Ulster Rally boss reveals why joining prestigious European series would be so special for showpiece
If all goes to plan, and the Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece ticks all the boxes, the understanding is it will become a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship.
The Championship is touted as the 'ultimate celebration of rallying's glorious past', with each decade from the Sixties right up to the Noughties represented by an array of exotic machinery from Porsche's 911 Carrera and BMW's M3 E30 to Ford's endearing Escort Mk2.
It comprises 10 rounds in 2025, with these running between March and November and visiting several countries, including Spain, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland and Portugal.
Points-scoring rounds typically comprise 90 competitive miles, with crews tackling these over the course of one-and-a-half-days — a formula that works for the Ulster Rally.
If Turkington and his team can bank a slot on the FIA EHRC calendar for 2026 it would have added significance as the Ulster Rally celebrates its 50th anniversary next August.
'We know the eyes of the motorsport world will be on us when the FIA representatives arrive, and we are determined to show that the Ulster Rally is ready to take its place on the European stage,' said Turkington.
'Securing a spot on the FIA European Historic Rally Championship would be a big endorsement of the event's quality and illustrious history.
'To bring the FIA European Historic Rally Championship to Northern Ireland in the same year that the Ulster Rally celebrates its golden anniversary would be incredibly special.
'It would be a fitting tribute to everyone who has contributed to the event over the past five decades, from volunteers and competitors to sponsors and spectators.'
Plans for the 49th instalment of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally are well underway, with one title potentially set to be decided on the weekend of August 15th and 16th.
A win would see the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title return to Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan who have been in imperious form since April.
The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 team-mates have triumphed on three of the four rounds they have started, including the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Killarney Rally of the Lakes, and Donegal International Rally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
23 minutes ago
- Times
The favourite supercar of Formula 1 drivers
Unlike the glitzier Swiss mountain resorts of St Moritz and Gstaad, the village of Adelboden, west of the Bernese Oberland, is rarely troubled by the peace-shattering roar of Ferraris and Lamborghinis. No, Adelboden is the sort of Alpine retreat where groceries come from the Co-op, shops sell walking boots and alpenstocks rather than Cartier and Brunello Cucinelli — and the most popular thing to get drunk on is the spectacular view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Few would think of looking inside Adelboden's former fire station in search of 17 of the world's most coveted supercars, with a combined value of $50 million. But that's what was hidden behind the building's large steel doors last month as preparations were being made for the first global gathering of owners of cars restored by the California-based Singer Vehicle Design. If you're unfamiliar with Singer, it has become the world's premier builder of Porsche 911 'restomods' — a portmanteau word describing 'restoring' and 'modifying' in order to combine the appeal of a traditional classic with the latest and best of engineering to create cars that blend old-school character and charm with new-school usability and performance. Singer Vehicle Design was founded in 2009 by Rob Dickinson, the former vocalist, songwriter and guitarist with the defunct British rock band Catherine Wheel, and his mantra from day one has been 'a relentless pursuit of excellence'. Focusing solely on 964 series Porsche 911s built between 1989 and 1994, the firm takes original donor cars and strips them to their bare bones before putting them back together after virtually every component has been improved, redesigned and recrafted to create what many enthusiasts regard as the ultimate in air-cooled 911s. But never call them a Porsche, for goodness sake. Although the cars origins are instantly recognisable, closer inspection reveals myriad upgrades — so many, in fact, that Porsche's legal team have questioned Singer Vehicle Design's right to use any Porsche branding whatsoever, and insists Singer makes clear that it is in no way affiliated with the marque. Bodywork can be almost entirely replicated in carbon fibre. Engines are remade to provide significant increases in power and durability (some by famous racing firms such as Williams Engineering and Cosworth) and interiors combine retro-look, high-tech instruments with bespoke upholstery in woven leather and fine fabrics. Such excellence doesn't come cheap: at its outset 16 years ago, a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer (as the cars must legally be called) would have set you back about $250,000. But, as engineering techniques have evolved, specifications have improved and demand has outstripped supply, so prices have increased to the point that the current most expensive creation from Singer Vehicle Design — the Dynamics and Lightweight Services or DLS Turbo — has a base price of about $2.7m/£2.2m. Bespoke additions can bring the cost of the typical DLS Turbo to about $3.1m/£2.2m — partly because the car features engineering solutions drawn directly from the world of Formula 1, such as engine components made from magnesium, titanium and Inconel and aerodynamic improvements calculated using computational fluid dynamics. At least ten past and present F1 drivers — including Jenson Button and Alex Albon — either own a Singer or have one on order. During a recent visit to Singer Vehicle Design's large but entirely anonymous UK satellite factory in Woodford Halse, Northamptonshire, I spotted more than 35 of the cars 'in build'. So how did 17 Singers come to be locked up in an old fire station in an obscure Alpine village? The answer is that Adelboden is the part-time home to one of the firm's most enthusiastic patrons, who reasoned that there are few places on earth better suited to putting a Singer through its paces than the serpentine roads of the multiple mountain passes that surround it. The Welshman Grant Maunder first discovered the place in 1977, when he travelled there with his mother and father — not in a Porsche but in the family Ford Escort — to stay in a Salvation Army chalet. 