Latest news with #GarryJennings
Belfast Telegraph
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
I can't compete at Donegal while pal Brian Hoy recovers after horror crash, says Kris Meeke
Meeke was due to compete at June's event with the Fermanagh navigator in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – the same car he has so far dominated the 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship in, winning three of the opening four rounds. Hoy is currently recovering from an accident that happened on the Cavan Stages Rally; he was sitting alongside Garry Jennings when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 went off the road and hit a tree. Jennings said the cause of the crash was due to the supermini getting out of shape over a small jump. Thanks to the quick thinking of fellow competitors Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty and Declan Boyle and Patrick McCrudden, he said they both owed their lives to them. Jennings sustained a broken leg, sternum, ribs, shoulder and wrist in the incident, while Hoy has been receiving treatment for a broken leg and arm. As such, former World Rally Championship event winner Meeke has decided to pull his Donegal Rally entry, with the 45-year-old also citing the tragic death of Dai Roberts on the second day of the Duns-based Jim Clark Rally as another reason. Roberts' driving mate James Williams was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he has since undergone surgery, with his condition said to be stable and the prognosis 'positive'. Posting on social media, Meeke wrote: 'I had hoped to be out on Donegal International Rally this year, and Brian Hoy was due to co-drive. 'Unfortunately, Brian was badly injured last weekend in a rally with Garry Jennings. 'Out of respect to Brian and the tragic events on the Jim Clark Rally, I felt uneasy to search around for a co-driver who I'd no experience with. So, finally we decided to postpone our entry until the future. 'Huge thanks to all who put in the effort to put everything together. Wishing Brian Hoy and Garry Jennings all the strength in their recovery,' added Meeke, whose previous outing on Irish soil came in 2009 at the Midland Stages Rally. Meanwhile, a JustGiving page set up to support the wife and two children of Dai Roberts has so far raised over £126,900. Those behind the idea have said the money will go to cover funeral costs and provide ongoing support.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Irish rally driver ‘lucky to be here' after horror crash as he thanks quick-thinkers for ‘actions that saved my life'
FERMANAGH rally driver Garry Jennings revealed he is "lucky to be here" following a horror car crash. Jennings and co-driving teammate Brian Hoy were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages. 2 Garry Jennings before the Joule Donegal International Rally in 2022 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile 2 Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 during day two of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally Round 5 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2024 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile Their Ford Fiesta Rally2 car was rendered a write-off due to the force of the crash which saw it collide with a tree. Jennings was diagnosed with a broken leg, sternum, shoulder and wrist, while Hoy was taken to Dublin with a broken leg and arm. But He said: 'I have been rallying for 25 years and I have never been involved in anything as big as what happened on Sunday. Read More on Motorsport "There have been a few pictures of the car on social media and when I saw them, I said, 'No one is coming out of that alive'. "I am very lucky to be here – I honestly believe that I have missed my destination with death, that is how bad it was.' Jennings owed gratitude to four quick-thinking people. The duo were trapped int the car which was on its roof at the side of the road in a field for more than an hour. Most read in Motorsport At this point, fellow racers Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty, and Declan Boyle and Paddy McCrudden, intervened to free them from the car and save their lives. Tragedy at the Jim Clark Rally: Remembering Dai Roberts Jennings explained: 'Without a doubt, their actions saved my life and the life of Brian as well. 'A group of spectators slowed them down and said that we were dead and not to bother checking on us. "Thankfully they did and myself and Brian are both alive to tell the tale. 'I was drifting in and out of consciousness when they arrived. "They were calling my name and when they checked my airways, they could see I was choking on my tongue. "They sorted that and stayed with us for about an hour until we were finally freed from the car. "Without a doubt those four fellas kept us going. "We both owe our lives to them."
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
NI rally driver says he 'cheated death' after high-speed crash: 'I am very lucky to still be here'
Rally driver Garry Jennings on his near death experience in Cavan Stages Champion Garry Jennings believes he cheated death following a high-speed accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages that left him and his co-driving team-mate Brian Hoy hospitalised. The pair suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the stage four crash. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 car they were competing in was declared a write-off such was the force of the impact.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
‘When I look at the pictures of the crash I can't believe we got out alive... I am very lucky to still be here'
Rally driver Garry Jennings on his near death experience in Cavan Stages Champion Garry Jennings believes he cheated death following a high-speed accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages that left him and his co-driving team-mate Brian Hoy hospitalised. The pair suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the stage four crash. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 car they were competing in was declared a write-off such was the force of the impact.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
St. Angelo's hosts May Day Rally
The first Campbell Contracts Ltd May Day Stages Rally, hosted by Enniskillen Motor Club, delivered thrilling action and tight competition at the airfield-based event. Congratulations to overall winners Garry Jennings and Dale McGettigan, who stormed to victory in their Ford Fiesta Rally2. They were followed closely by Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (+9.6s) and Derek McGarrity/Derrick Jobb (+31.5s). Notable class performances included Ronan and Eímear Campbell, who took first in Class 1, and Damian/Cathal, who finished 3rd in Class 6. Enniskillen Motor Club sent their thanks to all officials and volunteers for a superb rally day.
