Enniskillen May day rally delivers high-speed action and family fun
St. Angelo Airfield reverberated with the rumble of engines as the Enniskillen May Day Stages Rally roared into action on Monday, May 5.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the event was organised by the Enniskillen Motor Club and featured 80 rally cars competing, along with some of the most popular and well-known drivers, including Garry Jennings, Aaron McLaughlin, and Derek McGarrity.
Garry Jennings, with co-driver Dale McGettigan, claimed the Campbell Contracts May Day Rally trophy after a thrilling victory.
Mr. Jennings was the fastest on four out of five stages in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, finishing with a lead of 9.6 seconds after 24.4 competitive miles. His winning stretch was interrupted by Aaron McLaughlin's Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 and co-driver Darren Curran.
Mr. McLaughlin took second place, while third place was claimed by Derek McGarrity and co-driver Derek Jobb.
With hundreds gathered at the airfield, The Impartial Reporter spoke to several spectators to hear about their experience at the May Day rally.
Stephen Graham brought his young sons—Harry, Archie, and Isaac—out for a day of sunshine, ice cream, and exciting rally spectating.
The family has attended many car rallies, including last year's May Day rally in Enniskillen, as well as various vintage car shows. The boys especially love car racing video games like Need for Speed. Young Isaac was sporting a Hot Wheels jumper, complementing the rally cars.
'We had to get dressed up for it and look the part,' Stephen said.
They were excited to watch Derek McGarrity race around the track, showcasing his expert skill and finely tuned driving reflexes.
Stephen said: 'We are looking forward to seeing the fast cars.'
'Especially when the cars go around the tight bales,' Harry added.
Archie said: 'I like to see the cars drift around the place,
Stephen was also looking forward to seeing some of the vintage cars, he said: 'Maybe see the Mk2 Escorts (Classic Ford), the vintage yokes, they weren't vintage when I was small, now they are.
'I like to see the older classics.'
Another family attending the race was Adrian McManus and his son Loughalin, who have shared a passion for cars and rally driving since Loughalin was young.
'We are from Blacklion, and this is our local rally. I love motor sport, I always have done, and it's nice to come, especially when it's so family-friendly. You can bring your child here and you can see everything
Adrian hasn't just been a spectator; he's also taken the wheel of a rally car at the Rally School Ireland in Monaghan with his wife who is a mechanic
'The school is really good, they coach you on how to drive a rally car properly, they teach you how to visualise corners as well.'
Adrian used to work as a mechanic and has amassed a collection of vintage cars.
'My daily car is a 22-year-old Toyota Celica, I also have an Opel Manta, and an original Mini.'
Laura Browne and her boyfriend, Daniel Johnston, attended the rally on Monday, looking forward to seeing Daniel's uncle, Darren McGuinness.
Daniel said: 'I would come out every year pretty much, I just enjoy getting out.'
While Laura works in a bank and wouldn't want to set foot in a rally car herself, she enjoys spectating the races, describing the feeling as an 'adrenaline rush'.
'It's nice that the sun is out; if it were raining, it would have been worse,' she said.
Jessie Kee and Ellie Kee brought their dog Bella to the May Day rally to watch Jessie's fiancé compete.
'My fiancé, Aaron McAleer, is a navigator with Mark Preston, number 24.
'This is our first time here this year, and this is Aaron's first time navigating as well.
'It's just the whole buzz of everything, and how they and seeing how they get on, and obviously hope there are no accidents.'
It was also young Bella the dog's first rally, and she was just as excited as her owners.
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