Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally Press Release 23rd June 2014
Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally 2014
Press Release: For immediate release 23rd June 2014
The entry list for this weekend’s Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally shows Declan and Brian Boyle, fresh from winning the Donegal International Rally last weekend in their Subaru, as No.2 seeds. Current Tarmac Champion Garry Jennings is at No.1 in his similar Impreza WRC. Fermanagh man Jennings has Michael Moran co-driving, and that was the winning combination last year.
Declan Boyle commented from his Lettermacaward base earlier this week, ‘I’ve spectated at Lurgan Park and always wanted a crack at it, so here goes!” No.3 seed is Kenny McKinstry, dubbed ‘King of the Park’ in deference to his 11 wins over the years. Former multiple Tarmac Champion Derek McGarrity, Kevin Barrett from Co Kildare, and Ballinamallard’s Jonny Leonard (Mitsubishi) make up the top half dozen of the fifty invited crews.
A big part of the event is the Mk2 Escort Challenge. The iconic Fords, always an exciting spectacle in the Park, are seeded together further down the field and just some of the top drivers include Wesley Patterson, Frank Kelly, Martin Teggart, Adrian Hetherington and Donegal man Eugene Ferry.
Lurgan Park is about more than motorsport of course. The organising North Armagh Motor Club, in conjunction with Craigavon Borough Council and Brian Stinson of Orchard Motorsport have laid on a great variety of attractions, with special emphasis on a family day out. There are lots of free children’s entertainment organised by professional companies and include face painting, model making and games. In addition there are several classic car shows, plus displays by car enthusiasts such as the RS Owners Club and the Vauxhall Club.
As ever the extra magic of the rally will be in the great atmosphere the beautiful park generates, the excitement of the competition and the social ambience of the central paddock area.
At a Press Conference in the Craigavon Civic Centre on Monday evening, the Worshipful the Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Colin McCusker expressed the Council’s continuing support for the rally which has been taking place in the Park since 1980.
Over the years the organising North Armagh Club has held the admission price down to £10, but because of extra expenditure on all the safety equipment, over £15,000, the cost has had to go up to £15. Children are admitted free of charge, plus there are concessionary pensioner and student rates. There will again be plenty of well-directed car parking. The first competitor will cross the start ramp in the Park at 10.15 on Saturday morning (28th) and there will be 8 special stages running more or less non-stop during the day, with the winner and the champagne expected on the ramp at 5.00pm.
Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Top Ten seeds
1 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Subaru Impreza WRC)
2 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
3 Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru Impreza WRC)
4 Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Mini WRC)
5 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC)
6 Jonny Leonard/Geraldine Leonard (Mitsubishi Lancer)
7 Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smyth (Mini WRC)
8 Emma McKinstry/John Woods (Subaru Impreza WRC)
9 Paddy McVeigh/Martin McCann (Subaru Impreza WRC)
10 James Gillen/Sarah Whelan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Issued by: Brian & Liz Patterson, Patterson Agencies Ltd. Tel: 02890 844111
Filed Under: Lurgan Park Rally News
