Author: monaghanmotorclub

Cavan Motor Club under the guidance of CoC Ashley McAdoo and Francis Keenan held their second navigation trial of the year on Saturday night last from Gallonreagh House in Maudabawn. With over-all and class honours still very much up for grabs in this years National and Squealing Pig Border Championships confidence was high amongst the expert and semi-expert competitors of an outright win. However the local novice crews had other ideas and it was Ciaran McElroy and Damian McCabe who led the field home albeit on the same penalties as local rivals Darren O’Brien and Thomas Wedlock. Both crews dropped their first penalties at time point 7 but the event winners Mc Elroy/Mc Cabe just edged in front on the furthest cleanest ruling as O’Brien/Wedlock dropped a further penalty at the next time point. Some may think that this result would be considered an upset but both these navigators are on serious form of late and are never far outside the top 5 on recent events. Veterans Richard Cassidy and Paul Phelan brought the trusty vectra home to a 3^rd over-all finish to silence some of their critics in the more powerful four wheel drive impreza’s.

Ashley and Francis were sure to use every trick in the book to catch out unsuspecting navigators and indeed they were at it as early as time point 1! Any navigator who plotted the shortest route to the first time point instead of using the tulip diagram provided would find himself or herself passing through time point 2, which was a plot and bash therefore picking up double visit penalties. This trick has never been used in recent times and Michael/Ciaran Tynan were first to fall foul of it along with seven other crews, the start of a bad night for this supposedly expert navigator! Time points 8 and 9 were also plot and bash with a lot of time loss for all crews. A well thought out route to be traversed saw the seconds tick by in an effort to reach tp7 without going into tp8 & 9 along the way, classic Ashley McAdoo tricks. Once again it was the expert crew of Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes who were setting the benchmark and held a commanding lead right up until tp23. Number 1 seeds Gareth Beagan and Stephen Thornton were also on a bad run missing tp 9 and taking an early clock in at tp16 whilst Andy Mackeral and Liam Higgins found themselves on a wrong approach to tp20. Event leaders Carbin/Hughes dropped back through time points 24 and the ITC section. Trevor Farrell and Noel Halls over joy at seeing Mackeral/Higgins take a wrong approach at 20 seems to have cost them the event win also as they never went to tp 21 at all! All in all none of the regular experts were having a good night.

The midlands crews could also fall into this category as Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston took a wrong approach at tp20, as did Packie and Colin Duffy. This was a plot and bash section with the approach and departures turned around, which affected no fewer than 10 crews. Back down the field the local novices were quietly but quickly getting round all the time points and keeping their noses clean so to speak. Ciaran McElroy and Damian McCabe ended the night as worthy winners with Darren O’Brien and Thomas Wedlock also using their local knowledge to good effect but still had to work out the entire plot and bash sections with minimal time loss.

Cassidy and Phelans 3^rd over-all merited them expert class winners ahead of Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes with Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins one penalty adrift in third. Monaghan’s Damien Treanor and Johnathan McGovern had a great result with a semi-expert class win but this could possibly have been the drive of the night had it not been for a wrong approach at tp20 also costing them the over-all win. Kelly/Johnston headed back to the midlands with 2^nd semi-expert with upcoming CoC’s Kevin Keenan and Barry Garvey 3^rd semi. With McElroy/McCabe taking the over-all win O’Brien/Wedlock had to settle for the novice class award with Donegal’s Karl Reid and Kieran Geaney taking 2^nd novice, also victims of a wrong approach at tp20. Dermot McGroary and Eamonn Doherty rounded off the top 3 in novice with a good run to 11^th over-all. The beginner’s class was a close affair with Aaron Duffy and Michael McCluskey coming out on top ahead of the midlands team of Shane Dalton and Micheal Reilly. 3^rd beginners went to Trevor McConnell and Ruaidri Nash.

Once again another great event run by Cavan MC and well done to Ashley and Francis and their many helpers in the Maudabawn area. All roads lead to Monaghan for the final round of this years National and Squealing Pig border navigation championships. Almost all of the over-all and class awards are still up for grabs so there is a lot to play for on Friday 16^th March in Ballinode, Co. Monaghan with first car away at the later time of 11pm.

