It was a weekend to remember for Sam Moffett, James O’Reilly and all involved with Combilift Rallying. Sam and James made their World Rally debut on Rally Germany bringing their Fiesta WRC home in a fantastic 15th overall. The pair had a good first day in the event, learning as they went along. Moffett lay 12th overall going into the overnight halt commenting that the pace at the front was incredible! On a very wet day 2 the pair struggled with tyre issues. Choosing a soft compound rubber for the very long 42km, Panzerplatte Lang stage, Moffetts tyres were down to their canvases by the finish line! Moffett and O’Reilly got over those issues and finished the day in 19th place learning with every stage mile. The final day brought better fortunes as Moffett grew in confidence. He set 13th fastest time on the first two stages of the day and set about bringing the car home on the last two stages. The pair moved up the leader board and crossed the finish line in 15th place. Well done to all of the team!
Carbin and Thornton Take Podium Spot on Sunset Rally
Michael Carbin and Stephen Thornton started their weekend off on the right foot on Friday evening with third place on the Sunset Rally. Organised by the Magherafelt and District Motorclub the event challenged crews to four forestry stages. The Monaghan crew made their intentions known on the first stage with second fastest time in their Evo IV just 2.8 seconds slower than Derek McGeehan in a Mini WRC. By the service halt Enda McNulty had taken second from him and then lost third to Martin Cairns. But the Monaghan pair managed to take the position back and rounded out the top three with a fantastic third place. Arthur Kierans had a great day navigating for Seamus O’Connell going from 12th on stage one to sixth and by the finish taking second in class 7. Martin McGarrity took second in class two navigating for Paul Britton while Emmett Sherry took the honours in class ten navigating for Tommy O’Connell. Mac Kierans navigated Alan Atcheson to second in class five and it was a solid day for Damian and Conor Hagan took third in class six.
Moffett and McKenna Take Third in Cork
Josh Moffett rounded of a fantastic weekend for the Moffett Combilift Rally team when he took third place in the Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally round four of the Valvoline Irish Forestry Rally Championship. With Jason McKenna on the notes, the Monaghan crew had a great scrap with Owen Murphy, Pat O’Connell and Derek McGeehan and their positions changed constantly between second and fourth. By the finish ramp Moffett and McKenna had settled for third place and finished 19.1 seconds behind rally winner Owen Murphy. Moffett maintained his lead in the championship heading into round five. Michael Carbin and Stephen Thornton completed a busy weekend by taking eight overall and third in class twenty. Derek Mackerel and Peter Deery brought their Nova home third in class nine. This was Derek’s first competitive stages rally and despite fuel problems on stage 3 they managed to set some good stage time’s throughout the day and used the event as a steep learning curve. Mickey Conlon made the trip to Cork also but unfortunately didn’t make the finish.
Mayo Autocross
Congratulations to Martin Tynan on winning the Mayo Motor Club Frank Harrington Challenge Cup at the Mayo Autocross last weekend in Harringtons quarry, Swinford. . The Clones driver finished second overall on the day just 0.19 seconds behind event winner Adrian Deane and won class 4 in his Evo 9. This 4 round championship was highly competitive and with an overall win, two second’s and a third Martin had done enough to lift the 2014 Mayo Autocross crown.
Night Navigation Classes
The Navigation Trial season is fast approaching and the Motor Club are gearing up for that all important kick off – the navigation classes! If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ to this sport. The scheduled classes will cover the full range of topics including map reading, timing, car regulations and pace notes for stages rallies.
The classes will start on Friday 29th August at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in ThreemileHouse. All interested persons should contact Conor on 086 1677446 and register your position on the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, roamer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course. Classes cost 25 euro
The first event after the summer break is the October Trial on Saturday 4th. COC for the event is Micheal McCloskey and Keith McConnon and we look forward to this.
County Monaghan Motor Club 