Maguire & James O’Reilly survived last stage drama to win the Gort-based Galway Summer Rally on Sunday last 28th August. The event was the penultimate round of the 2016 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The pair had led from the opening stage piloting a Subaru S12B WRC. They were fastest on each of the first seven stages and built up a lead of over a minute before drama struck on the final stage. A puncture almost cost them dearly but they survived and held onto their overall lead. In the end, only 4.7 seconds separated them and their nearest rival Gary Kiernan in his Escort.
Shane Maguire & Mac Kierans made it a double success for the Maguire family with overall honours in Group N and 14th overall. They held off the challenge of their main rival, Cathan McCourt. The Monaghan pair snatched the advantage on the opening loop and were able to maintain a 15-20 second gap for the remainder of the day. Paul Kelly joined forces with Limerick’s Paul Purtill once again. The pair pushed hard throughout the day to come home 8th overall and 1st in the very competitive class 13. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden returned to the top of class 11R, taking a dominate two minute win. This leaves them on course for a Border & National championship class double. John & Niall Kelly took class 10 honours after a thrilling battle with Donegal’s Shane Carr. The Kellys came out on top by just 8 seconds and finished 44th overall.
Not so fortunate were the fellow Corolla team of Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague, who failed to complete the opening stage.
Galway Summer Stages Rally Top 10
1 Niall Maguire/James O’Reilly (Impreza WRC) 61m 55s, 2 Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore (Escort) 62m 00s, 3 Paddy McVeigh/Gary McElhinney (Impreza WRC) 62m 02s, 4 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 62m 11s, 5 Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty (Escort) 62m 14s, 6 Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O’Neill (Escort) 62m 33s, 7 Daniel Cronin/Shane Buckley (Lancer Evo) 62m 37s, 8 Paul Purtill/Paul Kelly (Escort) 62m 47s, 9 Paul Curley/Jason Ollerenshaw (Impreza) 62m 47s, 10 Russell Woods/Martin Byrne (Escort) 62m 58s.
Navigation Trial 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 2nd September at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Fintan Clerkin 087 2297024 to register for the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.
The first event after the summer break is the October Navigation Trial on Saturday 1st October. COC for the event is Donal McArdle and we look forward to what should be an exciting start to the navigation season.
County Monaghan Motor Club 