Author: monaghanmotorclub

It was a day to remember for Shane Maguire and Stephen Thornton as the pair led from start to finish to take an impressive Group N win at the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally. With championship leader Josh Moffett not starting the event the Maguire International pair knew a good result could have great benefits to their championship ambitions.
It was a close fought battle over the first two tests with Maguire and Dublin’s Neil and Gerard Tohill separated by 4.6 seconds however after stage 3 Maguire had increased his advantage by 27.2 seconds with Gus Kearney and Eddie O’Neill just 6.4 seconds further back. Stage 4 saw Maguire extend his lead even further. The Monaghan man said he made the right decision by putting extra cuts into his tyres as he extended his lead to 42.6 seconds. After the second loop Maguire had extended his lead to 57.7 seconds while Kearney had taken second off Tohill. The final loop saw the Maguire International pair increase their lead yet again. The pair took victory by 1:28.5 from Gus Kearney and Eddie O’Neill while Neil and Gerard Tohill finishing a further 1:26.6 behind in third.
Mickey Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips had a great event in class 13 also. The pair took the lead from Cavan’s Gary Kiernan on stage 3 and from there were involved in a great battle with Killkenny’s James Coleman. Conlon and McPhillips led the class for the second loop but a road penalty left them 1.4 seconds behind Coleman after stage 7. It was all out attack to the end and the pair managed to snatch the class win on the last stage by just 2.1 seconds. The crew also got 5th overall and second in the modified section for their efforts. Barry Treanor and Michael Brennan had a great run to second in class 11R in their Mk2 Escort. Paul Sheridan was in the navigators seat for Tyrone’s Vivian Hamill but the pair only managed three stages before retiring. Barry McKenna and Mac Kierans were competing in class 13 but failed to complete stage 1.
The event was won overall by Darragh O Riordan in his fiesta WRC, followed by James Stafford in the infamous Darrian, with Welsh man Steve Wood 3rd overall in a WRC subaru.

Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally Top 10
1 Darragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Fiesta WRC) 63m 43s,
2 James Stafford/Amy Ryan (Darrian T90 GTR) 64m 28s,
3 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Impreza WRC) 65m 45s,
4 Kevin Barrett/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 65m 58s,
5 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Escort) 67m 12s,
6 James Coleman/Liam Brennan (Escort) 67m 14s,
7 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Escort) 67m 32s,
8 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Escort) 67m 41s,
9 David Condell/Eugene McGrath (Escort) 67m 54s,
10 Mickey Curran/Enda Gerety (Escort) 68m 15s.

Monaghan Motor Annual Endurance Trial
All roads lead to Monaghan this weekend for the Monaghan Motor Clubs annual endurance trial. The event which is based out of the Four Season’s Hotel promises a fantastic day’s motorsport. Entries are still being accepted and entry forms can be downloaded from the Monaghan Motor Club Website, http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net Any enquiries can be directed to CoC of the event, Ronnie Hawe on 0868277779. Scrutineering will take place in Sams Bridge (Across from the Four Seasons) at 7.30 a.m. with the event starting at 10.00 a.m. As always, marshals are in very short supply so please if anyone is interested or available please contact Ronnie as soon as possible and be at the Four Seasons before 8.30am Sunday morning.

McKenna And Wright All Set For Ulster
Daniel McKenna will start the Toddsleap Ulster Rally tomorrow knowing that a good result will bring him another step closer to his first British Rally Championship title victory. The Scotshouse driver goes into Round 4 of the BRC with a 20 point lead over his nearest rival Welshman Osian Pryce.
McKenna, who had a pre – event test in his Citroen DS3 last week says that despite his lead in the championship he will still be approaching the event in a sensible fashion. The BRC section of the event was won by Pryce last year but depite this McKenna is in a confident mood stating that he has more experience on this type of terrain.
Stephen Wright will also be tackling the event in his Peugeot 208 R2. The Newbliss man has been impressing in the Belgian Rally Championship this year and it will be his first Irish event since the Laois Heartland Rally back in June . Wright says the competition in the R2 category will be stiff and he’s relishing the challenge.
Despite his time away from Irish events he’s confident he has a good set up for the car ahead of the event. Emmett Sherry will be challenging him in the R2 category, navigating for Calvin Beattie.

