Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly carried on their momentum from their overall victory in Monaghan as they returned to the wheel of their faithful Mitsubishi Lancer for Round 2 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Killarney Rally of the Lakes. They were involved in a battle with local men Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy for Group N honours, renewing their rivalry from the opening round in Galway. Ring held the advantage after the opening day, but their event would end on Stage 13. Moffett/O’Reilly inherited top spot in Group N and 4th overall to boot. Indeed Monaghan crews cleaned up in Group N with Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright taking 2nd and Josh Moffett/John Rowan 3rd in the class.
Gary Jennings/Neil Doherty took the overall honours in their Subaru Impreza with Derek McGarritty/James McKee 2nd and Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan 3rd respectively. The 3rd Round of the Tarmac Championship is the Donegal International Rally on 21st – 23rd June.
Daniel McKenna & Kierans 3rd in class on BRC opener
2012 Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year winner Daniel McKenna got his British Rally Championship campaign off to a fine start by taking 3rd in class and 9th overall on the Pirelli International Rally in England two weeks ago. The event was spread over two days with a total of 10 stages including some classics in the notorious Kielder forest complex. Daniel & co-driver Arthur Kierans made a steady start to the event and slotted into 3rd in class after the opening Pundershaw stage. However a puncture on the second test demoted them to 7th in class. Despite suffering another puncture on stage five, the pair would go on to complete the day in 5th place and 15th overall in their Fiesta R2. Determined to overcome their disappointments from day 1, the Monaghan pair reeled off four straight fastest class times and recovered to 9th overall & 3rd in class by the finish. All in all it was a solid start to their BRC campaign and secures some useful championship points. Class honours went to Steve Rockland who also scooped the coveted Pirelli Star Driver award which qualifies the winner for an end of year shoot-out with the prize of a free drive in a Citroen DS3 on offer for the shoot-out winner. McKenna & Kierans will continue their assault on the series on Round 2, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally which takes place from 31st May to 2nd June.
Brendan Cumiskey/Conor Foley were also competing on the Pirelli event in their Citroen. They held an impressive 8th overall after the opening day’s action but unfortunately their event came to an end early on day 2.
Cavan Stages Rally
The 3rd Round of the Dunlop National & Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championships takes place in Cavan on Sunday 26th May. Monaghan Motor Club is once again tasked with organising the running of one of the stages. As such, there is a great demand for marshals for this event and anyone willing to give a hand is asked to contact the Club Secretary Cora Maguire as soon as possible.
Carlow Stages Rally
Full report next week
County Monaghan Motor Club 