Ulster Rally - 18-19 Aug 23

LIVE STREAM SERVICE RETURNS FOR 2023 MODERN TYRES ULSTER RALLY

Posted: August 16, 2023 4:38 PM

For the third consecutive year, the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is going to be streamed to a global audience, with rolling coverage being provided across each day of the closed-road competition.

Fans unable to make it to Newry for the Irish Tarmac, British Rally Championship and European Rally Trophy-counting event can keep up-to-date via the official website – www.ulsterrally.com – as well as its Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/Ulsterrally – across both Friday and Saturday by HM Productions.

Xavier McCartan and Michael Patterson – two well-known voices in Irish rallying – will be on hand to provide commentary and expert analysis – and help make sense of the times as they come in.

This will be accompanied by footage captured during the course of the event using a blend of in-car and fixed position cameras, stage-end interviews with drivers and their co-drivers, as well as reaction between each loop of speed tests from a busy service park in Carnbane Industrial Estate.

Clerk of the Course Wayne Turkington has confirmed the live streaming service is due to begin at 14:45 on the Friday and finish late that evening – covering the night stages, before resuming at 09:00 early Saturday and coming to a conclusion once the podium celebrations and trophy presentations have concluded late afternoon.

“The live coverage has proven very popular with followers of the event, as indicated by viewing figures from 2021 when it was first rolled out and again last year. The service is still a new concept for the Ulster Rally, but its success speaks for itself,” said Clerk of the Course, Wayne Turkington.

“Live streaming is an important way for spectators and indeed members of the media to follow the action from wherever they are in the world, and to show the event to a truly global audience.”

Further live coverage will be provided by the British Rally Championship, with Onthepacenote providing extra flavour to the immersive worldwide coverage.

The live coverage package is set to complement the highlights reel that follows in the days immediately after the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, with this focusing on the overall battle, as well as those crews from the British Rally Championship and also the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Spectator Programme available to download

Posted: August 16, 2023 2:44 AM

2023 Modern Tyres Ulster Rally Preview

Posted: August 16, 2023 2:35 AM

Who will be crowned the 2023 Irish Tarmac champion? And can anyone stop the Adrien Fourmaux juggernaut in this year’s British Rally Championship? Those two questions – and many more beside – are going to be answered at this weekend’s Modern Tyres Ulster Rally which gets underway from 3pm on Friday with a ceremonial start in the host city of Newry.

Organised and promoted by Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd, the Ulster Rally is the only event in the UK and Ireland that brings the biggest and the best names in international rallying together in the one place for what promises to be the standout highlight of the province’s sporting calendar.

The closed-road classic has a reputation for attracting rallying’s top talent, including Arti Vatanen, Walter Rohrl, Jari-Matti Latvala, multiple World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier, and Elfyn Evans.

Joining that list for the 46th running of the competition is Adrien Fourmaux, who is dovetailing his commitments with M-Sport Ford in the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC2 support series with a full programme in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship. So far, the young Frenchman has been untouchable on gravel and asphalt, chalking up victories on each of the first three rounds in England, Scotland and Belgium respectively alongside Alexandre Coria to top the BRC standings.

This is their first visit to the Ulster but given their experience of competing at the sport’s top level, the expectation is that they will be among the crews challenging for the win. Standing in their way is Garry Pearson and Daniel Barritt, with the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 team-mates set to provide the main opposition as four-time British Rally Champion Keith Cronin has decided to miss this one.

Fourmaux, however, admits he is surprised at his own victory count so far.
“Yes, of course I am,” he says, “because I know how high the level of competition can be in national championships. But it is important to remember the Championship is only three rounds old – it is still very young.”

Fourmaux and Pearson will share the stages with a group of ultra-fast and ultra-successful Rally2 drivers from the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Although not in direct competition with their counterparts from the British Rally Championship, bragging rights will be at stake for Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2), Meirion Evans (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5), and Callum Devine who is aiming to wrap up a first title in fairy tale fashion by making it victory number five of the 2023 campaign.

