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LinksRally of 1000 Entries (Kirkistown) - (Sat) 30 Dec 06
Posted: January 3, 2007 12:30 PM - 13597 Hits
- RALLY RAISES REVENUE - Over £100,000 Raised for Rally
- Charlie Donnelly/Pat O’Kane take hard earned win
- Full Results and Times
- Photos
Posted: January 3, 2007 12:30 PM
RALLY RAISES REVENUE
Charlie Donnelly and his guest co-driver Pat O’Kane scored a hard earned win on last Saturday’s unique and very special Rally of the 1000 Entries where £100,000 was raised for a new rally medical fund. The event was led initially by Kevin Lynch. He spun his Impreza WRC on stage 2 to allow Denis Biggerstaff, driving an older model Subaru, into the lead. On stage 3 Donnelly surged to the front and his Corolla WRC stayed there to the finish.
Kenny McKinstry was driving a new Subaru Impreza WRC. Kenny messed up his first stage but then turned in several fastest times to charge for the lead. As it turned out, Welshman Gwyndaf Evans, driving a GpN Lancer set an equal fastest time with Donnelly in stage 5, then the last stage wasn’t run as darkness descended, so McKinstry had to settle for 2nd,.
Denis Biggerstaff earned a lot of respect by taking 3rd. Kevin Lynch fought back hard from his stage 2 spin, but never looked like regaining the lead and in any case blew it on the final stage when he did an ‘extra lap’. Kevin and his co-driver Raymond Hill, who paid £2000 for the privilege of sitting with Kevin, good humouredly said “we paid an entry fee for 6 stages, so we wanted the value!”
Derek McGeehan is normally seen wielding the spanners on the Eugene and Charlie Donnelly all conquering Corolla WRC’s, but for this event he took the wheel of Liam McCarthy’s Corolla WRC and finished a very creditable 4th, with Dubliner Keven Barrett 5th in his Subaru. Glenn Allen survived clutch slip on his Corolla WRC to take 6th. Stephen Moore (Focus WRC) and Gwyndaf Evans were equal 7th.
Gwyndaf led GpN from the word go, although he nearly fell into the clutches of Michael Curran (Lancer) when Gwyndaf’s hired Mitsubishi had the handbrake stick on in stage 3.
On the final stage knowledgeable spectators were left open mouthed as the Weshman turned in the sort of high speed run that has earned him so many International honours over the years, including winning the Ulster Rally twice and the British Championship. Gwyndaf, who had Tarmac Championship winning co-driver Paul Kiely with his in the Lancer, put the GpN result well and truly beyond doubt with one short stage!
Trevor Moore survived a stage four puncture on his Escort to grab the ‘best two wheel drive honours’ from the similar Escort of Camillus Bradley. These two had a thrilling battle, and had a clear edge over a very strong field of two wheel drive cars.
The day was about a lot more than beating the clock over the Kirkistown stages, even though just seconds separated the top drivers and the competition was both thrilling and superb. Following the storms of the previous days and nights, the weather at the normally bleak Co. Down venue was sunny and bright. There was a huge turnout of spectators and participants from all over Ireland, and beyond.
The target figure for the entire rally effort was to raise £100,000. This was to help Christopher Rogers, paralysed in a Monaghan rally accident, go to China for specialist treatment. The money is also to be used to set up the Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund. The £100,000 target was surpassed, a supreme testimony to the enthusiasm and compassion of the rallying fraternity both during the period before the rally and on what was a very special day indeed.
