Conor Mohan was out in Sardinia last weekend taking part in Rally Italia Sardegna which
was a counting round of the Junior Word Rally Championship. Unfortunately for Conor and
his driver Eamonn Kelly, their car was plagued with Mechanical issues from the very start.
An alternator issue on the Shakedown stage forced them to stop, but luckily it was repaired
in time for Special stage 1 (SS1). More Mechanical gremlins arose here however as an
engine temperature warning light came on and they had to do the stage without anti-lag. If
this wasn’t bad enough, they also picked up a puncture towards the end of the stage. They
did have a great run through SS2 (4 th fastest) even with the anti-lag system not turned up
fully following the earlier issue. On SS3 they got caught behind another competitor and with
no room to pass, they were stuck behind them for over six kilometres. On a positive note, the
organisers having viewed in-car footage and the average speed before catching the slower
car, awarded them an amended stage time which bumped them up to 4 th place overnight.
On SS5, the following morning they got off to a great start finishing the stage just 5.6s off
the lead pace. This great start didn’t last however as on SS6 they picked up a puncture
forcing them to stop mid-stage and replace it. The gravel roads of Sardinia were becoming
extremely rough following the Rally1 and Rally2 cars passing before it was the junior’s turn.
On SS8 the roughness caused the steering to break which caused them to go off the road on
the following corner damaging the suspension.
The car was repaired overnight and they restarted the rally for the final four stages. The final
four stages were also very tough as the engine temperature warning light returned and they
once again suffered a puncture. Even with Sardinia being such a disaster for the crew they
remain very excited for the remainder of the championship and are already looking forward
to the next round in Finland.
Circuit of Munster Stages Rally
Josh Moffett was the top placed Monaghan Motor Club member on last weekend’s Circuit of
Munster Stages Rally in Co. Limerick. Josh with Keith Moriarty on the notes finished 5th
overall (OA) and 2nd in class 5.
Kaine Treanor navigating for Chris O’Callaghan finished 13th OA, 1st in class 14 and took the 2wd win, a massive response after their unfortunate accident in the Carlow Stages Rally.
Killian McArdle guided Joseph Kelly to 28th OA and 2nd in class 3.
Anthony Hand/David McCrudden finished 37th OA and 1st in class 11R.
James McCarville/Conal McNulty retired after Stage 1 and Tommy Moffett retired after
Stage 5.
Static Car Show
Monaghan Motor Club’s ‘Static car show’ returns this June. The charity fundraiser takes
place in the long-stay carpark at Monaghan Shopping Centre on Sunday June 30 th from 12
noon until 4pm. Entry is €20 per car and by donation for general admission. All money
collected will be split equally between Crocus Monaghan Branch and SOSAD. Your support
is greatly appreciated.
Marshal’s draw
A Marshal’s draw was held recently for to thank those who assisted with the successful
running of this years Ronnie Hawe, Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan Stages Rally. Sixteen
lucky Marshal’s were given prizes donated by local business’s, namely Combilift, Maguire
International, Flat to the hat, Moran Rally Clothing and McAree Engineering.
Endurance Trial Postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Monaghan Motor Club have rescheduled its Endurance
Trial listed for the 9 th of July to a new date of July 21 st (subject to Motorsport Ireland
approval).
Oisín Sherlock
County Monaghan Motor Club 