The Carryduff Forklift Down Rally has won the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship ‘Rally of the Year’ award for 2022 – as voted for by the registered competitors.
The event, which is organised by Rathfriland MC and Ballynahinch & DMC, featured some of Northern Ireland’s best stages – including the famous Hamilton’s Folly test.
Steve Wood scored maximum points on the event last year – which was the first time he’d done so in 2022. It proved to be a pivotal result, as the Welshman went on to claim the overall drivers’ title in his City East Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
And the Down Rally will be back this year, as it hosts Round 6 of the UK’s premier sealed-surface series on Saturday 22 July – with another fantastic eight stage/60 stage mile route planned.
“Thank you to everyone who makes the running of our event possible, from our competitors, volunteers, sponsors, marshals who brave the weather on the day (rain or shine!!) and the wonderful committee that dedicate their spare time to make it all happen,” said Clerk of the Course Andrew Gilmore.
The award was presented to Andrew Gilmore and Paul Biggerstaff at the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship gala prize-giving at the Drayton Manor Hotel in Tamworth on Saturday night.