Veterans Kenny McKinstry and Kenny Hull won Enniskillen Motor Clubs annual Fisher Engineering Lakelands forestry stages rally on Saturday last. Based in the forests surrounding Enniskillen, the Group N Mitsubishi Lancer crew of Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan equalled McKinstry over the opening two stages. They then took the lead after the third stage but McKinstry fired back and his experience shone through over the closing 5 stages taking an 11 second win from Kelly with the WRC Subaru of Dennis Biggerstaff and Anthony Nestor 3rd over-all.
A host of Monaghan men made the short trip north and indeed showed great pace amongst the regular northern forestry competitors. A trio of monaghan crews were inside the top ten as Vincent and JP McAree took 5th over-all in their EVO 9. Indeed they were just pipped for 4th by a mere 2 seconds despite posting 2nd fastest stage times on the final two stages. Next up was Paul Sheridan navigating for Enda McNulty who finished in 6th over-all, just 2 seconds off the McArees who edged in front through the final stage. The spanwright EVO 6 of Stephen and Suzanne Wright came home to a superb 7th over-all. Worth noting that Stephen posted a fastest stage time on the penultimate stage, 2 seconds ahead of the field. This was probably Stephens first stage win so once again this crew making progress in the forest. Martin Connolly was in the hot seat with Michael McCarroll in a fiesta and took 2nd in class 1.
Unfortunately that’s where the Monaghan luck ran out. Emmet Sherry resumed his partnership with the super quick Amy Cox in her G3 escort but a rare mistake from Amy on ss4 ended there day while leading their class and inside the top 20. Andy Mackarel and Raymond Conlon once again made it to the sticks in his unusual RWD 3litre V6 vauxhall calibre. They too had an early shower as the powerful engine in the calibre cried enough on the opening test.
Enniskillen Lakeland Stages Rally Top 10
1 Kenny McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) 40m30s
2 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 40m41s
3 Stuart Biggerstaff/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) 40m59s
4 Vivian Hamill/Paul Hamill (Toyota Corolla WRC) 41m42s
5 Vincent McAree/J.P. McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 41m44s
6 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Subaru Impreza WRX) 41m46s
7 Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 42m00s
8 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206 4WD) 42m21s
9 Ian Cochrane/Thomas Nugent (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 43m06s
10 Shane McGirr/Niall Connolly (Toyota Starlet 1.6 16V) 43m06s
Wexford Dick Bailey Stages Rally
The MC Blinds escort of Mickey Conlon and Martin Byrne was on the road once again last weekend and made the long journey South to Wexford to compete in the two day Dick Bailey Stages Rally. Prior to this event trojan work was undertaken by Mickey’s rally prep team to get the car ready following a roll two weeks previous in Galway. From the off Mickey and Martin set about posting some great stage times and were consistent throughout the weekend, inside the top 10 on all twelve stages. There persistence paid off and eventually they finished a fabulous 5th over-all. Indeed a one-minute penalty cost them fourth spot but nevertheless they took a class 13 win.
The rally was won by Damian Cole and James Morgan in a focus WRC with Sebastian Ling 2nd in an EVO 9 and the super quick Adrian Hetherington 3rd in a class 14 escort. Thomas Treanor also made the journey south to sit with Graham Kelly in a class 13 G4 escort. They also had a consistent run over the twelve challenging stages to finish 42nd over-all. Carrickmacross men Ciaran and Aidan Marron didn’t fair out as well however and results sheets suggest they were forced into retirement on the final stage of this 2-day event.
Wexford Dick Bailey Stages Rally Top 10
1 Damian Cole/James Morgan (Ford Focus WRC) 120m 45s
2 Sebastian Ling/Aled Rees (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 122m 24s
3 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Ford Escort Mk II) 123m 53s
4 Daniel Barry/Gordon Noble (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 Gp N) 126m 01s
5 Michael Conlon/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort Mk II) 126m 07s
6 Paddy O’Dwyer/David Byrne (Nova 1.6 16V) 126m 21s
7 James Coleman/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk II) 127m 10s
8 Shay Power/Johnny Rafter (Ford Escort MK II) 127m 51s
9 Scott McElhinney/Karl Reid (Citroen C2R2 Max) 128m 41s
10 Peter Barrable/Paddy Robinson (Citroen C2R2 Max) 129m 01s
County Monaghan Motor Club 