Burkes of Cornascriebe Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 2009 launched

Festival%20of%20Motorsport%20launch Burkes of Cornascriebe Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 2009 launched

Burkes of Cornascriebe Loughgall Festival of Motorsport launched!

Details regarding this Saturday's Burkes of Cornascriebe Loughgall Festival of Motorsport, which is also supported by New Holland Agriculture and has been jointly organised by North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd and Armagh Lions Club, were announced at Armagh Council Offices on Monday (18 May).

The event, which is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and other Lions charities, has received another stunning entry for the Historic Rally Car Challenge, Apple Blossom Autotest and for the static historic and classic car displays.

Speaking at the launch, councillor Noel Sheridan said: "The Festival of Motorsport was highly successful and enjoyable last year and we are delighted to welcome such a high profile event back to the Armagh area. The Festival is a showcase for the wide variety of talent that exists both locally and internationally and I understand that the Historic Rally Car Challenge has attracted entries from throughout the UK and Ireland, including some internationally known competitors."

The Festival, which will be based within the beautiful surroundings of Loughgall Country Park this Saturday 23 May, has attracted a wide range of machinery. From Porsches to Escorts, as well as Minis, Cortinas and Anglias, this weekend's spectacular will provide a real blast to the past!

"I'm delighted to be involved with this year's event," said event sponsor Harry Burke, director of Burkes of Cornascriebe. "This year's Festival will also be televised by RPM Motorsport, which obviously as a sponsor, is an added bonus. I'm really excited to be involved in such a fantastic event and I'm looking forward to seeing the cars in action on the day!"

Heading the entry list for the Historic Rally Car Challenge, Keith McIvor and David Burns will line up in their Porsche 911 ahead of Dessie McCartney. Seamus O'Connell starts at number three and is the first of an abundance of popular Escort drivers, with Todd Falvey and Alan Jardine also in Escorts at numbers four and five. Martin Ward is bringing an Opel Ascona to Loughgall and starts at number six, while Philip Wylie and last year's joint winner, Colin McDowell, complete the top eight seeds.

The modified category has an equally impressive line-up with last year's winner, Wesley Patterson, returning to defend his Loughgall title. He will face stiff opposition from the likes of Mervyn Wedlock, John Waring and Michael Conlon, and a late entry from former Northern Ireland Rally champion, Glenn Allen, sees the Cookstown driver return to action in an Escort.

Country Tyrone's flying vet, Hugh O'Brien, is another welcome addition. After a long layoff from the sport, O'Brien has borrowed a Mark 2 Escort 1300 BDA for this Saturday's event. He is well known in Irish rallying circles, and started competing during the early 60s with numerous successes during his rally career.

Almost 20 entries have been received for the Apple Blossom Autotest, which is being assisted by MG Car Club Ltd (Ulster). Well known competitors include the likes of Noel Cochrane (MG Midget), David Cochrane (Special), and Wallace McKee (Opel Kadette). There will also be countless static classic and historic displays, not to mention a New Holland hot air balloon providing controlled rides for spectators!

"It's great to have the support from an enthusiastic Armagh City and District Council as well as Burkes of Cornascriebe and New Holland Agriculture," Clerk of the Course William Fullerton said. "Working with Armagh Lions Club for the third year in a row has been a pleasure, and we're looking forward to a safe and enjoyable day."

Armagh Lions Club president, Muriel Atkinson, said: "We are grateful to Armagh City and District Council and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the use of Loughgall Country Park which is a wonderful venue. I'd also like to thank our new headline sponsor, Burkes of Cornascriebe, who along with New Holland Agriculture, are bringing a different element to the day in the form of the New Holland hot air balloon. We are sincerely grateful to them and indeed all of our sponsors and supporters. Without them, we would not be able to support the charities and worthy causes that we do."

Gates open at 8.30am and the admission fee of £10 includes a free colour programme and free car parking, while accompanied under-12s can enter free of charge. The Historic Rally Car Challenge will start at 9.30am and all proceedings will be finished by 5.30pm, when prizegiving will take place in the centre arena.

Historic Rally Car Challenge - top 10 seeds

1 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911)
2 Dessie McCartney/TBA (Porsche Carrera RS)
3 Seamus O'Connell/TBA (Ford Escort RS1800)
4 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Ford Escort RS1800)
5 Alan Jardine/Jim McSherry (Ford Escort MkI)
6 Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (Opel Ascona)
7 Philip Wylie/Maurice Beckett (MG B)
8 Colin McDowell/Arron Mitchell (Mini)
9 Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland (Austin Mini Cooper S)
10 John Hughes/Barry Scott (Ford Escort Mk I RS2000)

Modified category - top 5 seeds

32 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort RS)
33 Mervyn Wedlock/Laura Wedlock (Ford Escort)
34 John Waring/TBA (Ford Escort RS2000)
35 Michael Conlon/Hugh McKenna (Ford Escort MkII)
36 Hugh O'Brien/Jonny Crossley (Ford Escort MkII)

ENDS.

Press release issued by Jonathan MacDonald (MediaJAM Communications) on behalf of North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd and Armagh Lions Club.