Author: monaghanmotorclub

Longford’s Pakie Duffy and Ballybay navigator Evin Hughes took overall victory on last weekend’s Cavan Navigation Trial, based at Maudabawn. The event was the penultimate round of both the National & Border Night Navigation Championships. The pair came home two penalties clear of the opposition after one of the toughest navigation events this season. This win was enough to clinch another National title for the pair with one round remaining.

 

COC Thomas Wedlock ably assisted by his cousin Andrew, laid out a challenging 75 mile route through some classic navigation terrain in East Cavan. The opening section which included a visit to Wedlock’s yard and a tricky tulip diagram at Mountain Lodge caught out a number of crews. Duffy/Hughes and Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan were level pegging on two penalties each at this point. Another tulip diagram between TP17 and TP19 also proved challenging while TP23 was missed by the majority of the field after failing to find a hidden slot to the timepoint. Cassidy & Phelan moved into a clear lead at this point from Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey & Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin.

 

The lead changed hands dramatically over the closing timepoints. Plot & Bash at TP30 & TP31 were back in Wedlock’s yard and caught out a number of crews with Cassidy/Phelan the main victims. McConnon/McCluskey dropped out of contention after going OTL. Tynan/Clerkin held the lead right to the final timepoint but missed their slot and arrived at the timepoint with a wrong approach.

 

So it was Duffy & Hughes who took overall honours with a two penalty advantage over Michael & Ciaran Tynan. This result kept the Tynans in the hunt for the Border Championship title with the final round in Monaghan in a fortnight’s time. Tynan/Clerkin had to settle for third overall with Cassidy/Phelan 4^th and Semi-Expert class winners, Eoghan Corr/Ruaidhri Nash in 5^th.

 

McConnon/McCluskey & Peter Farrell/Shane Farrell finished 2^nd and 3^rd Semi-Expert respectively. Novice class honours went to Aiden Sherry/Oisin Sherlock from Mark Deery/Patrick O’Leary and Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan. Philip & Conor Smyth won the Beginner’s class from fellow locals John Agnew/Alan Cullinan and Hugh McBrien/Patrick Corcoran.

 

Results

 

1 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 37 marks,
2 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 39m,
3 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 46m,
4 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 49m,
5 Eoghan Corr/Ruaidhri Nash (Subaru Impreza) 75m,
6 Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey (Subaru Impreza) 81m,
7 Aidan Sherry/Oisin Sherlock (Subaru Impreza) 107m,
8 Brendan Treanor/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 116m,
9 Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 124m,
10 Philip Smith/Conor Smith (Subaru Forester) 126m,
11 Mark Deery/Patrick O’Leary (Subaru Impreza) 132m,
12 Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 139m.

 

 

 

Fivemiletown Spring Rally

 

Omagh Motor Club hosted their annual Spring Rally based in the forests around Fivemiletown last Saturday. The clubman event was well supported with over 70 entries for the event. Sam Moffett & Jason McKenna used the event as a test session prior to their BRC Championship assault next weekend. The pair took their R5 Fiesta to a comfortable 48 second win from the Lancer of Mark Donnelly & Stephen O’Hanlon. Josh Moffett/John Rowan were forced to retire whilst leading.

 

Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey finished 7^th overall in their Lancer. Robert Moffett & James O’Reilly finished 13^th overall in the WRC Fiesta. Emmet Sherry guided Tommy O’Connell to 18^th overall in their Ford Escort. Arthur Kierans guided Marty McKenna to 20^th overall in his Subaru WRC on his first event since his huge off at the Glens rally two years ago. Johno Doogan/Ciaran Marron finished 23^rd overall and 2^nd in class in their Escort. Damien Hagan/Conor Hagan took 33^rd overall with Maurice Moffett/Martin Connolly in 35^th place.

