Hong Kong Phooey

Talking to a m8 earlier today who tells me a couple of weeks ago he was asked if he wanted to 'co-drive' for McRea at this event. He turned it down! (too much money involved at short notice)
How much would you have paid for that opportunity?

Oops - double post!

[Edited by Hong Kong Phooey - 7/3/2002 9:10:01 PM]

Mr Jiggerry Poke

Lurgan Park Press Release
Courtesy of Brian & Liz Patterson

This Saturday's SEAT Lurgan Park Rally looks set to provide all the
excitement and spectacle we have grown accustomed to since the rally's
inception in the Park 22 years ago. Kenny McKinstry in a Subaru heads the 40
invited drivers , with Derek McGarrity, Scotland's Dom Buckley and local
driver Maurice Gass, also all in Subaru's and Eugene Donnelly in his Toyota
Celica, just some of the drivers who will be bidding, not just to deny
McKinstry his tenth win in the Park, but also for the lion's share of the
£5000 prize fund.


Seven times Circuit of Ireland winner Jimmy McRae, driving his original
International winning Opel Ascona 400, and motorcycle Grand Prix star Jeremy
McWilliams, co-driven by Tarmac Champion Andrew Nesbitt in a Lotus Elan
course car, are just two of the additional interesting teams on this SEAT
Lurgan Park Rally.

The Lurgan Park action starts at 10.45 on Saturday morning when the first
car crosses the ramp in the Park. There are eight stages throughout the day,
with the champagne finish planned for just after 4pm, followed by the
prizegiving in the Park. Scrutiny for the event is in the Fitzwilliam
International Hotel at Belfast International Airport on Friday evening from
6pm.

Kenny McKinstry, dubbed 'King of the Park' in the past thanks to his nine
Lurgan victories, will have his nineteen year old daughter Emma co-driving.
The Banbridge man, who runs a successful rally preparation business,
commented at a press conference on Tuesday evening in Craigavon's Civic
Centre - "I really want to win this one. Ten would be special. Last year I
didn't really give myself a chance , too busy working on other people's
cars. I have a bit more time this week and will be able to get my own car
set up to my liking. It is vitally important in Lurgan Park to get the first
stage absolutely right, and indeed the other seven. The rally is so
concentrated you cannot afford one slip. There are a lot of other good
drivers on the rally, and there will be no second chance on Saturday."

Seeded right behind McKinstry is Derek McGarrity. The Glengormley man has
led and has been close to winning several times, but hasn't cracked victory
yet, although he has provided lots of thrills along the way. Third in the
list is former Volkswagen works driver Dom Buckley. The 34-year old from
Eccles near Peebles in Scotland makes only the occasional rally outing these
days, but has a habit of winning. In his current Subaru he has recently
achieved victories at Knockhill and on the Carlow Rally. Dom commented, "I'm
really looking forward toa good blast. I enjoy rallying in Ireland. I've
competed in Lurgan Park with a Porsche and thought it was a great place."

Armagh's Maurice Gass is at 4 in his Impreza WRC and has TV newscaster Karen
Patterson in a different type of 'hot seat' this time. Next up is Eugene
Donnelly in a very rapid Celica. The Maghera man has chalked up wins
recently on both gravel and asphalt rallies and could spring a real surprise
in Lurgan Park, where the stages feature a mixture of both surfaces. Trevor
Moore, who has won the Sperrins Rally and the Festival Stages in recent
months, NI Champion Denis Biggerstaff in his Metro 6R4, former Lurgan Park
winner David Greer, this time in a Corolla WRC, Gary White from Finaghy and
London based Limerick man Ollie O'Donovan, winner of the Cork Rallysprint in
his Subaru, round off the top ten.

Just some other interesting drivers outside the top ten include top racing
driver Martin O'Connell at 11 in an Escort WRC, and young Peugeot 206 Super
Cup star Garry Jennings in a four wheel drive Lancer Evo VI, with UTV's
Pamela Ballantine co-driving. Liam McCarthy is making the trip all the way
up from West Cork to compete in his Corolla World Rally Car. There are top
names dotted throughout the list. Former NI Champions Stephen Harron and
Mervyn Hill are at 16 and 27 respectively. Dessie Nutt, Historic Rally
Champion, is at 36 in his Porsche.

Speaking at the press conference on Tuesday night at the Craigavon Civic
Centre, the Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Jonathan Bell, commented, "The
Council has a long association with the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club
and we are very pleased to welcome the rally back again this year."

In addition to backing from SEAT cars and Craigavon Borough Council, the
rally also receives support from Pirelli Tyres, AutoTrader and the
Fitzwilliam International Hotel, in addition to many other companies and
bodies. North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club is the promoter of the event.
Barry Taggart is Clerk of the Course, while William Fullerton moves up to
Rally Director.

SEAT Lurgan Park Rally - Top Ten
1. K. McKinstry / E. McKinstry Subaru Impreza WRC
2. D. McGarrity / TBA Subaru Impreza WRC
3. D. Buckley / D. Redpath Subaru Impreza
4. M. Gass / K. Patterson Subaru Impreza WRC
5. E. Donnelly / P. Nagle Toyota Celica
6. T. Moore / R. Wilson Ford Escort Cosworth
7. D. Biggerstaff / R. McCandless Metro 6R4
8. D. Greer / R. Kennedy Toyota Corolla WRC
9. G. White / L. Crealey Ford Escort Cosworth
10. O. O'Donovan / D. Moynihan Subaru Impreza

Hong Kong Phooey

Talking to a m8 earlier today who tells me a couple of weeks ago he was asked if he wanted to 'co-drive' for McRea at this event. He turned it down! (too much money involved at short notice)
How much would you have payed for that opportunity?