Ulster International Rally - 15-16 Aug 14

STATEMENTS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND MOTOR CLUB

Posted: August 15, 2014 9:16 PM

ISSUED 15 August @ 20:30
"It is with deep regret that the Northern Ireland Motor Club can confirm that twenty-year-old Timothy Cathcart from Enniskillen, was sadly killed when his car left the road on the Fardross stage of the Ulster Rally. His co-driver, Dai Roberts from Carmarthen in Wales, was also injured in the incident and he is currently receiving hospital treatment.

The local driver was competing as part of the British Rally Championship, on board a Citroen DS3 R3.

As with all incidents of this nature, an investigation is now being carried out by the PSNI and appropriate Local Authority. The Northern Ireland Motor Club and the Ulster Rally Organising Team together with the sport’s governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are co-operating fully with the investigation. The MSA will conduct its own separate enquiry once the Police investigation is concluded.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected with the event are with the family and friends of Timothy at this difficult time.

We would ask that all respect the privacy of the families involved and the event volunteers. "

ISSUED 15 August @ 18:35
"As a mark of respect to family and friends of the competitor who was involved in today’s fatal accident in the Ulster Rally, the organisers have decided to cancel the remainder of the 2014 event. "

ISSUED 15 August @ 17:30
"The Northern Ireland Motor Club extends its sympathy to the family and friends of the competitor who was fatally injured during a tragic accident in today’s Ulster Rally.

The remainder of today’s (Friday) Special Stages have been cancelled. A further statement will be issued later. "

ISSUED 15 August @ 16:25
"A fatal incident involving a competitor has occurred on Special Stage 3 of the Ulster Rally. No other parties were involved.

A further statement will be issued at 5.30pm."

Daniel Sets His Sights On Ulster

Posted: August 15, 2014 8:45 AM

Pirelli Star Driver Daniel McKenna and navigator Arthur Kierans make the short trip from their County Monaghan base to neighbouring Fermanagh for the penultimate round of this year’s British Rally Championship, the Todds Leap Ulster Rally.

The Monaghan pairing arrive in Enniskillen on the crest of a wave following back to back wins on the Jim Clark and Scottish rallies. Those wins have propelled Daniel and Arthur into the lead of the British Championship in their Pirelli Citroen DS3 R3T and they now have a 20 point cushion over their closest pursuer, Welsh driver Osian Pryce. Last year’s Ulster Rally saw Daniel produce one of his best drives of 2013 when he finished 5th overall and won the BRC2 category in his R2 Fiesta and Daniel is hopeful of another strong result this weekend as the organisers have made minimal changes to the 2013 route.

Speaking before the rally Daniel said;
“The Ulster stages are always very challenging but they are really enjoyable and we had a great run over them last year in the Fiesta. Obviously things will be a little different in the Citroen this year but I’m really getting to grips with the car and we had a good test with Davy Greer Motorsport last week to dial in settings. Osian was very impressive on the Ulster last year and after a non finish on the last round I know he’ll be looking for a win but all I want is a good result. If I can maintain my championship lead heading to the final round on the Isle of Man next month I’ll be very happy. To be in the hunt for the title is a great feeling but I’m under no illusions as to how tricky this weekend will be.”

Daniel and Arthur will start with number 7 on the door of the Pirelli shod Ds3 R3T and will begin their Ulster Rally on Friday afternoon where the crews will tackle 7 stages including a spectator stage around St. Angelo Airport. The action then gets underway again early on Saturday morning with the famous Sloughan Glen stage before the winning cars arrive back in Enniskillen on Saturday afternoon having completed over 120 competitive miles over the sideroads of Fermanagh and Tyrone. You can follow Daniel’s progress over the weekend and for the remainder of the season by following him on Twitter @DMKMotorsport, Facebook at Daniel McKenna Rallying and by checking out his website, www.danielmckenna.net