Success on the penultimate round in Cork has placed Devine in the book seat, however, with there being points-and-a-half up for grabs over the two legs, reigning Irish Tarmac champion Moffett and last year’s Ulster victor Evans both stand a mathematical chance of spoiling Devine’s party.

Other drivers who could well have a say in the destination of the trophy is Jonathan Greer, James Ford and Robert Barrable in their respective Citroen Racing C3 Rally2 superminis, Cathan McCourt (Ford Fiesta Rally2), and Gareth MacHale (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) – the son of Austin MacHale.

In Rally4 – a class for turbocharged front-wheel-drive cars – is also well represented. Kyle White, Shane Quinn, Charlie Wright, Letisha Conn and Stephen Waugh have all submitted their entries.

Clerk of the Course Wayne Turkington said:
“The entry list reads like a who’s who of the very best local Rally2 talent and the appearance of Adrien Fourmaux only adds to the sense of excitement and anticipation. We are very privileged to be the sole event in the UK or Ireland where drivers from two top-flight international series come together to do battle. On top of that, all the main teams and manufacturers – Volkswagen, Citroen, Hyundai, and M-Sport Ford – are going to be represented so there is going to be a willingness on their part to win this illustrious competition.”

Organisers have previously confirmed that over a third of the competitive mileage for the 2023 instalment of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is new to increase the challenge. Across the two legs, crews can expect to face a blend of smooth and fast-flowing rural side roads to bumpy, tight and technical country tracks. And being Northern Ireland, the weather is another factor that could well come into play making tyre choice crucial. “The more I think about it the more I believe that this week’s Ulster Rally has everything competitors and fans could wish for,” added Turkington.

The Friday element is entirely different to 12 months ago. Consisting of one special stage in the Rostrevor area and a second on the outskirts of Banbridge, these are run twice and total 32-miles. At more than twice that competitive distance, Saturday is the longest leg of the entire weekend.

As always, rally goers will have unparalleled access to the cars and the stars at one of two town centre regroups: on the Friday afternoon (5pm) Banbridge Civic Building will provide the backdrop and from midday the following day it is the turn of the Armagh City Hotel to play host to the crews.

Up-to-date information for competitors and fans is available via the Sportity App using password UR2023, whilst a free spectator programme is available online (www.ulsterrally.com) at the start of rally week.

BRC battle heads for the Ulster Rally

Posted: August 16, 2023 2:30 AM

After a year’s sabbatical from the series, the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally sees the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship return to Northern Ireland for the prestigious two-day closed-road event next weekend [18/19 August].

Having hosted a sensational 2021 BRC finale where the title was decided on the closing stages in Matt Edwards’ favour, the challenging lanes around the Newry base will also see the British and Irish Tarmac Rally Championship crews resume their friendly rivalry for the top spot.

This time around, the Ulster Rally marks the fourth round of the British Rally Championship season and the third asphalt event of four in a row, meaning many crews will be on form as they gain momentum on a sealed surface. A refreshed look to the itinerary means a new challenge for returnee’s, with over 32 miles of flat-out action lying in wait as dusk arrives on Friday night.

Saturday offers six tests and 65 miles in daylight, but the mixture of tight and twisty lanes, smooth open roads, and the Northern Ireland weather, means it’s sure to be as daunting as ever for the BRC protagonists.

Not only will they have Irish regulars and former BRC contenders such as Callum Devine, Josh Moffett, and Jonny Greer to contend with, but they will also have to battle against World Rally Championship WRC2 ace, Adrien Fourmaux who heads to the event fresh from an impressive performance at WRC Rally Finland last weekend.

The Frenchman launched himself into the BRC in March with victory on M-Sport’s home turf in the forests of Cumbria and continued his winning ways with victory at the Jim Clark Rally and Ypres in his Ford Fiesta Rally2.

