PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release 12^th August 2013

JENNINGS CUTS LOOSE IN LURGAN

Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings took a convincing win on last Saturday’s Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally. Co-driven by Michael Moran in his Subaru, Jennings finished 12s up on Banbridge man Kenny McKinstry and his co-driver Claire Gamble. Kevin Kelleher took the final podium place and made it a Subaru top three. West Cork man Kelleher had Martin Brady on the notes for the day. Craigavon Borough Council once again supported the rally and the thousands of spectators who attended were able to enjoy the beautiful park in some decent weather.

The special stages are short and sharp. The pattern over the years has been that the rally is won and lost by just the odd second or two. Over the first three stages last weekend Jennings and McKinstry were indeed swapping tenths of seconds. Stages 4 & 5 however included a gravel section. Current Irish Forestry Champion Garry Jennings really cut loose on these two. He was fastest over both by three seconds.

The final three stages were almost a formality for Jennings and he won by 12 seconds, a lifetime in Lurgan Park terms. Garry has won GpN many times in Lurgan, generally finishing in the overall top six. This was his first time in Lurgan in a WRC car, and his first outright win in the Park. McKinstry has taken victory in Lurgan 11 times over the years. He will have to wait at least another 12 months to make that a dozen on this unique North Armagh Motor Club event.

Eugene Donnelly and Derek McGarrity did not make the start, Donnelly because of a close family bereavement and McGarrity because his Focus WRC wasn’t ready. This may have made Jenning’s job simpler, but this was still a very emphatic win for the Kesh based oil distribution man.

Kevin Kelleher’s third place was also very impressive. It was his first time competing in the Park. He worked his way up from 6^th initially to take the final podium place. Ballinamallard’s Jonny Leonard, who had his mum Geraldine co-driving in his GpA Lancer, made a conservative start, then scythed through to take 4^th. Kenny McKinstry’s daughter Emma also had a fine drive to 5^th and got ahead of Derek McGeehan in his Mini WRC on the final stage.

Lisburn’s Wesley Patterson also impressed by taking ‘Best Escort’ accolade and 7^th o/a, just 3s ahead of Frank Kelly in a similar Mk2.The latter had been in front, but a high speed spin over the grass left him playing ‘catch-up’ on Patterson.

Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Top Ten.

1^st Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Impreza WRC) 15.13.8
2^nd Kenny McKinstry/Claire Gamble (Impreza WRC) 15.25.3
3^rd Kevin Kelleher/Martin Brady (Impreza WRC) 16.01.9
4^th Jonny Leonard/Geraldine Leonard (Lancer) 16.05.3
5^th Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC) 16.06.2
6^th Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smyth (Mini WRC) 16.06.4
7^th Wesley Patterson/Russell Harrold (Escort) 16.13.1
8^th Frank Kelly/Peter Dunlop (Escort) 16.16.4
9^th Stuart Biggerstaff/Anthony Nestor (Metro 6R4) 16.19.3
10^th Keith White/David Lyness (Escort Mk1) 16.25.8

Class Winners: – CL1 Mark Massey/Damian McDermott (Lancer N): CL2A Alan Smyth/Peter Thompson (Citroen C2R2): CL2B James & Rebecca Kennedy (Escort): CL3 Wesley Patterson/Russell Harrold (Escort): CL4 Jonny & Geraldine Leonard (Lancer): CL5 Garry Jennings/Michael Moran (Impreza WRC): CL6 Stephen Mawhinney/Jonny Magee (Sunbeam Lotus): CL7 Ian Millar/Stephen Anderson (Escort RS1800).

Issued by Brian & Liz Patterson:
Patterson Agency Ltd: Tel: +44 (0)2890 844111

Photo courtesy of Jonathan MacDonald