County Monaghan Motor Club

Clontibret driver Josh Moffett & navigator John Rowan became the new leaders of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship thanks to a 4^th place finish on last weekend’s Circuit of Ireland International Rally. The event was a counting round of the European, British and Irish Tarmac Rally Championships and attracted a quality field full of the latest spec R5 rally cars. Moffett/Rowan produced a strong showing to finish 4^th overall behind last year’s winner, Craig Breen, European Champion Katejan Kajetanowicz and Alaister Fisher who all have extensive experience at World Championship level.

The opening day comprised stages in the North Antrim area including a 31km stage through Glendun and Torr Head. Moffett/Rowan held a steady 6^th place after day one, three places ahead of brother Sam & his navigator Karl Atkinson. Stephen Wright/James Fulton held 14^th overall in another R5 Fiesta.

Day two featured stages in the Downpatrick & Banbridge areas. Moffett/Rowan kept up the pressure on the crews in front moving up to 4^th place. Sam Moffett was forced into retirement after putting his Fiesta up a bank on stage 9. Wright/Fulton also made steady progress up the top 10 eventually climbing to 7^th place by the finish. Moffett/Rowan held onto 4^th place which secured 2^nd place points in the Irish Tarmac Championship and top points in the British Rally Championship. The result leaves them leading the Irish series after three rounds and 2^nd in the British Championship with two rounds completed.

The Irish Tarmac Championship continues with the Killarney Rally of the Lakes on the May Bank Holiday weekend while the next round of the British Championship is the Pirelli International Rally.

The Circuit of Ireland National Rally ran at the back of the International section. Brendan & JP McAree brought their Porsche home to 43^rd overall. Evin Hughes was navigating for Antrim driver Rodney White but they retired with a broken differential on stage 9 after being as high as 6^th overall.

Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally

Entries are continuing to pour in for the 2016 Monaghan Stages Rally, which takes place on Sunday 24^th April. The Hillgrove Hotel-backed event is a counting round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. Clerk of the Course Brendan Flynn and his deputy Thomas Treanor have selected three excellent stages, to be run in the usual 3×3 format with centralised servicing in Monaghan town. The official launch took place this week and local accommodation is being booked up rapidly. Entry forms can still be downloaded from monaghanmotorclub.net.