The 2017 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship has been won by Michael Conlon and Darragh Kelly. Castleblayney’s Conlon has made regular appearances in the Border Championship over the years but more recently has focused on the Irish Forestry Championship where he has enjoyed considerable success. He has been campaigning his faithful black Escort for many seasons and 2017 was his most successful yet as he claimed overall honours in the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship and also took victory in the 2wd and Mk2 categories in the National Rally Championship.
Ciaran McPhillips was his navigator for the year but he missed the opening Border round in Mayo and had to settle for 2nd overall in the navigator’s category. Martin Byrne stood in for McPhillips in Mayo where he and Conlon took class 13 honours. Conlon/McPhillips then scored class wins in Cavan, Sligo and Galway with 2nd places in Monaghan and Donegal.This demonstrated both speed and consistency throughout the year.
Shane Maguire & Darragh Kelly also teamed in the Border Championship for the first time. They began their campaign in Monaghan with a class win on home ground. They also secured class wins in Sligo, Galway and Donegal giving them a 100% win rate from the four rounds they contested. Maguire matched Conlon’s tally of 40 points but lost the championship on a tie-break. Shane also won the Group N category in the National Championship this year. Darragh’s total of 40 points saw him secure the overall navigator’s category in the Border Championship by just one point.
3rd overall driver went to Martin Geraghty who dominated class 1 throughout the year while Ryan Brennan secured 3rd overall navigator as he pushed his driver Michael Brennan hard in class 10 securing two class wins and two third places. Other club members to pick up awards were Michael Brennan (class 10 champion), Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (class 11R champions) and Jack McKenna (Junior class champion).
Drumlin Navigation Trial
All eyes turn towards North Monaghan for this weekend’s Drumlin Navigation Trial. Fintan Clerkin & Martin Tynan are COC and ACOC for this year’s event. 120 miles of competitive navigation is planned which is sure to put drivers and navigators to the test. The Sliabh Beagh Hotel in Knockatallon is serving as HQ. The first car is away at 9.00pm.
The event is a counting round of the National and Border Navigation Championships. It is also the opening round of the 2018 Traders Trophy and Gary Nesbitt Club Navigation Championships. Regulations and Entry forms are available on www.monaghanmotorclub.net. Marshals are required for this event and those available to marshal should present at HQ no later than 8pm.
County Monaghan Motor Club 