For immediate release: 04 March 2008

Bishopscourt ready for the world!

The top 10 entries for this Saturday's McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally, which is round two of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship, reads like a round of the World Championship! The venue, which is based just outside Downpatrick, is set to receive an influx of World Rally Cars, as the top 10 is filled by these highly potent machines!

In fact, 13 world cars are on the start list, ranging from Subaru, Ford and Toyota to Hyundai and Skoda! It's a mouth-watering array, and the honour of heading the list goes to former Northern Ireland and Irish Tarmac rally champion, Derek McGarrity.

It will be the Glengormley driver's first event of the season, and as a former winner of the Bishopscourt event, he is one of the favourites for success. He leads Glenn Allen over the start ramp, and the reigning Pacenotes N.I. champion will be crossing his fingers for a repeat of last year's victory in his Toyota Corolla WRC.

At number three, Sean Devine is the current championship leader after winning round one at Kirkistown last month. He pipped Connor McCloskey to victory by seven tenths of a second, and young 21 year old McCloskey is also on the start list at number five in his Ford Focus WRC. Denis Biggerstaff is sandwiched between these two men, and the Dromara man is aiming to go one better this year after finishing second in 2007.

County Fermanagh's Raymond Johnston will start the event with number six on the door of his Impreza WRC, while Limavady's Richard Hogg returns to the series in his Skoda Octavia WRC at number seven. A duo of Impreza WRCs follow, with Michael McClogan at eight ahead of Seamus Devine, while Craig Bennett completes the top 10 seeds in his Skoda Fabia WRC.

The battle for Sunoco Fuels Group N spoils will be every bit as exciting as the battle for outright honours. Reigning champion, Eoin McErlean, returns with his Mitsubishi Lancer, and he will face stiff opposition from the likes of Cathal Rogers, John Walker and Ruairi McCloskey.

Meanwhile, the entertainers of the rally in the Superdrive two wheel drive category sees John Waring top the list in his Mark 2 Escort. David Armstrong will also be vying for honours, as will James Kennedy, Rodney White and event sponsor, Fintan McGrady.

"I really wish Ballynahinch and District Motor Club every success in running the rally," McGrady said on announcing his sponsorship for the third year. "They have the ideal venue in Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, with its many twists and turns and of course the famous jump. For competitors, marshals and spectators, it will be a great way to celebrate the day!"

This weekend's event will see competitors tackle six stages, totalling approximately 40 stage miles. And with entries oversubscribed, 120 cars are guaranteed to tackle the venue in anger. Stage one is due to kick off shortly after 9am on Saturday, while the champagne finish will take place at approximately 5pm.
More information is available from www.nirally.com.

McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages 2008 - Top 15 seeds

1 Derek McGarrity/TBC - Subaru Impreza WRC
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly - Toyota Corolla WRC
3 Sean Devine/Damien Duffin - Subaru Impreza WRC
4 Denis Biggerstaff/Stuart Biggerstaff - Subaru Impreza WRC
5 Connor McCloskey/Francis Regan - Ford Focus WRC
6 Raymond Johnston/TBC - Subaru Impreza WRC
7 Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna - Skoda Octavia WRC
8 Michael McColgan/Kevin Flanagan - Subaru Impreza WRC
9 Seamus Devine/Marius Coll - Subaru Impreza WRC
10 Craig Bennett/TBC - Skoda Fabia WRC
11 Cathal Arthurs/Vincent Fergus - Hyundai Accent WRC
12 Kieron Graffin/TBC - Subaru Impreza WRC
14 Sean McArdle/TBC - Toyota Corolla WRC
15 Mark Doyle/TBC - Toyota Celica

ENDS.

Photograph: Attached photograph depicts Connor McCloskey and Francis Regan in their Ford Focus WRC at the 2008 Eurocables Stages Rally (round one of the Pacenotes MSA N.I. Rally Championship). Images may be used free of charge for editorial use providing credit is given to the photographer. They may not be sold/resold or used for advertisement purposes. Copyright remains with the photographer, Jonathan MacDonald/MEDIAJAM COMMUNICATIONS.

Regards,

Jonathan MacDonald
MediaJAM Communications