 

Cavan MC Night Navigation Top 12

1/ Ciaran McElroy/Damien McCabe (Subaru Impreza) 13marks

2/ Daren O’Brien/Thomas Wedlock (Subaru Impreza) 13m

3/ Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 14m

4/ Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 23m

5/ Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 24m

6/ Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 25m

7/ Damien Treanor/Jonathan McGovern (Subaru Impreza) 26m

8/ Karl Reid/Ciaran Geaney (Subaru Impreza) 29m

9/ Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 30m

10/ Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 32m

11/ Dermot McGroary/Eamonn Doherty (Subaru Impreza) 46m

12/ Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey (Subaru Impreza) 48m

 

Breen back with a bang

Craig Breen and Gareth Roberts made a winning return to the Irish Rally scene on Saturday last with a dominant 3minute 21second win on the Carrick-on-Suir Willie Loughman Memorial Forestry Stages Rally. Craig in his S2000 fiesta was fastest on all 6 stages of the event, with the final three stages run under the shadow of darkness and a 9pm finish. Gary Jennings’ recent good form continued with 2^nd over-all and taking maximum points on this, the second round of the Valvoline Irish forestry championship following his win in the Donegal Forests.

There were three Monaghan crews in contention and they all finished inside the top seven finishers. Vincent and JP McAree finally got the finish they deserved after some disappointing results on recent events. 3^rd over-all on this occasion sees the McAree EVO 9 back in contention for the forestry championship after finishing 2^nd over-all last year. A great drive by Vincent and hopefully a sign of things to come for the McAree’s this year. Arthur Kierans was once again in the hot seat for Colin Britton also in an EVO 9 and they managed to come in 4^th over-all. Unfortunately for this crew a top three finish eluded them as they picked up a 2-minute penalty for late departure out of service. Nevertheless a good result and points haul towards their forestry campaign. Brother and sister pairing of Stephen and Suzanne Wright were back at it again in their older spec EVO 6 having opted out of the local fivemiletown forestry event the weekend before to finish 7^th over-all on his occasion. Unfortunately for the Swanns Cross pairing they could have finished much higher up the leader board but a small off on the first stage accounted for over 3 minutes time loss which would have easily seen them finish inside the top 5. Following a 2^nd over-all finish in the Donegal forests Stephen is obviously a little disappointed but is still very much in contention in this year’s championship.

 Kerry Men Tops in Birr

 Kerrymen Thomas Fitzmaurice and Fionn Foley took a 17 second win on last Sundays Birr Stages Rally. This event was the first round of the Dunlop National championship with 130 starters in the main field. Fitzmaurice and Foley took six of the nine fastest stage times in their S11 Subaru with their main opposition coming from Cork’s Brian O’Mahony and John Higgins, also in a WRC Subaru. Monaghan’s Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry kept the pressure on at the front throughout the day with top three stage times on all nine stages but eventually had to settle for 3^rd over-all, a valuable point’s haul at this early stage in the campaign.

Greasy and mucky conditions left the narrow roads around Abbeyleix in south Co. Laois very testing for all competitors and it was a mixed day of fortunes for the travelling local crews. Billy Coleman award winner Sam Moffett along with regular navigator James Reilly were on a great pace once again in their EVO to finish 8^th over-all and 3^rd in Group N. This Group N production class was won by Dublin’s Robert Barrable with Dermot O’Gorman on the notes in the Skoda Fabia, followed by Limericks Colm Murphy and Don Montgomery in 5^th over-all. Unfortunately Sam had all the luck in the Moffett team as brother Josh with Domhall Lennon on the notes were cruelly forced into retirement with mechanical trouble on the final stage while lying 11^th over-all. A new pairing for the 2012 season in the form of Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity finished in 11^th over-all and forth in class behind Sam.

Jim McKenna and Thomas Treanor had the all-new class 14 escort out for its second run after Galway and once again consistently climbed the leader board throughout the day to finish 21^st over-all. Paddy O’Reilly and Jim Casey had a day of dramas in the G5 escort but eventually finished in 34^th over-all. Michael Carbin and Barry Garvey took their peugeot 205 to the Laois roads and had a fine run all day to take a convincing class 10 win and 39^th over-all. Tyrone’s Ryan Loughran was once again partner by James McCarville in the class 11 escort but they battled mechanical gremlin’s through the early stages but managed to finish 42^nd, setting some good stage times through the latter stages. Stonebridge man Peter Deery got a late call up to sit with Tipperary’s Liam Graham and they finished in 73^rd over-all in a class 11 civic.

