2025 Round 1 – Race & Rally Stages (Bishopscourt)
Bushe/ McBride Hit the Ground Running
The 2025 Micra Challenge kicked off in style on March 8th at the Ballynahinch and District Motor Clubs organised, ’ Race & Rally’ sponsored Bishopscourt Stages Rally. With 11 entries including 5 full spec Kit Cars, close competition was guaranteed from the outset and the event did not disappoint.
After 8 tough stages covering approximately 30 miles it was Andrew Bushe and Geraldine McBride who held their nerve to take a well deserved win from the Dowds brothers Peter and Steven. The gap at the end was 14.9 seconds but this was not a full reflection of the closeness of the battle as the day unfolded. On Stage 1 both crews were quick out of the blocks setting identical times on 5.52.1. On stage 3 there was 0.1s between the crews, on stage 4 it was 0.8s, on stage 5 there was again nothing between them. Despite this Bushe/ McBride had managed to open up a small gap of 5.2s by the end of stage 6 but it was on stage 7 they put in a cracking time to take a further 7.5s – this was enough for the Dowds brothers to settle for second and bring their car safely home.
The battle for the final podium position was no less frenetic but after stage 1 2024 Challenge Champions Stanley Orr/ Graham Henderson had opened a 6.5s lead over Ben Fallis/ Louise McBarron. Orr/ Henderson grabbed another 2s on stage 2 but in a sign of intent Fallis/McBarron were fastest overall on stage 3 to stop the rot – but such was level of competition there was only 0.8s covering the top 4 on that stage! A poor tyre choice on stage 4 by Orr/ Henderson was too good an opportunity to miss and Fallis/ McBarron pounced to take 7.3s back to lie only 0.4s behind the Challenge Champions. Orr/ Henderson recovered to take stages 5 and 6 but Fallis/ McBarron took stage 7 to close the gap to 3.6 with one to go. And so after a dramatic shoot out on the final stage Fallis/ McBarron emerged in the final podium position only 0.7s clear!
Of the other front runners, Fermanagh crew Raymond and Marc Johnston had a difficult event and a couple of early spins in the damp morning conditions dented any hope of a strong result. It wasn’t to be however and Raymond’s’ concerns about his Kit Car engine were validated on the last stage when they had to switch the unit off mid-stage.
However, they were the only retirements on the day with 10 Micra crews reaching the finish. Laura Philips/Robin Philips spent the day acclimatising to their ex-Jack Shields car which was a significant upgrade on the standard spec car they used on last years’ Challenge.
Conal and Patrick McCartan made their Challenge debut in a Rallyhire Micra and enjoyed a good days competition despite a minor bump on the penultimate stage which took the shine off the experience.
Challenge newcomers Aidan O’Neill/ Kristen Connor had a great battle against last years’ competitors Raymond McLaughlin/ David McSorley and Mark McElwee/ John Henderson – with some strong times by all throughout the day.
But, by the final stage it was Jamie McLaughlin/ Katie Wilson who slipped by them all to take a fine 5th overall on their Challenge debuts. This was a great performance by the young duo in what is a lightly modified Micra – they can’t wait for the next round!
That next round is the April 19th Circuit of Ireland where competitors will face 80 miles of demanding closed road stages around Dungannon. If Round 1 is anything to go by this will be something to look forward to. Stand back!