Rally vehicles face ‘Pearse-ing’ scrutiny

Lisburn student Pearse Trueman is all revved up to take on the role of Associate Scrutineer for this year’s Circuit of Ireland rally from April 17-19.
Belfast Met Mechanics Ramp up their Skills for Circuit of Ireland
Belfast Metropolitan College and Circuit of Ireland organisers have joined forces in a new for 2014 partnership which offers the College's motor vehicle students the opportunity to be Associate Scrutineers and Assistant Mechanics at this years Circuit of Ireland Rally, 17-19 April. 
Pictured (L-R) are Belfast Met students and Circuit of Ireland Rally Assistant Scrutineers  Declan Larkin Fearghal McLarnon, Liam McQuoid, Pearse Trueman and Ciaran Marron.Belfast Met Mechanics Ramp up their Skills for Circuit of Ireland
Belfast Metropolitan College and Circuit of Ireland organisers have joined forces in a new for 2014 partnership which offers the College's motor vehicle students the opportunity to be Associate Scrutineers and Assistant Mechanics at this years Circuit of Ireland Rally, 17-19 April. 
Pictured (L-R) are Belfast Met students and Circuit of Ireland Rally Assistant Scrutineers  Declan Larkin Fearghal McLarnon, Liam McQuoid, Pearse Trueman and Ciaran Marron.
Belfast Met Mechanics Ramp up their Skills for Circuit of Ireland Belfast Metropolitan College and Circuit of Ireland organisers have joined forces in a new for 2014 partnership which offers the College's motor vehicle students the opportunity to be Associate Scrutineers and Assistant Mechanics at this years Circuit of Ireland Rally, 17-19 April. Pictured (L-R) are Belfast Met students and Circuit of Ireland Rally Assistant Scrutineers Declan Larkin Fearghal McLarnon, Liam McQuoid, Pearse Trueman and Ciaran Marron.

Pearse (18) - who will complete his BTEC Level Three Extended Diploma in Vehicle Technology this year - is one of 20 Belfast Metropolitan College students to officially take part, the college having joined forces with rally organisers.

Belfast Met’s Millfield Campus will house the Circuit’s motor scrutineering base, where students can assist an experienced team.

Pearse, who has always worked with cars, will be responsible for carrying out vehicle tests, including weighing cars, noise testing, marshalling and coordinating and monitoring driver equipment.

The scrutineer’s role is to help competitors compete in a safe and legal manner, in line with regulations and the secondment will form a practical training unit as part of Pearse’s course.

“Being part of the official motorsport team at the Circuit of Ireland is a fantastic opportunity for me to put my knowledge and skills to use in a real setting,” he said. “I am looking forward to learning from established scrutineers and gaining insight into future career routes within the motorsport industry.”

Belfast Met Head of School for Engineering and Construction, Brian George, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real life experience . . . it’s a unique and exciting opportunity and Belfast Met would like to thank the Circuit of Ireland organisers for their support in this forward thinking and practically focused partnership.”

Circuit of Ireland Event Director, Bobby Willis, said: “We’re delighted to set up our scrutineering hub at Belfast Met’s Millfield Campus.

“The College’s vehicle workshop offers excellent facilities in a central location and the Circuit’s scrutineering team are looking forward to working alongside our student ‘associate scrutineers’ and ‘assistant mechanics.’”

The Rally’s Qualifying Stage will be based at Ballycultra Village, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on 17 April, followed by a ceremonial start at Belfast City Hall that evening.

Spectator Stages will take place in Newtownards on 18 April and Lisburn on 19 April.

Downpatrick will be a regroup area on Friday while on Saturday Banbridge and Hillsborough will play host to teams regrouping.

Organisers are calling for additional volunteers to join the existing team of marshals. For more details and to register log ont www.circuitofireland.net or call the volunteer hotline 07732 612261.

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