County Monaghan Motor Club

Daniel Mc Kenna and Andrew Grennan got their rally season off to the best possible start on Sunday last with a 17second win on the Midlands Moto Stages Rally based around the Roscommon/Leitrim town of Rooskey. This win was made all the more difficult given that Daniel hasn’t sat in his now famous blue Scanbitz escort for almost 7 month’s and coupled with the tricky gravel strewn stage’s they led the event from start to finish pulling out a nine second lead after the first stage alone. Not to be outdone Donegal men and current border rally champions Declan and Brian Boyle kept the pressure on McKenna and Grennan all day, ready to capitalise on any half spin but their efforts were only enough for 2^nd overall after 9 demanding stages, followed in 3^rd by Wesley Patterson and Martin McGarrity, all in class 14 escorts.

            A host of other Monaghan men made the start ramp but they all seemed down on their luck a little. Raymond Conlon and Emmett Sherry had a steady run through the gravely stages to finish 10^th and 3^rd in class 13. Maurice Moffett and Jason McKenna got caught out on a series a gravel bends to slip off the road momentarily on the 1^st stage, dropping a minute or so but managed to soldier on and finished 14^th and 2^nd in class, Maurice the first of 5 Moffett’s on the entry list with the rest not having much luck either!  Richard Moffett and Martin Connolly finished back in 28^th overall but this is not quiet a true reflection of his day. Electrical problems on the first stage cost them 7 minutes but from stage 2 onwards they set about climbing the leader board with some very impressive times, some of which were inside the top 5 so the omens are good for Richard and will surely be one to watch out for in the highly competitive class 13.

            Sam Moffett and James O’Reillys rally came to an end on stage 6 with engine trouble while lying 5^th overall. Sam’s brother Josh hit trouble on stage 2 to end his day. David Moffett with Patrick Brides on the notes held a comfortable lead in the Junior rally almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival’s but hit trouble on the road section with a broken drive to end their good run. Martin Tynan and JP McAree also made the trip but their luck was short lived too with differential trouble on stage 3 just as they were getting used to the new EVO 8.

Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally Preview

Niall Maguire with Barry Goodman on the notes head to Kerry this weekend for round 2 of the West Coast rally championship, seeded at number 2 behind close rivals Kevin Barrett and Sean Mullally. Current champion Shane Maguire is at no. 7 with Clare native Charlie McEnery calling notes. Anthony Hand gets his rally season underway in Kerry with Laura Furey navigating in his escort while Enda Sherry will make the trip to navigate for Enniskillen man Darren Gass in his S11 WRC Impreza. Report next week. 

 Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally
The annual Hillgrove Hotel Stages Rally gets under way on the 17^th April – which is fast approaching. The club are currently receiving a large number of entries but competitors are reminded that entries are due to close on 4/4/11 – which is next Monday.

Once again, we are delighted to be associated with our long-term sponsors the Hillgrove Hotel, who have provided us with tremendous support over the past years, not to mention one of the finest Rally Head Quarters in the country.

This year’s event promises to see one of the best entry lists the club has published in years. With competitors travelling from as far a field as Wales with WRC spec cars we are sure to see some top class competition, not to mentions those rare Darrian RWD cars!

The event will boast a quality field including many local crews, and competition between these chaps will certainly be worth watching. For 2011, the club are also adding an extra stage for the junior category, which will bring their total stages up to 6.

The scheduled timetable for entering for the event includes:

• Entries Open 07/03/11
• Border Championship Priority Closing 21/03/11
• Entries Close 04/04/11 Final Instructions Posted 08/04/11

 Autotest Preview

Monaghan Motor Clubs annual Autotest will run this Sunday at Wright’s Quarry, Swanns Cross with Brendan Flynn as CoC. This is a counting round of the Hewison National Autotest championship so a large entry is expected. This event also has a popular club members section so great days entertainment is guaranteed with valuable points up for grabs for the club traders championship. Sign on is from 11 o’clock with competition starting at 11.30 sharp. Entry forms available on club web site.