Paul over the Moon at ADC Autotest.

Coagh driver Paul Mooney took a convincing win at the end-of-year ADC test at Turkington’s Yard in Portadown.  A fantastic twenty five entries signed on for this final event of the 2015 year, organised by the Autotest Drivers Club of Northern Ireland.  The tests were designed to suit beginners, and to try to attract some new blood to this exciting sport.  In the end, seven beginners tried their hand at getting round pylons, reversing into garages, and stopping astride lines, on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Three tests to be done four times, and a great mix of experienced and novice drivers resulted in a fine afternoon’s sport.  The expert drivers such as George McMillan, Norman Ferguson, and Eric Patterson, shared their experience with the newcomers, and helped them get to grips with what it takes to complete the tests.

In the end, Paul Mooney came out overall winner by just 7.4 seconds from Stewartstown’s Norman Ferguson.  Norman managed to have a clear run with no penalties, but his car was proving difficult to get into first gear, and this hampered his progress quite a bit.  In third place was Paul Lowther in his Westfield sports car.

The real focus of the day was the beginner crews.  Two new Mooneys made an appearance with Damien trying his Citroen Saxo out in Targa Rally trim, and younger brother Brendan in a Vauxhall Nova.  Damien would win his class, while Brendan would take second beginner in the Nova class.  Dungannon’s Mark Stewart was runner-up beginner in the MX5 class.

Class Winners: N. Ferguson, P. Lowther, J. Mansfield, P. Mooney, R. Mullen, G. Dillon, D. Mooney.