Motorsport: Ballymena to stage landmark 50th anniversary Ulster Rallly

Next year's Ulster Rally will use stages along the spectacular Antrim coastline. Picture: Courtesy Seamus Counihan.

Next year's Ulster International Rally (August 7/8th) will be based in Ballymena as it celebrates a landmark 50th anniversary - opening up the prospect of action across some of the most iconic and spectacular stages along the County Antrim coastline. 

Announcing its decision, the Northern Ireland Motor Club, under clerk of the course Wayne Turkington, also confirmed their partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, whose support has been instrumental in securing Ballymena as the host venue.

Its inclusion as part of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship is also a hugely significant boost for the NIMC, who will continue its collaboration with the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) as a counting round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Although the event is some nine months away, competitors wishing to be part of this milestone event are now being advised to submit their interest through an official "Expression of Interest" form, described as being the "the first step toward securing a place on what is expected to be a highly sought-after entry list".

Clerk of the course Wayne Turkington said, "Our 50th anniversary gives us the perfect opportunity to elevate the Ulster Rally to new heights and Ballymena is the ideal location to make that happen. The roads are incredible and the scenery is spectacular. Working closely with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, we’re creating an event that will not only challenge competitors but deliver an unforgettable experience for every spectator. This is set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated Ulster Rallies we’ve ever staged with both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and FIA European Historic Rally Championship bringing their best to our shores."

A victim of Storm Éowyn last February and always one of the most popular gravel rallies in the country, Saturday's Samsonas Fivemiletown Rally is over subscribed. Last year's winner and top seed Strabane's Niall McGonigle (Ford Fiesta Rally2) can expect another tough challenge even though his main nemesis from last year, Vivian Hamill, is an absentee this time around. Hamill is contesting the five-day Roger Albert Clark Rally that began yesterday in Wales. 

Fivemiletown opposition on this occasion is spearheaded by Omagh's Mark Donnelly (VW Polo GTi R5) and Monaghan's Josh Moffett, who will steer his Hyundai R5. Donnelly won the event in 2023 and poses a real threat. Surprisingly, Moffett hasn't competed on an Irish gravel rally since late in 2019 (Cambrian Rally) in a Ford Fiesta R5 while his last outing in Fivemiletown was all of nine years ago. However, it would be foolish to discount his chances, especially aboard the Hyundai. 

David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) completes the top quartet, more accustomed to outings on sealed surfaces, the Donegal driver will be on his fourth successive gravel outing, second place on his most recent event (Donegal Forest Rally) should be a confidence booster.

The eight-stage event will decide the outcome of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge that has a strong family resonance. It pits the father and son pairing of Drumquin's Ashley and Stephen Dickson and the father and son crew of Claudy's Jordan and Paul Hone, all in Ford Fiestas. 

In terms of points, Stephen (co-driven by Donegal's Ben Teggart) is nine-points ahead of Ashley Dickson (co-driven by Rosscarbery's Alistair Wyllie) with Hone a further six points in arrears. Reigning champion Clones driver Derek Mackarel (Fiesta R5) still has a mathematical chance of the title but that depends on his rivals encountering trouble. Local hero Shane McGirr (Lada Riva) leads the two-wheel drive entry. The first stage (Jenkin) starts at 9.46am. There's a regroup (after SS2) at Fivemiletown High School from 10.43am. A double run over a three stage loop - split by a 30-minute service halt - conclude the action with the Tempo finish at 3.22pm.

The entry list for next Saturday's (November 29th) Killarney Towers Hotel Historic Rally was released on Wednesday. The top ten features: 1. Donagh Kelly/Rory Kennedy (BMW M3 e30), 2. Kris Meeke/Noel O'Sullivan (BMW M3 e30); 3. Robert Duggan/Ger Conway (Ford Escort); 4. Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza 555); 5. John O'Donnell/Paddy Robinson (BMW M3); 6. Tomas Davies/Shane Buckley (BMW M3); 7. Meirion Evans/Anthony O'Sullivan (Ford Escort RS1800); 8. Patrick Snijers/Davy Thierie (BMW M3); 9. Fergus O'Meara/Brian Duggan (BMW M3); 10. Daragh O'Riordan/Sean McCarthy (Ford Escort Cosworth)