When two motor rally champions drove onto SERC Downpatrick Campus in their competition cars this week, they attracted attention from students and staff as well as the local First Citizen.
Ballynahinch and District Motor Club worked with the SERC engagement team to arrange a visit to the college in advance of the rally championship event planned for Downpatrick this summer. The Motor Club is partnering with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to bring the Carryduff Forklift Lecale Rallye event to the town and wanted to engage with Motorsport and Motor Vehicle students and apprentices at SERC.
Newry Mourne and Down District Chairman, Councillor Philip Campbell, joined the students who gathered from different SERC campuses, to get a good look at the rally cars and hear from champion drivers Jonny Greer and William Creighton. The day included plenty of opportunities to learn about careers in motorsport as well as about the teamwork involved in rally events, alongside a presentation “Keep the Race in Its Place” that highlighted the importance of responsible driving, and the risks of unsafe behaviour on public roads.
At the end of the event, Stuart Parker, SERC lecturer in Motorsport Engineering, commented,
“The day has been a major success for all SERC Motorsport students. Both our Level 3 and Foundation Degree students found the talks of great interest, and we were delighted that the current British Rally Champion William Creighton has taken the time out to mix and chat with our students. It must be said that getting up close to the Rally 2 GR Yaris was the icing on the cake and was, in keeping with our emphasis on real-life learning at SERC, a fantastic way for everyone to appreciate the technology involved.”
Chairman of Ballynahinch and District Motor Club, Brian Crawford said,
“Everyone was very happy to share their experiences in the world of motor sport with the students at SERC Campuses, and I hope that it might be beneficial to them in some small way in their future choices. We are very grateful to the lecturers and all involved for the enthusiasm and hospitality that was shown to us on the day.”
Head of Engagement and Development at SERC, Catherine Shipman added,
“We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Brian Crawford and the Ballynahinch and District Motor Club to make this event possible. Rallye Lecale represents a fantastic opportunity to celebrate motorsport locally, and it’s been a great opportunity today to also showcase the talent, ambition and potential of our students. It’s been wonderful to welcome partners and champions of the sport to our Downpatrick campus and provide our learners with an engaging, real-world experience that connects directly to future career pathways.”
The Rallye Lecale event, a round of the Brown and Brown NI Rally Championship, takes place on 25 July.
