Josh Moffett was robbed of a potential victory on last weekend’s Clare Stages Rally after suffering a puncture whilst leading. The event was the penultimate round of the 2016 Triton National Rally Championship. Josh, who had James Fulton on the notes, had taken the lead with a stunning time over the trecherous opening stage. He was 18 seconds quicker than anyone else in his R5 Fiesta. He reported being able to find grip despite the wet conditions. Declan Boyle rapidly reduced the defecit on stage four before Moffett clipped a rock on stage five which dropped him fourty-five seconds in arrears. Over the closing stages he was involved in a close battle with National Champion Roy White for 2nd place but ended up missing out by just five seconds.
Stephen Wright with new navigator, Keith Moriarty took 4th overall in his R5 Fiesta but over two minutes adrift. Brendan Cumisky & Ronan O’Kane finished 5th overall in another Fiesta. Shane Maguire & Mac Kierans took 2nd in Group N and 12th overall in their Lancer. Their battle for National Group N honours will go down to the final round in Donegal. Jack McKenna guided Donegal’s Declan Greene to 25th overall and 3rd in class 11R. Martin Connolly guided Liam Bowhan to 31st overall and 3rd in class 13.
Arthur Kierans was navigating for Derek McGeehan in a WRC Mini. They retired on the opening stage after smoke filled their car. They re-started under Rally 2 to come home 50th overall and 3rd in class 7. Damien Connolly was in the hot seat for Peader Hurson. After launch control issues early on, they retired after a puncture caused them to go off the road on stage four. Emmet Sherry, who was navigating for Barry Ryan, had been battling for two wheel drive honours before they retired on stage seven.
Sam Moffett capped off a superb debut season on the Tool Dynamic’s Supercar Championship with a 2nd and 3rd place finish at the Kildare Motor Club Race Meeting at Mondello. Sam came into the weekend with an outside chance of claiming the overall title. However despite another strong showing it wasn’t enough for Sam to take the championship with Andy O’Brien claiming the title.
O’Reilly upholds Monaghan honor on the Manx
James O’Reilly made the trip across the Irish Sea to compete on the International Isle of Man Rally. The Scotstown native was navigating for David Bogie in a R5 Skoda Fabia. The event was the final round of the British Rally Championship and consisted of three days of action including some night sections. They had a testing three days. They dropped from fifth to eight after a delay on stage nine and they eventually finished in 7th overall.
October Navigation Trial
The Night Navigation season is fast approaching with the October Navigation Trial taking place on Saturday 1st October. Donal McArdle is taking on the role of COC for this event which is a counting round of the Gary Nesbitt Club Navigation Championship and Trader’s Trophy. Regulations and Entry forms will be available in the coming week. These will be available on www.monaghanmotorclub.net
Potential competitors are also asked to review the new regulations for the coming season with new requirements on car eligibilty. The new regulations are available on the Motorsport Ireland website under 2016 Yearbook Amendments Articles 33 and 34.
County Monaghan Motor Club 