Mickey Conlon had a weekend to forget as he failed to finish the first stage with an off resulting in retirement, this following a non-finish the previous day in fivemiletown forest when a front hub became dislodged.

 

Birr & District Motor Club Top 10

1/ Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Impreza WRC) 75m 59s,

2/  Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Impreza WRC) 76m 16s,

3/ Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 77m 00s,

4/ Robert Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Skoda Fabia S2000) 77m 16s,

5/ Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Impreza Gp N) 77m 34s,

6/ Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 78m 36s,

7/ Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 78m 47s,

8/ Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 79m 01s,

9/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Escort) 79m 18s,

10/ Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Escort) 79m 31s.

 

Rally.ie 2 wheel drive class

1/ Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan,

2/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle,

3/ Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery.

 

Historics

1/ P J O’Dowd/John Young (Sunbeam) 52m 35s,

2/ Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort) 53m 55s,

3/ Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Cortina) 55m 30s.

 

Juniors

1/ Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Civic) 58m 26s,

2/ Christopher Snow/Sean Brunton (Civic) 58m 37s,

3/ Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Civic) 58m 42s.

 

Jennings Wins Omagh MC Spring Rally

Gary Jennings’ dominant start to 2012 was replicated once again on Saturday last with a convincing win on the Omagh MC Spring Rally based around the gravel forests of Fivemiletown. The Kesh man added this win to an over-all win on the recent Donegal Forestry along with a group N win and 4^th over-all in Galway recently. Once again Gary with Enniskillens Barry McNulty on the notes hired a group N Subaru for this event. Aghabog’s Arthur Kierans was navigating for Colin Britton and finished a fine 2^nd over-all, only 16 seconds adrift of Jennings. With this weekends Carrick on Suir forestry stages on Sunday next, both crews should be hot on the pace and Britton will be looking to go one better on the second round of the Irish Forestry series. Omaghs Mark Donnelly and Tommy Nugent finished 3^rd over-all, only 24 seconds off the pace after the eight-stage event.

            Regular pairing of Enda McNulty and Paul Sheridan had to settle for 5^th over-all but once again showed great pace as only 37 seconds separated the top 5 placings. As per usual the two-wheel drive battle was fierce as Frank Kelly once again showed he is the man to beat on the gravel, finishing 7^th over-all. Despite being in a less powerful car, Fivemiletown’s Shane McGirr and Niall Connolly set some blistering times throughout the day and were only 4 seconds off Frank Kelly in the end. Seamus O’Connell and Sean Magee rounded off the top three in the two-wheel drive category in 12^th over-all as regular escort contender Adrian Hetherington was forced into retirement with gearbox trouble.

            Brendan Comiskey and Conor Foley had a steady run throughout the day to finish in 11^th over-all. Jon Armstrong with Monaghan’s Emmet Sherry on the notes had a fantastic run through the Fermanagh Forests to finish 13^th over-all and class winners in the Fiesta ST. This being Jon’s first real stages event, and even set a third fastest stage time along he way. Next up was the fun seeking pairing of Andy Mackarel and Raymond Conlon in the EVO 4. Following on from lasts years run in the V6 calibra, Andy decided on the Evo for this year and they had an enjoyable run to 14^th over-all.

            Unfortunately that’s where the luck ran out for the local crews as Vincent and JP McAree once again tried their luck in the northern forests but to no avail. Having set an excellent pace on the first stage the Ballinode/Carrickmacross cousins were forced into retirement with engine malfunction. Mickey Conlon had Jackie Elliott in the passengers seat but disaster struck on the 3^rd stage when the front right stub seems to have broken, loosing a wheel and forcing them into retirement whilst on a good pace also. Scotstowns Jonathan Treanor partnered Donegal’s Andrew McLoone in his high powered escort but their day was also short lived as they slid off on a mucky section of corners and with no spectators around to push they were there for the day.