'My parents were involved with the Salvation Army and a woman called Maya Schraegler came to stay with us in Penarth as part of a sort of 'exchange of ministers' programme, which is how we ended up going to her home village of Adelboden for a holiday.' Maunder, now 57, instantly fell in love with the place and continued to visit as an adult. 'I used to go skiing there with friends during the 1980s, and we slept in a nuclear fallout shelter because that's the only place we could afford. I remember looking up at the 72-room Grand Hotel Regina, the glitziest place in town, and thinking, one day I'll be able to afford to stay there.' Fast-forward to 2009, and Maunder could stay there for as long as he liked without worrying about the rack rate — because, following an aborted attempt to become a Royal Marines bandsman at the age of 17, he had fallen into a career as a financial adviser, achieving such success that he was able to buy the entire hotel and rename it The Cambrian. Exactly a year ago Maunder and his brother, Craig — who describe themselves as 'accidental hoteliers' — also opened the exquisite Brecon hotel half a mile up the road on the edge of the village. This 18-room, four-suite 'adults only' establishment really does give guests the feeling of being welcome visitors in someone's much loved home. 'It is partly a result of being in the hotel game that drew me to want to own a Singer,' says Maunder, who ordered his first, a Classic, in 2017 and now has two more cars in build — a Classic Turbo and an example of the recently launched Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer. 'I soon discovered that meticulous attention to detail really does matter, and that's the attitude they take at Singer. So much so that it took five years from ordering my first car for it to be delivered, during which time I got to know Rob well enough to suggest holding the first global gathering of owners in Adelboden.' The 40 or so people who turned up (owners plus partners or friends) proved the perfect number to fill the Brecon, which served as the base for three days driving their Singers on some of the most exciting and challenging roads Europe has to offer. Although their VIP status precluded me joining the main event, I did enjoy the privilege of driving three different Singer creations on the same roads during the two days prior — and quickly discovered why having to wait five years for his original Classic didn't deter Maunder from going back for more. As the owner of a regular 1980s Porsche 911 for the past 20 years, I continue to be surprised by how exciting and rewarding it is to drive — while simultaneously feeling solidly built, dependable and unique in character. Singer has succeeded in retaining that character while magnifying every aspect of the 911 experience in each different version. The original Classic feels, well, classic — while being smoother, easier to drive and far quicker than a standard car. The Classic Turbo delivers effortless high-speed touring with refined power. And the DLS comes across as a true racer for the road, with a screaming, ultra high-revving engine, ultra sharp handling and giant brakes that seemed to enable it to defy physics as we blasted up the mountain passes. 'They are extremely expensive, but they're definitely worth the money,' Maunder says, 'and I've been told my Classic, which cost me around $600,000, is now worth around $1m because only 450 were scheduled to be made and they have all been sold.' Which gives me good grounds to suggest to Mrs de Burton that, instead of buying a new Skoda and watching it depreciate, we should borrow a couple of mill, buy a Singer DLS Turbo and go to live in Adelboden while our investment grows. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Porsche Plans More Cuts Amid Critical Sales Dip and Tariff Hit
Porsche is pumping the brakes According to a new report published by Bloomberg, German performance powerhouse Porsche is planning another round of sweeping cost cuts as it grapples with declining sales in key markets and the impact of U.S. tariffs. In a memo to Porsche employees seen by the financial publication, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume warned its employees that it will start negotiations on additional reductions during the second half of this year, noting that it is following through on a promise to find more cost savings after it let go of a significant number of employees. 'Our business model, which has served us well for many decades, no longer works in its current form,' Blume said. Porsche factory — Source: Porsche Porsche's latest moves come as it grapples with a complicated sales picture in some of its biggest markets. During the first half of 2025, Porsche sales in China, its biggest market outside the U.S., saw an eye-watering 28% percent dip during the first half of this year. The company attributed this shift to fierce competition in the luxury and electric-vehicle segments led by homegrown automakers like BYD. Despite this, Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) said earlier this month that it broke a sales record in its results through the first half of this year, as it saw retail deliveries of 38,696 vehicles through the first half of 2025. In a statement, Porsche Cars North America President and CEO Timo Resch attributed the 11.4% year-over-year increase to the 'passion' of its customers. 