JOHN Mulholland Motors has agred to become the sponsor of the Ulster Rally over the next three years.
Speaking from his extensive dealership complex at Randalstown, Dealer Principal John Mulholland, a well-known rally driver himself, said that he was “delighted to be the new sponsor of the Ulster Rally for 2016, 2017 and 2018, a rally with a proud history and reputation for exciting competition”.
The John Mulholland Motor Group is synonymous with the Skoda, Ford and Hyundai brands, with branches in Randalstown and Campsie.
John Mulholland Motors was first founded in 1988 by John and Alicia Mulholland in Randalstown, County Antrim. They soon became the largest Skoda Retailer on the island of Ireland and recently won the most coveted title of “The UK’s No. 1 Skoda Retailer of the Year”. The Hyundai brand followed some five years later and then latterly Ford in 2008.
The business has expanded into Eglinton in the North West of the Province with Skoda and Hyundai and today, John Mulholland Motor Group is still the only Skoda and Hyundai franchise with multiple representations in the province.
John commented, “Rallying has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy and it’s a privilege for my company to be associated with such a high profile event. When I heard that Derry/Londonderry was being considered as the Host City for the next three years, this was a “no brainer” for us, especially since all the brands we represent, Skoda, Ford and Hyundai, are all actively involved in rallying and feature at the highest levels of motorsport throughout the world.
“I myself have a Skoda S2000 and all of this will give us a real opportunity to bring the sport closer to the public in the North West”.
Robert Harkness, speaking on behalf of The Northern Ireland Motor Club said “This is an extremely exciting time for us as John Mulholland Motors are a highly ambitious company and share our aspiration to promote the Ulster International Rally to the maximum number of people in the province and beyond in the years ahead.
“With John Mulholland Motors as the Headline Sponsor, this feels like a natural fit with his Skoda, Hyundai and Ford brands all competing on the World Rally Stage”.
Gary Milligan, Clerk of the Course of the 2016 John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally, commented that “John has been a regular competitor on the Ulster Rally over many years and we are delighted to now have him as the headline sponsor. This will be an exciting year of new beginnings for the Ulster, with the move to Derry and now a new Headline Sponsor in John Mulholland Motors”.
The Ulster Rally was formed in 1980 and is an International Permit Motor Rally promoted by The Northern Ireland Motor Club Ltd under the national regulations of the UK motorsport governing body, the MSA and as appropriate to the International Sporting code of the FIA, the world governing body of motorsport.
The John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally 2016 is a counting round of The FIA European Rally Trophy (Celtic Trophy), The Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Tarmac Championship, The British Rally Championship and the McGrady Insurances Northern Ireland Rally Championship.
Full details of the location and route will be announced at the rally launch in Derry towards the end of June 2016.”
