Seeding for 2018 John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally
The submission of entries phase of the 2018 John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally is now closed and seeding of the entries is now complete.
Event Director, Robert Harkness explains; “Seeding is a complicated process that decides the running order of the competitors in the event. It is a key part of the event both for the competitors but also for the running of the event itself. It must not only reflect the pace of each competitor but also consider their current position in the major championships and respect the requirements of teams running two or more cars..”
Robert continues; “There are five high speed special stages on closed for the event public roads on Friday 17 August and six more on Saturday 18 August. This is the core of the competition and why seeding is so important.”
The John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally is the only rally in these islands that represents the FIA European Celtic Rally Trophy, the British Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. The entries reflect this influence as competitors pursue their own targets.
The FIA Celtic Trophy is currently led by Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes from Monaghan / Dublin and they have entered in their Ford Fiesta R5 where they will defend their one point lead from Josh’s brother Sam Moffett and Karl Atkinson also from Monaghan in their Ford Fiesta R5. The same crews only this time Sam is at the top of the leader board in the Irish Championship with again a one point lead from brother Josh so its all to play for to take the Irish title.
The competition is of coursed spiced up by the only head to head of the year between the Irish Championship and the British Rally Championship.
The British Rally Championship is currently led by Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod from North Wales in their Ford Fiesta R5 who are only twenty points ahead of last years winners Keith Cronin and Mike Galvin from West Cork / Killarney this time in the latest Hyundai i20 R5 from Hyundai Motorsport. But there are twenty five points for a win.
With over ten of the UK and Ireland’s top R5 drivers, there are also entries from other front runners such as Desi Henry in his Skoda Fabia R5, Jonny Greer in a Ford Fiesta R5, David Bogie in his Skoda Fabia R5 and Marty McCormick in another Skoda. It goes on and on.
The Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council supported two-day rally is centred in Antrim and the drivers will speed off from the Antrim Castle Gardens and will stop at major controls in Ballyclare on Friday and Randalstown on Saturday.
Top Ten Entries
- Keith Cronin / Mike Galvin – Hyundai i20 R5
2. Sam Moffett / Karl Atkinson – Ford Fiesta R5
3. Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes – Ford Fiesta R5
4. Matt Edwards / Darren Garrod – Ford Fiesta R5
5. Desi Henry / Liam Moynihan – Skoda Fabia R5
6. Jonathan Greer / Kirsty Riddick – Ford Fiesta R5
7. David Bogie / John Rowan – Skoda Fabia R5
8. Martin McCormack / David Moynihan – Skoda Fabia R5
9. Rhys Yates / James Morgan – Skoda Fabia R5
10. Alex Laffey / Patrick Walsh – Ford Fiesta R5
The full seeded entry list will be available from the Competitor section of our website at the start of the event week.
www.ulsterrally.com/competitors
A FREE to download Spectator Guide with all the information you need will be available from the Spectator section of our website at the start of the event week.
www.ulsterrally.com/spectators
For latest news and updates on the events, check out the website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ulsterrally
