Eurocables Rally

[Graham]

This is the 1st round of the PaceNotes / MSA NI Rally Championship. Held at Kirkistown race circuit will be a stage rally using a mix of tar and gravel surfaces with plenty of WRC/GrpN/MK2's to entertain.

Sat 18th Feb starting about 9am !

more info to come when i hear of any

 

[seven rod]

my dad is the secretary for the meet, and trevor is currently looking marshalls for the event if anyone is interested!

 

[Graphic_chick]

ill be able to hear it without even opening a window in my house cheers lol, may take a wee run up

 

[seven rod]

i spotted some very interesting entries in the post this morning

 

[seven rod]

i'm not even going to the rally....... got a mini run that day

 

[Graham]

does the entries close this Friday or what ? go on let a couple slip

 

[seven rod]

i think they do, but then you have the last week at the higher rate!!

but instead of having namcc on the cheque if you can write lesley somerville on it instead and i'll make sure it goes through

 

[seven rod]

entries close on saturday for eurocables............ no later! get them in NOW!!!

 

[Graham2]

should be there. entry list?

 

[seven rod]

i can't!!! my dad has it hidden on his computer


though have spotted some interesting ones!

 

[Graham]

North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club Ltd.
euroCABLES Stages - 18 February 2006

1. Kevin Lynch / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Glenn Allen / Damien Connolly - Toyota Corolla WRC
3. Sean Devine / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Denis Biggerstaff / Jonathan MacDonald - Subaru Impreza WRC
6. Raymond Johnston / Richard Bell - Subaru Impreza WRC
7. George Robinson / Tommy Speers - Ford Escort WRC
8. Gary White / TBA - Ford Escort Cosworth
9. Dickie Curran / Chris Curran - Mitsubishi EVO 8.5
10. Mike Curran / Fabian McShane - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7
11. Johnny McKenna / Eugene O'Kane - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
12. Martin Elliott / Brian Crawford - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
13. Brendan O'Hagan / Paul Hone - Ford Focus WRC
14. Seamus Heron / Billy McCullins - Toyota Corolla WRC
15. Kieron Graffin / Neil Doherty - Mitsubishi EVO
16. Paul McKenna / Charlie Beatty - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
17. Connor McCloskey / Crawford Henderson - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
18. Michael Black / Christopher Simms - Toyota Celica 4WD
19. Trevor Ferguson / Barry Rutter - Subaru Impreza
20. Willie Singleton / Charles Orr - Ford Escort Cosworth

 

[Graham2]

no RWD?

 

[seven rod]

still more entries to be added, the upset with the postal service has meant that a lot of entries have been lost in the post or hand delivered to the wrong house..... oops

 

[Graham]

no RWD?

thats only the top 20 lad heres the rest www.nirally.com

 

[Arfur]

See ya there Graham!!!!

 

[Graham2]

thats only the top 20 lad heres the rest www.nirally.com

thank god for that!

heres the entry list so far: http://www.nirally.com/downloads/r1-entry.pdf

112 cars

 

[Graham]

16/02/06 - Rally drivers are gearing up for the opening round of the 2006 MSA Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship, due to kick off at Kirkistown Race Circuit this Saturday 18 February!

Defending champion, Kevin Lynch (Dungiven), heads the entry list in his Subaru Impreza WRC. The successful businessman virtually ran away with last year’s championship but his attendance at the opening round of the 2006 series is anything but certain. Business commitments have already interfered with his participation at two rallies this year, one of which was also based at Kirkistown, and Lynch cites the same reason for his uncertain attendance.

“We’re up to our two ears with work at the moment,” Lynch said two days before the event. “Will I be at Kirkistown? - that’s a million dollar question! To be honest, I really haven’t got the time. I put an entry in to make sure I had the option and the car is ready but I’m 95% certain I won’t be there. Saying that, it’s still at the back of my mind and if the time is there on Friday evening and Saturday morning, then I’ll be sitting on the start line!”

His dominance of last year’s series makes the Dungiven driver the hot favourite for victory. Glenn Allen (Cookstown), who is seeded second for this Saturday’s event, was last year’s championship bridesmaid. With Damian Connolly sitting beside him, the Corolla WRC pilot is hoping to go one better in 2006.

“I haven’t been out since Rally Ireland in October,” Allen said, “so it’ll be good to get back out and see what the craic is. The boys are finishing the car off today (Thursday) so hopefully I’ll get a run in her on Friday. We’re going to do the full championship and have a go at the Irish National series as well.”

Sean Devine (Strabane) has also entered the event in his S9 specification Impreza WRC. The Construction company owner used January’s Kirkistown based New Year Stages Rally to blow off the winter cobwebs. Unfortunately, a broken gearbox forced him to the sidelines during the closing stages while lying in second position.

The winner on that occasion was Denis Biggerstaff and the Dromara man will pilot his Subaru Impreza WRC at this weekend’s event. With a new co-driver on board, Bangor’s Jonathan MacDonald, the former British Rallycross and N.I. Rally Champion is hoping to take his Feckin’ Irish Whiskey sponsored Impreza to another podium finish.

Whiskey company owner and event sponsor, Shane Braniff (Portaferry), is also entered in a Skoda Octavia WRC while Nigel Hicklin, Raymond Johnston, George Robinson and Gary White complete the leading class 8 crews.

