The Monaghan pairing of Josh Moffett with Stephen Thornton on the notes – took a convincing win on last weekend’s Bushwhacker Forest Rally. The Combilift Ford Fiesta stayed in 1st position all day over the 11 demanding stages which were held around the Castlederg and Omagh region.
Moffett and Thornton held off many attempts at their lead and managed to stay ahead and take the win by 19secs from Vivian Hamill and Andrew Grennan in a Ford Fiesta R5+. Desi Henry and Liam Moynihan in a Skoda Fabia R5 were 3rd but none could match the pace of Moffett/Thornton on the loose surface event.
This event was also the final round of the Irish Forest Championship and for the second consecutive year – this winning crew claimed the overall title again for 2018! A superb finish to the season for Moffett/Thornton as it went right down to the wire on this final event. Another Monaghan Motor Club crew of Barry McKenna and Leon Jordan started the Bushwhacker with an equal chance of championship victory but it was not to be their year, as they slipped off the road and eventual out of the event.
Corcaghans Kaine Treanor was also hot favourite as navigator for the title but 17th overall and along with Stephen McCann in the Bushwhacker was not enough to keep him in the running.
Ciaran McPhillips is National 2WD Navigator Forest Champion 2018!
Scoststowns Ciaran McPhillips was crowned the winner of the Two Wheel Drive (2WD) Navigators title after finishing 2nd in class along with long-time partner/driver Mickey Conlon. Mickey just missed out on top spot after their result in the Bushwhacker but this crew are always on full attack and a treat to watch through the tight forest lanes.
The Billy Coleman award nominee Derek Mackarel with Corks Muireann Hayes in the hot seat were lying 4th in class when their car succumbed to mechanical problems after SS8. It’s been good year for Derek and he is fast becoming the entertainer of these forest events as he hurtles the Nova around at top speed.
Mac Kierans was partner with Alan Smyth but they failed to finish while lying in 13th spot overall in the Mitsubishi. Father Arthur, teamed up with Paul McCann in a Skoda Fabia and finished the day in 27th place overall. Another Monaghan man who failed to finish was navigator Paul Kelly for David Condell – their event ended after SS6 while in 28th spot overall.
October Navigation Trail kicks off the year!
The first navigation trail of the new season kicks off this week end from Scotstown GAA complex with first car away at 9.01pm. New event COC is local son and father team of Oisin and Paddy Sherlock who have planned a demanding and challenging route for this – the final round of Monaghan Motor Clubs championships. Marshals as always are require so please offer your support and register to help from 7pm on Saturday evening.
Annual Diner Dance
Keep free the October 20th for our annual presentation of awards and prize giving. Held earlier in the year than in the past, this event is not to be missed as we celebrate our successes of 2018 with plenty of fun, refreshments and dancing in the Four Seasons Hotel.
County Monaghan Motor Club 