Ulster Rally - 1-2 Sep 06

Posted: September 6, 2006 11:50 PM

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WRC DEBUT A SUCCESS FOR EMMA MCKINSTRY & KENNY HULL
Last weekends Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally saw Emma McKinstry make history by being the first female driver to compete in a World Rally Car on a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. Not content with that, Emma and Kenny went on to finish a fantastic 15th overall and collect the award for first place in class A8, while Emma also took the highest placed lady driver award.

However Emma along with co-driver Kenny Hull didn’t have everything their own way, Emma struggled to get to grips with the S8’s launch control and as a result lost vital seconds due to stalls at the start line of several stages. A heart stopping moment also occurred in the queue for the start line of Friday nights Armagh Spectator special stage when the car refused to select a gear. Luckily Kenny McKinstry was able to talk Emma through the procedure to rectify the problem and kept the Triton backed car in the event, finishing the first leg in 21st overall.

Saturday morning saw horrendous conditions; heavy overnight rain had left the stages, slippery with a lot of standing water and mud. Far from ideal conditions to ‘learn’ a world rally car. But the pair rose to the challenge with a fantastic 13th fastest time on the opening stage. The beginning of the McGaffin Contracts crew’s ascent up the leaderboard.

But once again the Armagh Spectator special was to bite back, the car arriving at the end of the stage with a faulty throttle sensor causing the throttle to stick open. Emma and Kenny nursed the Powerscreen sponsored car back to service but unfortunately incurred 30 seconds road penalties in the process.

The problem was rectified in service and the team, happy just to still be in the event, headed for the last loop of five stages. However the tricky conditions were to catch Emma out on stage 13 Black Hill, locking up and overshooting into a bank on a square right junction, luckily the damage was only cosmetic.

Going into the third and final run through the Armagh spectator special, Emma and Kenny held 15th overall a mere 0.4 seconds ahead of rallying legend Jimmy McRae. However this short 3 mile stage which had already proved to be the pairs Achilles heel was to provide another sting in the tail as the McKinstry motorsport S8 stalled on the start line, the resulting time loss demoting the pair to 16th overall. But the story isn’t over yet, unbeknown to the team Ray Breen was to retire in the final service thus handing first in class A8 to Emma and Kenny along with 15th overall. All in all it was a demanding rally for the Banbridge pairing but most definitely a memorable one. Emma and Kenny would once again like to thank Triton Showers, McGaffin Contracts, Powerscreen Northern, Protec, Pirelli and ID Graphics for their support.

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Morrow proves his pace on home event
It was a copy-book performance by Lisburn driver Phillip Morrow for the first half of this weekend’s Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally, his times good enough to see him hold a strong second place in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge standings until his car aquaplaned off the road on stage seven.

However, with SuperRally rules allowing competitors who retire on the second day of an event the opportunity to feature in the results, albeit with considerable penalties applied, Morrow was able to scoop fifth place in the Evolution Challenge.

As well as being a round of the Mitsubishi series, the Ulster Rally was also a qualifying round for the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship.

The event featured 123 competitive miles held on closed public roads, with five timed special stages on Friday evening and a further 10 on Saturday, all of which were held not far from the host town of Armagh.

Although regarding the Ulster Rally as his home event, Phillip admitted he was not familiar with the stages. But his confidence through the lanes was destined to be enhanced by a last-minute appearance by experienced co-driver, the Glengormly-born and now Belgium domiciled Chris Patterson – Phillip’s regular left-hand-man committed to compete in the Rally of Japan.

An accident on SS1 saw the first stage cancelled, so it was stage two when Morrow signaled his intentions and immediately secured second place in the Evolution Challenge standings behind the vastly experienced Gwyndaf Evans.

Enthusing that his Pirelli-shod Evolution IX had never performed or handled better, Phillip reveled in the unique characteristics of the Irish lanes and after a further three stages was pleased to find himself holding an even stronger 2nd place in the Mitsubishi series and fifth in the British Rally Championship standings.

Torrential rain greeted crews on Saturday morning and, as if the stages were not demanding enough, the wet conditions had made grip levels even more unpredictable.

Having made it unscathed through the first of the day’s stages Phillip embarked on SS7, only to be caught out by a pool of standing water on the inside of a right hander which sent the car onto the grass on the outside of the bend. With very few options available to him, Phillip quick-wittedly decided that the safest choice was to direct the car though a gateway – unfortunately with the gate still in place! Having entered the field Phillip was more than a little surprised – and disappointed, to find that the ground dropped away so severely his Mitsubishi rolled-over as it plunged down the bank.

Thankfully both crew members were unhurt and, with the damp soil being so soft, the damage to the car was superficial. However, it took them longer than they wanted to extract their Mitsubishi from its temporary agricultural environment and by the time they reached the next service halt they had exceeded their 15-minute limit for maximum lateness and were out of the event.

Thanks to international status events incorporating SuperRally regulations, Phillip was able to get his car to the finish and be classified in the results, the outcome of which saw him collect all-important fifth-place points for the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.

“I was so pleased with the way everything was going on Friday”, said Phillip. “The car was spot-on and my lines through the corners were giving us times that were comparable to the front-runners in the British Championship. But with conditions changing so dramatically on Saturday, I realized that I would need to take it more cautiously, but there was so much water around it was just a lottery as to whether you stayed on the road or not – and we didn't.”

“Luckily the car is not too bad, so we can get it fixed well before the next round which is the Rally of Yorkshire on 7th October. We’re back on gravel then which I prefer, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Phillip’s 2006 campaign is supported by Pirelli, Morrow Fuels, Fitzsamuel Insurance, Lyons European Haulage, Lagan Motor Factors, DGM Motorsport, Kelly’s Toyota, Proflex, PIAA, Speedline Corse, AMS gear kits, BADMC and RPM Promotions.

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GASS LEFT FLAT IN ULSTER
Darren Gass and Neil Shanks were classified as fourth in Super 1600 on this weekend’s Ulster International Rally, but exited the event early on day two with alternator and battery failure. The FIA sanctioned event rules mean that if a competitor retires part way through the final leg of the event but can present the car at parc fermé, he is classified as a finisher.

The event had a shaky start for everyone as the first stage was effectively cancelled. The second car on the road crashed blocking the stage, making stage two the start of the rally. “It was a bit of a let down,” said Darren, “but at least nobody was hurt and there wasn’t much of a delay.” The crew had successfully tested the car in the previous week, diagnosing a problem with the flat-shift, a device that allows gear changes without lifting off the accelerator. “We managed to tweak the suspension for the bumps as well,” he said, “so I was itching to get out on my local lanes.”

