Derry and Donegal set for Lark in the Park Rally

 
Lark in the Park Stages Rally, the Maiden City Motor Club based event planned for 23rd April, has made a welcome return for 2016.
Once again the event starts from the Ebrington Complex and St. Columb’s Park. There will be an addition of a road special stage at Drung, Co. Donegal, with special permission from neighbouring Donegal Motor Club and MotorSport Ireland.
The motorsport event moves into its final week of preparation, with officials organising and briefing the army of marshals required for the event, along with the preparation of the miles of safety rope and netting, direction arrows and dozens of the new MSA Safety notices to be used along the route of the rally both in the beautiful St. Columb’s Park and on the Co. Donegal route.
New Nominated Charity
New for this year’s event, is their nominated charity, Children in Crossfire. Their Events Fundraiser, Eileen Warren, spoke briefly at the launch of the 2016 event, and said Children in Crossfire was delighted that the Maiden City Motor Club and its Lark in the Park had nade this possible this year. She thanked Club Chairman, Gerry O’Doherty for the chance to highlight this local and global charity, and wished Clerk of the Course Danny Gormley a safe and enjoyable rally on Saturday 23rd April.
Lark in the Park
Also in preparation will be the 50+ crews competing next week-end, will also be preparing their rally cars and ‘checking the notes’ before they tackle the 6 special stage event.
Topping the list of entries will be Muff man Joseph McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney in their Skoda Fabia, who just finished 9th overall in the recent Circuit of Ireland European Championship event.
Indeed, Joe has been busy since the event, as the car has had a complete rebuild after the gruelling event, and Derry’s own Lark in the Park will give a great opportunity for a short sharp blast across the tight Park Stage and the ‘long-legged’ Drung stage.
So far over 50 crews are taking part in this event, and the action will begin early on Saturday 23rd April. Crews will begin to have their cars scrutineered after 6:30am, at Ebrington, and will leave the Waterside close to 10am, to begin the competition at Drung for 10:30am.
The competitors will eventually return to begin the St. Columb’s Park stage, at 1:30pm.
Spectators attending any of the stages in Derry or Donegal, are advised to follow the Marshal’s or Steward’s instructions, as they are ensuring everyone’s safety for the event.
There will be provision of the usual light entertainment and stalls provided for young and old, to make the day as enjoyable as possible.
Waterside Traffic Arrangements
For Spectators who will be attending St. Columb’s Park, there will be strict ‘no-parking’ enforced on Limavady Road and Browning Drive all day. No rally parking will be permitted in St. Columb’s Park. As the action begins close to 1:30pm, special car parking arrangements have been made at Wilton Park and Oakgrove Primary School. Public travelling are asked to use these facilities, and support the local community groups or use the city side car parks and access the rally via the Peace Bridge.
For an enjoyable afternoon, please obey the Marshal’s or Steward’s instructions to assist in the running of this event.
The event expected to finish after 4:30pm.