Posted: August 4, 2014 12:55 PM - 8002 Hits
RiverRidge Recycling Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally -
Saturday August 2nd -
Shackelton
Round 5 - 2014 NI Junior Championship
Posted: August 4, 2014 12:16 PM
The sixth round of the 2014 McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, took place on the former military base at Shackleton on Saturday for the Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally. It was the first time that the Maiden City Motor Club event was contested by the Junior 1000 crews and a record eight cars took the start. The series also supported by the rally classified ad site www.rallysales.eu is now in its third season, and the 14-17 year olds are guided by highly experienced rally drivers and co-drivers who brave the co-driver’s seats to pass on their valuable experience to these teenage stars of the future.
Round five of the series was scheduled for July 13th at Bishopscourt, but sadly for the Junior’s the Ballynahinch Motor Clun event was cancelled due to a lack of entries in the main field, but thankfully there were no such problems at Shackleton with over eighty adult rally crews entered.
Leading the Junior’s away in torrential rain, which was relentless all day, was Moira’s William Creighton. Winner of the first four rounds in his Citroen C1 and with the loss of round five, which he was going to miss, the championship could be sown up at Shackelton, and that’s duly what he did. There was a slow start on stage one, when he dropped four seconds on stage one, but pulled back eight on stage two to command a lead he wasn’t to lose. With co-driver Liam Regan they took four fastest times over the six soaking stages, to win by thirty-six seconds and clinch the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland with two rounds remaining! After a successful debut rally season in 2013, William is also leading the UK Junior 1000 series this season, and has to be a name to watch out for in the future.
Eoghan Bogue had a new co-driver again, the experienced Ian Regan, and the Micra mounted runners were fearing their horse-power disadvantage on the long fast straights, but Eoghan more than made up for this on stage one, with a fastest time, despite running wide on the second junction. Three more second fastest times saw him maintain second place to the finish, despite a few more half-spins and over-shoots. In third was Philip White and Matthew Mason in another Micra, although they were initially headed by Michael McGarrity on the first stage. The high-light of Philip’s day was a fastest time on the final stage, but he never really was close enough to threaten Micra mate Bogue.
Michael McGaritty along with Bogue and White was joint second in the series heading into this round, but was unable to challenge his championship rivals in the wet conditions, as the C1 aquaplaned down the fast straights. With Bogue however not contesting next weekend’s championship round the Solway Coast event in Scotland, Michael has a chance to gain again that coveted second spot. In fifth place, albeit almost a minute behind Michael was newcomer Peter Bennett with Arthur Kierans taking a break from his BRC duties with Daniel McKenna to read the pace-notes. The 14 year old Loughgall driver in his smart C1 nevertheless had the drive of the day and very much enjoyed his Junior 1000 debut.
Moira’s James Partridge had former driver Gary White alongside for the first time in the Peugeot 107. There were a few dramas during the event, including a massive over-shoot on stage three, but sixth place was secured, and once again James enjoyed the competition in one of his final Junior events. Seventh was the only female driver in the series, Alex Harper with her Micra. Alex was adapting to the extremely wet conditions, and suffered a spin on stage three, but it was really on stage five that she woke up and once again recorded times around fellow new-comer this season Bailie McClinton. Bailie and co-driver Niall Burns received stage maximums on the first two tests for a wrong entry to a chicane, and that ruined their chance of seventh place. Once again this total newcomer to rallying showed some decent pace, and made few mistakes in the streaming wet conditions.
Round seven of the McGrady Insurance Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland is the Solway Coast Rally which takes place at the Dundrennan Military Range on Sunday 10th August. It’s a round of the UK, Scottish and this series with 25-30 Junior 1000 crews contesting their own rally over the tricky military ranges.
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Maiden City Motor Club "RiverRidge Recycling Dogleap Tarmac Stages Rally"
Saturday August 2nd
Shackelton Ballykelly
Six stages with approx. 40 stage miles.
A Round of the "Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland"
Full details, Regulations and Entry Form available at