Graham
RMS Photographer
County Down's Bishopscourt Stages Rally ready to roll!
This Saturday’s McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally sees the cream of Northern Ireland’s rally talent burst back into action at Bishopscourt Race Circuit. Based just outside Downpatrick, County Down, the circuit plays host to the second round of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship.
One month ago, Dungiven’s Kevin Lynch took victory at the championship’s opening round in his KPL backed Subaru. He survived a close encounter with the Kirkistown Race Circuit scenery on the final stage to take a narrow victory over second placed Michael Curran.
Lynch is still undecided about his attendance at this weekend’s event, and it looks as though he’s going to keep everyone guessing once again, including himself!
"There’s no hard and fast rule at the minute," Lynch said, "and I’ll say the same as last time - there’s a 95% chance I won’t be there. But at the same time, it’s in the back of my mind. Now I’ve sold my tarmac car but I suppose since you’ve asked if I’m going to go, I’ll have to start thinking about it!"
Seeded at number two, Cookstown’s Glenn Allen is aiming to improve on his fourth placed Kirkistown finish. The Corolla pilot, who is also contesting this year’s Dunlop Irish National Championship, admits that circuit based events are not his strong point. Nonetheless, another good points finish at Bishopscourt will bolster his chances of lifting the championship title.
Strabane’s Sean Devine heavily damaged his car at another event in Mayo earlier this month, so his entry is also in doubt. County Fermanagh’s Raymond Johnston, seeded fourth, was perhaps picked up the most surprising result at round one, taking third overall in his Hankook Tyres backed car.
Other crews capable of taking the honours include Dromara’s Denis Biggerstaff, who has his 17-year-old son Stuart in the navigator’s seat. The father and son pairing already proved to be successful at January’s New Year Stages Rally, which they won outright. Listed in their Subaru Impreza WRC, Denis will be aiming to mark victory number two on his card at Bishopscourt, an event which he won six years ago.
Dungiven's Brendan O’Hagan, Ballymena’s George Robinson and Liffey’s Martin Doherty complete the top eight entries. Doherty’s entry is particularly interest as the Impreza pilot has former a Northern Ireland and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion reading the notes. Glengormley’s Derek McGarrity will swap roles for the day and call the notes for Doherty.
Production category
The battle for outright Group N honours at round one couldn’t have been much closer, with Greyabbey’s Dickie Curran and Antrim’s Martin Elliott separated by one-tenth of a second at the event finish! It was a case of ‘round one to Dickie’ but Elliott will be looking for revenge at Bishopscourt. Both men drive Mitsubishi Lancers and will face opposition from former Production champion, Limavady’s Richard Hogg, as well as Gary Rodgers and a host of other drivers.
Superdrive sponsored Two-wheel-drive
Rodney White is one of the favourites for two wheel drive honours. The Crumlin man took his Talbot Sunbeam to second in the category at Kirkistown, second only to Wesley Patterson’s mint Mark 2 Escort. Patterson decided not to enter Bishopscourt, so White’s main rivals will come from Maghera’s Barry McKenna and Draperstown’s Camillus Bradley.
Summary
Scrutiny for the McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally takes place at Modern Tyres Service, Boucher Road (Belfast) on Friday 17 March.
The first car is due over the start ramp at 9am on Saturday 18 March.
All six stages will be based within the confines of Bishopscourt Race Circuit.
entry -
1 Kevin Lynch TBA
2 Glen Allen Damien Connolly
3 Sean Devine Damian Duffin
4 Raymond Johnston Richard Bell
5 Denis Biggerstaff Stuart Biggerstaff
6 Brendan O'Hagan Paul Hone
7 George Robinson Tommy Speers
8 Martin Doherty Derek McGarrity
9 Dickie Curran Chris Curran
10 Martin Elliott Brian Crawford
11 Richard Hogg Mark Hanna
12 Gary Rodgers Geoff Patterson
14 John McGaffin TBA
15 Stephen Kelly Sam Paul
16 Kieron Graffin Neil Doherty
17 Brendan Kelly TBA
18 Alan Connoly Rodney Wallace
19 John Walker Dessie Wilson
20 Paul McKenna David Crossan
21 Jonny McKenna Eugene Okane
22 Stanley Ballintine Richard Hyland
23 Rodney McKnight Seamus Donnelly
24 Martin Howley Kenny Bustard
25 Mark Courtney Paul Kelly
27 Rodney White Robert Boyd
28 Barry McKenna Raymond Spence
29 Camillus Bradley Danny O'Neill
30 Michael McColgan Kevin Flanagan
31 Roy Haslett Gavin Larmour
32 James Kennedy James McCullough
34 Trevor Ferguson Barry Rutter
35 Gerard McFall Ann Marie McFall
36 Brian McFall Oonagh McFerran
37 Connor McCloskey Crawford Henderson
38 Dominic Carson Gary White
39 Eoin McErlean Donard McCann
40 Paul Quinn Barry Watt