 

Cavan Motorclub Night Navigation

All roads lead to Gallonreagh House, Maudabawn outside Cootehill this Saturday night for the penultimate rounds of both the National and Squealing Pig border navigation championships. CoC for the event is Ashly McAdoo and any marshals available for a time point are asked to be at HQ before 8pm. Full report next week

Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes made their trip North to Churchill in Donegal worthwhile when they came home with the over-all win on Donegal Motor Clubs counting round of the Squealing Pig border navigation championship on Saturday night last. There were 11 Monaghan crews amongst the 28 starters and indeed it could be fair to say that the event was dominated by Monaghan crews as they took all three podium places. CoC and regular navigation competitor James Greenan and his team laid on a fantastic route which took competitors into North Donegal through some famous Donegal International stages such as Garrygort and over Loughsalt mountain.

            This event had some 80 miles of tough competitive terrain, which had it all, jumps, crests, through rivers, across mountains and over fields. Event winners Carbin and Hughes didn’t have it easy by any means and only won the event by the narrowest of margins from Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins. Early leaders Garreth Beagan and Stephen Thornton were in control up to time point 27 but they slid off a narrow gravel lane onto a steep hill where they found themselves stuck. Unfortunately for them they were forced to drop 4 time points, which put them out of contention. Michael and Ciaran Tynan finished 3^rd over-all on the night, a welcome result considering they had 3 non-finishes on the past few events although they had no 2^nd gear for the last 30 mile. Donegal men Conor Harvey and Kevin McDaid took 3^rd in the expert class and 6^th over-all. Once again the midlands competitors weren’t very far away as Packie and Colin Duffy took the semi-expert class honours and 4^th over-all, closely followed by Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston in 5^th. Sean McKenna and Gary Farrelly rounded off the top 3 in the semi class. Cork woman Muireann Hayes confirmed her dedication to the sport of night navigation as she made the long trip North to Donegal and came away with the novice class win, driven by Monaghan’s Stephen Wright. Midlands’s men Shane Dalton and Nigel Cloughrey were 2^nd in novice ahead of Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin in 3^rd.

            Trevor McConnell and Ruaidhri Nash topped the beginner’s class ahead of Ivan Simms and Charlie Gallagher. Other locals to make the trip included Arthur and Mac Kierans but their luck had to run out sometime when their gearbox gave up at time point 12. Shane Maguire and Enda Sherry were also another crew not to finish and ended up doing taxi back to HQ for Maudabawn men Damian O’Reilly and Thomas Wedlock who ended up sliding off into a bog. James McCarville and Fintan Sherry also left their luck in Monaghan as their clutch gave in. Dara Kelly was navigating for Donegal local Caolan Gaffney but they ran out of road heading to time point 16. Well done to James Greenan, Aidan Friel and all their helpers in Donegal for a challenging and competitive event.

So with two rounds of the Squealing Pig border navigation championship left, things are very much still wide open for over-all and class honours with Andy and Liam holding the advantage but anything can happen over the final two rounds. Next up is Cavan on 3^rd March, running from Gallonreagh House in Maudabawn. Regs and entry form on Cavan Motor Club website.

 

Donegal Motor Club Navigation Top 10

1/ Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 5 marks

2/ Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 6m

3/ Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 13m

4/ Packie Duffy/Colin Duffy(Subaru Impreza) 25m

5/ Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 28m

6/ Conor Harvey/Kevin McDaid (Subaru Impreza) 42m

7/ Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 45m

8/ Stephen Wright/Muireann Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 51m

9/ Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 66m

10/ Shane Dalton/Nigel McCloughery (Subaru Impreza) 72m

 

Ferguson Wins Hewison Autotest

Monaghan Motor club held their annual club autotest on Sunday last. Once again Wrights Quarry at Swanns Cross was the ideal venue and CoC Brendan Flynn set out some difficult and demanding tests for both Hewison and Clubman competitors. The weather conditions were ideal as the slippey concrete surface dried out throughout the day. Top Hewison competitor and reigning champion Stephen Ferguson added another win to his trophy collection in Monaghan with a 7 second winning margin in his mini special. These high-powered pocket rockets are indeed a sight to behold as they handbrake and slide around the tight tests set out. This win leaves Stephen almost certain to retain the hewison autotest championship. Sam Bowden in a more familiar looking mini was 2^nd with David Thompson 3^rd in a nova. Prize giving followed the event in Aghabog Gaa complex where Stephen thanked the club for a well-organised event in an ideal location. There were 5 other class awards up for grabs on the day amongst the hewison competitors with Sam Bowden winning class A. Class B was won by Robin Lyons in a mini special with Trevor Ferguson winning class C . David Thompson was the winner of class D and Jamie McMillan won class E&F.

