Author: monaghanmotorclub

Jennings Win’s Donegal International Rally

 

Fermanagh man Gary Jennings with Donegal native Neil Doherty on the notes had a memorable victory on last weekends Topaz Donegal International Rally. To make it an even sweeter victory Gary was in a rented Subaru S14 WRC, which he had never competed in before. Leading from start to finish Gary and Neil took a minute and 21 seconds win over Seamus Leonard and John McCafferty. Derek McGarrity and Paul Kiely had a steady run throughout the weekend to round off the top three.

            As ever this event proved to be more of a marathon than a race with 143 cars starting in the main field to tackle the 22 stages over three days through some of the most famous stages in Ireland. Monaghan man Enda Sherry was seeded at number 1 alongside young Markethill driver Darren Gass. Leading the series prior to this event, this crew incurred road penalties on day 1 which would ultimately drop them from as possible 2^nd over-all to 5^th. Nonetheless a good points haul in their quest for the International title. Local men Niall Maguire and Conor Foley were at number 6 for the event and putting in some very consistent times throughout the weekend. Unfortunately bad luck set in on the final stage as gearbox troubles raised its ugly head again, forcing them into retirement while lying 6^th over-all. Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly started at number 17 in their evo 9 and had a ding-dong battle all weekend with younger brother Josh who had Jason McKenna on the notes. Josh and Jason were late entrants and certainly had the upper hand through most of the weekend but Sam and James pulled out all the stops on the Sunday stages to pull through and take the Group N victory and 6^th over-all. Josh Moffatt had to settle for 7^th over-all, only 17seconds behind brother Sam after 3 intense days rallying.  Another Monaghan crew saw Daniel mc Kenna and Arthur Kierans leading the national rally away at number 10 but their event was short lived with transmission woes forcing their retirement on Friday afternoon while leading the National rally. However they re-joined the Rally for the Saturday stages and set some great times, whilst entertaining the crowds along the way.

Heavy rains continued throughout the Friday and Saturday stages but thankfully the sun made an appearance on Sunday for the final day of the rally. The National Rally turned out to be more of a local battle as Declan and Brian Boyle just edged out Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett for the over-all win in the National Rally by a mere 4.8 seconds after 3 long days rallying. Incidentally Manus was in the now famous red Gary McPhillips escort for the weekend. Martin McGee was 3^rd with Brian Brogan 4^th over-all, both Donegal natives. Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor was another local crew seeded at number 37 in their black escort but sadly retired over the final few stages on Sunday whilst lying 12^th in the National event. Cavan pairing of Damien O’Reilly and Damien mc Cabe were at number 98 in there escort mk2 and finished 3^rd in class 9 and 47^th over-all. Donegal’s James Greenan had Monaghan man Jonathan Treanor on the notes and they had a good steady run throughout the weekend in there class 9 corsa despite losing some time on the Friday stages with gearbox problems and went on to take 2nd in class 9 and 40th over all.   Sean Agnew had regular navigator Peter Deery on the notes and were 19^th over-all and 2^nd in class 9 in the national section. David Smyth/Mark Deery was another Monaghan crew to tackle the Donegal stages and had an excellent run to 39^th over-all. Well done to all locals’ crews who made the trip.

 

2012 Topaz Donegal International Rally Top 10

1/ Garry Jennings/Neil Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 25m 06s

2/ Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 26m 27s

3/ Derek McGarrity/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 28m 01s

4/ Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 28m 17s

5/ Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 29m 03s

6/ Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 34m 05s

7/ Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 34m 22s

8/ Martin Doherty/Damien McCauley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 37m 52s

9/ Kevin O’Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 42m 35s

10/ P J McDermott/Paul Goodman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 42m 53s

 

Group N Production class:

1/ Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly

2/ Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna

3/ Martin Doherty/Damien McCauley

 

National Rally:

1/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort) 2h 32m 21s

2/ Manus Kelly/Donal Barrett (Ford Escort) 2h 32m 26s

3/ Martin McGee/Denis O’Mahony (Ford Escort) 2h 34m 48s

 

Historic Rally:

1/ Andy Johnson/Jim McSherry (Vauxhall Chevette) 2h 03m 54s

2/ John Keatley/James McKeefrey (Ford Escort) 2h 04m 01s

3/ Stephen McFerran/Ellen McFerran (Ford Escort) 2h 08m 34s

 

Junior Rally:

1/ Damien Whoriskey/Michael McClafferty (Ford Escort) 56m 03s

2/ Barry McLaughlin/Aodhan Gallagher (Toyota Corolla) 56m 28s

3/ Christopher McLaughlin/Niall O’Donnell (Toyota Corolla) 58m 03s.

