Bushwhacker Rally gears up for Golden Anniversary showdown!

START your engines and fasten those belts - rally fever is about to roar through West Tyrone!

The legendary Bushwhacker Rally (to give it its true, mischievous name) celebrates its 50th anniversary this Friday and Saturday, September 19–20, with what promises to be the biggest forestry rally Ireland has seen in years.

From humble beginnings in 1975, when Ronnie McCartney and Mike Hart powered their Porsche Carrera to victory and £2,000 prize money, the Buckwhacker has grown into a motorsport institution. Back then, the title was coined with a wink - “Tyrone amongst the bushes” - because drivers were expected to make the occasional unscheduled detour into the scenery. Half a century later, the name still sticks, but the event has become a byword for forest rallying brilliance.

The original 22-stage event organised by Clerk of the Course Harry Johnston was the richest National Status Rally of its time and became the forerunner to the Ulster Rally.

The following year, the rally stages were held in the local Gortin, Baronscourt and Lough Bradan forests and grew to become one of the most popular loose stage rallies during the past 50 years.

Ronnie McCartney was prominent on the winners restrum during the early events with six wins, but local driver Robbie McGurk surpassed that record in 2002 and extended the record to eight victories as a driver in 2003, but has an actual total of nine victories which includesd the 1981 win as a co-driver with Ronnie McCartney.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Bushwhacker celebrations Omagh Motor Club organised a ‘Legends of the Loose’ social evening in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh on Thursday of last week.

An exhibition of photographs and press clippings was available for viewing followed by refreshments.

An evening of video clips and interviews with personalities associated with the event, past and present, followed. Well-known and highly-respected rally journalist and commentator, Plum Tyndall of R.P.M. fame compered the evening. The ticket price also included a souvenir booklet and an anniversary commemorative key ring.

This weekend’s golden edition sees 130 crews from across Ireland, England and even Lithuania converge on Omagh. The action will be based at the Tyrone Farming Society showgrounds on Gillygooley Road, with the first cars blasting off on Friday at 7pm. Fans will get a special treat when the rally regroups in Castlederg’s Diamond at 8.30pm - a pit stop with a party atmosphere, complete with interviews and a chance to mingle with the drivers and cars outside main sponsor McKelvey Construction.

The stages themselves? Pure rally gold dust. Friday night features Lough Bradan, Killeter, Carrickaholten, and back to Lough Bradan, while Saturday serves up a repeat menu with an extra twist - a special link between Lough Bradan and Killeter thanks to a road closure order. In total, competitors will tackle 70 stage miles, making this a true test of grit, guts and gear-shifting glory.

As Omagh Motor Club chairman Derek Graham put it: “The Bushwhacker Rally is a special event - not just for competitors, but for the entire community. It’s a massive boost for the local economy and a fitting way to mark both the rally’s 50th anniversary and the club’s 90th.

“For me personally, the Bushwhacker Rally is a special event. I was initially a spectator, captivated by the speed and magical sounds of rally cars as they sped through the Lough Bradan forests in the early 1980s. Later I had the privilege of competing on the stages for a short period before transitioning to roles in administration and safety where I continue these roles to the present day.

“There has been a massive amount of work done by so many from Omagh Motor Club and it's quite fitting we are holding such a prestigious event as this is also the 90th anniversary of our founding this year,” said Mr Graham.

Not only that but the club will be running the Fivemiletown Rally in late November. It was cancelled in mid- February due to the damage caused to the forest there by Storm Éowyn.

He revealed their biggest problem staging this event was sourcing enough accommodation for all the crews and officials taking part.

“It is also a massive boost for the local economy when you consider the crews, officials, support teams, marshalls from near and far. It's a huge logistical exercise but thankfully there's a very good team in place to help things run smoothly, " he added.

From the ‘Legends of the Loose’ nostalgia night to the forest fireworks this weekend, the Bushwhacker is proving it still has the drive, the passion and the pulling power after five decades. So whether you’re a hardened rally veteran or a wide-eyed newcomer, make no mistake - this weekend belongs to the Bushwhacker.

Points of Interest

l There have been 48 Bushwhacker rallies to date.

l No rallies in 2001 (Foot and Mouth) and 2020 (Covid-19).

l Robbie McGurk is the top driver with 8 wins, plus a co-driver victory.

l Other multiple winners: Ronnie McCartney (6), Hugh O’Brien (4), Derek McGarrity (4), Patrick O’Brien (4).

l Top co-driver: Tony Kearns (5 wins); Francis Regan (4) and Stephen O’Brien (4).

l Manufacturers’ roll of honour: Ford (17 wins), Subaru (16), Skoda (4).

l Longest-serving sponsor: McKelvey Asbestos/Construction (15 times); The Castle Inn (10).

l Most frequent Clerk of the Course: Ronnie McAleer (14 times); others include Lewis Boyd (11), Gordon Noble (8), Seamus McCanny (6).

l Five Bushwhacker COCs later became international COCs, including Harry Johnston (first Ulster Rally, 1976).

l Only female COC: Louise Hannan (2010–2011).

l Derek Graham has been Safety Officer for 21 years.

l Margaret McKane was Secretary on 25 occasions; Barry O’Neill on 12.

l Barry Arundell has been Chief Marshal for 10 years.

l Hugo McDaid has served as Chief Scrutineer on 45 occasions.

l Patrick Friel is in his 49th year as club treasurer.