Rally of the 1000 Entries: Top 10
1st Charlie Donnelly/Pat O’Kane (Toyota Corolla WRC) 12.21.3
2nd Kenny McKinstry/Camillus O’Neill (Subaru Impreza WRC) 12.23.8
3rd Denis Biggerstaff/Barry Fox (Subaru Impreza WRC) 12.25.2
4th Derek McGeehan/ Charlie Donaghy (Toyota Corolla WRC) 12.35.0
5th Kevin Barrett/Johnny McGonigle (Subaru Impreza WRC) 12.36.0
6th Glenn Allen/Leon McCrystal (Toyota Corolla WRC) 12.38.2
7th Gwyndaf Evans/Paul Kiely (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 12.39.8
& Stephen Moore/Pamela Moore (Ford Focus WRC) 12.39.8
9th Michael Curran/Michael Haddock (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 12.46.6
10th Emma McKinstry/Ryan Rogers (Subaru Impreza WRC) 12.47.0
Class Winners:-
Cl1:Frank Conville/Ciaran Kelly (Astra)
Cl2 Gwyndaf Evans/Paul Kiely (Lancer)
Cl3 Oran Donnelly/Paul Hughes (Fiesta)
Cl4 David Kerr/Lewis Boyd (Peugeot 205)
Cl5 William Smith/Gloria Smith (Mini Vtec)
Cl6 Marty McCormack/Orla Brownlow (Escort)
Cl7 Trevor Moore/Matt Larmour (Escort)
Cl7A Maurice Moffett/Brian Hughes (Starlet)
Cl8 Charlie Donnelly/Pat O’Kane (Corolla WRC).
Denis Biggerstaff/Barry Fox who finished 3rd overall, lead the Rally after SS2
Photo: TPM Photosport
PRE EVENT NEWS
- ROAD RACER TO RALLY ROUND - Robert Dunlop to drive Escort Mk II!
- Bertie Fisher's special trophies to be used for the good of the rally.
- TYRONE GAA STAR IN THE HOT SEAT
- Entries still available
- Paul Kiely to co-drive for Gwyndaf Evans
- RALLY BIG DRAW
- Gwyndaf Entry Boost
- CO-DRIVE FOR THE STARS - PLACE A BID
- Remember - ANYONE CAN ENTER THIS RECORD BREAKING ATTEMPT
- Biggest ever rally entry set to enter the record books and jump-start new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund!
- Drivers who have already committed to the event include, Gareth MacHale, Eugene Donnelly, Derek McGarrity, Kenny McKinstry, Camillus Bradley.
13/12/06
ROAD RACER TO RALLY ROUND - Robert Dunlop to drive Escort Mk II!
Legendary motorcycling road racer Robert Dunlop, with UTV / RPM presenter Pamela Ballantine navigating, is to drive the course opening Escort on the 30th December ‘Rallly of the 1000 Entries’ at Kirkistown. The entry is being backed by Circuit of Ireland sponsor John Conway of Meteor Electrical. The Mk2 Escort that Dunlop will drive is being supplied by Barry McKenna of DEN Motorsport.
Robert Dunlop has won five Isle of Man TT’s, is 15 times a race winner at the North-West, has won the Macau Grand Prix , and is a record 8 times winner of the Cookstown ‘100’. Robert and his late brother Joey used to watch the Circuit of Ireland stages from near their home at Dunloy, and Robert commented, “This will be my first rally, and I’m really looking forward to it!” Pamela Ballantine said, “Can’t wait. I know how quick he is on a bike, and he can certainly ride a horse, so the rally car should be a doddle!”
In many ways Robert is a road racing legend and is still competing with a Kennedy Equipment 125 Honda, but is spending as much time as he can looking after his two sons Michael and William in their race careers. His support for the rally is further testimony to the interest that the event is creating in the hearts of the community.
Bertie Fisher's special trophies to be used for the good of the rally
A further interesting development for the Rally of the 1000 Entries is that Bertie Fisher’s widow Gladys is donating some of Bertie’s special trophies to be used for the good of the rally. Gladys’ generous action was prompted when she watched a UTV report about Christopher Rogers in relation to the rally. Christopher was paralysed from the waist down following a rally accident in Monaghan, where his co-driver Shane O’Neill tragically lost his life. The rally’s aim is to raise funds to help Christopher travel to China for new treatment and also go towards the new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund.