 

Results

 

1 Sam Moffett/Jason McKenna (Ford Fiesta R5) 31:31.0
2 Mark Donnelly /Stephen O’Hanlon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) 32:19.0
3 Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 32:44.0
4 Frank Kelly/Sean Ferris (Ford Escort MkII) 32:44.0
5 Frank O’Brien /Steven O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 32:44.0
6 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet) 32:45.0
7 Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV) 33:09.0
8 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Ford Escort MkII) 33:12.0
9 Vivian Hamill/Paul Hamill (Ford Escort MkII) 33:17.0
10 Niall Henry/Damien Duffin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) 33:20.0

 

It was a great weekend for Monaghan Motor Club as three members finished in the top two places at last weekend’s Birr Motor Club Stages Rally, which was based in Abbeyleix. The event attracted an entry of approximately 90 cars, despite the fact that it was not a round of the National Rally Championship. Conor Foley joined forces with Tarmac & National Champion driver, Donagh Kelly, and the pair would score a start to finish victory in their Focus WRC.

 

Pushing them all the way were Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry who secured a fine 2^nd overall in their Subaru WRC. Emmet Sherry guided Barry Ryan to 6^th overall and 1^st in class 13 in their Honda – engined Escort. Jim McKenna & Thomas Treanor finished 12^th overall and 4^th in class 14 in their Escort. Just five seconds behind were Shane Maguire & Mac Kierans in the Evo 9, who took 13^th overall and 1^st in Group N. Martin Connolly guided Liam Bowhan to 23^rd overall and 5^th in class 13 in the RWD Starlet.

 

The National & Border Rally Championships get under way in a fortnight’s time with the Mayo Stages Rally on Sunday March 6^th.

 

Cavan Navigation Trial

 

The penultimate round of both the National & Border Night Navigation Championships takes place this Saturday night 27^th February in Maudabawn, Co. Cavan. Thomas & Andrew Wedlock are organising a 70 mile route with a start time of 9.01pm.

 

It was a red letter day for Monaghan crews on last weekend’s Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. The event was the opening round of the 2016 Irish Forestry Championship. With reigning champions, Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna non-starting, it was left to Josh’s brother Sam & his father Robert to fly the family flag.

 

Sam, who was navigated by Cavan’s James Fulton on this occasion set the pace on the opening stage. Tyrone’s Niall McCullagh took the lead on stage two and the pair would be involved in a close battle for the remainder of the day. McCullagh led after four stages with Moffett 14 seconds in arrears. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly were on an impressive charge in their Lancer and held 4^th overall. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were involved in a close three way battle for 2wd honours whilst Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes continued their incredible pace from 2015 by holding 12^th overall in their Nova by the half way stage. Robert Moffett & James O’Reilly were having a cautious run in Robert’s first rally in over a decade and for the first time behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta WRC.

 

The battle between Sam Moffett & McCullagh came to end when the Tyrone driver was sidelined on stage seven. Moffett & Fulton proceeded to take a one minute victory. This was also the first overall win for an R5 car in the Republic of Ireland. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly recorded their best ever result with 3^rd overall after a close battle with Patrick O’Brien/Aine McGuigan. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips finished 8^th overall and 1^st in class 13. They were also the third 2wd car home. Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes finished 13^th overall and were comfortable winners in the Junior class. Robert Moffett/James O’Reilly took their WRC Fiesta home to 15^th overall.

 

Round 2 of the Irish Forestry Championship is the Moonraker Forestry Rally on April 16^th.

 

Results

 

1 Sam Moffett/James Fulton (Fiesta R5) 37m 37s,
2 Patrick O’Brien/Aine McGuigan (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 38m 40s,
3 Mickey Carbin/Darragh Kelly (Lancer Evo 4) 39m 07s,
4 Liam Ryan/Keith Moriarty (Lancer Evo 8) 39m 28s,
5 Gerard Lucey/J J Cremin (Lancer Evo 8) 39m 51s,
6 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Escort) 40m 11s,
7 John Gordon/Thomas Wedlock (Escort) 40m 23s,
8 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Escort) 40m 30s,
9 Dermot Kelly/Greg Shinnors (Lancer Evo) 41m 05s,
10 Hugh McQuaid/Enda Gerety (Escort) 41m 50s.
Junior Class: 1 Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes (Nova) 42m 14s.