            There were 11 starters for the clubman’s class with separate tests to the hewison competitors. Coc Brendan Flynn certainly upped the ante this year with 3 separate tests, all of which were more complex than previous years. Winner on the day was Andy Mackarel in his “slightly” modified Toyota starlet to leave him with two wins on the opening two rounds of this years traders club championship. Daniel McKenna swapped his high powered escort for the slightly more reserved Nissan micra but still managed to make the Scanbitz/Halls Cows backed micra slide round the tests to take 2^nd over-all. Last year’s winner, Richard Cassidy was 3^rd in his micra, which was co-driven by Stephen Wright. Kieran McCarra made a return to the autotest this year having won it in the past and finished a creditable 4^th. Ciaran Tynan was double driving the scanbitz micra and took 5^th over-all with Stephen Wright in 6^th. Young Mac Kierans got behind the wheel for the first time and without doubt showed great car control on the first time of trying to finish in 7^th. Garreth Beagan finish in 8^th place, double driving Andy’s starlet with the Peugeot 205 of Michael Carbin finishing 9^th followed by Robert Moyna in 10^th also in the 205. Mark Hamill was also a first timer at the auto test and enjoyed his day in the corsa to finish 11^th.

            Once again, well done to all the award winners and to Coc Brendan for a well run event. Brendan would like to take the opportunity to thank all hewison and club members for their support. To David Wright of Wrights Quarry for the use of his premises, which is popular with all the competitors. Also a big thank you to event sponsors, the Northern Standard for their continued support. Brendan would also like to thank the many marshals who turned up on the day, the rain may have stayed away but it was a cold day to be standing around nonetheless. Also a big thank you to Aghabog GAA and the ladies who made the soup and sandwiches, they were much appreciated! Thanks also to Cora doing results and to anyone else who helped out in any way prior to and on the day of the event. 

 

Hewison Autotest Championship Top 5

1/ Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 641.8secs

2/ Sam Bowden (Mini) 648.2s

3/ David Thompson (Nova) 678.8s

4/ Robin Lyons (Mini Special) 678.8s

5/ Guy Foster (Mini) 681.1s

Traders Club Members Class

1/ Andrew Mackarel (Starlet) 376.62secs

2/ Daniel McKenna (Micra) 379.39s

3/ Richard Cassidy (Micra) 395.77s

4/ Kieran McCarra (Corsa) 401.78s

5/ Ciaran Tynan (Micra) 402.45s

6/ Stephen Wright (Micra) 404.12s

7/ Mac Kierans (Micra) 404.24s

8/ Garreth Beagan (Starlet) 410.43s

9/ Michael Carbin (Peugeot) 413.50s

10/ Robert Moyna (Peugeot) 422.07s

11/ Mark Hamill (Corsa) 455.75s

 

Local knowledge seems to have paid off once again as Midland Motor Club men Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston took their third midlands navigation win in a row on Saturday night last. CoC Michael Reilly and his team set out a compact and very demanding 80 mile route with both competitors and cars tested to the max. The midlands men had a 17 penalty winning margin from fellow club men Packie and Colin Duffy with veteran navigation men Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins 3^rd.

