Supercars from all over Northern Ireland descended on Bishopscourt circuit as part of an annual fundraiser for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, the Supercar Extravaganza.
This is a special event for a number of reasons. For many supercars and their owners, it’s the only track event they would take part in, and it’s clear there was some exclusive machinery brought out for the occasion. And also, the circuit itself in County Down has a restricted calendar of dates normally reserved for motorcycle events, so even for track day regulars it’s a real treat.
And that’s all as a driver, as I brought along my Lotus Emira. But like all of us I was also a spectator, grinning at what was like a real-life top trump of exotic metal, or is that carbon fibre. Sights and sounds, and the excitement of a live circuit coupled with Italian horsepower among others is an entertaining mix.
I travelled in the supercar convoy numbering almost 50, a sight to behold for casual onlookers early on a Sunday morning, and a spectacle as we pulled up in grid formation on the Lismore Straight of Bishopscourt Circuit. More cars arrived, along with hordes of spectators who could freely roam the paddock and get up, close and personal to the likes of a McLaren 720S or 765LT; a Ferrari F12 TDF or SF90; Aventador or 911 GT3 RS.
Passenger laps were in full flow, helping fund the charitable donations to the NI Air Ambulance, followed by a three-car demonstration. Stuart Biggerstaff brought his R5 Fiesta Rally Car, and after some donuts and slides for the crowd put down some quick laps. Andrew Morrow, current leader in the Ferrari Challenge Championship, in 1000bhp of Ferrari SF90, was out next, with Tony Greenan taking up the rear in a Formula 3 Dallara.
Tony of course had the outright advantage and not only passed both cars but set an unofficial lap record of around 1.02.5s, the bike record sitting at 1.05, the F3 car screams on the start-finish straight delighting crowds.
This was all of course in aid of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, which landed later in the day and in some short interviews we were able to hear about the great lifesaving work they do daily throughout Northern Ireland.
“With an annual fundraising target of £2.5m, events like these can help us to sustain the air ambulance service for generations to come,” said area fundraiser, Grace Williams.
“The charity relies on public donations from the community to keep the medical team in the air, attending to seriously ill or injured patients across Northern Ireland. As a result of funds raised from this type of event, emergency pre-hospital care can be provided for the next patient who needs it most. We are incredibly grateful to all those car owners for coming along and taking part and to the community for supporting events across both days.”
For more information on the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and to donate see their website at https://airambulanceni.org
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