With three wins, he and Alex Coria have control of the title fight, but with their plans for the remainder of the season unconfirmed, the championship is far from a foregone conclusion. Add in double points on the final round of the season, the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally and up to four contenders are still in with a chance of taking the spoils.

Volkswagen Polo pilot Garry Pearson has been quietly racking up the points this season and apart from a non-finish on the Jim Clark, has done enough to throw his hat into the title ring despite having to get used to the Polo this season. With former WRC co-driver Daniel Barritt alongside, Pearson may well employ a tactical game to further enhance his chances and playing his Joker is a sign of that intent.

It's also the return of BRC4 contenders Steve Waugh and Mark Broadbent in Ulster. The Ford Fiesta R2T pairing was another to skip the Belgian trip but will continue to build experience and mileage for the future as they too, head to Northern Ireland for the first time.

The Junior BRC fight reignites as the young hotshots aim for category glory. Lisburn’s Kyle White and Sean Topping are in the pound seat in their Peugeot 208 Rally4 and compete on familiar stages. On home soil, they will be hard to beat but simply cannot afford to relax.

Kyle McBride and Liam McIntyre are not far behind in the standings, as they enjoy a hattrick of second places already this season; a win in Ulster would draw them ever closer to the top. The Fiesta Rally4 crew have endured a tough season, so a clean run could net big points at the weekend.

But Casey Jay Coleman enjoyed his first Junior BRC victory in Ypres and cannot be ruled out of another win on an event closer to home. The Irishman and co-driver Lorcan Moore have been building the mileage outside of the BRC in 2023, and their pace is hotting up as a result.

Ballymena’s Alan Carmichael will be looking for the National win in his Hyundai i20 R5, to add to his Jim Clark maximum score. He has Claire Williams on the notes this time around and knows the stages well, meaning a solid overall performance is on the cards.

After the Newry start, the action gets underway on Friday afternoon with a repeat loop of two stages before an overnight halt. Saturday provides the bulk of the mileage, with three stages repeated, before the ceremonial finish back in Newry in the late afternoon.

Stakes are high for ITRC's Ulster Rally finale

Posted: August 15, 2023 12:43 PM

Samdec Security International ITRC
12 months on from 2022’s tense Ulster Rally finale, the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will yet again go down to the wire on the two-day classic.
Callum Devine, Josh Moffett, and Meirion Evans’ consistent three-way rally battles this year put them all in contention for 2023’s highly prized Irish Tarmac title.
After four wins on the previous four rounds, from the Circuit of Ireland to the Cork 20, Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan are in a strong position to become Irish Tarmac Rally Champions for the very first time.
Devine needs a fourth-placed finish or higher, on Ulster Rally’s points-and-a-half decider if he is to seal the championship. The Claudy driver has said before, however, he intends to go for rally wins at the end of the season, especially his home Ulster Rally. Will he change his tune with a title on the line?
Cork 20’s runner-up finish keeps Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson in the title hunt heading to the final round. However, seven stage wins and a red-flagged final test left Evans disappointed that he missed out on his second win of the season in Cork.
The Welsh pairing will have to quickly refocus on the Ulster Rally, knowing that a repeat of their 2022 win will be the only way they can sneak a surprise Irish Tarmac title.
Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes are in the same boat, knowing that victory on the Ulster Rally and a finishing position of fifth or lower for Devine is the only way they can retain their ITRC crown.
While the odds are stacked in Devine’s favour, a top-class Ulster Rally entry of Rally2 cars means a top-four finish is not guaranteed.
Gunning for Ulster Rally glory, Jonny Greer, Desi Henry, and Cathan McCourt are all ITRC registered and could inadvertently impact the title fight between Devine, Evans, and Moffett. Seeded second, Adrien Fourmaux adds a World Rally Championship flavour to ITRC’s championship finale. Can he beat the Irish Tarmac regulars on their home turf? Jason Mitchell, James Ford, and Gareth MacHale are just a few more of ITRC’s Rally2 regulars featuring in an extremely competitive Ulster Rally top twenty. They’ll be keen to prove their pace against high-class opposition.

