There was a sensational finish to the Lakelands Stages Rally, based in Enniskillen on Saturday last 3rd Sept. In a first for Irish Rallying, two brothers finished with identical times for first position. There has never been much to separate Clontibret brothers Sam & Josh Moffett on either Tarmac or Gravel. On this occasion, not even a second could spilt them after eight challenging stages in the Fermanagh woods. A tie-breaker was used to determine the winner with Sam getting the nod.
The Enniskillen Motor Club event counted as Round 5 of the Valvoline-sponsored Irish Forestry Championship. The Moffett brothers began as they would finish, equal on the opening stage, 1 second behind Mark Donnelly’s Subaru. Sam was fastest on stage 2 to take the lead which would be crucial at the end of the day. After the opening loop of four stages, Sam held a two second lead over Josh whilst Donnelly had dropped back due to a puncture. Sam looked to have held off Josh’s attack by moving four seconds clear going into the final stage. A sensational time for Josh saw him take back four seconds in three miles to tie with Sam. The winner was determined on countback as to who was fastest over the first stage. As they were equal on that stage, it went to the second stage where Sam was faster. This allowed Sam & co-driver, James Fulton, to make it back-to-back wins in Enniskillen. Josh & Jason McKenna had to settle for 2nd overall with Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty well adrift in 3rd overall.
There was disappointment for Irish Forestry Championship leaders, Michael Carbin & Darragh Kelly, who slid off the road on stage seven. This result drops them to second in the championship behind Cork’s Gerard Lucey with two rounds to go. James O’Reilly guided Kenny McKinstry to 8th overall in their Subaru WRC. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were another crew to fall victim to the Fermanagh woods, as a broken wheel dropped them to 41st overall when they had been battling for 2wd honours. Michaela McGinn guided Damien McGauren to 26th overall in their first run in a BMW 320. Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes had another frought run in their Nova. They lost over a minute fixing a loose coil lead and finished with a broken wheel. They still made it home to 47th overall and 2nd in the Junior class.
2016 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round Five Results:
1st Sam Moffett / James Fulton Ford Fiesta WRC 38:09.0 2nd Josh Moffett / Jason McKenna Ford Fiesta R5 +0:00.0 3rd Mark Donnelly / Barry McNulty Subaru S9 WRC +0:47.0 4th Desi Henry / Liam Moynihan Skoda Fabia R5 +1:30.0 5th Niall McCullagh / Ryan McCloskey Subaru S14 WRC +2:20.0 6th Martin Cairns / Gary McElhinney Ford Fiesta WRC +2:49.0 7th Jonny Leonard / Jackie Elliott Mitsubishi Evo 6 +2:59.0 8th Kenny McKinstry / James O’Reilly Subaru S14 WRC +3:10.0 9th Gerard Lucey / JJ Cremin Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 +3:37.0 10th Phil Pickard / Simon Pickard Subaru Impreza +3:46.0
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 continue on Friday 9th 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 