Author: monaghanmotorclub

Josh Moffett, ably navigated by James Fulton, finished a fine 8^th overall on last weekend’s Rzeszow Rally in Poland. The pair piloted the Combilft backed Fiesta R5 to a solid top ten result which was 4^th amongst the Under 28 Category in the European Rally Championship.

The Rzeszow Rally is an extremely specialised event with some of the fastest and most committed tarmac roads in Europe. The Monaghan/Cavan pair settled into a solid 9^th place over the opening two 20km stages mixing it with the local crews. Josh found the speed of the stages particularly challenging. After another two tests, Moffett maintained 9^th overnight. Six stages made up day two and Moffett continued to up his pace with a 6^th fastest time on stage eight being a highlight. A consistent final loop brought them back in 8^th place and 4^th amongst the ERC under 28 crews. Josh was thankful to his service crew for setting up the car for the challenging tests.

The pair’s next event will be the classic Barum Ziln Rally in the Czech Rep.

Dogleap Stages

On the Shackleton-based Dogleap Stages, Mac Kierans guided Andy Bustard to 14^th overall. John McQuaid/Thomas Treanor finished 19^th overall.

Endurance Trial

The annual Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial is scheduled for Sunday next 13^th August, based at the Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan. Clerk of the Course Fintan Keenan is busy finalising arrangements for what is shaping up to be another challenging and exciting event. Regulations are available for download on www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Sam Moffett moved a step closer to a triple crown of Irish championships with overall victory on the Cork Forestry Rally. Darragh Kelly joined forces with Moffett for the first time on this event. The Monaghan pair led the event from start to finish despite losing lots of time with a puncture on the 16km Stage 3. Moffett is right in contention for this championship which he hopes to add to the National title claimed earlier this month.

Arthur Kiernas guided Fermanagh’s Johnny Leonard to 2nd overall in their Lancer. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips took 10th overall and 2nd in class 13. Kaine Treanor guided John O’Sullivan to 19th overall and victory in the Junior class. Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes finished 23rd overall and 4th in class.

McGetrick Wins Autocross

Visiting driver John McGetrick was the overall winner of the Monaghan Motor Club Autocross, held at the Hut Cross Track at Latton on Sunday 30th July. Piloting an Adrenal Buggy, he held off the challenge from Paul Garry in a Casmat Buggy to win by the slender margin of 1.1 seconds.

The honour of best club member went to Martin Tynan in his Evo 8, finishing ahead of his father Mickey in another Evo. As a round of the 5 Star Catering National Championship, the event attracted competitors from as far away as Cork and Kerry, who enjoyed the competitive fare on offer.

Conditions were excellent on the day despite the gloomy weather forecast and the event ran like clockwork under the watchful eye of Clerk of the Course Shane Maguire. Shane expressed thanks to his team of marshals, officials and Cavan Motor Club for the use of the venue.

Results
Best time of day (Special): John McGettrick (Adrenal Special) 350.61s,
Best time of day (Saloon): Joseph Smith (Escort) 372.28s.
Class winners: Alan Pickens (Nova), Shane Marron (Escort), Martin McAteer
(Escort), Walter Burke (Escort), Martin Tynan (Lancer Evo 8), Ronan Mackle
(Semog Buggy), Paul Garry (Casmat).

Tyrone Stages Rally

A number of Monaghan competitors competed on the Tyrone Stages Rally, a counting round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship. Damien Connolly joined forces with Peader Hurson on their first event for some time. Despite this they were fastest on the opening stage. They slipped back during the day to finish 3rd overall.

James McCarville/Paddy McCrudden stormed through the stages to take 16th overall and 1st in class. Paddy Quinn/Keith McConnan retired on the opening stage.

Endurance Trial

The annual Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial is scheduled for Sunday 13th August. Clerk of the Course Fintan Keenan is busy finalising arrangements for what is shaping up to be another challenging and exciting event. Regulations will be available for download on http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net

The next event in the Monaghan Motor Club calendar is the annual Autocross, which is scheduled for Sunday 30th July. Clerk of the Course is Shane Maguire and the venue is the Hut Cross track at Latton, courtesy of Cavan Motor Club. This is a counting round of the 5 Star Catering National Loose Surface Autocross Championship. Event regulations are available for download on http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Endurance Trial

The annual Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial is scheduled for Sunday 13th August. Clerk of the Course Fintan Keenan is busy finalising arrangements for what is shaping up to be another challenging and exciting event. Regulations will be available for download on http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson have won the 2017 Triton National Rally Championship. The Monaghan/Cork pairing made it six wins out of six thanks to overall victory on the Sligo Stages Rally on Sunday last 9^th July. The event was also a counting round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. With the best six rounds counting, Moffett/Atkinson’s total cannot be beaten even with two rounds remaining. It’s been a faultless year for the pair and they have dominated the National Championship right from the opening round.

Sligo attracted a healthy entry of over 100 crews for the nine stage event. Moffett/Atkinson were once again fastest on the opening stage, but the Donegal cousins, Declan & Brian Boyle, took the lead on stage two. The Boyle’s maintained a narrow lead before being sidelined on stage six. This left Moffett/Atkinson with a comfortable one minute lead over 2^nd placed Desi Henry. The Fiesta pairing eased home over the final loop to secure their first National Rally title with maximum points.

Henry/Liam Moynihan finished 2^nd overall on the day with former champion, Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry a strong 3^rd. Josh Moffett/James Fulton took 4^th overall in their R5 Fiesta with Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane in 6^th in their Skoda R5. Shane Maguire/Darragh Kelly took another Group N win and 9^th overall in their Lancer. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips took class 13 honours and 13^th overall. Conlon maintains his overall lead in the Border Championship.

Emmet Sherry guided Tommy O’Connell to 27^th overall and 4^th in class 13. Johnny Treanor with new navigator Damien Fleming, took overall victory in the Junior class which kept their championship hopes alive. Jason Black/Jack McKenna took 2^nd place in their Starlet, also winning the Border Drive of the Day award.

Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden retired on the opening loop as did Gary Cassidy/Paul Kelly & Michael Brennan/Ryan Brennan.

Monaghan Autocross

The next event in the Monaghan Motor Club calendar is the annual Autocross, which is scheduled for Sunday 30^th July. Clerk of the Course is Shane Maguire and the venue is the Hut Cross track at Latton, courtesy of Cavan Motor Club. Event regulations will be available for download on www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Paul Sheridan took overall victory on last weekend’s ALMC Stages Rally alongside Cavan man Jonathan Pringle. The event was not a round of domestic Rally Championships and attracted a small but competitive field. The pair put in a late entry for the event and were involved in a close battle with the Escort of Armagh brothers Damien & Martin Toner. At the finish of the nine stage event, the Cavan/Monaghan pairing came home 8.4 seconds clear.

Pringle/Sheridan were involved in a close battle with the Subaru WRC of Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty over the opening stages. After the latter’s retirement on stage six, Pringle/Sheridan were able to hold off the challenges of the Toner’s to secure the overall win. Martin Connolly guided Liam Bowhan to fine 5th overall and 1st in class in their Starlet. Gary Cassidy/Paul Kelly charged to 6th overall and 2nd in class in their Civic on their best run yet.

Jack McKenna guided Jason Black to 10th overall and 1st in class in their Starlet. His father, Barry McKenna returned to the stages with navigator Mac Kierans. They finished 15th overall and 3rd in class 13.