            With weather conditions a far cry from the snow and ice of last year’s trial in the same area, confidence was high amongst the 32 strong entry, which departed the “Marquee in Drumlish” at 9.01pm.  Time points 3, 4 and 5 saw the same lanes traversed twice with what can only be described as the narrowest entrance to a cow shed ever ensuring vital time loss for all crews. Kelly and Johnston took the early lead by only dropping 3 through this section and a further 2 at tp8 but Packie and Colin Duffy took over a the top at tp12. The Duffy’s held the lead up until tp26 where they found themselves stuck and required tractor assistance to get back on solid ground. Andy and Liam were consistent throughout the night and were forced to drop time points, like everyone else but their persistence paid off with 3^rd over-all and an expert class win. The ever competitive Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes were in 4^th and second expert ahead of the ever trying Trevor Farrell and Noel Hall. Border championship leaders prior to this event were Garreth Beagan and Stephen Thornton but they had to settle for 4^th expert and 9^th over-all on this tough event. Michael and Ciaran Tynan were forced to drop 12 time points through the middle part of the event after their Subaru beached on a grassy lane and required the help of back markers to get back on the road, eventually finishing 5^th expert.

With Chris and Sam taking the over-all win, Colin and Packie Duffy lifted the semi-expert class award. Damian Treanor and Jonathan McGovern continued their good form of late to take 2^nd in semi and 10^th over-all ahead of Sean McKenna and Gary Farrelly, both of these crews loosing time coming to the aid of the stricken Tynan’s. The novice class was a much closer affair with Arthur and Mac Kierans taking a slender win and 5^th over-all ahead of Ciaran McElroy and Maudabawn man Damien McCabe. Stephen Wright once again teamed up with Cork woman Muireann Hayes and battled the elements to take a fine 3^rd in novice class and 8^th over-all.

On what was probably a night to forget for any beginner, Cootehill’s Gerry and Aaron McIntyre led the field home with their first class win ahead of Jeremy O’Connor and Garry Hughes with midlands men Sean Mullervy and Seamus McTiegue 3^rd.

That’s midlands done and dusted for another season and it’s off to Donegal next weekend for the 5^th round of this popular Squealing Pig Border Navigation championship.

Midlands Motor Club Navigation Top 12

1 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 67 marks

2 Packie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 84m

3 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 112m

4 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 164m

5 Arthur Kierans/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 171m

6 Ciaran McElroy/Damien McCabe (Subaru Impreza) 179m

7 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 195m

8 Stephen Wright/Muireann Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 201m

9 Garreth Beagan/Stephen Thornton (Subaru Impreza) 279m

10 Damien Treanor/Jonathan McGovern (Subaru Impreza) 280m

11 Karl Reid/Ciaran Geaney (Subaru Legacy) 285m

12 Francis Keenan/Martin Swinburne (Subaru Impreza) 288m

Monaghan Motor Club Autotest

Sunday next sees Monaghan Motor Club host their annual Autotest. This is a counting round of the Hewison Trophy as well as the 2^nd round of the club trader’s championship. Proceedings will get under way with sign-on from 11 o’clock and tests starting at 11.30 sharp. Prize giving will follow straight after the event in Aghabog GAA complex. CoC Brendan Flynn would ask that any marshals available on the day to please make contact with him as soon as possible. Once again the venue for this years auto test is Wrights Quarry at Swanns Cross and the event is also kindly sponsored by the Northern Standard. Regs and entry forms are available on the club website at www.monaghanmotorclub.net All club members are reminded that this is a counting round of the Traders club championship and you must be registered prior to the event to get points. So why not come along and enjoy the spectacle of seeing the hewison trophy competitors handbrake their purpose built specials through the tight tests, as well as have a laugh at our club members pretend they know what there at in all sorts of modified cars.

Donegal Motor Club Navigation Trial

All roads lead to Churchill, Co. Donegal this Saturday night for round 5 of the Squealing Pig Border navigation championship. CoC James Greenan and his team have been hard at work planning a 110 mile route, which is sure to test both man and machine. With this years championship still wide open and 3 rounds remaining its sure to be competitive from the off, with the local Donegal men certain to be in contention amongst the border championship front runners. Full report next week.

Today FM Shave or Dye Charity

Club member Adrian Flynn is taking part in this year’s Today FM backed shave or dye charity event. Proceeds of this fundraiser go towards the Irish Cancer Society. If you would like to help Adrian raise funds for this worthy cause just log onto mycharity.ie and click the sponsor a friend link.

