.

Gareth said:
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be supporting the 2014 NI Stage Rally Championship. I have a deep-rooted passion for all things motorsport and am really looking forward to experiencing a stage in the first round of the Championship at Bishopscourt on 15 March.

"I'm a real adrenaline junky and with my new-found taste for rallying want to take the next step to earn my rally Licence. With training and support from Superdrive Motorsports Centre, my plan is to take the driver's seat and get behind the wheel as soon as possible.”

Gareth plans to attend each round, with regular chat on his shows, and we will keep track of how this rallying novice progresses during the season. Northern Ireland Championship press officer Andrew Bushe is delighted to welcome him to the series. “I think it will be good for the championship and the sport to have Gareth on board. It will give a new perspective, will help to further promote the series in the main-stream media, and i wish him good luck for this first foray into rallying.”

Radical Re-Vamp for 2014 McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Championship!

Posted: March 5, 2014 11:40 AM

The 2014 McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship was launched today by Fintan McGrady and David Greer who are synonymous with rallying, through their motorsport exploits across the UK. Both Fintan McGrady (McGrady Insurance) and David Greer (Carryduff Forklift) are experienced competitors, and are delighted to be continuing their association with the championship which now has a new co-ordinator, Bob McKeown from Cookstown.

This exciting championship will be decided over seven rounds across Northern Ireland, six of these on tarmac and just one on gravel, as the new rotational calendar system comes into play. It presents the best chance of a two wheel drive car taking series honours since the Stephen Mawhinnney took the 1994 title in an Opel Manta 400! If they fail to beat the WRC’s for the overall honours, they will battle it out for the Carryduff Forklift Two Wheel Drive trophy. The WRC entry could be an interesting one, with Ballymoney’s Alan Carmichael promising a full season in a Mini WRC, and last year’s champion Derek McGarrity also now in possession of a Mini WRC. All classes of car are equally welcome in the NIRC from the ever popular Group N class, to modified cars of all capacities and the Montgomery Motorsport Historic category.

The first round commences on 15th March at Bishopscourt and concludes with the closed road Down Rally on the 18th October. Indeed an unprecedented five rounds of the series are on closed road tarmac this season, as Northern Irish rallying benefits from the use of more road closing orders.

Another huge incentive introduced for this season is the NIRC joining the “Road to Wales” initiative, where the overall championship winner will receive a free entry into the National section of Wales Rally GB (value £930) and also travel assistance to the November event. It’s a big year for rallying in Northern Ireland, with Dungannon’s Kris Meeke contesting the WRC with Citroën, the European Championship Circuit of Ireland ahead, the 50th Anniversary of Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte Carlo victory, and now the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Championship is about to kick into life.

Championship Rounds

Posted: March 5, 2014 11:39 AM

1. Bishopscourt Stages - 15 Mar 14
2. Circuit of Ireland Rally - 18-19 Apr 14
3. Tour of the Sperrins - 10 May 14
4. Mourne Rally - 07 Jun 14
5. Ulster Rally - 15-16 Aug 14
6. Lakeland Stages - 06 Sep 14
   Reserve Omagh Bushwhacker Forestry Rally - (Sat) 27 Sep 14
7. Down Rally - 18 Oct 14
   Reserve Kirkistown Stages - 25 Oct 14

Northern Ireland Rally Championship