It was a memorable win for Co. Cavan youngster Chris Armstrong and Tom Clinton on last Sundays Midlands Moto Stages Rally. The Virginia youngster overcame a 6 second deficit over the final loop of three stages to claim his first ever overall win with a 3 second advantage over rivals and good friend Rodney Wilton and Conor McMahon. The latter in the Wilton Waste Recycling backed class 14 escort had held the lead through the opening six stages but couldn’t manage to hold off the hard charging Armstrong who has only acquired the class 13 escort this time last year, having been in front wheel drive previously. Pat Donegan/Alan Keena had a great battle for third throughout the day with Maurice Moffett and eventually pulled out a 15 second margin. Maurice and Patrick Brides were on a great pace throughout the day and as usual thrilled spectators in the class 14 starlet. Paddy McVeigh and Stephen O’Hanlon rounded off the top 5 in an Impreza WRC.
On what was a dry but cold day with conditions very gravely and mucky it was to be a real challenge for competitors. First victim of the day was Daniel McKenna and Niall Morley as they sustained suspension damage on the opening test over some jumps. They did manage to make it back to service and acted as a sweeper car for the remainder of the event, much to the delight of the many thousands of spectators who braved the elements. David Moffett and Fintan Sheery teamed up for this event and had an excellent run in the second of the Moffett starlets to finish 7th overall and take the highly competitive class 11R win. It was misfortune for the third Moffett starlet on show as Richard Moffett and Martin Connolly failed to make the finish after a great battle over the opening six stages with younger brother David.
Arthur and Mac Kierans picked up where they left off in Mayo with another fine drive to take the KES backed escort home to another class 12 win and 10th overall. Jack Maguire and Andy Hayes finished in 11th overall and second in class 13. Barry McKenna and Johnny Bairds fortunes seemed to have turned as he had a great run to 16th overall and just missing out on 3rd in class 13.
Jim McKenna and Thomas Treanor failed to make the finish having disappeared off the leader board over the final loop. The hard charging escort men were up to 5th overall in final service. Johno and Padraig Doogan were also on a great run and up to 12th overall after stage 7 but they too failed to finish whilst lying 2nd in class 11R. On form Cavan men Paddy and Gary Kiernan also failed to finish in their class 13 escort but were up to 5th overall before their retirement.
Cootehill man Darren O’Brien with Johnny Rooney on the notes won the junior rally by over a minute and a half from Barry and Sean Brady, both in honda civics.
MIDLAND MC STAGES RALLY TOP 10
1 Chris Armstrong/Tom Clinton (Escort) 65m 35s
2 Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon (Escort) 65m 38s
3 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Escort) 66m 35s
4 Maurice Moffett/Patrick Brides (Starlet) 66m 50s
5 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O’Hanlon (Impreza WRC) 67m 02s
6 James Laverty/Francis Regan (Impreza Gp N) 67m 14s
7 David Moffett/Fintan Sherry (Starlet) 68m 50s
8 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Impreza WRC) 69m 09s
9 Eamon Dervan/Brian McNamara (Escort) 69m 10s
10 Arthur Kierans/Mac Kierans (Escort) 69m 28s
JUNIORS:
1 Darren O’Brien/Johnny Rooney (Civic) 47m 13s
2 Barry Brady/Sean
Brady (Civic) 48m 48s
3 Alan Lawson/Sean Harte (Civic) 49m 52s
Upcoming Events
Squealing Pig Border Night Navigation Prize giving in Squealing Pig, Monaghan on Friday 5th April at 8.30 sharp. Please come along and support our sponsors regardless of receiving a trophy. Contact Andy on 087 2558957 to book tickets ASAP.
Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally will take place on Sunday 20th April. All systems are go with a hard working team spending endless hours on road books, safety plans, time schedules, PR etc. Regs and Entry forms are available on club website at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net so all intending competitors are asked to send them in ASAP. A launch day for the event is also taking place with a guaranteed action packed day for all the family in the Hillgrove Hotel. Full details in next weeks edition
County Monaghan Motor Club 