Tarmac Championship Contenders head for Fermanagh

Posted: August 14, 2014 2:13 PM

There are now only two rounds left to run in the 2014 Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, with the fifth and penultimate round the Todd’s Leap Ulster Rally set to take place next weekend. The Enniskillen based event sees championship leader Declan Boyle in a very strong position to take his first ever title as he currently holds a 29 point lead over closest rival Sam Moffett. However Moffett is not doing the Ulster Rally due to choosing to bring his Fiesta WRC to Rally Germany which further strengthens Boyle chances. Sam’s brother Josh is currently third in the series and second overall in Group N and will be looking to take over the lead of the championship for the showroom category next weekend in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Top seed for the Ulster Rally is local driver Garry Jennings who will be looking to repeat his win from 2013 on home territory in his Subaru Impreza WRC. The reigning tarmac champion has not had a happy year and with the championship practically out of reach will be looking to take his first victory of the year. Donagh Kelly was due to start as third seed, but engine problems which forced him out of the Stonethrowers Rally last weekend have proved too much to sort at such short notice and he has withdrawn his entry. An exciting entry in a Subaru Impreza WRC is multiple tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly who has not had a happy year, with two retirements in Galway and the Circuit of Ireland putting paid to his chances. However he is still capable of getting a good result and as he can score championship points could be a fly in the ointment for the regular contenders this weekend. Eugene Meegan, Richard Tannahill and Stephen Wright are also down to compete; with Meegan currently third in group N and seventh overall in the championship while Tannahill is in ninth place in his Peugeot 208 R2. Wright, the current group N champion and Billy Coleman winner from 2013 is tenth overall in the championship having done most of his competing in Belgium this year also in a Peugeot 208 R2.

The Irish Tarmac Modified Championship looked cut and dried when Declan Gallagher from Donegal won the first three events in his rapid Toyota Starlet. However Wesley Patterson has closed the gap over the past two events to leave just 10 points between the pair going into the final two rounds making it all to play for, although Gallagher has the advantage of more maximum scores so far. Frank Kelly in third place will be close to home territory in his “Baby Blue” Escort Mk2 and could well topple the leading pair if he gets a good run. Martin Donnelly and Enda McCormack in a Corolla WRC and Accent WRC respectively are also poised to move up the leaderboard with a good result. The Irish Tarmac Historic Championship is currently being led by Denis Moynihan in his Mk1 Escort and with second placed man Ray Cunningham not competing, third placed Aidan O’Connor has a great opportunity to close the gap or even lead the championship after Ulster. Andy Johnson and Philip McKibbin are also capable of taking maximum points which would see them in with a chance to leading the championship going into the final round in Cork.

The action begins at 12.10pm on Friday 15th August with seven stages to be tackled on the first day before the cars return to Parc Ferme at approximately 21.30. Saturday 16th sees the action begin at the early time of 06.45 with eight more stages to be completed before the first car arrives at the finish ramp at 16.05. Remember you can keep up to date with all of the championship happenings on the championship website www.irishtarmac.com, Facebook (Irish Tarmac Championship), Twitter (@IrishTarmacTROA) and the Championship App which can be downloaded for Android and iOS devices for free (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship).

Ulster Awaits For Wright Rally

Posted: August 14, 2014 10:41 AM

The Wright Rally Team head for home this weekend where current Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year Stephen Wright, and his co-driving sister Susanne will contest the Todds Leap Ulster Rally. The pair haven’t far to travel from their Monaghan base as the Ulster Rally will once again be based out of the County Fermanagh town of Enniskillen. The team will be keen to produce a strong result for local sponsor, The Killyhevlin Hotel situated on the picturesque shores of Lough Erne

It’s a shorter distance than the duos last event where they travelled to the continent to tackle Rallye Luxembourg. Stephen and Susanne have been doing the majority of their rallying in Europe this year and Luxembourg provided them with one of their strongest results to date where the pair finished 13th overall and crucially, 2nd in the 208 Rally Trophy.

Speaking ahead of the weekend Stephen said;
“It’s been a very rewarding year to date. Our pace on the Belgian and European rounds is continually increasing and although each rally has presented unfamiliar terrain, the results have been promising. It will be brilliant to compete again on a local rally and the Ulster Rally is a fantastic event with some really challenging stages. We left Luxembourg very confident in the car and our pacenotes, so I hope we can pick up where we left off and produce a good result for our local sponsors.”

You can follow Stephen and Susanne’s progress this weekend by following them on Twitter @StephenWr1ght and @SusanneWright15 and more information on the Wright Rally Team is available by visiting www.wrightrally.com. Stephen and Susanne are competing this season with the support of the Killyhevlin Hotel and Health Club, Spanwright Concrete Flooring, Lafarge Tarmac, Solmatix, Motorsport Ireland and The Irish Sports Council.

Stanley Orr Aiming To Crack Ulster Rally Jinx!

Posted: August 13, 2014 2:24 PM

Killinchy’s Stanley Orr and co-driver Brian Cairns have had an outstanding season this year, and currently lie third overall in the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship. After one outright victory and three second place finishes, in their MK Transport Escort, they lead also their class commandingly, with three rounds still to go.