41 Keith McIvor David Burns
42 John Waring Gerard Stanley
43 Bob Riddles TBA
44 Brian Muldoon Patsy Corr
45 Paul Ward Peter Ward
46 Christian Cochrane Andy Robinson
48 Jonny Morrow Andrew Mullholland
49 Mark Doyle TBA
50 Geoffrey Nevin Paul Nevin
51 Noel Strain Karen Strain
53 Aidan Toner James Convery
54 Samuel Wilson Andrew Wilson
55 Walter Nevin Stephen Nevin
56 Barry Greer Jonathan Greer
57 Brendan Connor Alan Redstone
58 David Crossen TBA
59 Ian Cochrane Justin Dilworth
60 Mervyn Williamson George Hamilton
61 Trevor Allen Alan Walker
62 James Wylie Linda Norris
63 Martin Downey TBA
65 Willie Hunter Mandy McKeown
66 Robert Rush TBA
67 Declan McKeown Duncan McFarlane
68 Robert Erwin Neil Trvine
69 Paul Killen Joe Madine
70 Derek Gurney Jonathan Pollock
71 Eugene Devine Mark Vaughan
72 Victor Oneill Peter Docherty
73 ChrisByers Joan Gilmore
74 Jonathan Nevin Gareth Nevin
75 Dermott Hassett Anne Oconnell
76 Danny Grant Barry McCarte
77 Sean Duncan Mark Preston
78 Ian Green Amanda Green
79 Shaun McColgan TBA
80 Gerard McAleer TBA
81 William Smith TBA
82 Vincent Flanagan TBA
83 Allen McKay Mo Downey
84 Terry Ohara Darren McCloskey
85 Colin Lavery TBA
86 Alan Atcheson Wayne Maxwell
87 Mark Gibson Cathal McGettigan
88 Gary McEvoy Keith McEvoy
89 William McClurkin TBA
90 Robert Beckett Neil Walker
91 Simon Gordon Billy Regan
92 Philip McDowell Mark Stirling
93 Eamon Doherty Eoin McGuckian
94 Stephen Potts Gail McKibbin
95 Alan Simms Chris Simms
96 Jim McSherry Chris McSherry
97 Stephen Jess Gavin Jess
98 Andrew Ritchie William McClimond
99 David Walsh James Lenaghan
100 Steven Johnston K Paul
101 John McGauran Thomas Fitzmaurice
102 Iain Wright Ivor Ferguson
103 Peter Morrow Lee Davison
104 James Coulter Ian Kidd
106 Robert Thompson TBA
107 William Little Raymond Elliott
108 Alastair Fisher Barry McNulty
109 Chris Heaney Raymond McCullagh
110 Uel Montgomery Leslie Hawe
111 Toni Kelly TBA
www.nirally.com
This Saturday’s McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally sees the cream of Northern Ireland’s rally talent burst back into action at Bishopscourt Race Circuit. Based just outside Downpatrick, County Down, the circuit plays host to the second round of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship.
One month ago, Dungiven’s Kevin Lynch took victory at the championship’s opening round in his KPL backed Subaru. He survived a close encounter with the Kirkistown Race Circuit scenery on the final stage to take a narrow victory over second placed Michael Curran.
Lynch is still undecided about his attendance at this weekend’s event, and it looks as though he’s going to keep everyone guessing once again, including himself!
"There’s no hard and fast rule at the minute," Lynch said, "and I’ll say the same as last time - there’s a 95% chance I won’t be there. But at the same time, it’s in the back of my mind. Now I’ve sold my tarmac car but I suppose since you’ve asked if I’m going to go, I’ll have to start thinking about it!"
Seeded at number two, Cookstown’s Glenn Allen is aiming to improve on his fourth placed Kirkistown finish. The Corolla pilot, who is also contesting this year’s Dunlop Irish National Championship, admits that circuit based events are not his strong point. Nonetheless, another good points finish at Bishopscourt will bolster his chances of lifting the championship title.
Strabane’s Sean Devine heavily damaged his car at another event in Mayo earlier this month, so his entry is also in doubt. County Fermanagh’s Raymond Johnston, seeded fourth, was perhaps picked up the most surprising result at round one, taking third overall in his Hankook Tyres backed car.
Other crews capable of taking the honours include Dromara’s Denis Biggerstaff, who has his 17-year-old son Stuart in the navigator’s seat. The father and son pairing already proved to be successful at January’s New Year Stages Rally, which they won outright. Listed in their Subaru Impreza WRC, Denis will be aiming to mark victory number two on his card at Bishopscourt, an event which he won six years ago.
Dungiven's Brendan O’Hagan, Ballymena’s George Robinson and Liffey’s Martin Doherty complete the top eight entries. Doherty’s entry is particularly interest as the Impreza pilot has former a Northern Ireland and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion reading the notes. Glengormley’s Derek McGarrity will swap roles for the day and call the notes for Doherty.
Production category
The battle for outright Group N honours at round one couldn’t have been much closer, with Greyabbey’s Dickie Curran and Antrim’s Martin Elliott separated by one-tenth of a second at the event finish! It was a case of ‘round one to Dickie’ but Elliott will be looking for revenge at Bishopscourt. Both men drive Mitsubishi Lancers and will face opposition from former Production champion, Limavady’s Richard Hogg, as well as Gary Rodgers and a host of other drivers.