Rally4
The ITRC 4 title is still up for grabs on its final round, the Ulster Rally. Shane Quinn is in a prime position to seal the title after strong finishes throughout the year backing up his Circuit of Ireland win.
Joseph Kelly and Casey Jay Coleman are his main rivals, with both less than 10 points behind after dropped scores.
Wales’ Ioan Lloyd is a real dark horse, though. Lloyd has shown immense pace over the past three rounds, winning in Killarney and the Cork 20. He’ll need a win and his rivals to hit trouble if he is to secure the title.

McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC
Recently crowned McEvoy Motorsport Modified Irish Tarmac Champion Eddie Doherty can celebrate his success with a no-pressure run through Ulster Rally’s demanding set of stages. Doherty will have a few local modified masters to gauge himself against on the County Armagh and County Down roads.
Those local challengers include Toner brothers Damian and Marty who will vie for bragging rights in their Ford Escort and BMW respectively.
Another Armagh man, Jason Black, returns to Irish Tarmac action with his Toyota Starlet alongside trusty navigator Karl Egan. Black has transitioned nicely to his 2.5-litre engine powering his Starlet this year and an Ulster Rally victory would be the cherry on top of an already positive year.
In Class 6 (13), Oliver Benton and Gareth Black will renew their rivalry in a Ford Escort and a Toyota Starlet.

Synergy Motorsport Engineering Historic ITRC
Another crew able to enjoy the Ulster after championship-winning Cork 20 outings is the Ford Escort RS1800 pairing of Duncan Williams and Guy Weaver. They face Historic opposition from a host of Ulster-based drivers including Cork 20 winner Trevor Wilson.
David Armstrong, Andrew Bushe, and Andy Johnston, are a few more local names that will eye up success on the Newy-based event.

Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC
Robbie O’Hanlon and Darragh O’Donovan are set to go head-to-head in Ulster Rally’s Junior decider.
O’Hanlon and his co-driver Oisin Joyce hold a slender two-point advantage going into the final round of the Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC. They have led the series since a top points score on Galway Rally’s opener, however, Darragh O’Donovan and Michael White have been slowly reeling them in after fuel injector woes forced them to retire on round one.
Wins in West Cork, Killarney, and most recently the Cork 20 put O’Donovan and White right back in the mix and now head to the Ulster knowing that it’s going to be a winner takes all final round of the season.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: August 9, 2023 12:42 PM