The crew set off into stage two but immediately struggled with the pace-notes, Neil admitting that they were not perfect. “It is always difficult to get ‘notes right for technical stages when you can only reconnoitre at low speeds, but we managed to amend them on the first run and they should be better second time through.” Darren also suffered with a long brake pedal that shook his confidence, so the Crozier mechanics replaced all the brake pads and bled the system at service, resolving the problem for the final pair of stages.

The first of these was a re-run of the cancelled opening stage and the crew’s rally continued to be fraught. The intercom became intermittent over the bumps and as darkness drew in, Darren braced himself for the final test. “I’ve only done a couple of stages in the dark before,” he said, “and while the lights are excellent it’s still pretty scary out there.” Todd’s Leap proved tricky for all the front wheel drive cars, Darren and Neil having a “wee moment” when the car bottomed out on landing. They returned to Armagh relieved to have made it through the opening five stages.

Day two dawned very wet with running water down the stages and mud on the road making the first eight mile test treacherous. Darren managed to stay between the hedges but the conditions meant grip levels were very low. “There’s no grip coming out of slow corners and the braking areas are a nightmare,” exclaimed Darren, “We went for the right tyre but its hideous out there.”

The next stage would see an end to their run as the electrical system began to shut down as the alternator failed, flattening the battery. “First we lost the wipers, then the fan and we decided to call it a day before the cooling fan stopped and we cooked the engine.” explained Darren back at service. The wisdom of his action was based on Roman Kresta’s similar experience the day before; his engine had overheated after losing the alternator belt. After Jim Crozier had waded across a sodden field and fitted a new battery, Darren drove the car back to parc fermé to be classified as a finisher.

“Definitely one to put behind us.” said a downhearted Darren in Armagh later, “We are supposed to be running as course opening car on the Plains Rally in three weeks as a pre-Rally Yorkshire test. Obviously there will be no pressure as we won’t be timed, so I hope we can make some progress with the gravel set-up now all the tarmac events are over.”

The next round of the British Rally Championship is Rally Yorkshire on the 7th October. The very compact one day event is based at Pickering showground and uses classic forests such as Dalby and Cropton as well as a spectator friendly stage around the showground.

Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill, EMC Autopax, PIAA, AC Vehicle Components, Sligo Pallets, Alpha Cam, Killycarn Sand & Gravel, Crozier Motorsport Engineering, Mountune Racing and ID Graphics for their continuing support in 2006. You can check on the team’s progress at

darrengass.com

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EUGENE DONNELLY/PAUL KIELY IRISH TARMAC CHAMPIONS
For the third time in succession, Maghera’s Eugene Donnelly and Sligo’s Paul Kiely are Irish Tarmac Rally Champions in their venerable Toyota Corolla WRC, and it was a win achieved in super style by winning the Ulster International Rally for the second time. “It really hasn’t sunk in that we have won the championship for the third time, but to win here on the Ulster is fabulous.” The Ulster International proved to be an extremely challenging event this year, and Eugene and Paul had the championship to think about during the rally. “It was difficult to get a pace at the start. I took no chances early on with the championship in the back of my mind, and our first stage time was steady enough. When it got into the night stages we really attacked though. I love the night time stuff, rallying in the dark is brilliant.” With two excellent times on the night stages, after reverting back to his Manx dry settings, Eugene had a good lead going into the ten stages on day two, where the meat of the rally took place. But the heavens opened on Saturday morning and at times the stages where absolutely saturated, with pools of standing water. “I knew we had a good lead and we just bolted on wet tyres for the first loop, and I decided just to leave the set up.” It transpired that the Esker Bus and Coach Corolla’s handling was more bus like, as it slithered through the Hollow and Friary Lough tests, Eugene losing the lead to Peader Hurson, but the Warrenpoint Subaru driver soon went off the road and the Corolla was back at the front of the timesheets.

Back at service some new Kumho’s with more channels to clear the water were bolted on, the suspension was set to wet settings and the Corolla was handling much more to Eugene’s liking. “As soon as I drove the car out the road it felt good. Nevertheless we had a few moments throughout the day on the stages. I think when it got drier it was even slippier due to the mud pulled out on the second runs, but I really enjoyed the rally. The conditions made it such a challenge. The stages were superb, and the event for me was such a challenge, a real calculation match.” A puncture on the long Friary Lough stage, after clipping a rock cost Eugene nineteen seconds to a recovering Peader Hurson and despite the championship situation, the team wanted to win the Ulster. “I was surprised to have only dropped nineteen seconds with that puncture as we drove on it for three miles after clipping a rock, and I knew we had a bit of pace for the last two tests, then Peader went off for good, and we could ease the pace for the last stage.”

After chatting with championship co-ordinator Don Wilmont over the phone, Eugene realised that a win on the Ulster would sow up the championship. “It was only actually when we crossed the finish line of the last stage that the nerves hit a bit. To win the Ulster for the second time is wonderful, as it proves that last time was no fluke, but the championship isn’t overt yet. I signed up to do the whole championship, and that finishes in Cork. We’ll be there, although we have to decide what car to take, but there’s a good chance it will be the Corolla. With Markko Martin there it will be brilliant, another great boost for Irish rallying.” In the meantime Eugene is weighing up his options for the 2007 season. “We have about three things that we are assessing, and one is still the Corolla, as this year we proved that it had the pace in the wet and dry.”

For now however Eugene and Paul have rewritten the Irish Tarmac Championship record books by becoming the first crew to have won the series for three consecutive seasons. It’s been three seasons in the same car also, and the same team that have been the backbone of the success. “The team have been fantastic and of course no matter what car we decide on for next year, the team will be the same. I know we have got a great team and no one person stands out in it, but yet no one person doesn’t stand out. They have been exceptional.”

The next big task for the Donnelly Motorsport team however is to defend brother Charlie’s Irish National Championship lead in the same Corolla. “Like Eugene another win would wrap up the title for us with one round to go” quipped Charlie. Could the Irish rally record books be rewritten once more if two brothers take the two top titles in the land?

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JENNINGS TAKES PODIUM ON ULSTER
Garry Jennings and Enda Sherry took a fantastic third place overall on Garry’s first event in an Impreza world rally car on the Ulster International Rally this weekend.

