2024 ADC Charity Autotest

Youngsters Star at Charity Autotest

The evening of Wednesday 17th July saw the annual Charity Autotest and Barbecue organised by the Autotest Drivers Club and held at the Ferguson Motor Sport Centre near Stewartstown.  The beneficiary this year is to be the Stroke Ward at Craigavon Hospital and the generosity of those who came along on the evening raised over £5000.

The excellent barbecue was a Ferguson family affair with the cooked food and drinks kindly donated by Trevor Ferguson of Euro Auto Commercial. The cooking was done by Steven and wife  Michelle Ferguson and the event hosts, Norman and Joy Ferguson, were on hand to keep people directed to the food and supplied with tea and coffee.  

The event also received invaluable support from Morgan’s filling station in Stewartstown, Bridie’s of Derrychrin, and Bradmount Foods of Moneymore, and their donations were very much appreciated.

This non-championship event is a great chance for newcomers to the sport to try their hand, and in particular, those who have not yet reached the age for a full drivers license.  On this occasion, Robert Harkness was an official FIA/Motor Sport UK observer to assess if drivers as young as 14 should be allowed to compete in the sports car category.  Three young drivers were being observed – Adam Ferguson, Sam Hayes and Zak Moore.

The FIA/MSUK Observer conducted interviews with the three young drivers before they took part and he then assessed their progress as they completed the tests. A full report will be submitted to the governing body, and hopefully a rule change will follow in due course.

Meanwhile, out among the pylons, a wide range of vehicle types were being used to demonstrate the sport of Autotest on five runs over two tests.  Saloon cars, sports cars, and specially built machines were being driven with urgency to complete the tests in as short a time as possible. 

Robert Robinson continued to get to grips with his recently acquired Mini Special, and Gareth Dillon has made the switch from Mazda MX5 to the more nimble MG Midget.  Both these drivers were most exciting to watch.  Young Mark Ferguson really impressed in the family Stryker sports car, giving the experienced Paul Lowther a good run for his money.

Damien Mooney tried hard to keep up with Mark King, both in Vauxhall Novas, but a couple of pylon faults scuppered his efforts and he ended up over 20 seconds adrift.

Apart from the competition, this annual event is one where a great deal of socialising takes place and friendships renewed.  Eamonn Byrne and Ronnie Griffin came all the way from Dublin, Ivor Greenwood and Roy McDowell from Dundrod, and the ever-young Ken Irwin made the trip from Castlederg.  A great evening of motorsport and socialising in the heart of Tyrone for a good cause.

Full results can be seen here ====> RESULTS

Class Winners:

• Specials – Robert Robinson.
• Sports – Paul Lowther.
• Small Saloons – Jack Lowry.
• Large Saloons – Mark King.
• Road-going Sports – Gareth Dillon.
• Production Cars – Ashley Lamont.
• Observed Juniors – Adam Ferguson.