Irish Notes 11thJanuary 2017

The big talking point this week is the continued postponement of rallies in the Motorsport Ireland jurisdiction due to the insurance position. At a meeting of all the clubs this week MI put forward a proposal that the clubs lay down a ‘non-refundable deposit’, in addition to which the competitors will have to pay an additional levy premium (50%) per event and there will be an increase in claims excess. In view of the fact that insurance costs generally are increasing, and that only one company is interested in quoting, the new deal doesn’t seem to be the end of the world. With the insurance premium fixed for the year, it is important that all the clubs ‘stay on board’ and that competitor numbers also remain solid. The clubs have to give their replies by the end of this week. Sometimes of course the devil is in the detail, and some events/clubs may find the new charges more difficult to cope with than others. There is always a bottom to every bucket. However early indications are that there will be a positive response and that hopefully rallying can quickly get back on course. It is also a bit early to judge competitor reaction.

Dark clouds may be scudding about weather wise as well as in an Irish rally sense, on top of the Stormont political stalemate. However in contrast it was sunshine and all stations go in Frank Kelly’s garage this week, as the Tyrone based rally maestro took time out from his day job fitting security cameras to prepare his two Escorts for what could be an exciting rally time ahead.

By his own standards Frank’s rallying had more downs than ups during the 2016 season, so a complete overhaul was required over the winter. Now he is bursting to get back to the stages, but in a most startling programme….a rally in New Zealand followed closely by one in Russia.

How did this come about? Frank has become one of the absolute Irish rallying Mk2 heroes in recent years. His daughter Lauren has performed a wonderful job putting together video clips that have become enormously popular on YouTube. These of course go round the world, aided by other social media. Out of the blue Frank received a phone call from an Australian rally journalist who wanted to do a major story about the Dungannon man. Following on from that Frank got a call from the New Zealand Rally Otago Clerk of the course, Roger Oakley. He made Frank a firm offer to come and compete. Frank explored all the angles, and it looks like the trip is on, with his ‘forest’ Escort due to be shipped out shortly.

Another set of organisers, from Russia this time, have been in touch about doing their rally. This one is a type of Lurgan Park rally, utilising the cycle track built for the 1980 Olympics. The deal for this one isn’t fully completed, one of the difficulties being to find a carrier who will transport Frank’s Tarmac ‘Baby Blue’ Escort to Moscow. The Russian organisers have offered to fly Frank directly from New Zealand to their event. All stations go then! Frank commented, “The New Zealand rally has been on my bucket list for a while. I thought long and hard about it over Christmas. Maybe I’ve had a gene debacle, but I’ve decided to go for it. We are not going to be here forever.

The New Zealand rally could be tricky. The gravel stages seem fast in places, and then unexpected sharp corners, as well as lots of crests, some of which are flat and some aren’t. I’ll be on organiser’s notes, so I’ll need my survival head on. As well Frank wants to fit in West Cork, simply because he enjoys the rally and the stages so much, and of course it will be a great ‘warm-up’ for him. That is of course if the insurance problem is resolved by then. On that subject Frank mentioned his daughter Lauren. She has been putting some money aside with a view to co-drive for her boyfriend Ruari McCaffrey in his Civic on the forestry series. The worry now is that the insurance could be so expensive that Lauren will not be able to afford it – an equation that could affect many young co-drivers/drivers.

Coming up soon is the 28th January New Year Stages organised by the UAC, with seven stages at Kirkistown. The final stage may well be in darkness. This event is always a great warm up for the crews and over 30 have already committed. The entry fee is £200. It has now been decided that Patterson notes will be available. Although the event is ‘non championship’ for most, it will be a counter in the Junior 1000 series.

Still at Kirkistown, the North Armagh Club is well on schedule with the Pacenotes Magazine sponsored stage rally (11th Feb) at the same venue. William Fullerton is the CoC for this one and six stages are planned. Scrutiny will be early on the Saturday morning, so everything will happen on one day, to cut expenses. The event is a full counter of the McGrady Insurance NI Championship.

Later this week is the Autosport Show at the NEC, normally the venue for various announcements as well as being a Motorsport showcase. It has already been announced that Elfyn Evans will after all get a crack at the WRC in an M-Sport/DMack tyres Fiesta WRC and his car will be on show. Bobby Willis is expected to unveil a unique plan for the 8th April ‘Circuit of Ireland’. The British Rally Championship organisers will be outlining their aims, including a £30,000 prize for the best junior. The drivers in this category will now be free to make their own tyre choice. Following the cancellation of the Mid Wales Stages because of financial uncertainties (a truly excellent rally in the past), the BRC will now commence with the Border Counties Rally.