Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 2019

LOUGHGALL FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT

IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis 

Festival of Motorsport 19 returned to the beautiful Loughgall Country Park - a rural haven set in over 180 hectares which offers such diverse activities as golf, cycling, recreational walks, kiddies play areas and even a 37 acre coarse fishery.

On 4th May; however, the proven formula of beautifully presented cars, bikes as well as all manner of motorsport vehicles was once again the main attraction, and with the great weather, great racing and great reputation for being an enjoyable day out for young and old, the Festival of Motorsport once again attracted hundreds of people from all across the country.

This year the Armagh Lions club and JPCCNI nominated Cancer Research UK and the fantastic Northern Ireland Cancer fund for Children as their chosen charities and people were as generous ad giving as always for these two worthy causes. A grand total of £13600 was raised during the day, so well done guys! Truly a phenomenal achievement.

Now in its 12th consecutive year The Loughgall Festival of Motorsport is firmly established in the Northern Irish car season calendar, and the well-known and successful formula of adrenaline filled passenger runs in some of the islands best known and loved cars is always a success.

You know the old saying – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that epitomises this event. I couldn’t miss this event, and as usual there is so much to see and do that a couple of hours only really scratches the surface, but to get up close and personal with the variety of machinery, as well as my passion of all things rally is something you only can experience in an event like Loughgall.

Organised by Caroline McGuiness and her team the rally experience returned to the festival with full entry quota and offered the show attendees a chance to get in the co-driver’s seat of a rally car and enjoy an adrenaline-filled run up the country park’s narrow and twisty lanes in a safe and controlled environment for a small donation fee.

The static “Glow in the Park” car show was organised by Mark Kelly from JPCCNI Team. The show was opened to all makes, models and era, and as usual attracted historics, classics, modern and racing vehicles. I must admit this year it did feel a bit smaller than usual and I did spy far less American classics as before, but it was still an amazing day out.

Each year the Festival of Motorsport features a car of the show, and this year’s spotlight was the iconic Ford Capri marking its 50th birthday. A number of beautiful Capris were present on the day.

As usual I did have an amazing time at the show and will return next year.

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