 

Raymond Conlon and Darren Mc Cague entertain in Sol Rally, Barbados

Well done to club members Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague who made the epic journey to Barbados recently to compete in the now famous Sol Rally, Barbados. Raymond and Darren slid their black twin cam to a fine 3^rd in class on this event, which is ran over two weekends. Full report and photo’s next week.

 

Sympathy

Monaghan Motor Club would like to extend their sympathy to the family & friends of Michael Leonard who passed away recently. Michael was an active competitor for many years and also assisted on various events held by the club. A native of Aghabog, Michael has no doubt influenced many of the current motorsport followers in the area and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

 

 

Monaghan Motor Club offers its condolences to the families and friends of those fatally injured at the  Cavan Stages Rally on Sunday last (27/4/12)

Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured,to whom we wish a full recovery. 

Paul Hughes (Chairman)

For and on behalf of Monaghan Motor Club

Local Cork crew Owen Murphy and James O’Brien took top honours in their local Cork Forest Stages Rally on Saturday last. This was the fourth round of the Valvoline Irish Forest Championship and attracted almost 50 entries to this popular forest complex on the outskirts of Mallow. Murphy and O Brien were pushed all the way by the hard charging Colin Britton, navigated by our very own Arthur Kierans who were only 6 seconds in arrears after six tough stages. This result leaves Britton and Kierans leading the Irish Forest Championship with three rounds remaining. Third over-all were Pat O Connell and Mark Wiley with only 7 seconds separating the top three crews. Incidentally the top three were all in similar spec EVO 9’s. Fourth over-all went to Martin Cairns who had Patrick Brides on the notes. Patrick making the switch from the back wheel drive starlets of the Moffatt’s to sample the gravel in a four-wheel drive Impreza. Next up were Enda Mc Nulty and Paul Sheridan in the trusty Impreza. Following some teething problems in the new Mc Nulty escort this crew returned to the forest in the group A impreza to good effect and won their class and 5th over-all. Next up was the Mc Aree Evo of Vincent and JP Mc Aree.

 The Ballinode/Carrickmacross cousins had mixed fortunes in Cork as they dropped over 30 seconds on the opening test with an overshoot and stalled engine which refused to re-start. Once they got going they quickly climbed the leader board, setting fastest stage time on the last stage to eventually finish in 6th. A great resulted considering they were 19th after stage 1. This result leaves the Mc Arees in 4th over-all in the forest championship with three rounds remaining so still very much in the hunt. Swann’s Cross brother and sister team of Stephen and Suzanne Wright finished in 8th over-all and gained some valuable points towards their forest championship campaign. The Wrights’ consistency is paying dividends as they are currently second in the Valvoline championship with 3 rounds remaining.

The two wheel drive battle was hard fought with Fivemiletown’s Shane McGirr and Jackie Elliott taking class 5 honours in the McGirr Oils backed starlet and 9th over-all to boot. The MC Blinds backed escort of Michael Conlon with new navigator Damien Fleming were second two-wheel drive car across the line and 11th over-all after an enjoyable day in the sticks. David Smith and Austin Hamill took a step into the unknown as they were competing in an EVO, a small step up from Davids trusty 106! However they quickly came to grips with the driving style of the four-wheel drive and set some good times throughout the day to finish a creditable 24th over-all and 6th in class. So with 3 rounds remaining in Tipperary, the Dogleap and the bushwhacker,

 Monaghan have 3 crews in the top 4 over-all positions so best of luck to all over the remaining rounds.