Garry’s podium finish was even more satisfying as his inclusion in the event was only confirmed two hours before the start on Friday. He had originally completed the entry form with his usual Group N car but that was before the deal to use the ex Petter Solberg Impreza S9 had been finalised. The regulations state that the event stewards can overturn the FIA rule preventing a competitor from changing the category of his entry. This they did but only after all the International crews had agreed in writing to the change from class N4 to A8.

Drama over and placed seventh car on the road, Garry set about repaying the faith placed in him by JMB Enterprises, who were pivotal in the arrangement to hire the car from Derek McGarrity Motorsport. However, the first stage was an anticlimax for all the crews, as Tim McNulty’s accident blocked the stage, meaning everybody was allotted a notional time and the rally proper started on stage two.

The team had tested the car on Wednesday but the conditions were much different to those on the Friday stages. On dry roads and in relatively warm weather, Garry was able to use the anti-lag system for the first time in anger on stage two. “We’d tested in the wet and I couldn’t get on with the system,” he explained, “but it is definitely an advantage in the dry. The car is so responsive, but the main differences I’ve noticed apart from the acceleration, are the brakes and suspension.” He continued, “You can brake so much later into the corners than the Group N car and I’m convinced that we haven’t left the ground on some of the jumps; the dampers just soak up the landings, it’s brilliant.”

His approach on the first timed test was understandably cautious but the clock showed the crew in fifth place, just 8.5 seconds off the lead. “I think I left foot braked too much and the front brakes went off a bit.” said Garry, “And we had a dodgy intercom which was more annoying than anything. But there’s a load more to come out of the car, I’ve just got to learn how much I can push.” The final stage before service was the spectator special near Armagh and the pair set fourth fastest time, just three seconds off the lead, closing to within 0.4 seconds of Gareth Jones.

With darkness approaching, all the cars left service with spotlights fitted and with Garry and Enda back in full communication. Two more fourth fastest times moved Garry ahead of Jones although the crew had worked hard for the position. “I wasn’t sure what the problem was,” reported Garry, “but we had a couple of wild sideways moments in those stages before I realised it was a slow puncture on the rear.”

The overnight fourth place put them in that position on the road for Saturday’s stages, which may have started in daylight hours, but visibility was not much better than Friday night, as the weather had taken a distinct turn for the worse. Persistent rain had made the stages treacherous with patches where mud was washed across the road and rivers of water running down the wheel-tracks. Garry reverted to running without the anti-lag system engaged, losing some responsiveness but restoring his confidence in the slippery conditions.

The pair set about the stages, posting third fastest time on the opening eight miler, but not without a scare on the way. They clipped a bank and the car lurched onto two wheels, Garry managing to catch it before it went over. “There’s a bit of grass in the front and it doesn’t look much, but it was a moment I’d rather forget.” he grinned. The cracking time was not sufficient to hold back the charging Eamon Boland, who posted two scorching times, demoting Garry and Enda to fifth.

Tyre choice was critical in the variable conditions and Garry admitted that the next loop of three stages was difficult, “I didn’t need to look at the stage times to know e took the wrong tyre,” he shrugged, “I was having to brake really early for all the high speed approaches and to cap it all the paddle gear-change stopped working.” The manual stick is still fitted to the Impreza so he was able to manage, but it is set up for a left-hand drive car making it difficult to use easily. “The stick is only a back-up as the paddle change is very reliable.” he explained, “It was fixed in service by re-booting the programme with the laptop. All too technical for me but the guys from Prodrive sorted it in seconds.”

Stages eleven and twelve saw the weather improve slightly and the correct choice of Kumho tyre allowed the crew to push. They posted another third and fourth fastest times, maintaining the fourth place they inherited when Chris Meek dropped time with a puncture. Tyre choice continued to be difficult as rain was reported on the final loop of three stages. The service area, however, was dry and sunny so Garry chose an intermediate saying, “The cut Kumhos will work even when it’s drying, you’ve just got to know when to ease off a bit if they start to get too hot.”

His nerve was to be tested for a different reason on stage thirteen though, when he passed second placed Peader Hurson stranded at the side of the stage. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said, “Peader had gone off on a slippery section and was stuck off the road. I had to concentrate all my efforts not to make any silly mistakes. There was no way we could have caught Eamonn (Boland) for third and I wouldn’t have wished problems on the guys in front, but that’s rallying.”

The finish ramp in Armagh’s Mall beckoned and Garry was first to be interviewed as the top three were presented in reverse order. “It’s absolutely fantastic to be on the same podium as Eugene (Donnelly) and Eamonn and apart from clipping a wee post with the bumper, there isn’t a mark on the car. I can’t thank JMB Enterprises and all my sponsors, friends and family enough for all the support and help in getting us here. I hope they are as pleased as I am with the result and it goes some way to repaying their faith in me. There is one down-side though, there will be some sore heads in the morning! I’ve also got to thank Enda for a top job. It’s funny to think that when I was in Peugeots, he was sitting by Dessie Keenan and we had some close battles against each other.”

While there are no firm plans to compete in the car again, Garry is working closely with his sponsors to try and secure more time in a World Rally car and hopes a deal can be struck before next season.

The JMB Enterprises team would like to thank its sponsors: Autocar Logistics, Kumho Tyres, Walker Contracts, Sligo Pallets, Sydare Eggs, Euro Auto Salvage, OMP, Shell Racing Fuels, Performance Friction Brake Pads, Fyth Homes and Pettigo Diesel Services for their continuing support. The team would also like to thank Prodrive for all its additional support

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Evolution Challenge - Double victory for Evans in Ulster
This weekend’s Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally saw the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge make its debut in Ireland, where Gwyndaf Evans and his co-driver Huw Lewis recorded their second Mitsubishi series victory of the season. This result marked the first time an Evolution Challenge competitor has scored an overall event win, as Evans and Lewis also took the honours in the fourth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.

Based in Armagh the event started on Friday afternoon and featured five timed special stages on closed roads in the surrounding countryside.

With stage one cancelled because of an accident, Evans signalled his intentions on stage two and went quickest of all six Evolution Challenge runners. He then went on to record a further three fastest Evo Challenge times before the overnight halt, ending the day 19 seconds ahead of second-placed Phillip Morrow and holding third place in the BRC standings.

Although the rally is his most local Morrow was unfamiliar with the stages and therefore pleased with his performance on the first leg, reporting that his car had never gone better. Third was the domain of winner last time out - Jonny Milner, who was not as comfortable as Morrow in the Irish lanes and concerned that his car was lacking power out of the corners.

