Ballykelly set for annual Turkey Run Rally
Maiden City Motor Club rounds off their 50th anniversary
The annual turkey run is set to place on Saturday, December 28 at the former airfield base in Shackleton, Ballykelly with last year's winner Aaron McLaughlin taking part this year in his class 11 Toyota Yaris.
Maiden City Motor Club rounds off their 50th anniversary with the annual turkey run in Ballykelly, this year being sponsored by John Wilson promotional products.
The last Saturday of the year will see five stages across the day totalllng 36 miles. Shackleton airfield has been a big part of rallying in County Derry with its annual turkey run and other events being held by Rally Sports Association (RSA). The same airfield was also used for a service area for the Dogleap which returned to its old roots at Cam and Springwell forests, for the first time since 2010.
Maiden City Motor club will be hoping for better weather after last year stage 1 was abandoned due to safety grounds when heavy rain overnight left standing water across the track and resulted in some drivers calling it home time earlier than expected.
Joel Eakin, the 2021 Class 2 and Group N champion has described the event as “Ultra fun”. The 28 year old from Claudy will be rallying his Subaru Impreza N12B, the same car he intends to rally with next year in the Northern Ireland Rally championship.
“It’s an opportunity to get embedded into the car, Shackleton is great for testing as there is tarmac and concrete. It’s the perfect challenge because it has tight sections with fast and slow corners.”
Unlike previous years, navigators will be allowed to use pace notes which they can read out to the driver throughout each rally stage. Joel Eakins will be joined by navigator Graham McAleese for the upcoming turkey run and the Northern Ireland Rally Championship next year.
Joel added “This is the first time we can use pace notes here so it’s good for Graham to get practice”.
“The turkey run at Christmas is something to look forward to, it’s fun but as soon as you get that helmet on, the competition is on”.
Maiden City Motor Club is also running the popular double loop stage.