1 Meirion EVANS/Jonathan JACKSON (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
2 Adrien FOURMAUX/Alexandre CORIA (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
3 Callum DEVINE/Noel O’SULLIVAN (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
4 Josh MOFFETT/Andy HAYES (HYUNDAI i20 N Rally2) [RC2]
5 Jonathan GREER/Niall BURNS (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
6 Robert BARRABLE/Gordon NOBLE (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
7 Cathan MCCOURT/TBA (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
8 Desi HENRY/Paddy ROBINSON (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
9 Euan THORBURN/Keir BEATON (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
10 James FORD/Neil SHANKS (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
11 Garry PEARSON/Daniel BARRITT (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
12 Jason MITCHELL/Paddy MCCRUDDEN (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
13
14 Ryan LOUGHRAN/Gareth DOHERTY (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
15 Darren GASS/Barry MCNULTY (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [RC2]
16 Joseph MCGONIGLE/Ciaran GEANEY (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
17 Andrew PURCELL/Shane BUCKLEY (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [N9]
18 Stuart BIGGERSTAFF/Anthony NESTOR (FORD Fiesta R5) [N9]
19 Gareth MACHALE/Brian MURPHY (VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi R5) [N9]
20 Niall HENRY/Barney MITCHELL (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [N9]
21 Alan CARMICHAEL/Claire WILLIAMS (HYUNDAI i20 R5) [N9]
22 Neil ROSKELL/Rob FAGG (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [N9]
23 Damian TONER/Aodhan GALLAGHER (FORD Escort Mk2) [N7]
24 Jason BLACK/Karl EGAN (TOYOTA Starlet) [N7]
25 Marty TONER/Ben TEGGART (BMW 1M) [N7]
26 Camillus BRADLEY/Crawford HENDERSON (FORD Escort Mk2) [N7]
27 Eddie DOHERTY/Eoghan DOHERTY (FORD Escort Mk2) [N7]
28 Sean DEVINE/Elaine NÍ SHÉ (FORD Fiesta R5) [N9]
29 Conor MCCROSSAN/Martin BRADY (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [N9]
30 Liam MCMULLAN/Patrick DURNING (FORD Fiesta R5) [RC2]
31 Oliver BENTON/Kyle DIFFIN (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
32 John DEVLIN/John MCCARTHY (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
33 John GORDON/Paul MCPHILLIPS (FORD Escort Mk2) [N6]
34 Gareth BLACK/Connor DUNLOP (TOYOTA Starlet) [N6]
35 Johnny CARGO/Stephen JESS (FORD Escort) [N6]
36 Wayne SISSON/Peredur DAVIES (MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo X) [N8]
37 Kyle WHITE/Sean TOPPING (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4]
38 Kyle MCBRIDE/Liam MCINTYRE (FORD Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
39 Ioan LLOYD/Sion WILLIAMS (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4]
40 Johnnie MULHOLLAND/Eoin TREACY (FORD Fiesta Rally3) [RC3]
41 Casey Jay COLEMAN/Lorcan MOORE (FORD Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
42 vacant, in memory of former winner Craig BREEN
43 Shane QUINN/Stephen REYNOLDS (FORD Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