Having had to completely re-build his Mitsubishi following a big accident on the Isle of Man, Stuart Jones had wisely opted for a cautious approach although he was somewhat frustrated that he had made his pacenotes too safe and found himself in fourth place at Friday’s close of play.

Neil McCance and Connor McCloskey held fifth and six positions respectively, both Ulster-based drivers relishing the opportunity to compete on home soil. However, MacCance’s progress was impeded by a puncture on SS4 and McClosky was still getting used to hearing the instructions from his fourth co-driver in as many events.

Day-two saw a further ten stages in store, but the weather had changed dramatically overnight and torrential rain made the twisty asphalt roads extremely slippery and unpredictable.

The conditions caught out Last year’s Evolution Challenge Champion and Mitsubishi works driver - Ryan Champion, who rolled on the opening stage of the day. His team mate and 2004 Evo Challenge title holder - Rory Galligan, was slowed by the accident, the upshot of which saw Evans not only increase his advantage against he other Mitsubishis, but head the British Rally Championship field as well!

Behind him others were not fairing so well on the rain-soaked roads: Phillip Morrow was caught out by standing water on SS7, having to take evasive action by steering his car though a gateway and into a field. Unfortunately, the ground dropped away so severely, his car rolled and although sustaining only minor damage, Morrow and his guest co-driver Chris Patterson lost so much time extracting the car from this rural location, they went over their maximum time limit.

On the same stage McCance’s rally also came to an end, when his car’s rear wheel clipped a rock. At first the extent of the damage only appeared to be a puncture, but a rear hub fractured a few miles later, spinning the Mitsubishi into a bank.

McClosky also punctured on the same stage, but with far lesser consequences, time loss being his only disadvantage, although the Ulster-based youngster did admit to sliding off the road and into someone’s garden two stages later.

Calling on his vast repertoire of experience, Evans continued to head both the Evo Challenge and BRC fields, whilst his Hankook team mate Stuart Jones was now finding his ‘slower’ notes ideal in the wet and tricky conditions and consequently overhauled Milner to take second on SS8.

With most drivers looking to consolidate from Saturday lunch-time, with the last five of the event’s 15 stages to go Evans looked good for an historic double, but a puncture on SS12 saw the Welshman drop to second overall, 35 seconds behind Subaru driver Mark Higgins.

But rallying is unpredictable and Higgins collected a puncture on the very next stage, turning the tables back to the way they were. Then, on the penultimate stage Evans thought he had blown it when he ran wide and clipped a tree. But with his car only suffering a few scratches, these final twists in the tale allowed the Welshman to become the first driver to win both a round of the British Rally Championship and a round of the Evolution Challenge.

“I’ve had some bad luck this year so I reckon it was probably my turn for some good fortune.” Said Evans. “I am delighted to win my first British Rally Championship event this year and to win another round of the Evolution Challenge as well is the icing on the cake.”

Jones’s run ended with two fastest stage times and an excellent second in the Evolution Challenge, even after puncturing at the same point as Evans. Milner crossed the line to finish third in the Mitsubishi series, albeit not completely happy with the way things had gone, but had done enough to retain his series lead.

McCloskey brought his car home unscathed to take fourth place in the Evolution Challenge, even after a few adventures, whilst his fellow countrymen Morrow and McCance took advantage of SuperRally regulations to score points for fifth and six places respectively.

The next round of the Evolution Challenge – and the British Rally Championship, takes place on Saturday 7th October, when crews head to Pickering for the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.

The Evolution Challenge offers driver the best prize in British motorsport – the chance to become a Mitsubishi works driver in the British Rally Championship. The series is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.

2006 Evolution Challenge Round 4
Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally – Results
1st Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) – 2:05:24.1
2nd Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) – 2:07:37.6
3rd Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nicky Beech (Lewknor) – 2:08:18.6
4th Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Jonathan McGrath – 2:19:40.3
5th Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Chris Patterson (Glengormley) – 3:35:10.3
6th Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin) – 3:37:22.0

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Galligan third after Mitsubishi team's perfect start
It was a perfect start for the two-car Mitsubishi Motors UK Rally team on this weekend’s Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally, when works drivers Ryan Champion and Rory Galligan held first and second places respectively in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship standings after Friday’s leg one.

A frustrating start to Saturday’s leg two saw Champion caught out by the atrocious weather conditions, rolling his car on the first stage of the day, the incident also slowing Galligan who when on to take third place and his second BRC podium finish of the season.

As well as a round of the British Rally Championship, the event was also a round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship, which saw a host of World Rally Cars added to the entry list, alongside the Production specification machinery of the British series.

The rally featured 15 special stages, five on Friday evening and a further 10 on Saturday, with all of the event’s 123 competitive miles held over closed public roads not far from the rally’s host town of Armagh.

With stage one cancelled because of an accident, stage two became the first competitive test, with Champion (from Castleton, North Yorkshire), and his co-driver Craig Thorley (from Pocklington, East Yorkshire) holding third place and and Galligan (from Oldcastle, Southern Ireland) and his co-driver Greg Shinnors (from Limerick, Southern Ireland), in fourth.

At this stage they were headed, albeit by just over a second, by Gwyndaf Evans - also in a Mitsubishi and Mark Higgins in a Subaru, the current British Champion lucky to be in the rally at all, following an accident during a shake-down test only a few hours before the start of the rally.

Geting to grips with their Lancer Evolution IXs, Champion and Galligan upped the pace on SS5 and blasted ahead of their rivals to end the day first and second in the British Rally Championship standings.

Although made slippery by mud and other rural extractions, the roads had remained dry on Friday – but it was a different story for Saturday, with torrential rain greeting drivers for the start of the day’s 10 stages.

Having won the opening round of the British Championship, Champion was all set to put his title hopes back on track with another top result in Ireland, but it was not to be. Half way through the first stage of the day the Yorkshireman’s car slid wide on a patch of wet mud. He controlled the slide, but the front of the car caught the hedge on inside of the narrow lane and before they knew it, he and Thorley were upside-down in the middle of the road.

Galligan and Shinnors were next on the scene and, having checked that both Champion and Thorley were okay, they were on their way again, but lost about 30 seconds in the process and dropped to third.

Once back onto it wheels, Champion was able to drive his Mitsubishi out of the stage, albeit with his head out of the side window as he was unable to see through the broken windscreen. However, at the following passage control the temperature gauge showed that the engine was running hotter than it should and disappointingly, the crew had little choice but to retire.

