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A Tail of Two Rallies

The stage rally season in Northern Ireland came to an end last month with two classic gravel events. THE LAKELAND STAGES on September 3rd was held over three repeated stages in the Carrigan and Ballintempo Forest complexes. Enniskillen Motor Club were the organisers of this the second round of the 2022 McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge. With sponsorship from local company “Trailer parts & spares.com” the rally attracted just 59 starters, perhaps reflecting the current cost of living crisis.

As usual there was plenty of support from our club. We covered stage marshalling, rescue and radio points. Victor and myself were on start radio at SS2/5 Ballintempo North. The test was the longest of the rally at 6.61 miles. First time round the stage was paused for 45 minutes while the Fiesta of the early rally leader Niall McCullough (which was had crashed and blocked the test) was retrieved. Other than that the rest of the day ran smoothly, apart from the heavy and persistent rain. Following the earlier delay, the rally regrouped and made up time at the Enniskillen service park. As a result, our SS5 started only 10 minutes behind schedule. We were stood down before 4pm. The organisers provided breakfast and an excellent evening meal at the prize giving for all marshals and officials This is something which used to be a regular occurrence at most events. Great to see Enniskillen MC bring that tradition back, it was much appreciated by all.

The winners of the Lakeland Stages were Desi Henry and Paddy Robinson in their Ford Fiesta Rally2. Second were Cathan McCourt/Liam Moynihan 11.4 seconds back in a similar car while Cathan’s brother Conor and Caolan McKenna finished third in a Skoda Fabia R5. Alan Smyth and Gary McCrudden won the two-wheel drive section and their Escort Mk.2 was 10th overall.

Interestingly, Derek McGarrity and Graham Henderson were in the only Word Rally Car to start the Enniskillen based event. Their now-elderly Ford Fiesta WRC finished the rally in seventh place. Strangely, every other report that I have read on this event stated that McGarrity was in a Skoda, even the rally results service on rallyscore.net listed the Glengormley man in a Fabia R5! At least I try to give you the true facts!

Altogether just 42 cars finished the Lakeland Stages Rally.

In contrast to the Lakeland Stages, THE BUSHWHACKER RALLY on September 17th attracted a large entry. 96 cars started this the third and (following the cancellation of The Tour of the Sperrins) final round of the NI Forest Rally Challenge. The very popular rally was also the last round of the 2022 Irish Forest Rally Championship. The Omagh Motor Club event used the usual gravel stages of Lough Bradan, Carrickaholten and Killeter. Billed as “The Tyrone Gravel GP” the Bushwhacker was based at the Agricultural Complex in Omagh and sponsored for the thirteenth year by McKelvey Asbestos of Castlederg.

Victor and I were radio operators on the finish of SS3/8 Glenderg. Of course other club members were on duty elsewhere. The location was 114 miles from home for me and right on the Tyrone/Donegal border around 8 miles west of Castlederg. Both 3.9 mile stages (the longest of the rally) ran quite smoothly and on time in dry conditions.

Winners of the Bushwhacker were Patrick and Stephen O’Brien for the second year in succession. Last year they were in a Fiesta R5 but this time the Omagh brothers had a Skoda Fabia R5 at their disposal. Runners up (as they were in 2021) were Cathan McCourt and Liam Moynihan, their Fiesta Rally2 was only 2.5 seconds behind the O’Brien’s Fabia after a rally-long battle. Jason Mitchell/ Paddy McCrudden finished third in a similar Fiesta. The top ten were all in R5/Rally2 cars. Best 2WD finishers were Alan Smyth/Garry McCrudden who’s Escort Mk 2 was 12th overall. 75 cars finished the 10-stage event.

 

Patrick & Stephen O’Brien pictured above on their way to the Bushwhacker Rally win. The result means that the pair have secured the 2022 Irish Forest Rally Championship. Fourth place in their Fiesta Rally2 was enough to give Desi Henry and Paddy Robinson the Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge. Henry had led the rally for the first 4 stages but dropped back with tyre and brake issues.

FINALLY THIS MONTH : A huge congratulations to Kalle Rovenpera on winning the 2022 World Rally Championship. At 22 years and one day old, the Finnish wonder kid has become the youngest driver since Colin McRae to win the World title. Kalle and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen won Rally New Zealand in their Toyota Yaris to seal the deal with two championship rounds remaining. McRae was 27 years and 89 days old when he won the WRC back in 1995. Disappointingly only 28 cars started Rally New Zealand and 21 of them finished the gravel event which was making a return to the WRC after a 10-year absence.

Rally Diary

Sat. 8th October.
Orchard County Targa Rally

North Armagh MC are the organisers of this event sponsored by Ballylisk Car Sales. We are due to help out with timekeeping and other marshalling duties. Rally HQ will be at Loughgall Football Club. Marshals meeting there for breakfast at 8am. Sign-on via. rallyscore.net

Sat. 15th October.
Glens of Antrim Targa Rally

Mid Antrim MC are running this event and request our help with timekeeping etc. Contact the organisers if you are interested. Based at Gracehill Golf Club, Ballymoney from 7am. (First car starts 10am) Sign-on at rallyscore.net

Sat. 22nd October.
Tour of the Sperrins CANCELLED

Magherafelt and District Motor Club have been forced to cancel the above stage rally due to the escalating costs involved in reinstating the gravel tracks following the event. The rally would have included stages in Cam and Springwell forests in Co.Derry.

Sat. 5th November.
Cookstown MC Targa Rally

Yet another Targa Rally. This one is scheduled to be organised by Cookstown Motor Club. The venue of the event is not known at the time of writing. If you are interested in helping out, contact CMC or check their website nearer the time. Is I said, no further details are available at this time.