A late decision meant that they made the start of the last round in July, the Harry Flatters Rally over the Epynt military ranges. Although it stretched the finances it was worth it, as on this highly specialised venue they excelled on their first attempt, finishing fourth overall and taking a class victory of over three minutes. However their big rival for the overall title Gloucestershire’s David Stokes won outright after an excellent run in his more powerful BDA Escort, and this weekend on the Ulster Rally the County Down crew really need to beat the English driver to keep that underdog title dream alive.

“It won’t be easy” said Stanley as he worked at the Escort, with the help of his dedicated service team, a band of friends and volunteers who are very much behind the Killinchy drivers exploits.
“The Ulster Rally for me has always been a jinx event. Even last year we broke down on the fourth stage, when a coil failed, and it was a new one just fitted as a precaution before the start! The biggest accident I ever had was on the Ulster, way back in 1982 or 83, in a Group 4 Escort. The car was totalled, and I mean totalled! The brakes failed and we sailed off in a big way, taking part of a bridge with us! Don’t get me wrong I really like the rally, always have, but it’s never went as well as I would like. Maybe this is the year to break that jinx, and really that’s what we need to do. We need to beat David Stokes.”

That was not the aim at the start of the year, it was just to learn these new events across the water, and go for class honours, but the Kumho shod Escort has been treading on the podium consistently and Stanley is loving this second year of his return to rallying. St.Angelo airfield Enniskillen is the base for the Ulster a two-day event over fifteen special stages totalling one hundred and twenty four miles. “The rally should suit us, and the weather too could play into our hands, but ironically the one place that won’t is the spectator special at St.Angelo. It’s more of a power stage then the rest and it’s very easy to lose those few seconds to David that may have been gained on the road tests.” After the Ulster challenge, it’s the Rally Isle of Man in September and the finale in the Scottish forests in October for the Colin McRae Forest Stages.

Statement from the Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd

Posted: August 12, 2014 8:25 PM

Everyone involved in the 2014 Todds Leap Ulster Rally would like to offer their sincere condolences to our Clerk of the Course, Mr Lewis Boyd, his son Phillip and daughter Hannah, following the passing of their wife, mother and friend, Hazel, on Monday.

It was with great shock and sadness that we learned of their loss and we would ask you to respect the privacy of Lewis and his family at this time.

While this tragedy has put sport into perspective, the event will go ahead as planned this weekend and any queries should be directed towards other members of the organising committee.

Entries Received

Posted: August 4, 2014 1:19 PM

Available at:

www.rallies.info/webentry/2014/ulster/

Last chance entries for 2014 Todd’s Leap Ulster Rally

Posted: July 29, 2014 8:47 PM

WITH the closing date for entries to the 2014 Todds Leap Ulster Rally fast approaching, a titanic battle for the title is expected given the high standard of drivers who have already secured their place in the prestigious event.

Irish Tarmac Championship big-hitters, including the in-form Declan Boyle and reigning champion Garry Jennings are amongst those to have claimed their spot in the event, which takes place in Fermanagh and south Tyrone on August 15 and 16.

With the July 30 closing date for the 2014 Todd’s Leap Ulster Rally rapidly approaching and following the success of the new Fermanagh and South Tyrone stages last year, there is great demand for spaces on this year’s entry list.

Another driver who has secured his entry, Jon Armstrong from Kesh, will again drive a Ford Fiesta R2, which he starred in at last year's event;
“It’s great for me to have a rally of this standard back on home territory, the stages are fantastic. I competed in the British Championship last year and this event was the best by far. I’m really looking forward to this year's,” he said.

Lewis Boyd, clerk of the course, commented on this year’s Ulster Rally entries to date, saying:
“It’s looks like there could be stiff competition with last year’s Ulster Rally top five having all re- entered the 2014 event. Vying for the top slot will be last year’s winner, Garry Jennings in his WRC Subaru Impreza; the in-form Declan Boyle; Derrick McGarrity in his WRC Mini Countryman; Donagh Kelly in his WRC Ford Focus along with Josh Moffet in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and with Stephen Wright in his Peugeot 208 R2.”

Online entry is available for all the Championships in the Ulster Rally, logo onto: www.ulsterrally.com and register before close of day Wednesday 30th July. Late entries are subject to availability and will incur an additional charge.

The Todds Leap Ulster Rally encompasses 130 competitive miles over 15 stages in the Fermanagh and Tyrone regions. Set to kick off at lunchtime on Friday 15th August with a ceremonial start in Enniskillen town, finishing at the Spectator Special Stage and Service Park Base at St Angelo Airport Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Rally HQ will be based at the Belmore Court & Motel and the organisers expect 300 drivers and co-drivers, supported by over 600 service crew, to be competing in up to 150 rally cars over the two day period.

