Derek Mackarel had a fantastic month in his motorsport career achieving a nomination for the Billy Coleman award, receiving his first overall trophy in the National Navigation Championship and scoring a victory in the Mayo Autocross.
The month started with a fully deserved nomination for the Billy Coleman Award due to his results in March and April.
Derek put in strong performances on the Limerick and Munster Forestry rallies, taking victory in the Junior class in Munster against much more powerful opponents. He also set a fastest two wheel drive time on one stage embarrassing competitors in much more powerful cars.
Derek will now join seven other nominees at the end of the year for consideration for Young Rally Driver of the Year which offers a support package worth €50,000 to the winner.
Derek then received his overall trophy for victory in the National Night Navigation Championship on June 9th. Derek clinched the series along with his navigator Muireann Hayes from Cork. Consistency proved key to their success as they were consistently in the top five with their overall win on the 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial in Cork, the highlight of their year.
Derek follows in the footsteps of his father Andy who is a five time champion himself. Muireann is the first ever female winner of the series and the first Cork champion since James O’Brien in the early nineties.
Other Monaghan successes in the series were Mac Kierans and David McCrudden claiming 3rd overall. Martin Tynan & Conor Boylan were the Expert class winners with Arthur Kierans/Fintan Clerkin 3rd in class. Oisin Sherlock was the Semi-Expert class winner. Peter Deery/Shane Farrell finished 2nd Semi-Expert. Emmet McCooey/Christopher McMahon won the Novice class with Ryan Treanor in 2nd and Johnny Treanor 3rd.
The following day, Derek travelled to the Mayo Autocross for the second round of the Mayo Autrocross Championship where he claimed overall honours making it two wins from two in the series. He shared the family Lancer with his father Andy who took 3rd overall on the day. Michael Tynan finished just behind in 4th overall.
Derek’s sights will now be set for the next round of Irish Forestry Championship which will be the 2 day Cork Forestry Rally at the end of the month.
County Monaghan Motor Club 