It was announced last week that Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly are to make their World Rally Championship debut at Rally Germany next month. The pair will compete in their Combilift Rallying Fiesta WRC. The pair have had a successful year so far in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the National Rally Championship and are seeded at 23 for their maiden WRC voyage.

 

Good Result for the Wrights in Luxembourg

Stephen and Suzanne Wright travelled abroad last weekend to attack Rally Luxembourg in their Peugeot 208 R2 and the Monaghan pair had a successful event. The Wrights finished a fantastic 13th overall and 5th in the R2 class. They also netted 2nd in the 208 class. There was a few hiccups along the way however. A difference in the local rules to Irish regulations resulted in Stephen suffering a big time loss after a stage cancellation. The pair also lost 10 seconds having to stop at an accident on Day 2. Apart from that it was a good run for the pair. The next outing for Stephen will be the Ulster Rally next month. This event will also see Daniel McKenna continue his bid for British Rally Championship glory. Since it was announced recently that the final round of the BRC has been cancelled, so the Ulster Rally will become the second last round of the championship. The Moffett brothers will also continue their attack on the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship at this event.

Stephen and Suzanne Wright will return to the Belgian Rally Championship at the Tour of Flanders on the 5th of September

 

Mayo Motor Club Autocross

Congratulations to Martin Tynan who took victory in his Mitsubishi Evo in last weekends Mayo and District Motorsport Club Loose Surface Autocross event. Martin finished just under half a second ahead of second placed John McGettrick with a fastest time of 03:57.66. This result leaves Martin joint championship leader with Derek Deane going into the final round in approximately 4 weeks time.

Elsewhere Michael Conlon had a good day in his buggy with fourth overall and third in class 6 with a best time of 04:00.09. Derek Mackarel also had a good event in his Nova. Derek posted a fastest time of 04:09.59 and finished 10th overall and took the win in class 2. Derek still leads the national loose surface autocross championship after this event.

 

Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial

Monaghan Motor Club’s annual Endurance Trial will now take place on Sunday the 17th of August. Please note the date change and also if your available to marshal please make yourselves available to any committee member as soon as possible. More details to follow next week.

MOFFETT AND ROWAN CLAIM VICTORY IN SLIGO It was a day to remember for Josh Moffett and the Combilift Rallying team as the young Monaghan driver took his first overall rally win at the Sligo Stages Rally, round 4 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. Co-driven by John Rowan the crew won eight of the nine stages to take victory by over three minutes. When it was announced mid – week that Josh would be taking the Fiesta WRC from his brother Sam for the event everyone was keen to see how his transferral from Group N to WRC machinery would go. Things didn’t start well as he had to ask his brother how to start the car in Parc Fermé! But that was the only blip for the local man and he certainly didn’t disappoint during the event taking the lead from earlier pace setter Paddy McVeigh on stage 2 and never looked back to take his maidan rally victory to add to a great year thus far for the Combilift team. Sam Moffett was out in a brand new class 20 Mitsubishi Evo 9 and lay 3rd overall after the opening loop behind Tyrone’s Paddy McVeigh. However McVeigh retired with gearbox problems before stage 5 promoting Sam to 2nd overall and potentially setting up a Combilift Rallying 1-2. Sadly it wasn’t to be as the Evo 9 broke a wishbone on stage 8 forcing Sam’s retirement. Further down the field there were plenty of great results for local crews. Justin Smith and Sharon Clarke recorded a fine top 10 result in the class 13 escort. David Moffett and Fintan Sherry took another class win in 11R. A brilliant battle with Kevin Bradley and Graham Henderson as well as fellow Monaghan crew, Barry Treanor and Colm Connolly saw them switch position a number of times Treanor and Connolly were the early class leaders but unfortunately only completed four stages before retirement. Moffett & Sherry took the class win by nearly two minutes and also lifted the drive of the day award. Emmett Sherry navigated Armagh’s Calvin Beattie to victory in class 6 in the Ford Fiesta. Michael Carbin and Emmett McCooey were the sole survivors in class 20 in their Evo 4 and came home 20th overall. Cathal Sheridan and Peter Deery took their Nova to 2nd in class 10 with a blistering time on the final stage to jump ahead of his rivals. In class 12 Mark Tierney navigated Brian Armstrong to victory beating fellow Monaghan co-driver and runner up in class, Gary McCrudden who was navigating Martin Toner. Steven Corey and Vinnie Boyd took their Escort to 4th in class 13R. Declan Connolly and Alison Hughes took their Honda Civic to 4th in class 9. In the junior rally Stefan McCann and Stephen McElroy came home 6th in their Peugeot 205. In class 14 Jack Maguire and Andy Hayes were leading right up until their retirement in stage seven. Laurence Sherry and Mark Sheridan were 4th in class until retirement on the final stage. Sligo Stages Rally Top 10 1. Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1:22:10.4 2. Martin Doherty/Kevin Flannagan (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1:25:10.5 3. Pat Kirk/John McElhinney (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1:25:35.7 4. Gary Kiernan/Niall Tierney (Ford Escort MK2) 1:25:50.0 5. Trevor Bustard/ John McCafferty (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1:26:10.9 6. Brian Armstrong/Mark Tierney (Ford Escort MK2) 1:27:29.9 7. Martin Toner/Gary McCrudden (Talbot Sunbeam) 1:27:39:7 8. Anthony Cairns/Mark Preston (Subaru Impreza) 1:27:39.8 9. Ian Gunning/Jeff Gunning (Ford Escort MK2) 1:27:53.7 10. Justin Smyth/Sharon Clarke (Ford Escort MK2) 1:28:11.0 Cork LS Autocross Congratulations to Derek Mackarel on 4th overall and first saloon car home in the Skibbereen Loose Surface Autocross on  Sunday last. Derek also won his class and now finds himself in the lead of the National Loose Surface Autocross Championship after round 3, with 4 remaining.

