Conor Mohan was navigating for Eamonn Kelly on the latest round of the 2025 Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). Conor and Eamonn travelled to Portugal, for to take part in Vodafone Rally de Portugal, round 2, of this year’s JWRC.
The event began on Thursday night, with a Super Special Stage, where Conor and Eamonn finished the 2.94 km stage in 5th place, just 2.4s off the fastest time. The 2.4s deficit was largely due to “one pacenote was too conservative which cost us some time”
The rally got underway properly, early Friday morning, with the first of that day’s ten stages. On the opening stage (SS2), the lads had a “bit of a moment” near the start which knocked their confidence slightly, but they still finished 3rd fastest, which promoted them to 3rd overall. On the fourth stage of the morning (SS5), they set the 2nd fastest stage time, just a tiny four tenths of a second slower than fastest. On SS6, after a regroup followed by a ‘Service’ break, the lads unfortunately picked up a puncture, but continued onward for around six kilometres, which saved them time, that would have been incurred, had they stopped and replaced the punctured wheel.
Did you know, in the past, excessive use of commas was considered a serious crime? It usually resulted in a long sentence. The puncture on SS6 cost the team around 30s, which dropped them from 2nd to 3rd place in the standings. However, by the end of that loop of stages, they had clawed most of them 30s back, and were sitting just 6.2s adrift of a podium place. Unfortunately for the lads, they would be feeling very deflated at the end of Fridays stages, as the once again picked up a puncture. This time however, they had no choice, but stop and change it. This stoppage cost them just shy of four minutes and dropped them right out of contention for a podium finish.
This was a big blow to morale, as they had been as high as 2nd earlier in the day. Saturday’s stages got of to a great start, with excellent times on the opening two and a half stages, but midway through the third stage, they had to put their car into ‘Road mode’ as it began to overheat. Eamonn commented, at the end of Saturday’s rallying, that the day had been a huge disappointment for him, as apart from the overheating car earlier in the day, he felt that he just lacked a lot of pace.
Things improved almost immediately on Sunday’s final leg, as on SS20, he set the fastest time overall in the JWRC, which gave himself mixed feelings, as it showed, what could have been possible, if it wasn’t for the punctures and an overheating issue. Conor and Eamonn finished the event in 7th place overall. The next event in the JWRC is the EKO Acropolis Rally of the Gods, which takes place at the end of June.
Oisín Sherlock was taking part in Andalusía Festival Legend last weekend. He was navigating for Andrew McCourt in a Ford Escort MKII. The festival event, had no timed stages, as it’s a ‘Show event only’ and its main purpose is to bring in huge crowds to witness cars of yesteryear, rally around and do flamboyant manoeuvre’s.
The event was based in southern Spain, around the town of Ubrique. The pair of lads had a wonderful time during the events nine stages, one of which was a 2.2km superspecial in the centre of the town, with thousands of spectators.
Oisín said after the event, that he had been taking Spanish lessons for four weeks in preparation for the language difference, but that he never learned to say ‘please’. Personally, I think that’s poor for four.
The National Navigation Championship, prizegiving night took place on Saturday night last, in the Athlone Springs Hotel.
Tydavnet man Ryan Treanor was crowned champion navigator for a second time. Ryan’s driver, Shane Dalton was crowned champion driver for the first time. Shane missed out on the title alongside Ryan the first time, as he and Ryan did not compete on all events together. Evin Hughes/Pakie Duffy finished in 2nd place overall.
Andrew Mackarel finished in 3rd place overall in the driver’s category. Oisín Sherlock finished 3rd Expert navigator, while Greg Shinnors finished 1st. Ciaran Maguire/Cathal McGlone finished 3rd in the Semi-Expert class. Gretchen and Martin Swinburne finished 1st in the Novice class, and Darren Lavery/Aaron McGorman finished 2nd in the Beginner class.
The Monaghan Drumlin Navigation Trial, organized by Conor Boylan and Derek Mackarel was voted the best event of the season by competitors who attended the prizegiving.
The Squealing Pig Border Navigation prizegiving takes place this Friday night, May 23rd in The Squealing Pig Bar and Restaurant in Monaghan tow. Everyone welcome.
The Triton Showers National Rally Championship resumes this weekend with Cavan Motor Clubs, ‘Hotel Kilmore Cavan Stages Rally. Josh Moffett leads the cars off, seeded 1 on the road, back in his trusty Hyundai i20 R5.
Oisín Sherlock
County Monaghan Motor Club 