With many other crews falling foul of the treacherous conditions, Galligan set about catching Evans and Higgins and in his efforts clipped a bank on SS7, fortunately only inflicting minor damage to the front wing of his car.

With the two drivers ahead of him locked in battle, Galligan was determined not to be drawn into making a mistake and resisted the temptation to drive flat out and risk loosing the chance of a podium finish.

His tactics almost worked, when Evans punctured on SS12 and dropped to second and then both Higgins and Galligan suffered the same malady on SS13, which put Evans back in front. Then, on the penultimate stage, Evans thought his rally was over when he had a close encounter with a tree, but managed to escape with just a scratched car.

Although all this front line action brought Galligan closer to his foes, it was not enough to change his position and he crossed the line back in Armagh to score a fine third place for the team.

The next round of the British Championship is the Rally Yorkshire on 7th October, when Champion will be back with a vengeance on what he regards as his home event.

The Cirencester-based Mitsubishi Motors UK team is supported by: Pirelli, HKS, Shell Helix, PIAA, Speedline Corse and Performance Friction Brakes. The team’s Lancer Evolution IXs are built by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield, who are also responsible for running the cars on events.

Team Quotations
Rory Galligan - Driver
“I’m happy with third, but disappointed not to finish closer to Gwyndaf and Mark. Friday showed that we had the potential to win, but the conditions were so bad things became a bit of a lottery on Saturday. Every time I tried to push we had a moment, so it paid dividends not to go too hard and risk losing a top-three finish. I was really happy with the car, it ran perfectly throughout the event.”

Ryan Champion - Driver
“Everything was going so well until the conditions got worse on Saturday. I just couldn't believe it when we rolled. It started with just a slide wide, something that happens regularly during an event, but we must have hit a patch of mud which spun the front of the car into the hedge on the opposite side of the road – and then we were over. I’m disappointed for the team as the car was 100%. I’m now looking forward to my home event.”

Paul Brigden – General Manager, Mitsubishi Ralliart
“Things were looking good for us on Friday evening. I was really encouraged that our cars were at the front, proving they can be the quickest out there. However, I believe that in Saturday’s bad conditions Ryan paid the price of being the first BRC competitor on the road and therefore was the first to find the hazards. Rory did a good job for us this weekend and we’re now looking forward to putting our potential into practice in the Yorkshire forests.”

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British Rally Championship Ulster Rally report - What a difference a day makes for Welshman Evans
Wet Wizard Wozencroft takes S1600 win

Welshman Gwyndaf Evans fought tooth and nail over 122 stage miles to take victory in the fourth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally.  

Evans exchanged times for the top spot with reigning British Rally Champion, Manxman Mark Higgins, throughout the day. However, a puncture for Higgins on the second last stage decided the outcome.  

“What a day we have had. It has been one of the toughest events I’ve had to tackle, which makes the victory even more satisfying,” said the Hankook Mitsubishi driver, who set six fastest times compared to three for Higgins.  

Evans also takes top honours in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge, although Yorkshire-man Jonny Milner continues to lead the series, which offers the prize of a full seasons competition with the Mitsubishi works team.

  Higgins, who finished 56 seconds behind, said: “It was frustrating to get a puncture so late in the day but it was just our turn. We managed to miss the rock on an earlier stage that claimed everyone else – we must have had the wrong line on that one.

  “Second place puts us in a good points position going into the next round as we only need to finish,” said Higgins, the Stobart VK Subaru Team driver.

  Rory Galligan was more than a little delighted with his third place after a tough day on the narrow and bumpy stages around Armagh.  

“I could have cried earlier, the event has been so frustrating for me. We just couldn’t keep up the pace and we had a number of overshoots, one of which resulted in us sitting in a field for a short time.”  

Ryan Champion had been leading the event overnight crashed out on the first stage of leg two – a victim of the treacherous and wet conditions that greeted the drivers at the start of the leg.  

MSA British Rally Elite scheme member, Stuart Jones, in the other Hankook Mitsubishi set two fastest stage times and two second fastest – putting him in a strong fourth position in the BRC field.  

 “We have put our accident from the last round to the back of our minds and everything went perfectly.”

    James Wozencroft took his first category win of the season in his Suzuki Ignis S1600 moving him to the top position in the class.  
“I am very pleased. We had been doing some improvements on our pacenotes. I have spent some time with Robert (Reid, the Performance Director of the MSA British Rally Elite scheme) to improve our notes and it has made all the difference.”  

Barry Clark maintains second place in the S1600 category despite retiring his Stobart VK S1600 Fiesta on stage nine. Like team-mate Roman Kresta, Clark will also collect points under the SupeRally regulations.

  Citroen Junior World Rally Championship star Kris Meeke, took some time out of his hectic JWRC schedule to compete on his home event in the S1600 C2.  

Despite not being eligible for BRC points Meeke was running on Tesco 99 Octane fuel (the control fuel for the series). Meeke, who was leading the event on the first leg, dropped to 12th overall after a trip into a field cost him more than five minutes.  

The next round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the International Rally Yorkshire takes place on October 7.  

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Steep learning curve for McRae
  Jimmy McRae returned to the Ulster Rally last weekend when he drove the Jardine Lloyd Thompson supported Subaru Impreza N11, co-driven by Pauline Gullick.

  “I tested the car in Wales the previous week but did not realise how quick the car would be until we got onto the first stage.  I was very impressed with the speed and improved brakes.  It took me some time to get used to the car as it was my first drive in the Group N car and my first modern rally since Wales Rally GB in 2004.

  The two-day event on narrow and bumpy roads around Armagh attracted many Irish rally fans that braved the torrential rain on Saturday morning.  Standing water caused many problems for crews and the stages were treacherous.  We had a puncture on stage 8, which dropped us 1.5minutes, but I was pleased with our times that improved throughout the event and on the 12th stage, the 13.5 miler through Friary Lough  recorded 10th fastest time.  

As we were competing against the Irish tarmac experts in World Rally Cars I had hoped for a finish in the top 15 and this we achieved by the end of Saturday afternoon.  I just wish there had been a few more stages as I was gaining confidence in the car and enjoying myself.  I was pleased at finishing eighth quickest British Championship registered car,” said a smiling Jimmy McRae at the end of the event.  

Five times former British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae won the Ulster Rally in 1981, 1986 and 1988 and is a rally legend in Ireland having won the Circuit of Ireland on seven occasions.  