Armagh driver Darren Gass, navigated by Monaghan’s Enda Sherry took a memorable win on last Sundays Galway International Rally. Based around the sleepy North Galway town of Headford this event attracted large crowds, due to the quality of men and machines on display. After what can only be described as a dramatic finish it was Gass and Sherry who took a slender 1.3 second win in their S10 Impreza ahead of the hard charging Eugene Donnelly and Paddy Toner in the all new and impressive Mini Cooper WRC. Tim Mc Nulty had to settle for 3rd a further 5 seconds in arrears having led for most of the event. Last years double Rally champion McNulty led the field away for the first stage on the Dyke road in Galway city. Then it was on to Headford for 9 demanding stages through the stone walled roads of North Galway. McNulty drew first blood and led the event by 22 seconds at first service after stage 4 with Donnelly 2nd and Gass 3rd. The mini picked up a puncture through stage 6 and dropped almost a minute to its rivals but it was McNulty who made the ultimate mistake sliding into a stone wall and bending the steering. This mistake cost him valuable seconds through the final loop of three stages and with Gass and Sherry posting some serious times they duly obliged and went through to take the lead on ss9. Taking a cautious approach to the final stage Darren and Enda almost slacked off too much as Donnelly’s mini posted a time almost 16 seconds quicker than the Subaru. But the Armagh youngster had done just enough and they were crowned Safety Direct Galway International Rally winners for 2012. In the group N category it was Gary Jennings and Rory Kennedy who dominated the class finishing in 4th over-all ahead of this years Billy Coleman award winner Sam Moffett with James O’Reilly on the notes. Donagh Kelly took 3rd in group N but just behind was a mini battle between young Josh Moffett and Stephen Wright, both in Evo 9’s. Josh, with Ardee man Domhall Lennon navigating just edged through with a 9 second margin over Stephen and Suzanne Wright who had hired the EVO 9 for the day. Both these young Monaghan crews showing great signs for the future. In the national section of the event its was Monaghan crews who started as number 1 and 2 seeds with Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan leading off the field ahead of Gary McPhillips with Martin McGarrity on the notes. Unfortunately the large crowds who turned out to watch these entertaining and highly powered escorts were to be left a little disappointed as the greasy Galway roads were to account for many a victim. For McPhillips/McGarrity the rally was over before it really begun as their escort slid wide and a resulting burst fuel tank meant the escort was sidelined for the day. Mc Kenna and Grennan were posting top two wheel drive times but an over shoot into a junction on ss5 saw the Scanbitz escort hit a stone wall. At stage finish it became apparent that the oil cooler was damaged and while they managed to by-pass it they were late to next control, picking up a 2-minute penalty, which ultimately dropped them to 4th over-all in the national by the end of the day. The national section of the rally was eventually won by Donegal’s Declan and Brian Boyle, only 2.5 seconds ahead of Tom Flaherty in a similar escort. The hard charging John Hendy and Alan White were 3rd in a class 13 twin cam corolla. It was a case of pick up where we left off last year for Aghabogs Arthur and Mac Kierans as they had a superb run to finish 5th over-all in the national , almost 3 minutes ahead of there nearest class rival. Indeed worth noting that this finish was 13th over-all when all results were grouped together for both national and international competitors. A great start to the new season for the Border Champions. Jim Mc Kenna and Thomas Treanor were on a steep learning curve on this event in their all new black escort. As Jim made the transition from starlet to escort his times improved with every stage and is sure to be at one with the immaculate escort after a few more events. 2nd in class 14 and 12th over-all a great start to the year for Jim and Thomas. Martin Connolly was navigating for Donegal’s Gary McElhinney in a class 13 escort and slid their way to 18th over-all and 3rd in class 13. Although had it not been for a puncture on ss9 this result could have been a whole lot better. Next up was Barry McKenna and James McCarville in the New Holland backed escort, finishing 18th over-all, although they battled with the stone walls of Galway along the way and could have been higher up the pecking order! Brendan and Vincent Mc Aree were amongst the historic runners in their powerful Porsche RS and seemed to have a great day out. This car must be one of the top historic cars in Ireland at present and the distinct noise of the Porsche through the Galway lanes was unique. Brendan and Vincent had a great run to 3rd over-all in the historic’s and winners of class C4. That’s Galway over for another year and as the old saying goes once Galway springs into action, the rally season is well and truly started for 2012. Well done to all local crews who made it to the West. Wright’s on the Money in Donegal Brother and sister pairing of Stephen and Suzanne Wright had a superb first outing of the New Year on the recent Donegal Forestry Rally. Stephen had a faultless drive all day in the EVO 6 to finish in 2nd over-all ahead of more powerful and experienced competitors. Stephen and Suzanne were just edged out of top spot by the formidable Gary Jennings in a hired Subaru WRX. This was the first round of the Valvoline Irish Forestry championship and this result bodes well for the forthcoming season for the Wrights. Aghabog’s Arthur Kierans swapped seats for this event to sit with Colin Britton in his EVO 9. They too had an excellent run to finish 3rd over-all, just one second ahead of the hard charging Donegal man Conor Harvey in his new EVO 9. Unfortunately that’s where the luck ran out for the travelling Monaghan competitors as number 1 seed’s Vincent McAree partnered by Damian Connolly failed to finish with mechanical woes. Paul Sheridan who was navigating for the competitive Enda Mc Nulty in a Subaru WRX and seeded at number 2 also failed to make first service with mechanical problems. Andrew Grennan headed for Donegal to sit with Seamus O’Connell in his new high-powered escort but their charge faltered before it even began with a broken half shaft en route to the first stage. Brendan Cumiskey with Conor Foley on the notes failed to make it out of stage 7 while lying seventh over-all.

