BlackBall 100: Driving Together for Zac Gives Back

Blackwater Graphics were delighted to welcome participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters to the inaugural BlackBall 100 — a charity car run created to bring people together for a powerful local cause.

What began as a simple idea — to unite car enthusiasts, local businesses, friends and families — has grown into something truly special. Raising in excess of £7,600 - the BlackBall 100 is more than a scenic road run. It is a celebration of community spirit, shared passion and generosity, set against some of the finest roads and scenery our area has to offer.

This year, the event proudly supports Zac Gives Back, a local fundraising campaign raising funds for the nine charities that helped nine-year-old Zac from Ballynahinch beat Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Events like this only happen because of the generosity, enthusiasm and hard work of many people. Blackwater Graphics extends sincere thanks to every sponsor, partner, volunteer and supporter who has contributed time, resources and expertise to bring the BlackBall 100 to life.

A Message from Zac Gives Back

Welcome to the BlackBall 100, and thank you for being part of something truly special.

The BlackBall 100 is about more than cars, roads and the journey ahead. It is about community, kindness and people coming together to make a difference.

Zac Gives Back was created during the toughest chapter of our family’s lives. At just nine years old, Zac was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and faced every challenge with incredible courage, determination and strength.

Throughout his treatment journey, our family experienced first-hand the care, compassion and support provided by charities that help children and families facing cancer. Those organisations brought comfort during difficult days, hope during uncertain times and support when it was needed most.

The idea behind Zac Gives Back is simple: Zac wanted to say thank you. This fundraising initiative was created to support the charities that helped Zac and continue to help countless other children and families navigating childhood cancer.

Every donation raised helps ensure that other families receive the same care, support and kindness that has meant so much to ours.

Seeing the BlackBall 100 come to life is both humbling and inspiring. To witness so many people giving their time, effort and generosity to support this cause reminds us that, even in life’s most difficult moments, there is an incredible community willing to stand beside you.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Blackwater Graphics for choosing Zac Gives Back as the charity partner for this inaugural event, and to every sponsor, volunteer, driver, passenger and supporter taking part. Your involvement is helping create something positive from a difficult journey and will make a real difference to families who need support.

Zac’s love of sport has always taught him the importance of teamwork, resilience and never giving up. Those same values are reflected in everyone involved in today’s event. We hope you enjoy every mile of the BlackBall 100 and take pride in knowing that your participation is helping children and families facing their own battles.

The Run

Having spent 25 years in the motoring media, I have seen car runs come and go. They can be very hit and miss, often at the mercy of the forecast, but more often affected by the effort and attention invested beforehand. When that preparation is missing, numbers dwindle — and events like these can disappear for good.

Falling as gracefully as possible into the passenger seat of a friend’s Renault 5 GT Turbo on the morning of the BlackBall 100, the mood was good, spirits were high, and this little piece of Max Power nostalgia was boosting like a champion. A great day was pending.

Arriving at the home of Ulster Rugby a short time later, and well ahead of schedule, it quickly became apparent that we were still late. A couple of dozen cars were already parked up, signed on and ready to go. It was the first time I had taken part in a car run starting from such a venue, and I have to say it worked exceptionally well, bringing an eclectic mix of automotive history into the Big Smoke.

The run itself covered in the region of 130 miles, with the cavalcade heading up the Creagh Road and towards Killinchy, where there was a short regroup at Florida Manor. From there, tight and twisty roads led us through Whiterock, Killyleagh, Loughinisland, Dundrum, Newcastle, Kilkeel, Hilltown and Rathfriland, where we stopped for lunch provided by the kind folk at First Rathfriland Presbyterian Church, with parking supplied by Windsor Toal.

After an hour, the motorcycle marshals and outriders, together with marshals from the church and the local Motor Club, got us off the hill and on our way again. We headed through Annaclone before enjoying a drive through Gill Hall Estate. From there, Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Darragh Cross and a handful of back roads brought us back to Blackwater Graphics headquarters on the Ballykiegle Road.

It left a smile on everyone’s face. Fuel tanks were drained, tyres got warm, and the craic was mighty. For a first-time car run, the organisation, planning, road book, motorcycle marshals and everything in between were beyond exceptional.

As I touched on earlier, there was a huge mix of vehicles, including the lead car: a Ford Racing Puma in period Rapid Fit livery. There was a lovely Vauxhall Viva rally car, plenty of modern supercars, and an unusual Chevrolet Corvette convertible that turned heads — I must admit, it is the first one I have seen on these shores.

A red, wide-arched E36 BMW was an absolute head-turner, as was a classic Mazda RX-7. Another standout was the Alpine A110 in satin champagne. It was the first time I had seen this car up close, and it is absolute perfection.

From attending previous car runs, one of my favourite regulars was also present: a rally-spec Toyota Starlet equipped with an incredibly potent SR20 turbocharged engine. In truth, almost every make and model you could think of was represented, spanning multiple generations.

One car that stopped me in my tracks was a Ferrari Purosangue. I am not entirely sure why, because when it was launched it did not do very much for me in the media coverage. I would not describe myself as a massive supercar fan, despite driving many models over the years, but the colour combination on this particular car worked an absolute treat. It really was a thing of beauty.

I also tip my hat to the owner of the Radical SR8, a road-legal race car that set a new road-car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2009. Driven by Michael Vergers, the SR8 completed the lap in six minutes and 48 seconds — an astonishing time, and a reminder of just how special that machine remains.

It was brilliant to see so many people, young and old, lining the towns, villages and side roads along the BlackBall 100 route. Fingers crossed that next year’s event, which will tie in with the 20th anniversary of Blackwater Graphics, can be even bigger and better again.

Organisers’ Thanks

The Blackwater Graphics team would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible.

To our participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters — thank you for your generosity and commitment. Your involvement has helped turn our first car run into a memorable day while raising valuable funds and awareness for Zac Gives Back.

We hope you have enjoyed the roads, the scenery and the experience of being part of the very first BlackBall 100. All thanks to partnership with CIP Insurance Brokers, Joes Auto Shop, C O’Neill Event Solutions, Illuminate, Elite Autos NI, JK Car Sales, and King of Comps.

A special thank you goes to Ulster Rugby, Florida Manor, First Rathfriland Presbyterian Church and Gill Hall Estate for providing access to their venues and helping make the event as memorable as possible. As well as to the professionalism and organisational skills of the Accredited Moto Marshals.

And to the Fletcher family and everyone involved with Zac Gives Back, thank you for allowing us to support such a meaningful cause.

We hope you enjoy the event, and we look forward to welcoming you back for an even bigger and better BlackBall 100 in 2027.