 

 

McCarra Top Local on Autotest

 

Monaghan Motor Club’s annual autotest took place on Sunday last in Wright’s Quarry, Swan’s Cross. Kieran McCarra showed the locals the way on the club event taking a 30 seconds victory over the eight timed tests. Martin Tynan bagged some useful Trader’s championship points with 2^nd place. Damien Hagan just held off Declan Tynan for 3^rd with Ciaran Tynan in 5^th place.

 

In the main Hewison Trophy section of the event, Guy Foster took overall victory from Steven Ferguson, both driving Mini Specials. Darren Quille driving a Westfield was in 3^rd place overall.

 

Results

 

1 Guy Foster (Mini Special) 562.3s,
2 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 579.3s,
3 Darren Quille (Westfield) 584.3s,

Club Members:

1 Kieran McCarra (Starlet) 375.1s,
2 Martin Tynan (Starlet) 403.5s,
3 Damien Hagan (Starlet) 417.0s,
4 Declan Tynan (Starlet) 419.8s,
5 Ciaran Tynan (Daihatsu) 421.0s,
6 Damien Connolly (Mini Special) 427.6s.

 

Midland Night Navigation Trial

 

On a busy weekend of motorsport, Longford’s Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston made a winning return to the Night Navigation scene with overall victory on the Midland Navigation Trial, based in Ballinalee, Co. Longford. The pair came home on a clean sheet. Monaghan’s Martin Tynan & Fintan Clerkin kept up their good recent form with 2^nd overall with Michael & Ciaran Tynan just behind in 3^rd. National Championship leaders, Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes secured 5^th overall to maintain their lead in both the National & Border Championships.

 

COC Nigel McCloughry laid out a challenging 70 mile route which was primarily based on tarmac roads but with plenty of good navigation required. The trick of the night was the issuing of plot & bash for TP15 at TP1, which only a small number of crews were able to notice. This was the cause of the majority of crews dropping penalties.

 

Keith McConnan & Micheal McCluskey took 1^st in the Semi-Expert class followed home by Eoghan Corr/Ruadhri Nash. Aiden Sherry & Oisin Sherlock took 2^nd in the Novice class on a tie-break from Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan. This result secured 1^st in the Novice class in the Munster Championship for Conor with Oisin taking 2^nd in the same class.

 

The next round of the National & Border Night Navigation Championships is the Cavan Navigation Trial on 27^th February.

 

Results

 

1 Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 0 marks,
2 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 2m,
3 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 5m,
4 Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 23m,
5 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 24m,
6 Andrew Stewart/Robert Howard (Peugeot 205) 26m,
7 Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey (Subaru Impreza) 31m,
8 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 30m,
9 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 36m,
10 Brendan Treanor/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 36m,
11 Aidan Sherry/Oisin Sherlock (Subaru Impreza) 39m,
12 Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 39m.

 

 

 

Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson made a promising start to the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship with a fine 4^th place overall on last weekend’s Galway International Rally. The pair were making their first appearance in a Ford Fiesta R5 having piloted a WRC version for the previous two years. The Irish Tarmac & British Rally Championships are both being decided by the R5 class this year.

 

Sam was expected to renew his rivalry with his brother Josh who was joined by Jason McKenna last weekend. Stephen Wright was making his debut in an Evo2 spec Ford Fiesta R5 and had a new navigator in James Fulton. Moffett/Atkinson were on the pace from the get go holding 6^th overall and 4^th in class by first service. Stages five & six were both cancelled by accidents with Moffett/Atkinson maintaining their class placing. By the end of the day they would be in 5^th place just 30 seconds adrift of the class leader, Triple British Champion, Keith Cronin.

 

Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna & Stephen Wright/James Fulton were having a great battle in the lower reaches of the top 10. Moffett/McKenna moved ahead in the evening stages to hold 7^th overall with Wright/Fulton in 9^th place. Enda Sherry was navigating for Aaron McHale and held 13^th overall in their Skoda. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden held a fine 9^th overall in the National Rally and held an enormous 10 minute class lead. Brendan & JP McAree recovered from a long delay on stage two to recover to 5^th in the Historic class by the day end.