Jimmy returns to the British Historic Championship this week when he competes in Flanders driving the Prepfab Porsche 911 RS, co-driven by Campbell Roy.  McRae said,  “I have always enjoyed rallying in Ypres and I am sure this event will be as good.  I was disappointed when we retired from the Manx whilst leading and hope that we can have a good run in Belgium.”

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Results
1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 2h 01m 28s,
2 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 02m 31s,
3 Garry Jennings/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 04m 01s,
4 Gareth Jones/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 04m 47s,
5 Gwyndaf Evans/Hew Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2h 05m 24s,
6 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 2h 06m 20s,
7 Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2h 07m 04s,
8 Stuart Jones/Craig Parry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2h 07m 38s,
9 Julian Reynolds/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 2h 08m 00s,
10 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 2h 08m 06s.

Leaders after: SS1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Kris Meeke/Glenn Patterson (CITROEN C2 S1600)
SS3 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4-15 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Kris Meeke/Glenn Patterson (CITROEN C2 S1600)
SS3 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS9 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS10 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS11 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS14 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS15 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Full Results:
British Rally Championship

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Photos:
neillpics.co.uk
rallyimage.com - Eymard Brennan Photography

Ulster Rally

• 2006 Tarmac Championship
• 2006 British Rally Championship
• 2006 MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship
• 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Photos: Meekes tests Citroën Super 1600.
• Meeke ready to take on the BRC.
• Photo: Emma McKinstry's S8 ready for "The Ulster"
• Photo: Jennings with S9
• MRallying: Ulster Ultimatum
• McCLOSKEY MAKES ULSTER DEBUT
• BRC primed for Ulster action.
• WHERE TO SEE THE ACTION.
• Entry List
• JENNINGS’ GOES WRC FOR ULSTER
• GASS ON HOME GROUND
• Evo Challenge makes Irish debut
• Mitsubishi team focussed for Ulster Rally
• OFFICIAL CITROEN SPORT C2 R2 LAUNCH WITH WORLD RALLY STAR KRIS MEEKE- A NIGHT TO REMEMBER AT CHARLES HURST BELFAST
• EMMA MCKINSTRY AND KENNY HULL TO USE WRC ON ULSTER RALLY
• McShea to use GpN Lancer.
• NIALL MCSHEA ENTERS THE 2006 ULSTER RALLY
• Jimmy McRae joins the JLT Rally Team for Ulster
• Regulations and information available

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Meekes tests Citroën Super 1600.

Sperrins Photography - John O'Neill

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01/09/06
Meeke ready to take on the BRC.
Young rally talent Kris Meeke is entered in this weekend’s Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally with the experienced names in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship very much in his sights.

  Meeke and co-driver Glenn Paterson are contesting the FIA Junior World Rally Championship this season, driving for the Citroën JWRC Team, but the opportunity to contest the fourth round of Britain’s premier rally championship was too good to miss.

  Although not scoring championship points, it’s the cars and drivers of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship that Meeke will be comparing himself against.  

“It will be fascinating battle with the BRC boys,” says Meeke. “A lot depends on the weather. If it is wet it will be impossible to compete against the four-wheel-drive GpN machinery, but if it’s dry it will be interesting.”

  Although it is Meeke’s local event, he can’t really count on any advantage of home knowledge. “I’ve only competed on the Ulster in 2003 and stages have changed so my experience is limited,” he says.  

“Rally base is only ten miles from both my home and Glenn’s. It’s true to say that it is a home event in that sense, but as experience of the stages is concerned, not many will believe me, but when I did the recce I was on country lanes I never knew existed, and they are only five miles from my home!  

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the Citroën JWRC Team to home soil. I have so much support from home but not everyone gets an opportunity to see me in action.”  

The Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally is the fourth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. It starts in Armagh at 15.00 on Friday 1st September and finishes back in Armagh at 17.30 on the following day after 125 stage miles.

 

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31/08/06

Photo: Emma McKinstry's S8 ready for "The Ulster"


Jennings with S9

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MRallying: Ulster Ultimatum
Summer may be coming to a close but temperatures are definitely not cooling off in the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship Group N battle. Following an arduous weekend on the Isle of Man, MRallying’s Colm Murphy and Ger Loughrey head into next weekends Ulster rally a single point off the championship lead of the Roy White. With Ulster and points and a half round Cork remaining, all is still to play for.

The classic Isle of Man test proved a tough task for the Pirelli backed pairing – a broken wheel hub on the final day eventually put paid to any hope of challenging eventual victor Roy White for the win. This despite setting an excellent pace on the Friday stages, closing to within 20 seconds following gear selection problems caused by a broken gear lever.

The broken wheel hub and gear selection problems proved a true test for the Shell sponsored duo but, as they showed in Donegal recently, they have developed a strong resolve to fight such setbacks – what may have been a retirement in previous years ended up being points salvaged this year.

Ulster has provided mixed fortunes for the Trackcare Engineering supported team – a superb drive in the Ford Focus in 2002 yielded the lead of the National rally only to have a driveshaft failure deny a memorable result. In 2004, their Transplant Trailers Impreza N8 failed to make the second stage and, in 2005, turbo problems caused an early retirement despite setting the pace amongst the Irish competitors.

This year, the Thermia HeatLink sponsored duo will be hoping for another strong performance and points score to stay in the championship race – and with Cork just around the corner where the Murray Motorsport kitted crew took a class win last year, expectations will remain high.

The Ulster rally is based in Armagh and is the final amalgamation of the British and Irish rally championships in 2006. Two days of intense rallying awaits the crews in Armagh and Tyrone with 122 competitive stage miles to be completed before any points are shipped.

Colm and Ger would also like to thank all their sponsors, with out them it would not be possible to compete - Shell, Pirelli, Heat Link, Thermia, Track Care Engineering, Transplant Trailer Sales, MSP, Speedline Corse, Remax, The Gables Bar Athea, The Connemara Gateway Hotel, Murray Motor Sport, Eddie Garry Car Sales, Advance Surveys, Sign Lynx, Vanity Case Beauticians, Mann Construction LTD, Hella Ireland, Woodtown Plant Hire.

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McCLOSKEY MAKES ULSTER DEBUT
Connor McCloskey will be rejoined by 2005 co-driver Damien Duffin for his first attempt at the Ulster International Rally this weekend.

The reunited pair will pick up where they left off with the recce on Thursday, after over half a season apart. “It is great to have Damien back in the car,” smiled Connor, “and it is great to do an event that is practically on my doorstep. Armagh is just over an hour away from my home in Kilrea so we will be fresh for both the recce and the rally.”

