Details of this Saturday's Wilsons Auctions Loughgall Festival of Motorsport, which has been jointly organised by North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd and Armagh Lions Club in aid of Northern Ireland Children's Hospice and other Lions charities, were announced at Armagh Council Offices on Monday (30 June). Organisers laid on a 'mini special stage', allowing Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, as well as Mayor of Armagh, councillor Noel Sheridan, to sample the high octane thrills of passenger rides in rally cars!
 
"The rally car experience was a truly exhilarating experience," first minister Peter Robinson said. "I would be a motorsport enthusiast so in many ways it was a dream come true! I am honoured to have been able to launch this event but I'm also deeply moved. I must commend all of the organisers for their determination in seeing this project through to its fulfilment. Clearly they have gone to all lengths possible to make this Festival the success that I know it will be.
 
"I must emphasise it is a rare trait to see such determination from non-salaried, ordinary individuals, who want to make a difference to the lives of others, especially in such a high priced sport/industry. Northern Ireland Hospice Care/Children's Hospice - the choice of charity - is particularly poignant.
 
"The success of this event will be from all angles, and will greatly ease and assist the lives of those involved with Hospice Care. There has been tremendous work carried out behind the scenes to bring all of this to light, and with competitors such as Cathal Curley, Billy Coleman, Kenny McKinstry and John Keatley, it's quite an achievement. For the organisers and participants, it is rewarding to see such selfless actions but also tremendously satisfying."
 
The Festival, which will be based within the beautiful surroundings of Loughgall Country Park on Saturday 5 July, has attracted a wide range of machinery. While the Historic Rally Car Challenge has attracted entries from numerous well known names of past and present rallying, the Apple Blossom Autotest, static historic and classic car displays, as well as a classic car auction, will all provide plenty of entertainment on the day.
 
Speaking at the launch, councillor Noel Sheridan said: "The Festival of Motorsport was highly successful and enjoyable last year and we are delighted to welcome such a high profile event back to the area. The Festival is a showcase for the wide variety of talent that exists both locally and internationally and I understand that the Rally Challenge has attracted entries from throughout the UK and Ireland, including some internationally known competitors."
 
Heading the entry list for the Historic Rally Car Challenge, John Keatley and Maurice Beckett will line up in their Porsche 911. Keatley, who went on to win various championships after starting rallying in 1989, starts with number one on his door ahead of Cathal Curley and Elkin Robinson.
 
Curley is another competitor who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He has been rallying for more than 40 years, and in 1974 he won seven international rallies, including victory at the Circuit of Ireland by more than five minutes - the largest ever winning margin (a record which still stands today).
 
Billy Coleman is also on the start list, and he is still the only Irishman ever to win the British Rally Championship. He is also a former winner of the Irish Tarmac Championship, as is Banbridge's Kenny McKinstry, who will start at number four with his borrowed ex-Ari Vatanen Escort.
 
Completing the top five entrants, John Lyons also returns to action with an Escort. His motorsport career started in the early 70s when he became very successful in autotesting. He then transferred that success to the stages, and drove on semi-works basis for numerous manufacturers.
 
In the modified category, Dungannon's Kris Meeke heads the entry in a Mark 2 Escort, with Draperstown's Camillus Bradley next in line. Wesley Patterson and Mervyn Wedlock also join the fray, with James Kennedy also returning to Loughgall.
 
Almost 20 entries have been received for the Apple Blossom Autotest, including last year's winner and multiple autotest champion, Ken Irwin. Driving his Mini Special, he will be joined by the likes of Robert Dickson and Steven Ferguson, as well as Noel Cochrane and Robin Lyons, to name but a few.
 
"It's great to have the support from an enthusiast Armagh City and District Council as well as Wilsons Auctions," Clerk of the Course William Fullerton said. "Working with Armagh Lions Club for the second year in a row has been a pleasure, and we're looking forward to a safe and enjoyable day."
 
There will also be many classic and historic static displays, and there has been massive interest in the classic car auction, which is being organised by Wilsons Auctions. This will take place at 12.30pm, when there will be an official break from the high-octane proceedings.
 
Gates open at 8.30am and the admission fee of £10 includes a free colour programme and free car parking, while accompanied under-12s can enter free of charge. The Historic Rally Car Challenge will start at 9.30am and all proceedings will be finished by 5.30pm, when prizegiving will take place in the centre arena.
 
Historic Rally Car Challenge - top 10 seeds
 
1 John Keatley/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911)
2 Cathal Curley/Elkin Robinson (Porsche 911)
3 Billy Coleman/Ciara Hughes (Ford Escort RS1800)
4 Kenny McKinstry/Emma McKinstry (Ford Escort)
5 John Lyons/Gerard Kelly (Ford Escort MkII)
6 Mervyn Johnston/Wendy Blackledge (Mini Cooper S)
7 Stewart Clarke/Marshall Clarke (Ford Escort RS1800)
8 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911)
9 David Armstrong/TBA (Ford Escort MkII)
10 John Farrell/Enda Shiels (Ford Escort RS)
 
Modified category - top 5 seeds
 
43 Kris Meeke/Pamela Ballantine (Ford Escort MkII)
44 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Ford Escort MkII)
45 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort MkII)
46 Mervyn Wedlock/Laura Wedlock (Ford Escort MkII)
47 James Kennedy/John Rowan (Ford Escort MkII)