Mini by name, but not by nature as Ulster Rally entries flood in...

Posted: July 22, 2014 9:08 AM

Two completely different versions of the iconic Mini will be strutting their stuff at August's Todds Leap Ulster Rally as entries for the event flood in and while they are both Mini by name, they are anything but by nature!

The first entry received was the iconic 1963 model owned by Northampton driver, Phillip Harris. Neither Harris, nor his beloved Mini, has competed in 24 years and Fermanagh has been chosen to make a rally comeback with his lovingly restored 1293cc Historic machine.

“My dad bought me this Mini in 1976 and we competed together throughout the late 70s and mid 80s but my Dad pass away in 1988 and I stopped rallying in 1990. Now my two nieces are desperate to get involved in motorsport so for the Mini’s 50th birthday I had it restored back to how a works car would have been in the 1960s and I’m hoping they will co-drive for me next year,” said Phillip.

He continued; “I’m really excited about the Mini making its debut at the Ulster Rally this year, I specifically picked the Rally as it’s a fantastic, high profile, fun event. I have great memories of Northern Ireland from the last time I competed, winning my class back in 1985.”

In contrast, the second entry was another Mini, this time from Ballymena’s Alan Carmichael, boasting a 300+ horse power turbo engine, four wheel drive and a proven pedigree having won the Ulster National Rally in the hands of Derek McGeehan in 2013. Carmichael will be hoping for a strong performance in Fermanagh to keep his NI Championship title hopes alive.

Hot on the tail of the Minis was an entry from three times Ulster Rally winner Jimmy McRae. The Scottish Rally legend is campaigning a Vauxhall Firenza in the British Historic Rally Championship and his many Irish Rally fans will be cheering him on during the event.

This year’s Ulster Rally also sets the scene for the ongoing battle between Osian Pryce and Monaghan’s Daniel McKenna for the British Rally Championship. Pryce took a convincing Rally NI win last August which was then followed by a train of wins only broken when McKenna won the Jim Clark Rally in June. Another win on the Scottish Rally in June now sees the Monaghan man arriving in Fermanagh with the advantage in the British series.

In the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Championship, Donegal’s Donagh Kelly has already secured his place on the start list and is expected to be joined by a large contingent of rapid WRC pilots including Irish Championship leader Declan Boyle, Monaghan’s Sam Moffitt in his Fiesta WRC and last year’s winner Garry Jennings.

Lewis Boyd, Clerk of the Course added “This year’s line-up is looking very strong in all classes. In addition to the WRCs and Minis there are a number of MKI and MKII Escorts, both modern and Historic, as well as a variety of other machinery chasing British, Irish and NI Rally Championship glory. Kicking off with a ceremonial start in Enniskillen Town Centre on Friday 15th August, the 2014 Ulster Rally promises a thrilling weekend of action.”

The Todds Leap Ulster Rally encompasses 130 competitive miles over 15 stages in the Fermanagh and Tyrone regions. Set to kick off at lunchtime on Friday 15th August with a ceremonial start in Enniskillen town, the rally finishes back in the town on Saturday from 4pm.

This year will also see the return of the family friendly Spectator Special stage and other attractions at the St. Angelo Airport complex along with the event’s Central Service Park – all within easy reach of Enniskillen town centre. Rally HQ will be based at the Belmore Court & Motel and the organisers expect 300 drivers and co-drivers, supported by over 600 service crew, to be competing in up to 150 rally cars over the two day period.

The early closing date for entries is fast approaching, so if you are a competitor, avoid a late entry charge and register before Wednesday 23rd July by logging onto: www.ulsterrally.com. The final closing date for entries is Wednesday 30th July.

Early Entry Deadline within sight...

Posted: July 21, 2014 1:23 PM

The Entries for the Ulster Rally & the Ulster National Rallies are coming in steadily and with the first deadline for early entries fast approaching, competitors are reminded to secure their place on the entry list before Wednesday 23rd to avoid any additional late fees.

All the information you require, including Rally Guide 1, Supplementary Regulations, unseeded entry list and the On-Line Entry system are available from the Competitors page on the event website.

For Historic Crews who are entered in the Harry Flatters Rally and are waiting to see if they emerge unscathed before posting an entry, please email wblackledge@ulsterrally.com and make her aware of your intentions to secure a place at the normal rate.

Entries Received

Posted: July 8, 2014 9:32 PM

Available at:

www.rallies.info/webentry/2014/ulster/

Fivemiletown Primary School pupil wins top prize in Todds Leap Ulster Rally competition...

