Posted: November 30, 2009 9:26 PM - 14226 Hits
The www.YOURPARTYBANNERS.com Gullion Stages Rally 2009 at Formula Karting in Newry
Round 7 - 2009 Northern Ireland 2WD Rally Challenge
Posted: November 29, 2009 8:15 PM
As the fog descended on the final round of the Pacenotes ANICC 2WD Rally Challenge, at the YourPartyBanners.com Gullion Stages it was local crew Damien Toner and Paddy McCague that set the fastest time on the opening Camlough test.
Camillus Bradley and Ciaran Kelly finished the first stage two seconds back, but over the longer Gullion stage they were ten seconds faster than anyone else, moving into the lead. The fog was playing havoc on the Gullion stage; Crews were having trouble with the conditions leaving many with no choice but to back off.
Damien Toner and Paddy McCague responded on the second Camlough test, taking three seconds back off Camillus’s lead. It was to no avail though, as Camillus Bradley pulled back the time again on the second Gullion stage.
Stages five had only one second between the two at the top, but after a troubled morning Norman Armstrong and Gary Armstrong were back on form setting a stage fastest time on the Gullion stage.
Crews then moved on to the final run through the Camlough stage before tackling the Gullion stage just as the fog was finally lifting, there was the darkness to contend with. Camillus Bradley and Ciaran Kelly didn’t fail to disappoint on the final run taking another stage win by eight seconds from Norman and Gary Armstrong.
Damien Toner and Paddy McCague’s final effort placed them in second overall ahead of the Armstrong camp. Raymond Conlon and Matt McCrudden finished in fourth behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla.
First of the Pacenotes Series competitors was Michael Conlon and Aidan Boyle in fifth overall, after his retirement on the penultimate round in Enniskillen. Second place points was a welcome boost for Stephen and Victor Smith’s campaign ahead of John and Gavin Devlin from Banbridge, twenty four seconds back. Raymond Doyle finished in twenty fourth overall and fourth out of the Challenge crews, also in the top five, Eamon and Jerry McLaughlin.
In the 1400cc class, Eamon and Jerry McLaughlin were out front. Portadown’s Arnie Lutton and John Henderson through caution to the wind, claiming second in class. Another regular in the series this year, Wesley Johnston and Sam Magill finished in third ahead of the similar Skoda Felicia of Barry O’Neill and Kevin Lynam.
In the 1600cc 8 valve category, John and Gavin Devlin set the pace early on and kept the lead to take the class win. Allan McKay and Mo Downey in the Ford Anglia WRC (Allan McKay informs us that WRC stands for Well Run Car) finished in second, but are unregistered for the series, giving second place points to Paddy Quinn and Raymond Loughran.
Stephen and Victor Smith were victorious in the class for cars up to 1650cc ahead of Raymond Doyle and Marc Nugent.
The up to 2100cc Challenge points went to Alan Acheson and Dean Henderson despite finishing fifth in class, as they were the first registered crew ahead of Mark and Sinead McGrath.
Finally, the Challenge Committee would like to thank the Sponsor, Simon Mooney from Pacenotes Rally Magazine, the organising clubs of each round, event sponsors, marshals, officials, crews who took part in the Series and everyone who supported the first Pacenotes ANICC 2WD Rally Challenge.
Posted: November 25, 2009 6:27 PM
The final round of the Pacenotes ANICC 2wd Rally Challenge will take place this weekend at the YourPartyBanners.com Gullion Stages. The first stage, Camlough 1 will start at 10.40am and will move to the Big Gullion test at 10.59am. Crews will tackle each stage four times before finishing in Newry at 5pm.
The expected front runners will be Kieron Graffin, Camillus Bradley, and Alistair Cochrane amongst local crews, Norman Armstrong, Andrew Simms and Rory Byrne. Newry club member David McElroy will also take to stages, navigating for Trevor Ferguson.
In the Pacenotes Series, Drew Stewart and David White claimed victory at the penultimate round, but many class battles are yet to be decided this weekend.
Posted: November 5, 2009 5:26 PM
he Launch took place on Tues Night (3rd Nov) of The www.YOURPARTYBANNERS.com Gullion Stages Rally 2009 at Formula Karting in Newry.
Paul Mulholland who is more accustomed to the navigators seat takes charge for the first time as COC of the event. Chairman of the Club and DCOC of the event Des O’Loan stated that “ With NADMC having secured a Road Closing order for the Mourne Rally in 2010, it was a good opportunity to bring other club members to the fore in running events, under the watchful eye of more skilled club officials.”
COC Paul Mulholland Thanked our new sponsor www.yourpartybanners.com for coming on board to support the event.
For the First time The Gullion Rally will also be open to 4WD competitors (except WRC).
It is also The final Round of the Highly successful Pacenotes ANICC 2wd Rally championship, with a lot of classes still to be decided there should be some interesting battles on the stages
NADMC will once again be using the the Camlough Mountain Stage as the opener, which received high reviews for competitors when used for the Mourne Rally earlier in the year after having had major resurfacing work and a lot of forestry clearance done. This is followed by the demanding "Big" Gullion test, which always provides a good challenge.
With both tests being run 4 times with 2 familiarisation runs in the morning, this should make for a great event with an Entry fee of £200stg / €230 euro it should prove popular too.
Entries and Regs for the Rally can be found on the club Website and close on 26th Nov.
Posted: November 2, 2009 11:28 AM
Regulations and Entry Forms are now available for Newry & District Motor Club's round of the PACENOTES ANICC 2wd Rally Challenge.
The Gullion Stages Rally will be held on 28th November and will use the smooth Tarmac drives through Camlough and Gullion forest's and is open to two wheel drive and four wheel drive cars (excluding WRC's)
8 Stages are planned with approximately 30 stage miles and centralised service in Gullion Forest Park. Mechanical scrutiny will be held in Newry on the Friday night and the event will kick off at 9am from Newry Town Hall on Saturday morning.
Crews will complete a 'reconnassaince run' over the 2 stages on the morning of the event and Patterson Safety Notes will be available to purchase for the event.
Please assist the event organisers by getting your entry in as soon as possible.
Due to ongoing Royal Mail strike action please note the following contact details if you are intending to enter the event:
Entries Secretary: 079 7693 4255/ +44 79 7693 4255 (between 7pm & 10pm)
Email: gullionstages@gmail.com