CORK MC JIM WALSH CORK FOREST RALLY TOP 10

 1/ Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 33m 10s 2/ Colin Britton/Arthur Kierans (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 33m 16s 3/ Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 33m 17s 4/ Martin Cairns/Patrick Brides (Impreza) 33m 43s 5/ Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Impreza) 33m 47s 6/ Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 33m 58s 7/ Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 34m 00s 8/ Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright (Lancer Evo 6) 34m 16s 9/ Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Starlet) 34m 46s 10/ Niall Henry/John Rowan (Impreza Gp N) 34m 52s

Co. Cavan Motor Club Stages Rally

All roads lead to Baileboro this weekend for Cavan Motor Clubs annual stages rally. This is the 3rd round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally championship and is sure to attract a bumper entry. With the weather looking promising it is sure to be a great days entertainment as many crews battle it out for border championship points heading to the half way stage. Once again the day will not proceed without the help of hundreds of marshals. Monaghan Motor Club is committed to providing as many as possible and would ask all members to make themselves available if possible. Please contact 086 3627000 or e-mail the club website on monaghanmotorclub@gmail.com should you be available to marshal and participate in the safe running of our neighbouring motor clubs annual stages rally.

Carlow Motor Club hosted their ever-popular stages rally and Mark II challenge on Sunday last. A bumper entry in the main field took to the roads around the East Carlow town of Tullow for nine stages. It was number 3 seeds Brian O Mahoney and John Higgins who took over the lead after stage 2 and went on to take a 14 second winning margin from championship leader Thomas Fitzmaurice in 2^nd. Ballinode men Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry were 3^rd over-all and only 3 seconds further adrift after overcoming a number of small mechanical issues in the early stages. This result for the Monaghan men ensures they keep the pressure on Fitzmaurice and O’Mahoney for the Dunlop national title at the half way stage. Incidentally all three are in similar spec WRC S11 Impreza’s.

            Just behind the top 3 was the battle for two wheel drive honours and the title of Mark II challenge winner. On the opening test it was Wesley Patterson who got the upper hand with a slender 1 second lead from Daniel Mc Kenna and Andrew Grennan with Frank Kelly on the pace in 3^rd. Gary Mc Phillips had Donal Barrett on the notes for this event (Donal is regular navigator for Donegal’s Manus Kelly) but they were struggling with suspension woes through the opening loop and doing well to stay in contention with the top 3. Stage two saw the demise of Patterson, which left Daniel and Andrew in control at the head of the mk2 challenge. By first service they were 17 seconds ahead of Frank Kelly with Mc Phillips 14 seconds further adrift. The middle loop would shake things up again as the Scanbitz escort experienced oil pressure problems as well as an engine miss-fire which saw them drop 21 seconds to the hard charging Kelly through these three stages. McPhillips/Barrett were now very much on the pace and trading times with Frank although a 23 second gap would be hard to pull back. The decision was taken at second service to retire the scanbitz escort of McKenna/Grennan to avoid any terminal damage. Placing’s remained the same over the final loop as Kelly/Brennan went on to lift the mk2 challenge trophy ahead of Gary Mc Phillips and Donal Barrett who finished 5^th o/a in the main field. Donegal cousins Declan and Brian Boyle were 3^rd two-wheel drive car home in 7^th over-all.

            The group N category was equally as competitive in Carlow as Colm Murphy returned to winning ways in his Impreza ahead of Monaghan’s Josh Moffatt and Domhall Lennon who finished in 9^th over-all. The second Maguire International Impreza of Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity had been 3^rd group N throughout the day but mechanical trouble forced their retirement on ss7, big disappointment for Shane following his first group N win in Monaghan three weeks prior.

            Ryan Lougheran and James McCarville were in contention in class 11 once again and finished 21^st over-all and 2^nd in class 11 behind the civic of Neil pierce and Jason Ollerenshaw. This result leaves Ryan and James in a strong position for class 11 honours in the Dunlop national championship. Damien Connolly teamed up with Ardee man Liam Bowhan for this event and had a steady run all day to finish 9^th in the highly competitive class 13. Stephen Rushe and Threemilehouses’ Conor Hagan put in a strong performance all day to finish 2^nd in class 10 in their Mk2 escort.

