Derek Mackarel got the better of his father Andy to take top spoils in the club section of last weekend’s autotest in Wright’s Quarry, Swans Cross sponsored by the Nothern Standard. The event was round 2 of the 2015 Trader’s Championship. Derek was fastest over all 9 tests to take victory by fifty seconds. Things were a lot closer in the battle for 2nd place as only eight seconds separated the next five competitors. Andy Mackarel took second place just ahead of Martin Tynan with Damien Connolly, Richard Cassidy & Martin Connolly completing the top six.
The main Hewison Trophy section of the event was won by Steven Ferguson in his Mini Special. Multiple Champion, Eamonn Byrne took 2nd place with David Thompson 3rd overall in his Nova. This result secured Steven his fifth Hewison title. The class winners were Eamonn Byrne, Patrick Power, Timmy Lynch and David Thompson.
COC Brendan Flynn would like to thank all the marshals who turned out on the day as well as the Wright family for the use of their facilities.
Duffy/Johnston take spoils on Midland Navigation Trial
Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston took overall honours on last Saturday’s Midland Navigation Trial, a counting round of the National, Border and Munster Navigation Championships. Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes laid out a challenging 80 mile route through North Longford and South Leitrim. It was the reigning National Champions, Duffy & Johnston who took a convincing win in the end from Aaron Duffy/Laurence Keenan who edged out Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan for 2nd on the ‘Semi beat Expert’ rule.
Crews were in trouble as early as Via1, with no fewer than 22 out of the 34 starters taking a wrong departure. More trouble lay ahead on Plot & Bash at TP6 & TP7 where even the eventual winners were caught out with a wrong approach. By the first time relax section outside Arvagh, Michael & Ciaran Tynan led on 14 penalties, Colin & Sam were 2nd on 27 penalties and Cork’s David Beamish/Muireann Hayes were 3rd on 28 penalties.
By the 2nd TRS at TP26, The Tynan’s still led but another tricky Plot & Bash sections from TP27 to TP30 would dramatically change the leaderboard with only two crews negotiating all four timepoints successfully. Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston were one of these, which brought them to a total of 30 penalties. Semi-Expert pairing Aaron Duffy/Laurence Keenan climbed to 2nd place on 75 penalties beating Expert class winners Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan on a tie-break. Rory & Ciaran Coyle were the other crew to get all four timepoints successfully and they climbed to 4th place on 76 penalties. Owen Murphy/Daire Hayes completed the top five on 80 penalties.
Derek Mackarel/Seamus McTigue took 6th overall and secured victory in the Novice class from Thomas Wedlock/Andrew Wedlock. Colm Mohan/Conor Mohan took an impressive 14th overall as well as securing victory in the Beginner’s class from Paddy & Oisin Sherlock.
The next round of the National & Border Championships is the Cavan Navigation Trial on Saturday 28th February. The National Championship looks a two horse race between Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes and Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston while Colin & Sam hold the advantage in the Border Championship with the Tynans, Duffy/Keenan and the Coyles still in contention.
Open Forum
Over 150 people attended the Open Forum in the Hillgrove Hotel last Thursday. A broad range of issues were discussed including safety, competitor input, rule changes, communication and the future of rallying in general. The club would like to thank the delegates from Motorsport Ireland for attending. It is hoped another forum may be organised in the future.
Eurocables Stages
A small number of Monaghan crews attended the Eurocables Rally in Kirkistown last Saturday. Stephen Wright debuted his new Ford Fiesta R5 with co-driver Gregory McQuillan. The pair held 5th place until a technical problem sidelined them on stage 5. Elsewhere, Matthew McKenna guided Brian McFall to 14th overall while Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 23rd overall.
Birr Stages Rally
The Triton Showers National Rally Championship gets underway this Sunday with the Birr Stages Rally kicking off the series. A full field of 140 enties plus 20 junior crews has already been received with defending champions, Declan & Brian Boyle starting at No.1. There are 4 Monaghan club members seeded in the top 10. James McCarville is sitting with Armagh’s Darren Gass at No. 4, Damien Connolly is with Peader Hurson at No.6 and Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry are at No.10. Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton, Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor, Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden and Arthur Kierans are also listed to compete on this event. Full Report next week.
Fivemiletown Forestry
Omagh Motor Club host their annual Spring Rally based in the forests around Fivemiletown this Saturday. Entries are still being received for this event but a number of Monaghan crews are expected to compete.
Upcoming Events:
February 28th Cavan Navigation Trial
February 28th ALMC Endurance Trial
March 1st Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally
March 8th Mayo Stages Rally
March 14th/15th West Cork Rally
County Monaghan Motor Club 