Monday the 19th saw the annual Association of Northern Ireland Car Club's Awards ceremony, which was held in the Seagoe Hotel complex in Portadown.
The Gala event is held every year to showcase the various winners from the Seven Northern Ireland Championships organised throughout the year. These Championships encompass all the disciplines of four wheel Motorsport and include Autotest, Navigation Rally, Hillclimb and Sprints, Circuit Racing and Stage Rallies.
As usual a huge turnout of competitors and supporters filled the main hall to watch the various video presentations and applaud the winners in the different categories. Rathfriland Motor Club members who were there to collect the spoils of their yearlong campaigns in both the N.I Navigation Rally Championship and the M.E.Crowe sponsored Stage Rally Championship ably represented the local district
First up to collect their crystal were the Castlewellan pairing of Patsy Branney and Andy Gilmore. They finished a creditable third overall in the Class 3 Novice section of the Navigation Championship in their PWM Motorsport prepared Skoda Favorit in what proved to be the most hotly contested class of the year. They plan another assault this year when they progress into the Semi expert class and hope to debut a new car later in the year in an effort to clinch the top spot for next years awards night.
Also representing Rathfriland Motor Club was William Brown from Dromara. After a busy year in which he competed in no less than 19 Stage Rallies, William clinched third in class 4 for his navigating prowess and is still in the process of finalising his plans for this coming year.
Another local man to be honoured was Banbridge's Barry Taggart who received the Clubman of the Year Award for his contribution to Northern Ireland Motorsport both on and off the track. Barry is a regular competitor on Navigation events locally and is co-driver for Belfast's Gary White in an Escort Cosworth World Rally Car on the N.I. Stage Rally scene. He also finds time to help promote and organise high profile events such as the Lurgan Park event and the International Ulster Rally as well as Club events throughout the year.
Meanwhile the local Motorsport year gets underway with Rathfriland Motor Club's Rogues Rally Navigation event which starts at The Halfway House this Friday Night (30th). A healthy turnout is expected, as the event is part of the RMC Novice Challenge. The crews will face a challenging 65-mile event in the local roads and lanes in the Katesbridge, Closkelt, and Dromore triangle with the finish scheduled for midnight back at the Halfway House for the prizegiving.
If anyone would like to marshal please get in touch with William on 02897 533282.