Connor will test the car on Wednesday to ensure the settings for wet weather are spot-on, predicting a slippery rally after torrential rain for several days. “I’ve never done Ulster before,” explained Connor, “so it would be nice to be prepared and hit the ground running. I am taking the same approach as last time on the Jim Clark; make sure I get to the finish and score points in the Evo Challenge. If we stay out of trouble in the forecasted conditions, it should be possible to score well.”

Like the Jim Clark, the Ulster is critical as it counts towards both British and Irish Rally Championships. It is also an event that attracts crews from both sides of the Irish border, boosting the entry and making it ultra competitive.

The rally is based around a central service area at the Armagh City Hotel and covers 125 tarmac miles on the first Friday and Saturday of September. Spectator numbers are always high on the well-liked event and they will be further swelled by Connor’s home crowd.

Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, Euro Components, KBB Doors, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their continuing support in 2006

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28/08/06
BRC primed for Ulster action.
The Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship heads to Ulster this weekend for the fourth round of the championship and competitors have one thing on their minds, beating reigning champion Mark Higgins.

The Stobart VK Subaru Rally Team driver has won the last two BRC events and has a considerable points lead in the drivers’ standings with 85 to nearest rival Ryan Champion’s 52. However, there is a drop score to be considered in the final reckoning at the end of the six round championship.

Higgins seemingly dominated his BRC rivals on Rally Isle of Man at the beginning of August, but the Manx-born driver reckons there is more to come from his Stobart VK Subaru Impreza.

“There’s room for improvement on the set-up and I think the Ulster will be closer than the Manx,” says two time BRC champion, Higgins. “We’ll have to see what happens.”

In second spot in the BRC drivers’ standings is Mitsubishi Motors UK’s Ryan Champion. The reigning Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge champion took victory in the season opening Pirelli International Rally but last time out it was a DNF for Champion and team-mate Rory Galligan. Champion knows he needs a good result in Armagh, but doesn’t underestimate the challenge.

“Ulster’s renowned for changeable weather, but after the Manx I don’t know how it could be much worse,” says Champion, whose drive with the works Mitsubishi squad comes as his prize for winning the Evo Challenge.

“The Manx was not a good weekend for us. I would like to have had the drop score in my pocket, but everything’s to play for now. We need a strong result and it really makes it an interesting one as it’s so crucial.”

Champion’s team-mate, Rory Galligan, made a WRC foray by competing with an impressive performance on Neste Oil Rally Finland. Whilst the Ulster can be seen as Galligan’s home rally, it’s not one where he has enjoyed any particular luck.

“It’s going to be a tough event,” he says. “The Isle of Man was obviously disappointing but the Ulster has never been kind to me, I’ve never finished in a good points position. It’s a short, sharp event and you’ve got to be wide awake on Saturday morning, there’s no chance to bed yourself in.”

Leading the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the prize of which is a works drive for the Mitsubishi Motors UK works team in the 2007 British Rally Championship, is two-time BRC champion, Jonny Milner.

The Team Merlin International driver certainly agrees that the Ulster can be a difficult event to master. “We’ve had good times and bad times,” says the Yorkshireman. “In 2004 we went straight through a gate and got stuck in the mud. It’s a tricky rally, one you have to respect. You need a fairly compliant car to compromise for the jumps and bumps. I need to score for the Evo Challenge prize so I’ll have that in mind.”

On driver many are tipping to be quick once more is Welshman Gwyndaf Evans in the SJR Hankook squad. After his strong run on the Manx was curtailed, Evans is modest about his prospects in Armagh. “It can be a lot more muddy and slippery than the Isle of Man,” he says. “There are more jumps on the Ulster too but just like the Manx it’s notoriously tricky, we’ll have to see how it goes.”

In the Super 1600 class it looks like second in the points driver Barry Clark has been handed a gift with the non-participation of current points leader, Guy Wilks. The Suzuki driver from Darlington never originally intended to contest the Ulster and late plans to use the latest Suzuki Swift appear not to have come off meaning Scot Clark stands a good chance of taking the points lead should he get a good result.

“I’m looking forward to the Ulster,” says Clark. “We used the Pendragon as preparation for the Ulster and we tried all sorts of tyre combinations. I’ve done a rally every weekend since the Isle of Man, but you never can have too much rallying.”

Clark’s Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team team-mate Roman Kresta is hoping for a change of luck especially after his first stage exit from Rally Isle of Man. “The last result was not so good,” says the experienced WRC competitor.. “I will definitely be more cautious on stage one of the Ulster and drive carefully there.”

Although Guy Wilks is not expected to be in action for Suzuki, James Wozencroft will certainly be in action. “I’ve never been there before but I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he says. “I’ll be pushing a lot harder and hopefully we’ll have a bit more consistency.”

The Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally takes place over 125 miles stage miles starting on the evening of Friday 1st September and finishing on the following afternoon. It is the fourth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. The following round takes place on the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire on Saturday 7th October.

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28/08/06
WHERE TO SEE THE ACTION.
With a capacity entry of top class competitors, the Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally, being held on the weekend of 1st and 2nd September, promises intense competition and exciting rally action.

The rally is again centred on the historic City of Armagh with the start/finish in The Mall and the rally headquarters and service areas around the Armagh City Hotel. The event consists of over 122 demanding competitive miles on 15 special stages in Counties Armagh and South Tyrone. The stages have been selected by Clerk of the Course Gary Milligan and his team of volunteers, to provide a unique test of skill for the cream of British and Irish rallying. The Friday evening of the event again includes some testing night-time stages, which always prove popular with both competitors and spectators.

We have, as usual for “the Ulster”, provided 14 designated Spectator Areas (some with wheelchair access) complete with access stiles and toilets, and at 7 of these there will be Spectator Information Vehicles. These vehicles have internet connections through Vodafone Mobile Connect Data Cards and provide up to the minute results for spectators.

Commentators will be also be working at the City Special Spectator Area beside the Armagh/Newry road on the Friday and Saturday, and at Spectator Area 7 near Dungannon on the Saturday morning.

With the help of Armagh Lions Club and local farmers, free car parking is being provided beside the City Special Spectator Area.

Full details and location maps of where to see the action will be found in the Rally Programme, which is available through newsagents and filling stations in the area, as well as from the Rally Information Desk in the foyer of the Armagh City Hotel.