Posted: July 8, 2014 9:25 PM

The organisers of the 2014 Todds Leap Ulster Rally made a surprise visit to Fivemiletown Primary School recently to congratulate P6 pupil Cindy Robinson on winning the Primary School competition to design the livery for the 2014 Todds Leap Ulster Rally model car.

The Competition organiser, Joanne Cunningham from Fermanagh District Council, was delighted with the number and quality of the entries received from schools across Fermanagh and Tyrone and with over 300 entries, deciding on the winner was far from easy.

Lewis Boyd, the Ulster Rally Clerk of the Course, congratulated Cindy on the quality of her winning design before explaining to the excited pupils all the safety features on the Rally cars provided by Frank Kelly and Shane McGirr which were on display in the school playground.

Cindy will now have her vision of a rally car replicated onto a remote control model by renowned visual artist Chris Holden and she will have the opportunity to have her prize signed by the Ulster Rally winner on 16th August.

Cindy will also, along with the 15 runner-up's and their families, have the opportunity to get a guided tour around the Ulster Rally Service Park at St Angelo Airport on the 15th and 16th August. They will also get to meet the top rally drivers and will also have the opportunity of a thrilling run around the Spectator Stage with the PSNI Road Safety Road show members who will also give some valuable road safety information.

The WInner and 15 runner-up's designs can be viewed on the Media Page at www.ulsterrally.com.

The Todds Leap Ulster Rally 2014 takes place on Friday 15th & Saturday 16th August. The Service Park and Special Spectator stage will be based at St Angelo Airport, with the ceremonial start in Enniskillen and stages throughout Fermanagh and South Tyrone. To keep up-to-date with the build-up to the event, visit www.ulsterrally.com or search for Ulster Rally on Facebook and Twitter.

The entry list for the August event is now open and to ensure that you secure your place on the starters list, log on to the Competitor page of the event website, www.ulsterrally.com, and use the on-line entry system.

• Ulster Rally

Ulster Rally Guide 1 now online

Posted: June 6, 2014 10:28 PM

Rally Guide 1 for the 2014 Todds Leap Ulster Rally is now available to download from the competitors page at

• Ulster Rally

“All Aboard” for 2014 Ulster Rally …

Posted: May 30, 2014 9:33 AM

The Northern Ireland Motor Club has confirmed that County Fermanagh will again play host to the 38th Ulster Rally on August 15th and 16th, with the award winning event being based in and around Enniskillen Town.

Todds Leap has also confirmed their support, with 2014 marking a record breaking 7th year that the Ballygawley based activity centre has sponsored the event.

Confirming the details, Ulster Rally Clerk of the Course Lewis Boyd commented;

“It is exciting to be back in the rallying heartland of Fermanagh and Tyrone and in particular Enniskillen and we look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators from across the British Isles and Europe to the August event. It is great to have the continuing support of Benny O'Hanlon and the enthusiastic Todds Leap team and we are also delighted to again have the backing of Fermanagh District council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.”

Confirming their support for the Ulster Rally, Todds Leap MD Benny O’Hanlon commented;

“Todds Leap is pleased to be sponsoring the Ulster Rally for a record breaking seventh consecutive year. As Northern Ireland's number one activity centre we are totally dedicated and committed to supporting regional events which support the tourist trade and the local economy. The Todds Leap Ulster Rally attracts thousands of spectators to Northern Ireland each year and reaches a wider global audiences show casing the region at its sporting best. Todds Leap is looking forward to another successful rally and we wish the organisers, participants and supporters all the best for what will be another thrilling event in Fermanagh.”

The Enniskillen area has enjoyed a prominent place in the history of the Ulster Rally, having hosted the traditional Saturday morning breakfast halt in Ballinamallard during the 1980’s and 1990’s, and after the success of last year’s event, which won the ‘Best British Championship Event Award’ for the 3rd time, the organisers are delighted to be returning to the Fermanagh Lakelands.

Once again the Ulster Rally is expected to attract top line entries from the MSA British championship and the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac championship as well as the Mintex MSA Historic Championship and local McGrady Insurance Championship. The event on the 15th and 16th August will be based at St Angelo Airport where a number of family attractions will be interspersed with the running of a Spectator Special Stage on the Friday and Saturday.

The organisers are grateful to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and our many local sponsors for their support in helping us stage this high profile international event. The Ulster Rally provides a great opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland and its products and services to a wide audience. A number of sponsorship and commercial opportunities are still available - see event website.

Website

Posted: May 30, 2014 9:32 AM

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