44 Joseph KELLY/Ronan COMERFORD (PEUGEOT 208 Rally4) [RC4]
45 Chris FORD/Neil COLMAN (CITROËN C3 Rally2) [RC2]
46 Gordon CUNNINGHAM/Stuart MCMANUS (MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo VII) [N8]
47 Duncan WILLIAMS/Guy WEAVER (FORD Escort Mk2 RS1800) [H3]
48 Mickey CONLON/Domhnall LENNON (FORD Escort) [N5]
49 Gareth DEAZLEY/Simon ROGERS (FORD Fiesta R200) [N4]
50 Kevin QUINN/Michael LAVERTY (FORD Escort) [N6]
51 Shane CULLEN/Philip MITCHELL (FORD Escort) [N7]
52 Adrian GRANT/Olivia CHAMBERS (FORD Escort) [N7]
53 Scott SINGLETON/Dylan WILSON (FORD Escort) [N7]
54 Chris MCGURK/Mark MCGEEHAN (FORD Fiesta Rally2) [N9]
55 Steven ARMSTRONG/Philip ARMSTRONG (FORD Escort) [N5]
56 Garry ARMSTRONG/Chris SIMMS (FORD Escort) [N6]
57 Philip HAMILTON/Joe COMERFORD (FORD Escort) [N5]
58 Quentin PARK/TBA (FORD Escort) [N5]
59 Fergal MCGUIGAN/Michael MORAN (FORD Escort) [N6]
60 Trevor WILSON/Paul MULHOLLAND (FORD Escort Mk2 RS1800) [H3]
61 David ARMSTRONG/Ashley TRIMBLE (FORD Escort Mk2 RS1800) [H3]
62 Andrew BUSHE/Ivor LAMONT (VAUXHALL Chevette HSR) [H3]
63 Andy JOHNSON/Jim MCSHERRY (VAUXHALL Chevette HSR) [H3]
64 Simon GORDON/John HENDERSON (VAUXHALL Astra) [N6]
65 Niall CAREY/Ciaran CAREY (BMW E36) [N7]
66 Harry JOHNSTON/Chris JOHNSTON (BMW 325i E30) [N7]
67 Daniel HAMILL/Nathan QUIN (BMW 328ti E30) [N7]
68 Justin MCCAULEY/TBA (FORD Escort) [N6]
69 Patrick FITZPATRICK/James MCENEANEY (FORD Escort) [N3]
70 Noel VALLELY/Neill VALLELY (TOYOTA Corolla) [N3]
71 Ronan GREENE/Gerard GREENE (VAUXHALL Nova) [N3]
72 Anthony O’BRIEN/TBA (TOYOTA Corolla) [N4]
73 John ADAMS/Michael JOHNSTON (FORD Escort Mk2 RS1800) [H3]
74 Andrew SIMMS/Robert HAROLD (FORD Escort) [N5]
75 James WYLIE/Adrian MURDOCH (FORD Escort) [N5]
76 Stephen MCGURK/TBA (FORD Escort) [N6]
77 Maurice GASS/Ivor FERGUSON (FORD Escort) [N7]
78 Adam BROGAN/Sam MCMULLAN (BMW 328ti E36) [N7]
79 Peter HEDGES/James HEDGES (FORD Escort) [N7]
80 Alex MCNAUGHTON/TBA (FORD Escort) [N5]
81 Fabian MCALEER/Steven MONAGHAN (FORD Escort) [H2]
82 Richard SOMVERVILLE/John NICHOLL (FORD Escort) [N6]
83 Nicolas ALCORN/James MCGLINCHEY (HONDA Civic) [N4]
84 Enda MCBRIDE/TBA (HONDA Civic) [N4]
85 Craig ALCORN/Darren MCNAMEE (HONDA Civic) [N4]
86 Richard O’LONE/Jarlath KELLY (FORD Fiesta R200) [N4]
87 Stephen WAUGH/Mark BROADBENT (FORD Fiesta R2T) [RC4]
88 Marshall KENNEDY/Davy YOUNG (HONDA Civic) [N2]
89 Roger KENNEDY/Wendy BLACKLEDGE (PEUGEOT 306 GTi) [N6]
90 Patrick BLUM/Niklas BLUM (BMW 328is E36) [N6]
91 Gary MURPHY/Tony MCGOVERN (FORD Escort) [N6]
92 Alan MOFFETT/Adrian PARK (MINI Cooper One) [N4]
93 Arnold LUTTON/Adam CARSON (FORD KA) [N3]
94 Charlie WRIGHT/Adam WESTERBY (FORD Fiesta R2T) [RC4]
95 Letisha CONN/Ciara GRIFFIN (FORD Fiesta R2T) [RC4]
96 Malcolm PEDLOW/Billy REGAN (BMW 2002tii) [H2]
97 Harold BUNTING/Dessie WILSON (MORRIS Mini Cooper S) [H1]
98 Malcolm JOHNSTON/Sam MAGILL (ŠKODA Felicia) [N3]
99 Sean SCANLON/Glen CINNAMON (HONDA Civic) [N2]
101 Darragh O’DONOVAN/Michael WHITE (HONDA Civic) [J1]
102 Ben MCINTYRE/Andrew WEDLOCK (HONDA Civic) [J1]
103 Robbie O’HANLON/Oisin JOYCE (HONDA Civic) [J1]
104 Dean CURRAN/Darren CURRAN (HONDA Civic) [J1]
105 Joshua BAIRD/John HENDERSON (VAUXHALL Corsa) [J1]

