Mourne Rally on closed roads
C
losed roads will be used to stage this year’s Mourne Rally in an attempt to boost entries after the 2012 event struggled to gain its usual healthy entry, writes William Neill. The re-mapped rally will see
competitors visit stages in the Newtownhamilton, Whitecross and Loughgilly area on Saturday June 8. Des O’Loan from Newry Motor Club said, “The club is expecting a strong entry. The rally organisers footed the bill for last year’s event, but see the
new format as a chance to bring more competitors back to the Newry area for the fifth round of the Northern Ireland rally series.” The rally was previously held on closed roads in 2010, and secured almost 90 cars. But the number of
road closing orders allocated to motorsport is limited and shared across the country, so the last two Mourne events were held on the mountains in the Slieve Gullion area. Commended for their efforts on making the 2012 rally run despite the economic pressures on an expensive sport, the Newry event secured a road closing order that will increase the event’s popularity. The format has already secured interest from some of the event’s local competitors including Jim Feenan (Ford Escort Cosworth), David Armstrong (Ford Escort Mk2), Denis Patterson (Ford Escort G3), and Christopher Simms (Ford Escort Mk2). Fans will have a chance to see the cars at the safety check at the premises of event sponsor, Modern Tyre Service in Carnbane Business Park from 6.30pm on Friday June 7 – the evening before the main event. The following morning cars will cross the start line at 9.30am at Modern Tyre Service and drive to the first stage, Black Hill, starting shortly after 10am. The other two stages (each completed three times) are Deadman’s Hill and Ballydougherty with service in Loughgilly. The rally will finish at the Sheepbridge Inn at 3.50pm.
NEWS
The last Mourne Rally held on the roads produced some spectacular action. Pictured are Darren Gass and Sean Mullally near Cladymilltown on the way to victory in 2010 using a Subaru Impreza. Picture: William Neill/NeillPics
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Hopkirk book makes record price
Paddy Hopkirk and Brian Dennis who bought his book at a charity auction
P
addy Hopkirk was guest of honour at the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs Annual Awards Dinner Evening at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells recently, where he presented prizes in the charity auction. One of his books “The Paddy Hopkirk Story: A Dash of the Irish” made a record £650, which will be donated to SKIDZ. Paddy donated the entire final print run of his book “A Dash of the Irish” to SKIDZ, a charity which helps provide automotive training to disadvantaged young people. The charity benefits from all of the funds raised from selling signed copies of the book. Paddy said: “SKIDZ is a great organisation for educating young people to become hands-on vehicle technicians and I am honoured to be one of their Patrons along with Ross Brawn – this is a record price for my book.” Plans are also progressing on the 2014 Paddy Hopkirk Gala Dinner on February 22nd, 2014 at the Titanic building in Belfast. It now has its own facebook page, www.facebook.com/PaddyHopkirkGala.
CarSport