Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins once again proved they are a formidable force when it comes to night navigations, taking another commanding win on Cavan MC annual navigation trial in Maudabawn on Saturday night last. With four wins from four starts in the border campaign they are impossible to beat at the minute. Colin Duffy and Sam Johnson kept the pressure on however for the 2013 National title with 2nd overall ensuring it goes down to the wire on the final event with a winner takes all scenario as they are level on points. Midlands men Packie and Colin Duffy had a good run to 3rd overall and semi expert class winners.
CoC for this event, Thomas Wedlock with Darren O Brien laid on a fantastic route through the windmill strewn countryside of Maudabawn, Mountain Lodge and Kill taking in the infamous knobbys jump’s along with many gravel lanes through the windmills which wouldn’t look out of place on Rally Finland. Ashley McAdoo and Francis Kennan were leading the event at mid-point with the only clean sheet but dropped to 4th overall and 2nd semi-expert as their car began to boil through the second half. Bobby Sharkey and Mac Kierans had a good run to a novice class win and 5th overall, ahead of Michael and Ciaran Tynan who were also on 28 penalties. Both crews missing a tricky time point 20 amongst the windmills. Dermot and Laurence Keenan had a great run to take 2nd in novice and they too were one of 15 crews to miss tp20. Gerry Kelly and Seamus McTigue were once again the winners in the beginners class, a long way ahead of Ryan Connolly and Shane Mulligan in 2nd.
Well done to Thomas, Darren and all their team on an enjoyable and well run event. All roads lead to Newbliss, Co Monaghan this Saturday night for the Border and National Night Navigation decider.
Cavan MC Navigation Trial top 12
1 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 7 marks
2 Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 14m
3 Pakie Duffy/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Impreza) 16m
4 Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 26m
5 Bobby Sharkey/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 28m
6 Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 28m
7 Dermot Keenan/Laurence Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 30m
8 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 32m
9 Trevor McConnell/Ruaidhri Nash (Subaru Impreza) 32m
10 Joe Friel/Aidan Friel (Subaru Impreza) 38m
11 Gerry McIntyre/Aaron McIntyre (Subaru Impreza) 42m
12 Sean McKenna/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 43m
Munster CC Moonraker Forest Rally
England’s Mick O’Brien and Limericks Greg Shinnors took victory on last Sundays Moonraker forestry Rally. This pairing took a start to finish win in a focus WRC ahead of Philip and Simon Morrow in an EVO 9 . It was another good day in the Combilift/Moffett stable as Josh Moffett, partnered by Jason McKenna took 3rd overall after a good battle throughout the day with Martin Cairns and Kevin Flanagan who eventually succumbed to the pressure and had to settle for 4th. Sam Moffett and David Moynihan were 5th overall and took the group N win.
Fresh from their Fivemiletown win, Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan were 9th overall as a bad stage time on the 2nd test dropped them well down the leader board. Michael Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips had a fantastic run to claim top spot in the two wheel drive battle. They were level with Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott heading into the last stage and had an excellent run to take 7 seconds off McGirrs time to finish 10th overall and top twd.
Munster CC Moonraker Forest Rally Top 10
1 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Focus WRC) 29m 31s,
2 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 29m 39s,
3 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 30m 17s,
4 Martin Cairns/Kevin Flanagan (Impreza WRC) 30m 26s,
5 Sam Moffett/David Moynihan (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 31m 10s,
6 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Corolla WRC) 31m 19s,
7 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206) 31m 20s,
8 Niall Henry/John Rowan (Impreza) 31m 28s,
9 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Impreza) 31m 36s,
10 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Escort) 31m 59s.
Daniel McKenna Support Draw
After a fantastic night in Connolly’s Bar and Lounge Scotshouse, a great crowd came out in force to show their support for Daniel’s attempt at the British Rally Championship. The official winners of the prizes in the draw are as follows:
Winner of the 1st prize and the chance to Co- Drive for Daniel in his Mk2 Escort in the Midlands Stages Rally in 3 weeks or €1000 cash prize is: Sean Mc Hugh (Mayo Motor Club), Bekan, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Winner of the 2nd prize, A weekend for 2 and 1 evening meal in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny is: Tony Fitzpatrick, Ture, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan
Winner of the 3rd prize, SCANBITZ Rally Team Merchandise Jacket, Hoody, Polo Shirt and Cap is: Helena Mc Cusker, Inver Close, Roslea, Co. Fermanagh
The Supporters Club would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support, from ticket buyers, ticket sellers, sponsors for the main draw prizes, sponsors for the raffle prizes and everyone for their words of encouragement and help over the past 8 weeks. Thank you.
Monaghan Navigation Trial
This Saturday sees Monaghan Motor Club host the final round of the National and Squealing Pig border navigation championships. Following four wins from four starts, Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins have a commanding lead in the Squealing Pig border championship and a top 12 finish should see them lift the title for another year, The National championship is a much closer affair however with Andy/Liam and Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson tied on points heading into this final round. Coc for the event is Ciaran Tynan and the HQ is Acorn Centre, Newbliss. As always there are up on 50 marshals required so if your available please text Ciaran on 0877827918. Marshals are asked to be in Newbliss no later than 8pm. Plots out at 6.30 and 7.30 with first car away at 9.31pm.
Upcoming Events
Best of luck to all local competitors who kick start their Sligo Pallets Border Rally championship campaign this Sunday with the Mayo stages Rally. Monaghan Stages Rally is fast approaching with trojan work happening behind the scenes at present. Sunday 20th April is the date and as always this will be one of the biggest sporting events of the year in the county. A Rally launch event is also in the pipeline with an organising team working hard to provide an enjoyable family orientated day out in the Hillgrove. More details to follow.
County Monaghan Motor Club 