United by Horsepower in Support of Summer Motorsport Rally in Downpatrick

Two fast paced sports driven by horsepower and speed which test endurance and skill are counting down to this July’s Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale motorsport event in Downpatrick.

Jockeys competing at last weekend’s meeting at Downpatrick racecourse had a chance to set their helmets and whips aside to get up close and personal with one of the cars taking part in the summer rally organised by the Ballynahinch and District Motor Club.

Ahead of thoroughbreds making their presence felt in the parade ring, it was the purr of a Nissan Micra rally car that was capturing the attention of jockeys and racegoers.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is supporting the Saturday 25 July rally, which is a round of the Brown and Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship, alongside Downpatrick racecourse and the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group.

Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “Excitement continues to build ahead of the summer rally and hosting the event in Downpatrick is a great opportunity for the town.

“Spectators will be travelling from across Ireland and can be assured of a warm welcome. The service area at the Market Street car park will be a hive of activity and I’m looking forward to what will be a motorsport spectacular.”

Cllr Campbell also praised everyone involved in organising and supporting the rally.

“Securing this high profile rally for Downpatrick is good news for the town and hosting the event provides a real boost for our business community and wider economy. The rally promises to be a fantastic event,” he said.

“The spotlight will be on Downpatrick and Lecale in July and we are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase what we have to offer,” the Chairperson added.

Racecourse general manager, Ruth Morrison, was delighted to host Ballynahinch Motor Club officials at last week’s meeting and to support the summer rally.

“We are delighted to support Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale and welcome such a prestigious motorsport event to the area. It was fantastic to have the rally car with us at our meeting and it was certainly a different kind of horsepower than our patrons are used to. But it was wonderful to see the excitement and reaction from racegoers throughout the evening,” she said.

“The partnership between Downpatrick racecourse and the rally highlights the strong community spirit in the area and demonstrates how we can work together to showcase everything this region has to offer.”

The racecourse manager added: “We are pleased our facilities will play a part in supporting the rally and look forward to welcoming competitors, officials and visitors to Downpatrick and the surrounding area in July.”

Ballynahinch and District Motor Club Chairman, Brian Crawford, said the organisation is excited about bringing rallying back to Downpatrick.

“The return of rallying will be a real spectacle. The last rally stages held locally was in 2015 as part of the Circuit of Ireland. It’s fantastic rallying is coming back to Downpatrick and Lecale and we are delighted to be organising this event,” he said.

“We appreciate all the support we are being given. It was great to be at the racecourse last week with horsepower associated with two completely different sports coming together in unison. We can't wait for Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale to get underway.”