2024 Forest R4: Preview
- Updated: 15 October 2024
LEAPING BACK TO GRAVEL!
Following a long run of airfield-based stages the Premier Car Parts Dogleap Rally will go back to its roots on Saturday in Cam and Springwell forests in celebration of Maiden City Motor Club’s 50th anniversary and host the McGrady Insurance Forest Rally Challenge final, writes William Neill.
“Everyone wanted to see it (rally) return and it is thanks to all those dedicated people who put so much effort to get it to this point,” said Sean Doherty, chairman of organising club, ahead of the event sponsored by rally drivers Paul and Jordan Hone – who will be among the leading starters.
Challenge contenders are out in force with both overall and class positions up for grabs in the four round series. Derek Mackarel was announced as provisional champion following three maximum scores but Paul Britton’s second place remains under threat. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 runner sits four points ahead of two-wheel-drive leader Andy Magee.
It has been a good season so far for Drumquin’s Travis Humphrey – the Mitsubishi Lancer E9 driver is fourth, another four points back and only a single point ahead of Mervyn Wilson in an older E6-spec Lancer.
Top seeds will include Vivian Hamill, who finished third at the McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally, Skoda Fabia R5 driver Ryan Caldwell and Gareth Sayers who, among achievements this year, includes a podium at the Tyrone Stages back in July.
Historic entry Martin McCormack will be in a Ford Escort Mk2, Shane McGirr leads his class in points with Paddy McToal also featuring in the two-wheel-drive race.
Cars will start from Shackleton Complex, Ballykelly at 9.30am with the 7.8-mile loop around Cam 1 starting the action at 9.53am and the shorter Springwell 1 following at 10.27am and first half-hour service getting underway at 11.25am.
Two more loops of the stages, with each passed three times, will bring the season to a close with the first car due back to the finish before 4pm.
A seeded entry list, following entry closure, will follow at www.rallyscore.net and rally maps can be found on the Maiden City Motor Club Facebook page.
Follow all the action on the day via the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship Facebook page and live results site www.rallyscore.net.
Follow YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/@NIRally
Follow Facebook page – www.facebook.com/nirallying and www.facebook.com/niforestrallychallenge
Bookmark website – https://www.nirallychampionship.com/
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