Downpatrick Ready for Action-Packed Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale

It’s all systems go for this weekend’s Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale in Downpatrick.

Around 100 drivers will be taking part in the event which sees the eagerly anticipated return of national rallying to the town as part of an action-packed motorsport festival spanning three days.

Organised by Ballynahinch and District Motor Club, in partnership with Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, excitement is ramping up ahead of the event which is a round of the Brown & Brown Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

The action kicks off this Thursday evening, 23 February at 7pm at the Market Street car park with an invitational auto test featuring some of the province’s top drivers going head-to-head in an exciting display of precision driving.

Scrutineering takes place at Downpatrick racecourse on Friday afternoon and early evening ahead of a ceremonial start between 7pm and 9pm outside the St Patrick Centre where a number of top drivers will be interviewed on the start ramp.

The first competitive stages officially get underway on Saturday morning at 8.49am with a hot day’s racing concluding with the winners crowned around 5pm outside the St Patrick Centre.

A number of drivers registered for the rally last weekend when they had an opportunity to recce the stages for the first time and say they can’t wait to get going, with Ballynahinch’s Josh Douglas explaining the rally is special for him as one of the stages literally starts outside his house.

“This is my home rally and I’m really looking forward to it and I should at least know one of the stages pretty well,” he joked. “This will be a great event and credit to the Ballynahinch Motor Club which always organises fantastic rallies and all those who are supporting it. The rally will help promote Downpatrick and the ceremonial start provides a chance for local people to get close to the cars and meet the drivers.”

Newry’s Noel Vallely, who has been rallying for 25 years, is relishing the opportunity to test his skills on the local stages in his Toyota Corolla and is hoping for a dry day, but not too hot.

“This will be a great event and I’m really looking forward to what will be my first event in this part of the world,” he added.

Hillsborough’s Wesley Patterson, who is making his competitive return to rallying after serious injury in Galway in 2022, is hoping for fast, dry stages adding: “This will be my first rally in four and a half years and I have been looking forward to it for some time.”

And Letterkenny’s Johnny Baird, who has rallied locally in the past, can’t wait to get going on Saturday morning. He added: “The rallies are always good in this part of the world, the stages are fast and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, who will officially start the rally said, “I am delighted Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale is being held in Downpatrick.

The St Patrick Centre provides the perfect backdrop for the start and finish of the event, and we are thrilled to host motorsport fans from across Ireland and beyond. Some of the biggest names in rallying are competing alongside drivers from France and Australia, giving a truly international feel to the rally.”

Cllr Hanna added: "Some of the biggest names in rallying are testing their skills on challenging local stages, with Downpatrick and Lecale the perfect hosts for this high profile sporting spectacle which promises to be a great family day out.

“There are no road closures and Downpatrick town centre is open for business as usual this Saturday with an opportunity to sample our renowned local hospitality, visit local attractions and shops and sample what the district has to offer.”

Ballynahinch Motor Club’s Gavin Campbell, who is the Clerk of the Course, said as a round of the Brown & Brown NI Rally Championship, rally fans will see the best local driving talent competing against the cream of Irish rally drivers this weekend.

He said the NI Championship is well connected to the area with the Downpatrick office of Brown & Brown continuing a sponsorship partnership that started over a decade ago with McGrady Insurance.

Mr Campbell added: “Businesses in the town centre are open all day with plenty of car parking available and whether it’s some refreshments during the day or a meal after the action is over, Downpatrick is the place to be.”

For further information visit https://www.visitmournegullionstrangford.com/whats-on/