Six-time champion Jonny Greer can’t wait for Ulster Rally’s return to Ballymena: ‘The route is the very reason I entered’

Six times Northern Ireland Rally Champion Jonny Greer in action. (All images: www.neillpics.com )

Fresh from securing a record-equalling sixth Northern Ireland Rally Championship title, Jonny Greersays the return of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally to Ballymena was too good an opportunity to miss.

The 37-year-old Toyota Gazoo Racing driver admits this year’s route – featuring iconic stages including Torr Head, Glendun and Cairncastle – was the deciding factor in committing to the rally, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend.

With Ballymena Showgrounds hosting Rally HQ, the service park, fan zone and opening ceremony, Greer believes the move north will make one of Northern Ireland’s biggest motorsport events even more accessible for competitors and spectators alike.

“The route is the very reason why I have entered,” Greer said.

“Stages like Glendun, Torr Head and Cairncastle are what motivated me to do the rally. I think it is good that we are going up to north Antrim, because the Ulster Rally is renowned for offering a fresh challenge every couple of years.”

A rally built on memories

Greer’s connection with the Ulster Rally stretches back long before he became one of its leading competitors.

As a young fan in the late 1990s, he watched the sport’s iconic Group A and Formula 2 era unfold, creating memories that inspired his own rally career.

“The Ulster Rally is a great event – arguably a pinnacle event in Northern Ireland – with a lot of history behind it,” he said.

“My earliest memories go back to the late nineties… Being there at the very start with the guys and seeing all the work that went into it was a really early memory that has always stayed with me.”

Since then, Greer has built an impressive record on the event, collecting multiple podium finishes against some of rallying’s biggest names.

Podiums alongside world-class competition

Among his favourite memories is finishing on the podium in 2016 alongside Elfyn Evans and Alastair Fisher after tackling exceptionally difficult conditions.

“The conditions were incredibly difficult, with a lot of mud – it was just a very, very challenging rally,” he recalled.

“To be able to compete with those guys and be close to them on time on quite a few stages was great.”

Another career highlight came in 2023 when he claimed third overall in a Citroën C3 alongside Adrian Fourmaux and Callum Devine.

Six championships — but still hungry for more

Greer heads to Ballymena on a high after wrapping up his sixth Northern Ireland Rally Championship title with co-driver Niall Burns last month.

Rather than adding pressure, he says sealing the championship early has allowed the team to approach the Ulster Rally differently.

“Once the title was secured, it meant we could go there, enjoy ourselves, have a good time and see where we end up,” he said.

“I think it’ll be fun to experience the rally without the pressure of a championship battle hanging over us.”

He added that months of development work on the Toyota Yaris Rally2 have finally begun to pay dividends.

“We put a huge amount of effort into developing the Toyota Yaris and getting it to work the way I wanted. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s satisfying to see it paying off.”

Classic roads promise a stern test

Although Greer is relishing the return to some of Northern Ireland’s most famous roads, he knows the challenge will be as demanding as ever.

The combination of narrow lanes, unpredictable weather and mud dragged onto the roads by farm traffic can quickly transform the stages.

“The stages can be very demanding,” he said.

“When it gets wet there’s a lot of mud dragged onto the roads from farm traffic, making the conditions extremely slippery. That’s definitely one of the biggest challenges.”

Asked which stage he would choose if he were spectating rather than competing, his answer came without much hesitation.

“Torr Head is a fantastic stage and is probably one of the best in the country.”

Ballymena at the centre of the action

Greer believes relocating Rally HQ to Ballymena is a natural fit for the event’s golden anniversary.

With the town sitting close to many of the rally’s classic stages, he expects easier access for fans and an even stronger atmosphere throughout the weekend.

“The move to Ballymena is a good one as well; it is right in the middle of some classic stages, so that makes accessing these much easier for competitors and spectators.”

“The fans always create a great atmosphere and, if everything goes well, it’ll continue to be one of the best rallies around for years to come.”

The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally begins with a free Opening Ceremony at Ballymena Showgrounds on Thursday 6 August, before two days of competitive action on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August.

Spectators can attend the rally free of charge, while official programmes and commemorative souvenirs are available at www.ulsterrally.com/home/programme.