Carbin and Hughes Joint Winners in Cork

 Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes got their National navigation title charge back on track in Skibbereen on Saturday night last. The pairing managed to keep a clean sheet throughout the night to tie for the win with local Cork men Alan and George Shinnors. Regular national contenders, Richard Cassidy and Paul Phelans bad run of luck continued with suspension problems resulting in two flat wheels. Despite Richards best efforts and driving almost 30 miles of the event on a flat front wheel they were forced into retirement. With two rounds remaining in this competitive championship it’s the Midlands novice pairing of Darren Quinn and Nigel McCloughery who hold a 12-point lead ahead of fellow midlands pairing of Packie and Colin Duffy. Michael and Evin are now up to 3rd over-all but with dropped rounds and bonus points to come into effect, all is to play for over the remaining rounds. Skibbereen and District CC 100 Isles Navigation Top 12 1 (tie) Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) and Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 0 marks, 3 Ger Fitzgerald/Daire Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 1m 4 David Beamish/Muireann Hayes (Toyota Carina) 2m 5 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Legacy) 3m 6 Brian O’Mahony/David Swanton (Vauxhall Vectra) 9m 7 Steven Clarke/Michelle McCarthy (Opel Corsa) 20m 8 Joseph Shinnors/Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 25m 9 Andrew Beamish/Eoghan McCarthy (Nissan Sunny) 29m 10 Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin (Mazda 626) 34m 11 Jason Coulter/Diarmuid O’Donovan (Peugeot 205) 40m 12 Dermot Whelton/Barry O’Sullivan (VW Golf) 47m

Midlands Navigation Trial

 All roads lead to Drumlish, Co. Longford this Saturday night for the second midlands navigation trial of the season. This event is co-promoted by Midlands and Westmeath motor clubs and is the fourth counting round of the Squealing Pig border navigation championship. Coc for the event is Micheal Reilly and is sure to lay on a testing route. Full report next week.

 Monaghan Motor Club Autotest

 Once again the time is near for Monaghan Motor Clubs annual Autotest. Yet again Brendan Flynn has stepped in as CoC with the ideal surroundings of Wrights Quarry at Swanns Cross the venue. The Northern Standard will kindly sponsor this event and Brendan would ask that any marshals available on the day to please make contact with him as soon as possible. Regs and entry forms are available on the club website at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net All club members are reminded that this is a counting round of the Traders club championship and you must be registered prior to the event to get points. Sign on is from 11 o’clock with competition starting at 12 noon sharp. All competitors are urged to send their entries in early.

 Today FM Shave or Dye Charity Club member Adrian Flynn is taking part in this year’s Today FM backed shave or dye charity event. Proceeds of this fundraiser go towards the Irish Cancer Society. If you would like to help Adrian raise funds for this worthy cause just log onto mycharity.ie and click the sponsor a friend link.