Spectator arrows will help direct spectators from main roads to each Spectator Area.

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Entry Lists

Ulster Rally Entry List
1 Eugene Donnelly (GB) / Paul Kiely (IRL) (Toyota Corolla WRC) [A8]
2 Tim McNulty (IRL) / Anthony Nestor (IRL) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
3 Eamonn Boland (IRL) / Francis Regan (GB) (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
4 Peadar Hurson (GB) / Damien Connolly (IRL) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
5 Sean Devine (IRL) / TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
6 Ray Breen (IRL) / Andrew Purcell (IRL) (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
7 Maurice Gass (GB) / TBA (Skoda Fabia WRC) [A8]
8 Nigel Hicklin (GB) / Dairmuid Falvey (IRL) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
9 Paddy White (IRL) / Graeme Stewart (GB) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
10 Sean McArdle (GB) / TBA (SEAT Cordoba WRC) [A8]
11 Emma McKinstry (GB) / Kenny Hull (GB) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
12 John Mulholland (GB) / Eamonn Gorman (GB) (Skoda Fabia VRS) [A8]
13 Gareth Jones (GB) / David Moynihan (IRL) (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
14 Mark Higgins (GB) / Rory Kennedy (IRL) (Subaru Impreza N12) [N4]
15 Rory Galligan (IRL) / Greg Shinnors (IRL) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
16 Ryan Champion (GB) / Craig Thorley (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
17 Kris Meeke (GB) / Glenn Patterson (GB) (Citroen C2 S1600) [S16]
18 Guy Wilks (GB) / Phil Pugh (GB) (Suzuki Ignis Super 1600) [S16]
20 Gwyndaf Evans (GB) / Huw Lewis (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
21 Niall McShea (GB) / Gordon Noble (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8) [N4 ]
22 Stuart Jones (GB) / Craig Parry (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
23 Jonny Milner (GB) / Nicky Beech (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
24 Seamus Leonard (GB) / Gerry McVeigh (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
25 Garry Jennings (GB) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
26 Colm Murphy (IRL) / Ger Loughrey (IRL) (Subaru Impreza N12) [N4]
27 Roy White (IRL) / Stephen McAuley (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [A4]
28 Roman Kresta (CZ) / Petr Gross (CZ) (Ford Fiesta Super 1600) [S16]
29 Barry Clark (GB) / Scott Martin (GB) (Ford Fiesta JWRC) [S16]
30 Phillip Morrow (GB) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
31 Mike Curran (GB) / Fabian McShane (IRL) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
32 Jimmy McRae (GB) / Pauline Gullick (GB) (Subaru Impreza N11) [N4]
33 Julian Reynolds (GB) / Paul Spooner (GB) (Subaru Impreza N12) [N4]
34 Shaun Gallagher (IRL) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
35 Neil McCance (GB) / Sean Ferris (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
36 Connor McCloskey (IRL) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
37 John McLaughlin (GB) / David McElroy (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
38 Robert Swann (GB) / Paul Morris (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
39 James Wozencroft (GB) / Rob Fagg (GB) (Suzuki Ignis Super 1600) [S16]
40 Darren Gass (GB) / Neil Shanks (GB) (Ford Fiesta Super 1600) [S16]
41 Gordon Cunningham (GB) / Stuart McManus (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
42 Gavin Harris (IRL) / Shaun Lafferty (IRL) (Subaru Impreza N11) [N4]
43 Connor Byrne (IRL) / Niall Byrne (IRL) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7) [N4]
44 Errol Clarke (GB) / TBA (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
45 Kenny McCall (GB) / Ambrose Given (IRL) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
46 Kevin O'Donoghue (IRL) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
47 Kevin Stevens (GB) / Tim Sturla (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
48 Andrew Barnes (GB) / Neil Dashfield (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
49 Howard Clarke (GB) / Marshall Clarke (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7) [N4]
50 Justin Dale (GB) / Andrew Bargery (GB) (Renault Clio) [N3]
51 Alan Cathcart (GB) / Paddy Flannagan (GB) (Honda Civic Type R) [N3]
52 Andrew Bushe (GB) / TBA (Peugeot 106GTi) [A6]
53 David Randles (IRL) / Con Duggan (IRL) (Nissan Almera 2.0) [A7]
54 Brian Pat Doherty (IRL) / Keith Bovaird (IRL) (Ford Escort Maxi) [A7]
55 Gary Rodgers (GB) / Brian Crawford (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6) [N4]
56 Shaun Reid (GB) / Damian McAuley (GB) (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
57 Andy Connor (IRL) / TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [N4]
58 Matt Beebe (GB) / Gemma Price (GB) (MG ZR 160) [N3]
59 Toni Kelly (IRL) / Joe Hunter (IRL) (Honda Civic Type R) [N3]
60 Alyn Spiers (GB) / Andrew Gamble (GB) (Peugeot 106GTi) [A6]
61 Andrew Mullen (IRL) / Elaine Doherty (IRL) (Citroen Saxo) [A6]
62 Alistair Fisher (GB) / Barry McNulty (GB) (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [A6]
63 Adrian McBride (GB) / Rodney Hicks (GB) (Peugeot 206 XSI) [A6]
64 Kate Heath (GB) / Paul Heath (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
65 Andrew Stewart (IRL) / Tony Gallagher (IRL) (Suzuki Swift) [A5]
66 Rob Gill (GB) / Anders Howard (GB) (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
67 Harry Cathcart (GB) / Wendy Blackledge (GB) (Suzuki Swift Gti) [A5]
68 Conor Harvey (IRL) / TBA (Honda Civic) [N2]
69 Ian Hynes (IRL) / Des Sherlock (IRL) (Honda Civic) [N2]
70 Paddy McDaid (IRL) / TBA (Honda Civic) [N2]
71 Fin McCaul (IRL) / Chris Melling (GB) (Volkswagen Polo) [N1]
72 Ernest McMillen (GB) / Desi McGlade (GB) (Suzuki Swift Gti) [N1]

Ulster National Rally Entry List
101 John Bogie / David Paterson (MG Metro 6R4) [8]
102 Tony Davies / Patrick Walsh (Subaru S9 WRC) [9]
103 David Kynaston / Andy Russell (Audi A3 Quattro) [8]
104 Steve Hendy / Aled Davies (Ford Escort WRC) [9]
105 Mark Jasper / Don Whyatt (MG Metro 6R4) [8]
106 Camillus Bradley / Danny O'Neill (Ford Escort