IMAC Northern Ireland 23rd & 24th May 2009

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DIRECTIONS TO SITE ADDED CLICK HERE 

The IMAC circuit roles into Northern Ireland on the second May Bank holiday weekend. The Venue for the event is Tyrella Model Aircraft Club’s site near to the popular Tyrella Beach and the coastal town of Newcastle.

The site itself is a privately owned 65acre field primarily used for Equestrian events such as Polo. For the weekend of the competition we will have exclusive access to this field. It is probably the best flying site I have ever flown at, the shear scale of the facility is vast (very vast!), we thank the members of the club & the Landowner for the use of the site for the weekend. It is also very picturesque, with the Mountains of Mourne on one side, a private Beach at the far end of the field and off course the Irish Sea in front, it makes for a pleasant environment to fly model aeroplanes at.

SPONSORS (updated 17/05/09)

Click the logo to visit the Sponsor's Website

A massive thankyou to all the event sponsors. 

Below is some useful information that may help anyone travelling over to the event.

Ferries

There are a few options with regards to boats, in our travels back and forward to England for IMAC events we have used most. Boats from Scotland, Liverpool & Wales are available.

Stranraer (Scotland) – Belfast with Stena line. http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/ crossing time is about 2 hours on the HSS (3 ½ on the slower ferry), keep in mind the HSS can’t take high vans.

Cairnryan (Scotland) – Larne with P&O Irish Sea.  http://www.poirishsea.com/ crossing time is about 2 hours as well, all types of vehicles accepted, this was our choice last year for most trips.

Birkenhead (Liverpool) – Belfast with Norfolk line. http://www.norfolkline.com/ferry/ this is an overnight or all day boat, you get your own Cabin, dinner and Breakfast. I would suggest only do the overnight crossing, it’s a long day on a boat with not very much to do, but overnight it works well.

Holyhead (North Wales) – Dublin Port with Irish Ferries. http://www.irishferries.co.uk/ this crossing may suit the members travelling from the Southern parts of England better, although it arrives into Dublin, the road network linking Dublin to Northern Ireland is superb.

Holyhead – Dublin Port with Stena line http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/

Holyhead – Dun Laoghaire with Stena line http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/ the port of Dun Laoghaire is about 15 miles south of Dublin still a viable option.

Travelling from Belfast to the competition site is just over 30 miles so about an hour as the roads towards the last 10 miles are more scenic than motorway!! Larne is a further 20miles up the road from Belfast so you’re looking at 50miles just under an hour & a half I’d expect. Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland, but no need to worry about borders or anything like that, its all open and easy, the only points to remember are that the Republic of Ireland deal in Euro’s and Kilometres, so watch your speed and bring a few euro’s for the toll road (I think its about 3 Euros, well worth it!), once into Northern Ireland your back in to Pounds Sterling and Mph. Dublin is 100 miles to Tyrella, with the toll roads you will do this in 2 hours easily as you have no need to battle through Dublin traffic, you actually go under Dublin in the new Tunnel.

Camping / Facilities / Accomodation

We will be able to camp on site at the event, we will have a number of portaloo’s, running water, a marquee, with BBQ available, tents, vans and Caravan’s are no problem. If you would prefer to stay at a B&B, Hotel or a Campsite, Newcastle is only 10 miles away and offers lots of options, such as B&B's the Slieve Donard and the Burrendale Hotels. Delamont Country Park is also a very good camping facility and a lovely place, only 10miles from the competition field as well, in that same area there is also Ballydugan Mill Hotel. Edgewater Camp Site is about 2miles down the road and is a good camping facility if you wish to have a little more luxary.

Petrol for the Planes 

There is a petrol station in the village of Ballykinlar, only 1 mile from the flying site. Remember you will more than likely have any excess full fuel cans removed from your van or car on the boat trip over, we learn't the hard way in years gone by!

Refreshments / Food

We will provide lunch on both competition days, a Saturday night BBQ / get together will be on site and it should be a good night. There will be tea, coffee etc available throughout the weekend to all competitors and supporters. There is a small store at the petrol station in Ballykinlar, this offers all the basic supplies and even does hot takeaway breakfast baps, sausage rolls that type of thing, it is very handy only 1mile from the site, a friendly local shop. There is a Tesco in Newcastle town if you require any other food/drinks or general supplies. There are a number of traditional restaurants/pubs very close by so eating out or going for a few drinks is handy (Frenchies/Clough Inn are 3 miles away in the village of Clough). Ballykinlar Village has a Chinese Takeaway, although I have never tried it.

Local Pilots at the event

We will hold a qualifying event on Sunday 26th April at Ballymoney MFC for 3 places in Basic Class & 3 places in Sportsman Class, this will tie up with the NIAA Aerobatics Championship 1st Round & will offer local pilots a chance to compete in an IMAC UK competition. More details to follow on this very soon for the local pilots. Obviously if you are a member of IMAC UK you can enter as normal through Dave Lucas. www.imacuk.co.uk

Demos

We will be treated to some impressive demo’s from a number of pilots, one confirmed pilot is 3D Masters Pilot David Nolan, David always impresses with his high energy low level 3D helicopter display, not to be missed, check out his website www.3dheliireland.com

Prizes

This IMAC competition will be the first to offer prizes to the competitors, as an extra incentive to travel the long distance and a thank you I suppose, details of the sponsors above.

Practise prior to the event

This can be arranged, contact me if you think you would like to spend a few days flying before or even after the event. (see email address below)

I think this is all for now. I have attached some pictures of the site and also a link to a map showing the location of the Tyrella area, you can browse around to get a feel for the area. Regular Updates will follow, if there is any further information you need in the meantime drop me an email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank you,

Matthew

Directions to the site can be found here!