Top drivers scheduled to compete on the rally include former British Rally Champion and Ulster Rally winner Gwyndaf Evans, driving a Derrick Jobb Mitsubishi Lancer. Tarmac Champion co-driver Paul Kiely will co-drive. Interestingly Gwyndaf has just clinched the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge on the Wales Rally GB. Paul Kiely’s usual driver, Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly, will also be competing, and he will have a ‘guest’ co-driver, as his seat is up for auction. To bid for that, or indeed for more information about the rally, just log on to
05/12/06
TYRONE GAA STAR IN THE HOT SEAT
Omagh’s Derrick Jobb has entered his ex-works Toyota Celica ‘205’ for the 30th November Rally of the 1000 Entries at Kirkistown, and the sensational news is that he is to be co-driven by former Captain of the Tyrone County GAA team, Peter Canavan.
Canavan and Jobb met at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, where Jobb, a former International badminton player, was managing the NI Badminton team. They hatched the idea then for Canavan to co-drive on the Lark in the Park Rally.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte decreed the scheme too dangerous though, just one week before a major match, so the idea was put on the long finger.
Lark in the Park’s loss was Rally of the 1000 Entries gain, and it is all stations go now for the 30th December event. The original concept of the Rally of the 1000 Entries was to raise funds to help Christopher Rogers, paralysed from the waist down following a rally accident in Monaghan four years ago, go to China for revolutionary new treatment.
In addition the Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund has been set up to help with any other contingencies which may arise in the future.
As well as competing himself, Derrick Jobb is supplying a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 for former British Champion Gwyndaf Evans to drive. Tarmac Champion co-driver Paul Kiely is co-driving for Gwyndaf. Many of the top drivers, such as Eugene Donnelly, Kenny McKinstry and Camillus Bradley are willing to take ‘guest’ co-drivers, as long as they bid for their seats through the Magherafelt Motor Club website!
Ulster Television presenter Pamela Ballantine has offered her services as a co-driver, with the sponsorship going to the fund, and Cool FM presenter Sonia Mac, very much an up and coming rally driver herself in her Ford Ka, is also entering and hoping to do her bit for the new fund.
For more information on the free draw, which includes a co-driving seat with Eugene Donnelly, a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix and a £500 voucher to a World Rally Champioinship round, and also details of how to bid for a co-drivers seat, simply go to www.magherafeltmotorclub.co.uk and submit your email address.
Entries still open: Entry Form on:
22/11/06
Paul Kiely to co-drive for Gwyndaf Evans
Tarmac Champion co-driver Paul Kiely will now accompany Welshman Gwyndaf Evans on the 30th December Rally of the 1000 Entries at Kirkistown. Original nominee for the co-driver’s seat, Chris Patterson, has been called on for Dakar Rally duties.
The event has been formulated to raise funds to enable Christopher Rogers to make a trip to China for further medical treatment. Christopher was left paralysed following a rally accident where sadly his co-driver Shane O’Neill was killed. As an extension of the fund-raising, a new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund (RSMA) is being set up to provide future cover for other competitors.
Top drivers who will be making an appearance include Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnely. His co-driving seat is now the first prize in the free draw that is being run in association with the rally. Many of the other co-driving seats on the day are available to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going towards the Fund. Kenny McKinstry and Emma McKinstry (Subaru and Lancer respectively), Glenn Allen (Corolla WRC), Kieran O’Neill (Kadett RWD), Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) and Camillus Bradley (Escort RWD), are just a cross-section of the drivers who have entered the event. Go to www.rsmafund.com for your chance to bid and be part of the action.
Young Alistair Fisher, the new NI Junior Stage Champion has entered in his ex Colin Britton Peugeot SuperCup 206, while Rally Preparation Specialist David Greer has put in entries for his two sons Jonathan and Barry.
There are also some interesting ‘fantasy’ entries from drivers wishing to support the overall concept of the event, but without actually competing. Motorsport TV producer Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall has entered in the well known RPM Previa with an astonishing five co-drivers, Donegal Oil supremo Roger McMahon has entered in a Dodge Ram and Kieran Bradley from Walsh’s Hotel in Maghera in a VW Beetle! All contributing to the objective of achieving 1000 entries.