McKenna/Kierans take top spot in Scotland

Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans took an important step towards British Rally Championship glory last weekend as the Monaghan duo claimed their second BRC victory of the year at RSAC Scottish Rally in Dumfries. McKenna and Kierans overcame visibility issues caused by a build-up of dust in their Citroen DS3 to win the event by over two minutes. Crucial to their championship aspirations was the retirement of their main rivals Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss. The Welsh crew came into the event level on points with McKenna and Kierans but gearbox problems led to their retirement on the penultimate stage. 2nd overall went to Callum Black and Paul Wakely, whilst another Irish crew in Dean Rafferty and Aileen Kelly finished 3rd overall in their Fiesta R2.

            This result for Daniel and Arthur means that the Monaghan crew now lead the championship by 20 points going into round 4, the Todds Leap Ulster Rally in August.

 

Mixed results for Monaghan Competitors in Waterford

It was a good day for Monaghan crew Michael Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips at the Ravens Rock Rally in Waterford last weekend as the pair took third place in class 13 in their Escort. The Monaghan pair moved into the top 3 on stage 2 and held their position until the end and in doing so also took a fantastic 6th overall. The event was won by Irish rallying star Craig Breen in his Fiesta WRC with Alan Rind 2nd in an EVO 9 and Eoin Doyle 3rd in a focus WRC. Cavan’s Gary Kieran and James Fulton took the two wheel drive honours and 4th overall ahead of Virginia man Chris Armstrong, both in class 13 escorts.

Local competitor Declan McKenna entered the event navigating for Northern Ireland’s Alan Atcheson. The pair contested class 13 in an Escort but unfortunately failed to reach the finish. Local man J. P. McAree also entered class 13 in an Escort. The Monaghan man was navigating for Meath’s Jack Newman but unfortunately also failed to make the finish.

 

Last weekend saw the running of Ireland’s biggest rally of the year, the Donegal International Rally. This mammoth three day event based in Letterkenny traversed 20 stages over some of Irelands best known rally terrain through County Donegal. Clontibret’s Sam Moffett headed North West looking to make it back to back victories in Donegal having won the event last year. Sam and co-driver James O’Reilly performed magnificently and although they had to settle for the runner up spot they led the rally on the opening Friday stages and were the only crew who were able to mount a serious challenge to eventual winners Declan and Brian Boyle. In the end the winning margin was a mere 35 seconds for the Boyle cousin’s who are the first local Donegal crew to win their home event in over 15 years. Moffett is in fourth place in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship 22 points behind Declan Boyle. Third overall went to Gary Jennings and Rory Kennedy who were almost 3 minutes further adrift.