            Unfortunately the success of the Monaghan Stages deserted Seamus Connolly and Gary Mc Crudden on this occasion as their day ended on the opening test with engine trouble. Enda Mc Nulty and Paul Sheridan’s misfortunes in the new class 13 escort continued in Carlow as their day was also cut short with mechanical problems.   

 CARLOW CC MOUNT WOLSELEY HOTEL STAGES RALLY TOP 10

1 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Impreza WRC) 67m 38s

2 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Impreza WRC) 67m 52s

3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 67m 55s

4 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 69m 00s

5 Gary McPhillips/Donal Barrett (Escort) 69m 28s

6 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Impreza Gp N) 69m 55s

7 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Escort) 70m 05s

8 Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Escort) 70m 57s

9 Josh Moffett/Domhnall Lennon (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 71m 01s

10 Tom Cave/Craig Parry (Citroen DS3) 71m 23s

 

Motorsport Safety Team Group N Production class:

1 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery

2 Josh Moffett/Domhnall Lennon

3 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O’Hanlon (Impreza) 73m 59s.

 

Rally.ie Two wheel drive class:

1 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan

2 Gary McPhillips/Donal Barrett

3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle

 

Historics:

1 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort) 55m 21s

2 Dick Mauger/Steve McNulty (Escort) 57m 07s

3 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Cortina) 58m 23s

 

Juniors:

1 Chris Snow/Sean Brunton (Civic) 49m 15s

2 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Civic) 50m 20s

3 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Civic) 50m 21s

 

Co. Cavan Motor Club Stages Rally

Co. Cavan Motor Club will host their annual stages rally on Sunday 27^th May 2012. This year the event moves in a slightly different direction with the Bailie Hotel, Bailieboro being the main sponsor and HQ for this popular event. As always Monaghan Motor Club must return the favour of supplying up to 60 marshals for this event and this year is no exception. All club members (and friends) are asked to make themselves available if possible to marshal. Please contact any committee member to register your name.

 Monaghan’s Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes were crowned National Navigation Champions on Saturday night last at the annual prize giving ceremony in Portlaoise. The Smithborough/Ballybay crew claimed their first ever-National title after an intense battle throughout the winter. Last year’s Beginners class champions Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry from Longford were the surprise of the season as they mixed it with the experts throughout the series and duly finished as deserving runners-up.

 The Semi-Expert crew of Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston, also from Longford, finished 3^rd overall for the 2^nd successive year.

The championship consisted of 8 rounds featuring three events in Co. Cork, one each in Co Tipperary and Co Leitrim as well as three in Counties Cavan and Monaghan. A trio of Midland Motor Club crews and two Cork crews pushed the Monaghan pair all the way in what proved to be one of the more dramatic seasons in the championship. Victories on the Monaghan Drumlin and Skibbereen 100 Isles as well as three other top four finishes were the telling factor come season end.

Indeed, the prospects for the eventual champions were not good with 3 rounds remaining. Mechanical problems resulted in two consecutive non-finishes when well placed in both rounds 4 and 5. The win in Skibbereen turned the tables around and strong finishes on the final three rounds clinched it. Their achievement is well deserved having been runners-up on two previous occasions. Evin’s win follows that of his father Paul who also won the navigators title in 1996, the first time a father and son have won the same title.

Other Monaghan award winners were Richard Cassidy who was 2^nd placed driver in the expert class, while in the semi-expert class, Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly were 2^nd ahead of Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey in 3^rd.

 

Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship 2011/2012

Overall

1^st        Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes

2^nd        Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughrey

3^rd        Chris Kelly/Sam Johnson

 

Expert

1^st        Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors

2^nd        Richard Cassidy/Daire Hayes

3^rd        Joe Shinnors/Paul Phelan

 

Semi Expert

1^st        Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy

2^nd        Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly

3^rd        Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey

 

Novice

1^st        Ciaran McElroy/Muireann Hayes

2^nd        Alwyn White/Damien McCabe

3^rd        David Beamish/Adrian Tobin

 

Beginner

1^st        Shane Dalton/Sean Henehan

2^nd        Matt Shinnors/Michael Reilly

3^rd        David Forde/Catherine Levis