Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry secured a fine 3rd overall on last weekend’s Birr Stages Rally, the opening round of the 2015 Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Heavy rain during the day left the stages in a trecherous state, but the pair held it all together to secure a podium finish whilst many of their rivals floundered in the conditions. Donagh Kelly & Kevin Flanagan followed up their win on the Galway International by winning in Birr after Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle punctured on stage 7. Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy secured 2nd overall and won the inaugural power stage, earning themselves three additional points.
Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton capped off a good weekend for the Triton Showers/Maguire International team with 13th overall and 4th in Group N. The pair were beginning the defence of their National Group N title and a steady approach paid off with some useful championship points in the bag. Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor finished 19th overall and 3rd in class 14 in their Mk2 Escort after a fun day fighting for traction out of the junctions. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden took 27th overall and 1st in class 11R after leading the class from start to finish. The pair got the jump on their rivals on stage 2 and were able to maintain that advantage until the end of the day.
James McCarville was in the navigator’s seat for Armagh’s Darren Gass. The pair were competing in the McKinstry hire S14 WRC Subaru and held 3rd overall until the half shaft let go bringing their event to a premature end on stage 7. Arthur Kierans was navigating for cross channel visiter Simon Chapman. Their rare Proton Satria was well within the top 10 overall but their rally came to an end after an off on the final stage. Emmet Sherry, competing in his 2nd event in two days, was calling the notes for Laois’ John Lynch. Unfortunately they retired on stage 5.
The National Rally Championship continues with the Midland Stages Rally on Sunday, March 29th.
Monaghan Crews Out of Luck on Spring Rally
It was a tough day for Monaghan competitors on Omagh Motor Club’s Spring Rally based in the forests around Fivemiletown. Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna were expected to be one of the top runners but their Lancer was sidelined by mechanical problems on stage 2. Emmet Sherry was navigating for rising Fermanagh star, Jon Armstrong. The pair were in the battle for the rally lead but their car slipped off the road and got stuck in a drain on stage 6. Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan were also among the front running crews until their event came to an end on stage 5 whilst holding 3rd overall.
Alan Smyth/Mac Kierans were forced out with drive-shaft failure on stage 6 and Damien McGauren/Michaela McGinn were forced to retire on the same stage after going off the road. Suspension failure sidelined Derek Mackarel/Raymond Conlon while holding 3rd in class, with Adam Bustard/Matthew McKenna retiring on the event’s final stage. Gregory McDaid/Stephen Tierney made it as far Stage 2 before their event came to an end.
Cavan Navigation Trial
The penultimate round of the National & Border Night Navigation Championships takes place this Saturday night 28th February. Cavan Motor Club are hosting the event with Damien McCabe acting as COC. The familiar surrounds of Maudabawn is the venue for the night and approximately 75 miles are in store for competitors. Full Report next week.
Carrick-on-Suir Forestry
The Irish Forestry Rally Championship kicks off this Sunday with the Willie Loughman Memorial event organised by Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club. A number of Monaghan crews are expected to head down to this event. Full Report next week.
Forthcoming Events:
March 8th Mayo Stages Rally
March 14th-15th West Cork Rally
March 21st Donegal Forestry Rally
March 21st Monaghan Navigation Trial
March 22nd Cavan Autocross
March 29th Midland Stages Rally
County Monaghan Motor Club 