A-list names line up for Turkey Run Rally with a difference

A capacity 80-car entry has been secured for today’s Turkey Run Rally, with organisers promising those crews lucky enough to be on the seeded entry an altogether different challenge.

ased once again within the confines of the former Shackleton military base, newly-appointed Clerk of the Course Ian Connolly is expecting an exciting day’s competition given the calibre of A-list names.

The Maiden City Motor Club event will be the first chance people will get to see drivers debut an array of new superminis, including eight-time Northern Ireland Rally Championship winner Derek McGarrity.

The Glengormley man reached a deal before Christmas to swap his ex-Andreas Mikkelsen WRC2 title-winning Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo for the Ford Fiesta WRC Englishman Stephen Petch used in the BTRDA.

Other notable entrants include Castlederg’s Jason Mitchell — a regular in this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship — who is switching from a Ford Fiesta Rally2 to a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, and promising Strabane driver Ryan Caldwell who is upgrading to a Skoda Fabia R5 for the single venue meeting.

All eyes, however, will be on Desi Henry as the reigning champion.

Twelve months ago, the Kilrea man led from start to finish to record a narrow seven second victory from 2019 winner, Aaron McLaughlin.

Competition also comes from Joseph McGonigle, Kenny McKinstry and Cathan McCourt, whiles James Kennedy (Ford Escort Mk2) and Seamus Morris (Darrian GTR) are the favourites in the modified battle.

“It’s a really brilliant entry. It’s much better than we could have hoped for to be honest,” said Connolly. “I think it would be deserving of any round of any major championship in Ireland if I am being honest.

“There was a time when airfield-based events like the Turkey Run were maybe not seen as a proper rally, but that has changed what with forest events proving so expensive and there only being a set number of road closing orders to work with in Northern Ireland. As a club, we’re absolutely delighted.”

Sponsored by McEvoy Motorsport, the end-of-season rally will be played out over five stages totalling 36 competitive miles.

“A lot of the guys doing the event will be familiar with Shackleton, so I have tried to mix things up and create a different challenge and I’m happy with the end result,” added Connolly.

“The whole route has been reversed — it is going to be completely different — and I’m confident all the crews will enjoy what we have come up with. Just doing the same thing makes it boring otherwise.”

The Turkey Run Rally is due to get underway at 9.30am with the overall winners crowned around 5.00pm