Moffett Clinches Irish Forestry Titl
Josh Moffett has won the 2018 Irish Forestry Championship at the penultimate round of the series, the Lakelands Forestry Rally. Josh and co-driver, Stephen Thornton, secured the overall win and with title rivals Andrew Purcell & Barry McKenna failing to finish, Moffett is now uncatchable with one round remaining.
There was drama right from the off as McKenna & Leon Jordan retired on the opening test. Moffett/Thornton stormed straight into the lead and after the opening loop of stages, they were 12 seconds clear of Vivian Hamill with Scotshouse’s Andrew Grennan in the navigator’s seat. The Championship was turned on its head as Purcell & co-driver Mark Wiley, retired on stage three leaving Moffett with a chance of securing the title with a win.
Moffett/Thornton continued to push on to secure the championship. They gradually increased their lead over Hamill/Grennan. There was late drama as Hamill/Grennan dropped back to third on the final stage. Moffett/Thornton finished the final test 41 seconds clear of Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan. However, there was even more drama as their Fiesta developed mechanical issues and they occurred 40 seconds of road penalties, but they held on to the win by just 1 second and secure the 2018 Forestry Title! This is Josh’s 2nd championship success taking over from his brother Sam who was champion last year.
Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan secured 3rd overall after a fine drive. Mac Kiernas guided Alan Smyth to 7th overall and 1st in class 8. Kaine Treanor guided Stephen McCann to 9th overall in a R5 Fiesta. Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes secured 19th overall and 2nd in class in their Nova. Derek remains part of a three way fight for the Junior Championship going into the Bushwhacker Rally in three weeks time. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips had a difficult day at the office and finished down in 65th place after losing over three minutes on stage two.
Sam’s Sligo Success
Sam Moffett & Noel O’Sullivan profited from mistakes of others to clinch overall victory on the Sligo Stages Rally, Round 5 of the National Rally Championship. Sam was competing in his R5 Fiesta and inherited the lead after previous leaders Josh Moffett & Declan Boyle crashed out.
Fresh from his win the previous day in Enniskillen, Josh Moffett switched to his WRC Fiesta with navigator Keith Moriarty. The pair led from the off and had pulled 27 seconds clear when they were caught out in wet conditions on Stage 6, putting a serious dent in the championship bid. Declan Boyle/James O’Reilly inherited the lead but slipped off the road in Stage 7 and the damage was too significant to continue. This left Sam Moffett/Noel O’Sullivan in a comfortable lead which they held to the end.
John McQuaid/Thomas Treanor took a fine 8th overall and 3rd in class in their Escort. Jack Maguire/Seamus O’Grady finished 35th overall and 4th in class. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden, Christopher Brennan/Martin Hughes & Anthony McDonald/Oisin Sherlock failed to finish. Jason Black/Jack McKenna took another dominant win in the Junior class in their Starlet. Gareth Black/Calum Maguire finished 4th in the same class.
Despite their retirements, Declan Boyle/James O’Reilly are firm favourites for the National title and needs just 25 points in the final two rounds to secure the series. The Championship continues with the Clare Stages Rally in a fortnight’s time.
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 7th September 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 