Production Category

In the Production category, Dickie Curran (Greyabbey) heads the entry with his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5. His son Michael (Bangor), the current Irish National Group N champion, was seeded behind his father but pulled his entry earlier this week after selling his car.

Curran Junior’s absence means Johnny McKenna (Draperstown) heads the challenge to Dickie Curran. McKenna, who sealed a deal with Hankook Tyres for this year’s championship, started his year on a high with victory at the GMW Stages Rally just two weeks ago.

Martin Elliott (Antrim) is next in line and the former circuit racer, who won Group N at Kirkistown 12 months ago, is hoping history will repeat itself. Kieron Graffin, Paul McKenna and 19-year-old Connor McCloskey will also be setting the stages alight while a late entry from former Production champion, Richard Hogg, throws the cat among the pigeons. Business commitments forced the Limavady man to take a temporary sabbatical from rallying but now he is looking forward to get back behind the wheel.

“I might be a little rusty but sure, who cares!” Hogg said. “I can’t wait to get back into the sport, I’ve definitely missed it over the past year. Tubs (Mark Hanna) and I are really looking forward to Kirkistown!”

Two wheel drive

Superdrive is sponsoring the two wheel drive category and such is the quality of entry, the first crew is listed outside the top 30. Crumlin’s Rodney White and Kara Bateson head the list in their Sunbeam but it won’t be an easy ride. Mark 2 preparation expert, Camillus Bradley (Draperstown), is next in line with a host of other drivers, such as Wesley Patterson, Barry McKenna and Bob Riddles, all capable of taking the honours.

www.nirally.com

 

[Graham]

16/02/06 - Bangor’s Michael Curran has today (Thursday) sealed a deal to drive Shane Braniff’s Skoda Octavia World Rally Car at this Saturday’s Eurocables Stages Rally!

The young 25-year-old looked set to miss the event after selling his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 earlier this week, the car which he used to win the 2005 Irish National Group N trophy. But in a last minute twist of fate, Curran secured a deal and will pilot the Skoda at the opening round of the MSA Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

"Thanks to Rich Sauces and Feckin’ Irish Whiskey for giving me this opportunity!" Curran said. "It looked like I was going to miss the event but I’m glad to say I’ll be there! I’m really looking forward to it!"

Curran, who took a Subaru Impreza WRC to third overall at last year’s Kirkistown event, will be on a massive charge come Saturday morning. The Skoda Octavia WRC is widely regarded to be extremely quick in a straight line and with a young hotshot behind the wheel, it could prove to be a very potent package!

Event Summary and updated top 20 entries

The Eurocables Stages Rally takes place on Saturday 18 February and will see competitors tackle six stages, all based within the confines of Kirkistown Race Circuit. The proceedings kick off at 9am with the champagne finish due to take place at dinner time.

1. Kevin Lynch / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Glenn Allen / Damien Connolly - Toyota Corolla WRC
3. Sean Devine / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Denis Biggerstaff / Jonathan MacDonald - Subaru Impreza WRC
5. Nigel Hicklin / TBA - Toyota Corolla WRC
6. Raymond Johnston / Richard Bell - Subaru Impreza WRC
7. George Robinson / Tommy Speers - Ford Escort WRC
8. Gary White / TBA - Ford Escort Cosworth
9. Dickie Curran / Chris Curran - Mitsubishi EVO 8.5
10. Michael Curran / Fabian McShane - Skoda Octavia WRC
11. Johnny McKenna / Eugene O'Kane - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
12. Martin Elliott / Brian Crawford - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
13. Brendan O'Hagan / Paul Hone - Ford Focus WRC
14. Seamus Heron / Billy McCullins - Toyota Corolla WRC
15. Kieron Graffin / Neil Doherty - Mitsubishi EVO
16. Paul McKenna / Charlie Beatty - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
17. Connor McCloskey / Crawford Henderson - Mitsubishi Evo 9
18. Michael Black / Christopher Simms - Toyota Celica 4WD
19. Trevor Ferguson / Barry Rutter - Subaru Impreza
20. Willie Singleton / Charles Orr - Ford Escort Cosworth


the rest at www.nirally.com

 

[WaylanderWRC]

I'll be there.................cannot wait and looking forward to seeing mike in the skoda

 

[gerard]

I'll be there.................cannot wait and looking forward to seeing mike in the skoda

yeah some one was deffinately on the ball there!!

excellent day and supprisingly warm!!

got to see a few interesting offs!!!

looking forward to seeing grahams pics!!

 

[chunky]

brilliant day .... bit cold tho ...mk2 escorts owned the track

 

[Graham]

was great !

winner KPL and pix coming VERY soon

 

[Graphic_chick]

yea agreed actually warm for once and not standin freezin your bits off like usual, looked like a good turnout, lookin forward to those pics graham.

youve been tagged lol

 

[Graham]

pix now online - http://www.reallymeansounds.com/report.php?event=254

and my car was tagged with a Hollinger Graphix sign LOL

 

[Graphic_chick]

as stated above ^^ and i know that sun strip was a big mistake .

p.s anyone hear anything about the course marshal that got indjured early in the day?