Kirkistown Stages - (Sat) 14 Feb 15

McErlean Wins Epic Second Junior 1000 Round!

Posted: December 21, 2015 9:58 AM

The second round of the 2015 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, took place at Kirkistown. Eight Juniors lined up for the six stages laid on by the North Armagh Motor Club, for what proved to be a great event, the Junior?s for the first time doing two stages back to back.

Starting at number one was round one winner Josh McErlean, the 15 year old with a new co-driver Damien Duffin. The 107 driver took a 4.5 second lead on stage one, but the expected battle with Daniel Harper who ran him so close on round one never materialised, when a drive-shaft broke on stage one and the 14 year old was stranded. He re-joined the event for practice recording a fastest time on stage three, but it was major blow for his title ambitions.

It was never going to be simply a two horse race however, as Michael McGarrity started in a new car, the ex Alex Vassallo Citroen C1 which has won twenty seven Junior events in the UK. This new car, enabled the 16 year old Belfast driver to once again to show his ability and he closed to within 2.5 seconds of Josh with two stages to go. However a moment running wide on stage five and he lost time on the final loop dropping to third, just fifteen seconds off the winner. It was a good showing from Michael however.

Snatching that second place was 14 year old Peter Bennett, the Loughgall driver with Arthur Kierans alongside in the Citroen C1. He set a scorching fastest time on the final stage. Peter had dropped some time on the slippery opening loop but really came back in the later stages, to grab that second place, and has put himself right in the title race.

Philip White, the 16 year old in his Nissan Micra, was lying fourth going into the final two stages, but it had been a day of drama for the Crumlin driver and co-driver Martin McGarrity. They started well with a good time on stage one, but a major high speed shunt into the barrier on stage three, and were lucky to continue. It all came to a sad end however on stage five, locking up into a chicane, striking a lorry tyre and damaging the front suspension.

That left 16 year old Jack Cairns taking fourth place in his 107 Peugeot. Jack had experienced driver Andrew Purcell in the passenger seat, and his times improved a lot from round one, but he did have a few dramatic spins along the way! In fifth place was series newcomer Ruairi Bell in his Superdrive Nissan Micra. He had last year?s champion co-driver Liam Regan alongside and after a steady start, also picked up the pace. The 15 year old made the trip over from London for the event and will for the next round, his father Harvey Bell having been a top co-driver in the past.

That wasn?t all as 16 year old Bailie McClinton arrived at Kirkistown with the ex-William Creighton Citroen C1. Despite limited practice in the car the Broughshane driver was fifth after stage two, but retired on the third stage with a mechanical problem.

The win however belonged to Josh McErlean, who held onto the lead all day, despite clouting a chicane on stage four.?It was a great day? said Josh. ?It was very close, and the guys were coming back at us today, but very enjoyable once again. It really is a great championship.?

The championship for 14-17 year old drivers, now heads for Bishopscourt on the 14th March and is also supported by the rally classified website www.rallysales.eu

Photos

Posted: December 21, 2015 9:54 AM

Phil Stewart Motorsport Photography

Results

Posted: December 21, 2015 9:45 AM

Kirkistown Stages - (Sat) 14 Feb 15 - RESULTS (Main Field)
Kirkistown Stages - (Sat) 14 Feb 15 - RESULTS (Juniors)

Results by: RallyScore.Net

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: February 11, 2015 8:31 PM

Kirkistown Stages - (Sat) 14 Feb 15 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST (Main Field)
Kirkistown Stages - (Sat) 14 Feb 15 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST (Juniors)

TOP CLASS ENTRY FOR ST. VALANTINES DAY? EUROCABLES RALLY

Posted: February 4, 2015 8:08 PM

North Armagh Motor Club, organisers of the first round of the 2015 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship, the Eurocables Stages Rally at Kirkistown Racing Circuit on Saturday 14 February, is delighted by the quantity and quality of the early entries received so far for the event. The rally, which includes the second round of the 2015 Junior Rally Challenge Ireland, has attracted almost 60 entries to date with a full week to go until the official closing date.

Vying for the overall honours will be reigning champion Derek McGarrity in his Subaru Impreza S14, along with other seasoned Subaru drivers Kenny McKinstry, Kevin Barrett, Martin Cairns and Emma McKinstry, and Alan Carmichael in a Mini Countryman WRC.

Entries in the hotly contested Group N category include Kieron Graffin in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 and Paul Barrett in a newly acquired Subaru Impreza N14.

The battle for the top 2 wheel drive car should also be worth watching with the 2.5 litre Escorts of David Armstrong and championship sponsor Fintan McGrady, and the extremely powerful Darrian T90 in the hands of Dessie McCartney.

The little 1 litre Junior Challenge cars should provide a real spectacle if all eight of the currently registered competitors, and a couple of new ones make the starting line.

Entries do not close until Monday 09 January and Supplementary Regulations and Entry Forms can be downloaded from the club website, www.namcc.com, or the Association website, www.anicc.org.uk. Requests for hard copies of the Regulations or any other queries on the rally should be made to the Event Secretary, who can be contacted at 07745 959141 / +447745 959141.

If you are not competing, please come along to help us by marshalling, an invaluable job as without the marshals we would not be able run this event. Chief Marshal can be contacted on 07727 960594 / +44 7727 960594

Press Release 1

Posted: January 12, 2015 8:41 PM

North Armagh Motor Club will run the first round of the 2015 MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship, the Eurocables Stages Rally, on Saturday 14 February 2015. The event also incorporates the second round of the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland.

The Club is very pleased to have retained Mr Shane Braniff and his Eurocables (Belfast) Limited industrial network and security product supply company as sponsor of the rally following its year out of the championship, and is indebted to Shane for his continued assistance and financial support as, without this, the event would not be possible.

The event will comprise of 6 mainly tarmac Special Stages within the confines of Kirkistown Racing Circuit, with the first Stage due to start at 10.00am. In an effort to reduce costs to the competitor, all vehicle scrutiny and documentation this year will take place on the morning of the event between 6.00am and 9.00am

Supplementary Regulations and Entry Forms for the event can be downloaded from the club website, www.namcc.com, or the Association website, www.anicc.org.uk. - Links Below

If you are not competing, please come along to help us by marshalling, an invaluable job as without the marshals we would not be able run this event. Chief Marshal for the event can be contacted on 07727 960594 / +447727 960594.

Regulations / Details

Posted: January 12, 2015 8:40 PM

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