Many companies and bodies are supporting this initiative, Rogers Fencing through the efforts of MD Cathal Rogers and Van Parts Ireland have agreed to sponsor the event with various organisations all doing their bit to raise as much money as possible for the cause. The Fisher Foundation is also making a subsantial donation.
Niall Maguire and the members of Monaghan Motor Club have put in a brilliant effort and produced a cheq ue for €19,000, the proceeds of a special quarrycross. Marshals from Connacht Motor Club have donated the funds from their marshalling efforts on the recent Donegal Harvest rally and club members at a recent meeting all put €10 in the kitty, so that the club has been able to hand over almost €900.
The free draw, with the top prizes including a co-driving seat with Eugene Donnelly on the rally, a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix and a £500 voucher towards a trip to a world rally event, is simple and free to enter, it just requires submitting your email address to the Magherafelt Motor Club at www.magherafeltmotorclub.co.uk
The level of support, up and down the chain, has been gratifying, and we hope that the momentum continues up to the rally on the 30th December, and beyond.
14/11/06RALLY BIG DRAW
Interest and support for the Kirkistown based 30th December Rally of the 1000 Entries, in conjunction with the new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund, continues to gather momentum. The trustees of the Fisher Foundation are considering it as a very special project and are lending their support by making a substantial donation.
Lending their support to the event and making “fantasy” entries, emphasising the fun angle of the rally, former saloon car Champion Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall has submitted an entry in his ‘RPM TV’ Previa, with five co-drivers! Enduro bike racer Davy Patterson has put his brother Chris’s classic Dennis Fire Engine on the list, with Ryan Champion co-driving!
An interesting aspect of the new rally fund is a free draw, with the first prize a co-driving seat with a top driver, and 2nd prize a donated trip to the Monaco Grand Prix. Entry is simple, and free, just requires e-mailing the Magherafelt Motor Club at www.magherafeltmotorclub.co.uk
Just some of the top entries received so far include Gwyndaf Evans (Lancer), Eugene Donnelly (Corolla WRC), Derek McGarrity (Impreza WRC), and Kenny McKinstry (WRC). Adding some sideways action will be Camillus Bradley and Monaghan’s Dessie Keenan both in his Escorts.
The original motivation for the Rally of the 1000 entries was to raise finance to help Christopher Rogers, badly injured in a rally accident which also cost the life of his co-driver Shane O’Neill, to help fund a trip to China to enable Chris to get some special treatment. A progression from that idea was setting up the Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund to meet any similar future contingencies.
08/11/06
Gwyndaf Entry Boost
“The Rally of the 1000 Entries” continues to gather momentum, the latest top entry being for former British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans. The Welshman will join with top Irish drivers such as Eugene Donnelly, Gareth MacHale and Derek McGarrity at the end of season (30th Dec) thrash over six special stages at Kirkistown.
The main aim of the rally is to raise funds to help Christopher Rogers, paralysed following a rally accident, go to China for the latest medical treatment, and also to kick start the new ‘Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund’
Gwyndaf Evans, no stranger to rallying in Northern Ireland, having won the Ulster and Lurgan Park rallies many times, instantly agreed to drive at Kirkistown to help boost the cause.
The main organisers of the rally, Magherafelt MC, have lined up a Derrick Job GpN Lancer Evo 9 for Gwyndaf. Chris Patterson, free of his Middle East and WRC duties at that time, is on stand-by to co-drive, although the co-driving seats of many of the top drivers are being auctioned to aid the fund.
Further top drivers who have entered the rally include Kenny McKinstry (Impreza WRC), Glenn Allen (Corolla WRC), and Sean Devine (Impreza WRC).
CO-DRIVE FOR THE STARS - PLACE A BID
A number of drivers have offered their passenger seats for auction. All have committed to participate in the Rally of 1000 Entries and this is YOUR chance to navigate for the stars of Irish rallying!