Superdrive sponsored Two-wheel-drive
Rodney White is one of the favourites for two wheel drive honours. The Crumlin man took his Talbot Sunbeam to second in the category at Kirkistown, second only to Wesley Patterson’s mint Mark 2 Escort. Patterson decided not to enter Bishopscourt, so White’s main rivals will come from Maghera’s Barry McKenna and Draperstown’s Camillus Bradley.
Summary
Scrutiny for the McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally takes place at Modern Tyres Service, Boucher Road (Belfast) on Friday 17 March.
The first car is due over the start ramp at 9am on Saturday 18 March.
All six stages will be based within the confines of Bishopscourt Race Circuit.
entry -
1 Kevin Lynch TBA
2 Glen Allen Damien Connolly
3 Sean Devine Damian Duffin
4 Raymond Johnston Richard Bell
5 Denis Biggerstaff Stuart Biggerstaff
6 Brendan O'Hagan Paul Hone
7 George Robinson Tommy Speers
8 Martin Doherty Derek McGarrity
9 Dickie Curran Chris Curran
10 Martin Elliott Brian Crawford
11 Richard Hogg Mark Hanna
12 Gary Rodgers Geoff Patterson
14 John McGaffin TBA
15 Stephen Kelly Sam Paul
16 Kieron Graffin Neil Doherty
17 Brendan Kelly TBA
18 Alan Connoly Rodney Wallace
19 John Walker Dessie Wilson
20 Paul McKenna David Crossan
21 Jonny McKenna Eugene Okane
22 Stanley Ballintine Richard Hyland
23 Rodney McKnight Seamus Donnelly
24 Martin Howley Kenny Bustard
25 Mark Courtney Paul Kelly
27 Rodney White Robert Boyd
28 Barry McKenna Raymond Spence
29 Camillus Bradley Danny O'Neill
30 Michael McColgan Kevin Flanagan
31 Roy Haslett Gavin Larmour
32 James Kennedy James McCullough
34 Trevor Ferguson Barry Rutter
35 Gerard McFall Ann Marie McFall
36 Brian McFall Oonagh McFerran
37 Connor McCloskey Crawford Henderson
38 Dominic Carson Gary White
39 Eoin McErlean Donard McCann
40 Paul Quinn Barry Watt
41 Keith McIvor David Burns
42 John Waring Gerard Stanley
43 Bob Riddles TBA
44 Brian Muldoon Patsy Corr
45 Paul Ward Peter Ward
46 Christian Cochrane Andy Robinson
48 Jonny Morrow Andrew Mullholland
49 Mark Doyle TBA
50 Geoffrey Nevin Paul Nevin
51 Noel Strain Karen Strain
53 Aidan Toner James Convery
54 Samuel Wilson Andrew Wilson
55 Walter Nevin Stephen Nevin
56 Barry Greer Jonathan Greer
57 Brendan Connor Alan Redstone
58 David Crossen TBA
59 Ian Cochrane Justin Dilworth
60 Mervyn Williamson George Hamilton
61 Trevor Allen Alan Walker
62 James Wylie Linda Norris
63 Martin Downey TBA
65 Willie Hunter Mandy McKeown
66 Robert Rush TBA
67 Declan McKeown Duncan McFarlane
68 Robert Erwin Neil Trvine
69 Paul Killen Joe Madine
70 Derek Gurney Jonathan Pollock
71 Eugene Devine Mark Vaughan
72 Victor Oneill Peter Docherty
73 ChrisByers Joan Gilmore
74 Jonathan Nevin Gareth Nevin
75 Dermott Hassett Anne Oconnell
76 Danny Grant Barry McCarte
77 Sean Duncan Mark Preston
78 Ian Green Amanda Green
79 Shaun McColgan TBA
80 Gerard McAleer TBA
81 William Smith TBA
82 Vincent Flanagan TBA
83 Allen McKay Mo Downey
84 Terry Ohara Darren McCloskey
85 Colin Lavery TBA
86 Alan Atcheson Wayne Maxwell
87 Mark Gibson Cathal McGettigan
88 Gary McEvoy Keith McEvoy
89 William McClurkin TBA
90 Robert Beckett Neil Walker
91 Simon Gordon Billy Regan
92 Philip McDowell Mark Stirling
93 Eamon Doherty Eoin McGuckian
94 Stephen Potts Gail McKibbin
95 Alan Simms Chris Simms
96 Jim McSherry Chris McSherry
97 Stephen Jess Gavin Jess
98 Andrew Ritchie William McClimond
99 David Walsh James Lenaghan
100 Steven Johnston K Paul
101 John McGauran Thomas Fitzmaurice
102 Iain Wright Ivor Ferguson
103 Peter Morrow Lee Davison
104 James Coulter Ian Kidd
106 Robert Thompson TBA
107 William Little Raymond Elliott
108 Alastair Fisher Barry McNulty
109 Chris Heaney Raymond McCullagh
110 Uel Montgomery Leslie Hawe
111 Toni Kelly TBA
www.nirally.com