            In what was to prove a fantastic weekend for the entire Moffett Motorsport family,

Sam’s brother Josh had another convincing Group N win by almost 5 minutes from Cavan man Stephen McCann, with Aaron McHale 3rd. Navigated by John Rowan the Mitsubishi driver lay in second after Day 1 but took the lead on stage 7 and didn’t look back. Josh is currently second in the overall championship 19.5 points behind Boyle.

            In the highly competitive and entertaining national section it was a Monaghan victory

once again as Gary McPhillips and Paul Sheridan took the overall win for the second year in a row. A riveting battle saw McPhillips along with fellow Monaghan crew Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans and Donegal’s Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett battle it out for top honours. Daniel and Arthur had a slender lead after the first two days of competition, trading stage wins with McPhillips but gearbox trouble on stage 15 forced his retirement. With Manus Kelly crashing out, McPhillips and Sheridan took the win by well over a minute from his nearest competitor Conor Harvey. Frank Kelly rounded off the top three in the National Category.

            Richard Moffett and Martin Connolly took a class 13 victory by almost five minutes in the first of the Moffett starlets, whilst younger brother David, navigated by Fintan Sherry won the highly competitive junior rally by just under 30 seconds in the second of the Moffett Engineering backed starlets. There was success also for Mac Kierans who took the win in the Historics Rally co-driving for Seamus O’Connell.

            Other local crews include Anthony Hand and James McCarville who took a fantastic second place in class 11R. Pauric Duffy and Kevin Glynn took sixth in class 16. Gerard McQuaid and Gary Quinlan took 3rd place in class 13. Jim McKenna and Thomas Treanor took 6th in class 14 and 10th overall in the National rally while John McQuaid and Seamus O’Connor took 5th in class 14 and 9th in the National Rally. Brendan Cumisky and Gerry McVeigh were running as high as 6th in Group N but unfortunately didn’t make the finish. Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity were also running inside the top 10 in Group N but gearbox problems forced their retirement on Day 2. Brendan and JP McAree sadly failed to see the finish line in their Porsche 911. The crew were running second in class K in the Historics rally until retirement after four stages. Ryan McKenna and Aidan Coyle also failed to finish. The pair were lying 7th overall in the Junior Rally until retirement on stage 3.

 

Donegal International Rally Top 10

1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 21m 56s

2 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Ford Fiesta WRC) 2h 22m 31s

3 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 25m 14s

4 Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 26m 42s

5 Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 2h 33m 09s

6 Stephen McCann/Lisa O’Dowd (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 2h 37m 58s

7 Aaron MacHale/Paul McGee (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 2h 40m 02s

8 Callum Devine/Liam McLaughlin (Ford Fiesta R2) 2h 43m 41s

9 Richard Tannahill/Aileen Kelly (Peugeot 208 R2) 2h 44m 18s

10 Brian O’Keeffe/Sean Hayde (Subaru Impreza) 2h 45m 41s

 

NATIONAL RALLY:

1 Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort) 2h 30m 06s,

2 Conor Harvey/Gerard Callaghan (Ford Escort) 2h 31m 24s,

3 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) 2h 31m 34s,

 

HISTORIC RALLY:

1 Seamus O’Connell/Mac Kierans (Ford Escort) 2h 00m 52s,

2 Andy Johnson/Jim McSherry (Vauxhall Chevette) 2h 05m 47s,

3 Aidan O’Connor/Ian Regan (Ford Escort) 2h 08m 52s,

 

JUNIOR RALLY:

1 David Moffett/Fintan Sherry (Toyota Starlet) 57m 38s,

2 Patrick O’Brien/Thomas Nugent (Citroen C2R2 Max) 58m 02s,

3 Jonathan Orr/Martin McBrearty (Honda Civic) 58m 52s,

 

 

Belgian Rally Championship          

Congratulations to Stephen and Suzanne Wright who finished tenth in class RC4 in the Geko Ypres Rally last weekend in Belgium. The Newbliss pair are currently 3rd in their class in the Belgian Rally championship 15 points off the leader Guillaume Dilley.