Balinode’s Vincent and John Paul McAree made good their trip to Portlaoise last weekend by finishing a very respectable 6th overall in the Laois Heartlands Stages Rally. Vincent and JP have been regular competitors in the Irish forests this year in their EVO 9 and haven’t had much luck when they took to the tar, so this result comes with a welcome sigh of relief. Stephen and Suzanne Wright in their EVO 6 also crossed the start ramp but unfortunately their day was not as successful with differential problems forcing their retirement. This doesn’t tell the whole story however as they were up to 4th overall when their car ground to a halt. Despite having very little tarmac experience in this car, they had been setting some great times nonetheless. The rally was won by Carlow’s David Condell and Sorcha Kelly in a class 14 Escort. Cork’s Alan Ring was 5 seconds adrift in 2nd driving an EVO 9 while Meath’s John Hendy was 3rd in a class 13 Corolla. Mayo Loose Surface Autocross Michael and Martin Tynan in their EVO 5 along with Richard Cassidy in his white Astra made the journey west to Mayo on Sunday last to compete in the increasingly popular Mayo loose surface autocross held at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford. This track is approximately 1.5miles in length and is 100% gravel surface. Each of the three runs takes in 3 laps of the track with the best-timed run counting. With the wet conditions favouring the Buggies, Peter McCullagh was 1st rally car home in 3rd with Martin Tynan 5th overall having held the rally car lead up until the final run. Michael Tynan finished 7th overall and 3rd in class. Richard Cassidy battled with wiper problems throughout the day but eventually finished 4th in class.
Topaz Donegal International Rally Preview
All roads lead to Donegal this coming weekend for one of the highlights of the rally calendar with the running of the popular Topaz Donegal International Rally. Three days of highly entertaining rallying taking in some of the most breathtaking stages and scenery Ireland has to offer await the capacity entry list. Indeed Monaghan Motor Club is well represented at every level, with a host of club members on the start list. Current Dunlop National Championship leader Tim McNulty and Paul Kiely leave the start ramp at no. 1 seeds on Friday morning followed by Derek McGarrity at 2 and the in-form Darragh O’Riordan at 3. Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly head the Monaghan charge at 7 with experienced navigator Enda Sherry sitting in with Scotland’s David Bogie in his immaculate Metro 6R4 at 12. The Scanbitz Escort of Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan is sure to entertain the crowds at 14 with a host of other high-powered class 14 Escorts in hot pursuit driven by Phil Collins, Rodney Wilton, Manus Kelly, Declan Boyle and Wesley Patterson to name but a few. John Dalton in his Darrian will also be one to watch in this class. Clones man Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague also head north and are hopeful of a better run of luck which seems to have deserted them over the last few events and are seeded at 50. Castleblayney’s Paddy O Reilly takes his Escort G5 to Donegal and will start at 111 with Jonathan McKenna seeded at 119 in his Peugeot 106. Arthur and Macartan Kierans head for the Hills of Donegal in their class 12 Escort with a late entry leaving them seeded at 150 while Josh Moffett and Domhall Lennon will also make the trip and are listed as first on reserve. The Junior category of the event also features some strong Monaghan crews as the experienced David Moffett and Patrick Brides are 3rd on the road followed by Cootehill’s Mark Wedlock and Adam Kinkade at 4 with Gerard McQuaid at J10. David Smith and Sean Hamill are seeded at J13 in their twin cam while Ryan and Nicola McKenna will look to improve on their J18 seeding. Best of luck to all competitors and hopefully a safe and enjoyable weekend will be had by all. Full report next week.
County Monaghan Motor Club 