County Monaghan Motor Club

James Wilson & Arthur Kierans took overall victory on last weekend’s Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. The event was round 1 of the 2020 Irish Forestry Championship. Wilson, the 2018 Billy Coleman Award Winner, led the event from start to finish to take a convincing victory. Ballinode duo Michael Carbin & Conor Mohan secured 2^nd overall in their Lancer.

Wilson/Kierans set the pace on the opening test, opening a six second advantage ahead of Carbin/Mohan. Top seed Andrew Purcell retired. Wilson/Kierans were fastest on each of the first four stages and increased their advantage to 27 seconds. Carbin/Mohan were holding a steady 2^nd place with a nine second advantage over Liam Ryan/Keith Moriarty in 3^rd. Michael Conlon/Grace O’Brien were involved in a big fight with Gary Kiernan/Darren O’Brien for the two-wheel drive lead.

Stage 5 was the longest of the rally and proved to be the final test as Stage 6 was cancelled. Another fastest time secured the win for Wilson/Kierans. Championship regulars Carbin/Mohan were 2^nd. Conlon/O’Brien lost out on the two-wheel drive win but they were 7^th overall and 2^nd in class on their first event together. Australia based Monaghan man Pauric Duffy made a switch to the woods and brought his Fiesta home 10^th overall and 2^nd in class.

The Irish Forestry Championship continues with the Limerick Forestry Rally on March 1^st.