Jonny Greer and Niall Burns were fastest from start-to-finish at what was the first opportunity to score points in the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship at Kirkistown Race Circuit – winning by 15.3 seconds in a Citroen C3 Rally2, writes William Neill.
Stuart Biggerstaff, supported by rally sponsor Echlinville Distillery, was on form when wet conditions worsened mid-event. A champion himself, the Kinallen man moved his Ford Fiesta R5 into second after the 4.4-mile SS3 – a reverse test from the opening loop with an extra gravel section. Anthony Nestor was alongside to see over the team’s secured place by over 19 seconds.
Back to Greer and after SS2 the Carryduff driver reported a clean line was appearing on the stage but conditions remained greasy and noted the bottom section was particularly difficult before half-time.
SS4 and the leader slid off the road at the flying finish, showing how difficult it was to maintain the correct pace. The final stage format for SS5 and SS6 was the longest of the day, and Greer was cautious of the desired final result.
Derek McGarrity’s long association with the North Armagh Motor Club event stood the Skoda Fabia R5 driver in good stead with an early second, 2.4 seconds behind the lead time on SS1. The distance from both Greer and Biggerstaff increased throughout the day however, to have to settle for the final podium place with Paddy Robinson.
Donegal’s Aaron McLaughlin and Darren Curran were down in eighth after SS1 but bounced back with a second fastest time on SS2 only to overshoot and go off the road again on the next test. It got worse – poor visibility from the recently purchased Volkswagen Polo R5’s windscreen on SS4 made for a difficult fight back. Third fastest on both the penultimate and final stage made all the difference, moving from seventh to fourth.
Despite a first corner spin Jason Dickson and Martin Brady recovered to finish fifth, 6.6 seconds back but place secured by 7.4 seconds.
Peadar Hurson, in a ROK Motorsport converted right-hand-drive Volkswagen Polo, moved from an early tenth to sixth with a fourth fastest stage time the Newry driver’s highest placing of the day.
In a Proton S2500 debut Marty Toner was seventh and top of the open class finishers.
Niall Henry came across a tyre marking the course on SS1 in eighth, successful track racing driver Michael Cullen was ninth and top lady points scorer Emma McKinstry rounded off the top ten.
Philip Allen was among the front runners but a slick tyre choice and confusion on where to go on another stage, he ended up at the back end of the top 20. As high as third after two stages, we can expect the McGeehan Motorsport-run driver to remain a contender for rally wins.
TWO-WHEEL-DRIVE
Colin Price hadn’t competed since May but was fit enough to win the two-wheel-drive race with Billy Regan. The Toyota Starlet was out in front by 16.5 seconds.
Barry Morris’ Darrian T90 GTR+ update was fastest on the first stage with Price finding his feet. A gear shift failure for Morris ruled the early pacesetter out for Price to take control while three others fought it out for second, namely Jaye Nevin, Jonny Cargo and eventual runner up James Kennedy. Peugeot 205 mounted Nevin ended third, but fastest in class.
Top FIA two-wheel-drive points went to Se Og Martin, from Marshall Kennedy.
JUNIORS
The McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship notes future rally talent with a junior category, now headed by Ben McFall. Photo: NeillPics.com/William Neill
Leaving Kirkistown Ben McFall leads the junior race from Darragh Kelly. The Mitsubishi Lancer E9 driver from Bushmills jumped from his car 64 seeding to 13th overall, almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival.
With the junior category eligibility based on age, Kelly was fastest in his class by over two minutes using a Peugeot 208 R2. Rally school instructor Joshua Baird sits third.
HISTORIC
Current historic champion Jimmy Mills, guided by Michael Johnston, has started the year off well with full points as the sole finishers at round one. More competition is expected throughout the season.
IN OTHER NEWS
Christopher Murphy, son of event organising committee member, Eddie, had his Ford Escort Mk2 on stage for the first time. From Armagh, but travelling from America to compete was Andrew Frizzle and both Kyle White and Alan Carmichael retired on what was a British Rally Championship test.
CLASS WINNERS
Class 1: Jimmy Mills/Michael Johnston (Ford Escort Mk2); Class 2: Se Og Martin/Sean Walsh (Peugeot 208 R4); Class 3: Peter Dowds/Steven Dowds (Nissan Micra); Class 4: Darragh Kelly/Ashley Boulton (Peugeot 208 R2); Class 5: Jonathan Strain/Scott Strain (Peugeot 205 GTi); Class 6: Colin Price/Bill Regan (Toyota Starlet); Class 7: Jayne Nevin/Eoghan Moore (Peugeot 205); Class 8: Ben McFall/Damian McAuley (Mitsubishi Lancer E9); Class 9: Richard O’Lone/James Turkington (Ford Fiesta R3); Class 10: Jonny Greer/Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2); Class 11: Marty Toner/Ben Teggart (Proton S2500).
NEXT UP
Next up in the five round series is the Race & Rally Stages at Bishopsourt on March 9 which will host a new single-lap stage format. Entries remain open at www.rallyscore.net.
There is more coverage from round one with an action photo gallery set to feature on the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship Facebook page and a highlights package on YouTube.
McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship 2024 Calendar remaining rounds:
March 9 – Race & Rally Stages (Bishopscourt Race Circuit) – Ballynahinch & District Motor Club
April 27 – Maiden City Stages (closed road) – Maiden City Motor Club
May 18 – GO Tour of the Sperrins (closed road) – Magherafelt & District Motor Club
July 20 – Tyrone Stages (closed road) – Cookstown Motor Club
November 16 – Reserve date (may be used in the event of a cancelled round)
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Words and Photos: WILLIAM NEILL/NI RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]S
