A hugely popular car run which returned last year after a sabbatical of a few years resumed once again on Saturday 28th September 2024 to great success.
With a starting point at the picturesque Slieve Gullion Forest Park, this years Mourne Run, organised by petrolhead William James, took in the amazing mountain drive of Gullion before the cavalcade headed to Camlough, Rathfriland, Hilltown, Spelga, Silent Valley, and Donard Park before halting at Murlough Bay for lunch.
Open to all makes and models, spanning many decades, the Mourne Run see’s mostly classic cars taking part. Though sports and cars of interest are always well represented. This year, a regroup at Sheepsbridge allowed the “The Driving Exotic Cars Group” to join the event on roads that are more suitable to supercars.
The cavalcade was led by a GrpB Talbot Samba, within the ranks fell a handful of Escorts, a V12 twin-turbo equipped Manta, a couple of M3’s, Sierra Cosworth’s, Mini’s, and yes, even MX-5’s now fall into the classic car category just perfectly.
It was very cool to see a couple of Chevette HS/HSR’s and a few Capri’s alongside an Evo III and Porsche 911 kit-car. Two cars that stole my heart were the Fiesta RST and yet again the turbocharged rear-wheel-drive Starlet.
Posting to social media after the event, the Mourne Run commented, “Folks. Just going to mention this once, and then I will kindly request that this matter gets put to bed. There appears to be some negative comments in regard to the exotics attending.
“The Driving Exotic Cars group requested to join the run some time ago, and the Run welcomed them with open arms. I personally love the look of hyper and super cars and thank the group for bringing their prized possessions along for others to enjoy.
“I know the Mourne Run excluded Reek Spewing, Arse Dragging Golfs and Boras (thank God) but I can’t thank the Driving Exotic Cars team enough for joining the run and boosting the total raised for charity.”
Continuing, “Anyone not happy with them attending, or not overly happy with the Mourne Run in its current guise (will have a totally different route next year for variety), then please by all means organise an event that suits your own individual preferences.”
In more positive news, another post stated, “Wow!! Weather held up great! We’d a fantastic turnout!! Some fantastic cars.
“Huge shout out to Driving Exotic Cars NI/ROI for their help and joining us for our run out – thanks Jonathan and thanks for your groups contribution to the Air Ambulance Charity.
“Thanks to everyone who attended and donated to a very worthy cause.
“£960:00 for the air ambulance! Thank you for everything folks! You’re amazing!”
For those that made it to Newcastle and stopped at Murlough Car Park – each driver had the opportunity of voting for their favourite cars from the day, the winners as follows:
1st Starlet SR20 turbo
2nd Opel Manta V12 twin turbo
3rd XR2 series x
4th Covin 911
5th Celica V8