'Despite a volatile market, our sales remained strong and interest in our cars continued to grow, in large part because of the outstanding customer experience delivered by our Porsche Centers,' Resch said. 'Our commitment to choice is driving our success, with a mix of ICE, hybrid, and fully electric cars contributing to these results. While there may be uncertainty across many industries at the moment, it's been great to see that the passion amongst customers continues to thrive.' However, in its memo to Porsche employees, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume noted that President Trump's tariff-centric trade agenda would have a significant impact on its margins, as nearly all of its U.S.-bound vehicles are imported from the European Union. According to a July 18 report by the Financial Times, Trump is said to be pushing for a 15-20% minimum tariff on all goods imported from the EU. 'All of this is hitting us hard — harder than many other car manufacturers,' he said. Source: Porsche Porsche is already planning double-digit headcount cuts The new developments also come on the back of additional cost-cutting measures that it announced earlier this year. Back in February, Porsche announced that it was going to let go of 1,900 employees by 2030 in response to slumping EV demand and 'challenging geopolitical and economic conditions.' Specifically, it said that it plans to offer employees at Zuffenhausen and Weissach voluntary offers like early retirement and severance packages and will take a 'restrictive approach' to new hires in an effort to reduce staffing numbers by 15% by 2029. Final thoughts According to a new report by the Financial Times, President Trump plans to keep EU car sector tariffs at 25%, even if the bloc and the Trump administration work out a trade deal. Currently, the administration is said to be willing to work out a minimum 10-15% tariff on all EU-imported goods. Given that nearly all Porsche models sold in the United States are imported from factories in EU member states, the impact of tariffs alone could have serious implications for its bottom line if they do not raise prices or take any proactive actions. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
Mason Lino's last-gasp drop goal stuns Leeds and boosts Wakefield's playoff hopes
Wakefield Trinity edged a thrilling West Yorkshire derby with Leeds Rhinos, with Mason Lino's drop goal in the final act of the contest securing victory to move them into the Super League playoff places. In front of a sell-out crowd, the biggest at Wakefield for well over a decade, Trinity – who were playing in the Championship last year – underlined their playoff credentials to inflict a potentially decisive defeat on Leeds in their own pursuit of the top two. The game seemed destined to be heading for golden point extra time with the scores level at 14-14 before, with seconds remaining, Lino kicked a nerveless drop goal with what proved to be the last kick of a pulsating game to move Trinity into the top six. The Rhinos, who missed the chance to go third here, will rue this as a missed opportunity. It was a statement victory for Daryl Powell's side, who are playing in front of crowds three times bigger than when they were relegated from Super League with a whimper two years ago, but are now reborn under the ownership of Matt Ellis. They appear to be bona fide contenders for the race for Old Trafford come October. The opening exchanges were indicative of two sides pushing for success this year, with both completing at a high percentage rate and not affording the other an inch. However, when the first error did arrive it gave Wakefield an opportunity they wouldn't pass up, as Max Jowitt converted a penalty to open the scoring. Two minutes later, with the momentum behind them, Trinity went further ahead when a wonderful handling move led to Lachlan Walmsley crossing in the corner. Jowitt couldn't convert, but the hosts were certainly good value for their early six-point lead. That try came after Brodie Croft had been sent to the sin-bin for a trip on Lino but to their credit, the Rhinos dug in well for the 10 minutes they were at a numerical disadvantage, even kicking a penalty through the boot of Jake Connor to narrow the arrears to just four points. Jowitt then returned serve with another penalty, with points and gilt-edged attacking opportunities at a premium, to make it 8-2. But Leeds continued to improve as half-time approached and they got the try their efforts deserved as Sam Lisone forced his way over three Wakefield defenders, giving Connor a simple goal to make it 8-8 at the break. The tense, nervy nature of proceedings continued after half-time. Perhaps the biggest talking point in the 20 minutes after the restart was Leeds losing Connor to a freak incident after he was punched in the face by his teammate, James Bentley, as the pair attempted to tackle a Wakefield player. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The contest then came alive in spectacular fashion in the final 15 minutes. Leeds had spent most of the second half defending their own line but in a rare foray down into Wakefield territory, they went ahead for the first time as Jarrod O'Connor grounded the ball under extreme pressure to put the visitors in front. With Jack Sinfield converting, you wondered if Leeds would be able to hold on from there with time ticking away. However, Trinity responded magnificently as Lino's inch-perfect pass sent Matty Storton across from close range – and Jowitt converted to make it 14-14 and set up a grandstand finale. The Rhinos came desperately close to snatching victory with Croft's drop goal going narrowly wide of the posts but Lino made no mistake at the other end, nervelessly kicking the winning point from long range to spark rapturous scenes.
