Jack McKenna & Christopher McMahon took an impressive overall win on the 2018 Monaghan Endurance Trial. The Emyvale pair had been competing separately in the Navigation scene for the past few years and teamed up for the first time to contest the event. After 18 selectives, the pair emerged victorious ahead of 2018 Endurance Championship leader, Peter Barrable & the experienced Damien Connolly. The team of Kieran McCarra & Kate Lynch claimed 3rd overall.
COC Fintan Keenan laid out a challenging event which had condensed road miles as all the selectives were based in North Monaghan. With a record entry of 55 crews, the event was shaping up to be a classic. The opening loop featured some selectives used in previous years, finishing with a new selective at the old Combilift plant. The lanes & fields were particularly tricky thanks to the extended wet weather and traction was at a premium. Despite this, the battle for honours was intense.
The opening test near Ballinode was a mixture of gravel & concrete. Such is the even competition in this form of motorsport only 4 seconds covered the top 10! After the first loop of five selectives, Championship front runners Peter Barrable/Damien Connolly held the lead by 7 seconds with Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes in 2nd. A host of local drivers were chasing hard behind led by Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch with Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin, Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon, Gary Cassidy/Calum Maguire & Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden all figuring strongly.
Drama ensued on Selective 8 as the deteriorating road conditions resulted in multiple crews getting stuck and recording maximum times with O’Donoghue/Hughes and McCarra/Lynch dropping back. By the halfway mark, Barrable/Connolly were out in front despite a close call on a looped section in Comblift. Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin were now in 2nd place with Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon in 3rd. Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch had recovered to 4th place with Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden in 5th.
A mixture of Tarmac, Loose & Grass selectives featured in the afternoon. Oneselective had to be cancelled due to the weather softening the ground but the others ran without incident. Barrable’s lead was gradually being eroded but a major turning point occurred on Selective 14 as he lost significant time whilst McKenna/McMahon blitzed the entire field to jump from 3rd to 1st. After another test they were now 9 seconds clear with Tynan/Clerkin in 2nd and Barrable/Connolly having dropped to 3rd. A missed code board would drop Tynan/Clerkin down the leaderboard leaving McKenna/McMahon 14 seconds clear of Barrable/Connolly.
The leaderboard remained fairly static over the final repeated loop and in the end it was Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon who emerged victorious after a fine display in their Starlet. Peter Barrable/Damien Connolly took 2nd overall. Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch were left rueing their early maximum as it cost them overall honours. Nevertheless, it was a fine recovery to 3rd overall.
Midland duo, Robert Howard/Claire Murtagh recovered from a slow start to claim 4th overall. Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin finished 5th edging out Trader’s trophy rivals Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden on the final test. Gary Cassidy/Calum Maguire took 7th and but for road penalties they would have had the overall win. Sam Moffett/Ciaran Duffy enjoyed their first experience of Endurance Trials to claim 8th overall with Derek Butler/Ruadhri Nash and Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes making up the top 10.
Damien & Thomas Treanor took victory in class B (Navigation cars up to 1400cc) with David Forde/Patrick O’Leary and Darren Boyle/Garry Farrelly completing the podium. Nigel & Ryan Brennan took class honours in class C (Navigation cars up to 2000cc) with Noel & Aiden Sherry in 2nd and Samuel Patterson/Shane Maguire in 3rd. Class A1 (Endurance cars up to 1000cc went to Peter & Aaron Cummins. Nicole Drought/Aaron McElroy & Adam Montgomery/Andrew Hamilton completed the top three.
At the prizegiving, COC Fintan Keenan extended a big thank you to all the residents and landowners who provided the use of their properties for the event. He also thanked the Four Seasons Hotel for hosting the event and all the marshals and timekeepers who stood out in the inclement weather to ensure the safe running of the event.
Mackarel wins Birr Autocross
Derek Mackarel took overall victory on the Birr Grass Surface Autocross at the weekend. Derek posted the best of the time of the day in his Berrisford Suzuki. Derek has been competing on both grass and loose surface autocross events as well as the Irish Forestry Championship this year and his exploits have earned him a Billy Coleman Award nomination.
Navigation Trial Classes 2018
The night navigation trial season is fast approaching and Monaghan Motor Club is gearing up for that all important kick start with the annual navigation classes. If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ for 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 continue on Friday 31st August at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Shane 0862616120 to book your place for the classes. Registration will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.
County Monaghan Motor Club 