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] |
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 |
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? |
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