Modern Tyres Ulster Rally - New Challenges

Posted: August 4, 2023 1:53 PM

NEW FRIDAY LEG FOR REFRESHED ULSTER RALLY

More than a third of the competitive mileage of next month’s Modern Tyres Ulster Rally (18/19 August) will be all new as the organising Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd (NIMC) look to intensify the challenge.

It promises to have a mix of everything from smooth and fast-flowing country roads to bumpy, tight and technical country tracks that are barely the width of a car in some places. As always, the weather is another curve ball drivers and co-drivers must overcome if they are to be successful.

The Friday element is completely changed to last year and will consist of one special stage in the Rostrevor area and a second on the outskirts of Banbridge. Run twice, these will total 32.36-miles, with the second pass more difficult as these will be played out as dusk arrives and darkness falls.

Saturday is the longest of the two days for competitors, both in terms of time and distance. Dotted between Armagh and the host city of Newry, six more speed tests weighing in at 65-miles await.

As always, rally goers will have unparalleled access to the cars and the stars at one of two town centre regroups: on the Friday afternoon (5pm) Banbridge Civic Building will provide the backdrop and from midday the following day it is the turn of the Armagh City Hotel to play host to the crews.

Returning Clerk of the Course Wayne Turkington says there was a general consensus amongst the organising team to give the route for this year’s Ulster Rally a fresh twist.
“The reputation of the event is one that challenges and rewards those who take part in equal measure – and we feel the tweaks that have been endorsed for the forty sixth running of it build on that,” said Turkington. “Friday’s stages have not been used on a rally for some time now and we expect these to ask all the right sort of questions of the crews. Saturday, meanwhile, takes us to more familiar territory.”

Being a counting round of the cross-border Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, and the FIA European Rally Trophy (ERT), a strong entry is expected for next month’s Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – a highlight of the local sporting calendar.

Up-to-date information for competitors intending to make the trip to Newry on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19, is now available via the Sportity App using UR2023. A free spectator programme will be released online at the start of rally week.

Entries open: Mon 26 Jun 23 @ 8pm

Posted: June 23, 2023 3:28 PM

On Line Entry System by RallyScore

ULSTER RALLY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH CARBON POSITIVE MOTORSPORT

Posted: June 23, 2023 3:25 PM

The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is delighted to be partnering with Carbon Positive Motorsport for the 2023 event held on the 18-19 August.

There is an ever increasing need to reflect upon energy consumption by events and to act on mitigating the associated environmental impacts such as the carbon footprint generated by its running. The organising team behind the Ulster Rally believe that action is necessary to ensure the continued support of our stakeholders and the communities our event relies upon. Several events have begun to take such steps to help to make motorsport more sustainable for the future, and the Ulster Rally will be one of the first events in Northern Ireland and the wider Island of Ireland to run the initiative.

The Ulster Rally has decided as part of an environmental road map, to partner with Carbon Positive Motorsport, and to take significant steps to mitigate its carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon reduction units (CRUs)

These CRUs are sourced using only world class rewilding-based carbon offsetting projects certified by the Woodland Carbon Code. Such projects provide greater environmental benefits than offsetting alone and ensure that the economic benefits are retained within the country. The CRUs will provide assured carbon offsetting in the future, to the equivalent of an estimated CO2e level, using UK government carbon conversion factors that correspond to the forecasted fuel consumption of the organisers and competitors vehicles on the event day.

This forecast is based on actual competition and organisers vehicles fuel consumption, and will include an additional 25% offset level, to create a carbon positive level of offsetting in the long term.

The Ulster Rally have included a discounted £19 carbon offsetting charge per competitor within the entry fees – a relatively low cost for the quality of offsetting provided, and to secure the benefits for the event in the future. Competitors can select to opt out of this charge if they wish to do so.

“We are delighted to be in a position to partner with Carbon Positive Motorsport,” explained Clerk of Course Wayne Turkington. “Motorsport is widely viewed as a symbol for innovation and adapting to the needs of the community in the current climate. The Ulster Rally organising team want to see the continuation of the rally for generations to come and we need to start acting now to safeguard the future of the event.

“The rally provides a positive impact on the local community during rally week, and we always pride ourselves in leaving the roads, service area and regroups how we found them , and we want to be able to do that with our carbon emissions, by offsetting them and providing a positive impact.

“As part of the organising team, we appreciate the involvement and support from all of the competitors, supporters, sponsors, residents, spectators and councils for backing this initiative.”

The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally gets underway on Friday 18 August 2023. For more information, visit www.ulsterrally.com or on social media.

Rally Guide 1 Available / Sportity

Posted: May 12, 2023 12:43 PM

Sportity Password:

UR2023
(Download Sportity from App Store)

https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/UR2023

Ulster Rally