 

A further six stages were held on Sunday. Moffett/Atkinson continued to set some impressive times posting fastest R5 time on Stage 11. The pair backed off in the closing stages as they had little to gain ahead and had a comfortable advantage to the crew behind them. They began their year in fine style with 4^th overall and 3^rd in class behind Keith Cronin & Alistair Fisher both of whom have been regularly competing on the world level.

 

Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna finished 6^th overall and 4^th in class after some encouraging times on the Sunday stages. Stephen Wright/James Fulton brought their Fiesta home 9^th overall and 7^th in class. Enda Sherry navigated Aaron McHale to 12^th overall and 9^th in class 5. In the National Rally, Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden retired on stage 11 after a great drive. Brendan & JP McAree brought their Porsche home 5^th in the Historic class.

 

The next round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is the West Cork Rally in a month’s time.

 

Irish Forestry Rally Championship

 

Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna will begin their defence of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship on this weekend’s Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. Other Monaghan names on the entry list include defending 2wd champions, Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips, Damien McGauren/Michaela McGinn and the returning Robert Moffett in a Fiesta WRC.

 

Autotest

 

The annual Monaghan Motor Club Autotest takes place this weekend at Wright’s Quarry, Swans Cross. The event will have a class for club members as well as the Autotest regulars. COC Brendan Flynn requires a number of marshals for the day and anyone available to marshal should contact him.

 

James McCarville scored one of his best overall results to date with 2^nd overall on last weekend’s Donegal Mini Stages Rally. McCarville joined forces with young Ryan Loughren and the pair held a strong 2^nd place throughout the day. After five stages in extremely tricky conditions, they were just 16 seconds adrift of rally winner, Jonathan Pringle.

 

Morning snow showers had cleared by the time the event got under way. Stage 1 was cancelled due to communication issues but the remaining five stages ran as planned. A snow shower on the final stage saw an inch of snow on the road testing drivers and navigators to the limit. Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan were expected to be in the hunt for overall honours but they were sidelined on stage two after an off road excursion. Raymond Conlon/James O’Reilly faired better finishing 15^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 27^th overall and 1^st in class 11F. Andrew Grennan guided Vivian Hamaill to 34^th overall and 8^th in class. Arthur Kierans was sitting with Brendan McDaid but a long delay on the final stage dropped them from 12^th overall to last place.

 

Skibbereen Night Navigation

 

Skibbereen Motor Club played host to Round 5 of the National Night Navigation Championship. A number of Monaghan crews made the trip south. Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes were the top local finishers in 3^rd overall which strengthens their lead in the National Night Navigation Championship. Peter Farrell & Shane Farrell had a brilliant run on a tricky event to 7^th overall and 1^st in the Semi-Expert class. Mac Kierans travelled the length of Ireland to compete on the event with Conor Boylan and was rewarded with 13^th overall and 4^th in class. Aiden Sherry/Oisin Sherlock finished 16^th overall and 5^th Novice. Caolan & Ryan Treanor retired early on with mechanical problems.

 

The next round of the National & Border Navigation Championships is the Midland NavigationTrial on Saturday 13^th February.

 

Galway International Rally

 

The opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, two day Galway International Rally takes place this weekend 7 & 8^th February. New for 2016 is the introduction of the latest R5 category of rally cars as the premier championship class for this rally. A number of these new cars have been sourced by Irish drivers and they feature strongly among the entries, with Ford Fiestas, Citroen DS3s and Skoda Fabias being the most popular versions.

 

There is plenty of Monaghan interest in what is a star-studded top 20. Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna are seeded behind three times British Champion Keith Cronin at No 9 in their Fiesta R5. Sam Moffett and Karl Atkinson are at 11 with Stephen Wright and James Fulton at 12 in similar cars. Enda Sherry navigates for Aaron McHale in a Fabia S2000 at 17, while Eugene Meegan and Sarah Whelan are at 22 in a BMW M1. Seamus Connolly and Gary McCrudden continue to campaign the venerable Corolla Twin Cam at 47 in class 11R.

 

World Rally Car drivers include former rally winner Tim McNulty from Meath in a MINI WRC, Declan Boyle from Donegal and Roy White from Clonmel in two Fiesta WRC cars. The number 1 seed is Gary Jennings from Enniskillen driving a Subaru WRC.