-
Eugene Donnelly
Gareth MacHale
Derek McGarrity
Frank Kelly
Charlie Donnelly
Glenn Allen
Kenny McKinstry
Denis Biggerstaff
Dessie Keenan
Camillus Bradley
Wesley Patterson
Kieran Shaw
Martin Doherty
Sean Devine
Greg McCormack
Trevor Moore
Stephen Potts
Brendan O'Hagan
Emma McKinstry
Kieran O'Neill Maurice Moffett
Seamus McCusker
Niall Maguire
Fintan McGrady
James Cullen
ANYONE CAN ENTER THIS RECORD BREAKING ATTEMPT
You don't need to participate in the event - merely add your name to the entry list to become part of a record breaking attempt!
However, those that want to participate and have the correct MSA or MSI licence can do so! Entries will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
ALL money raised goes directly into the RSMA Fund!
Details:
12/08/05
Biggest ever rally entry set to enter the record books and jump-start new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance Fund!
"We want hundreds of people to enter what we are hoping to be the biggest entry in the world for a rally - EVER!"
Those are the words of Magherafelt and District Motor Club's Crawford Henderson discussing plans for the Rally of 1000 Entries, sponsored by Rogers Fencing and Van Parts Ireland, to be held on Saturday 30 December at Kirkistown Race Circuit.
And it's all in the aid of jump-starting the new Rally Specialist Medical Assistance (RSMA) Fund, a scheme designed to provide monetary assistance to both Irish and British rally competitors who have been injured in competition and need specialist medical care.
"There is very little help out there for rally competitors who have been seriously injured," Henderson continued. "Everyone involved in our sport has the potential to be involved in a serious incident. The Motor Sports Association (MSA) provides £60,000 to competitors who lose a leg or lose their eyesight. But those that lose the ability to walk, for example, receive no assistance whatsoever. To have the reassurance that there is a fund to help in these circumstances can only be of benefit to us all."
The innovative idea sprouted as a result of a meeting between a few rally competitors and organisers, who identified the need for such a fund. Inspired by the plight of Christopher Rogers, who lost the ability to walk four years ago in the same accident (during the Monaghan Stages Rally) which claimed the life of his navigator Shane O'Neill, the idea for the RSMA Fund was formed.
"We're aiming to get 1000 entries," a spokesman for Magherafelt and District Motor Club said. "I know it sounds totally mad but we think it's workable. All we're asking is for people to complete an entry form and send £100. You don't have to turn up at the event if you don't want to. All we want is the biggest number of entries on the entry list."
"You can enter in any vehicle you like. It doesn't need to pass scrutiny if you're not doing the rally, and you don't need a competition licence if you're not doing the rally. All we ask is that if you do want to compete, then get your co-driver to give £50 towards the MSA insurance for the event."
So for £100, anyone can secure their name on the entry list for the biggest rally entry ever, while an additional £50 secures a navigator's name. And if all goes to plan, the event will be entered into the Guinness Book of Records, allowing all those that took part to have their claim to fame!
"Of course, this idea will only work once but the rally will help kick-start the fundraising process. We also have other ideas and we're going to ask all motor clubs to continue to help raise funds over the coming weeks and months."
Appeal to motor clubs
The fund committee would like to appeal to all motor clubs to distribute entry forms to all their club members so that as many potential competitors are offered the opportunity to enter the event.
Seats for auction
The committee are deeply indebted to a host of top line drivers who have offered their co-driving sets for auction. More details later! However you can be sure this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone to bid for a seat in a WRC car or in one of the very best 2 wheel drive cars in Ireland.
Drivers who have already committed to the event include, Gareth MacHale, Eugene Donnelly, Derek McGarrity, Kenny McKinstry, Camillus Bradley, Seamus O'Connell to name but a few.
The organisers are currently working to obtain more.
Entry Form on:
Topics:
Rally of 1000 Entries
Upcoming