Author: monaghanmotorclub

 

Last Sunday the Oakwood Arms Hotel Clare Stages took place, this event was the penultimate round of the 2013 West Coast Rally championship. Going into this event the championship had many drivers who could stake a claim to being outright champion.

            As ever a number of Monaghan crews made the journey south to contest the event.

Stephen and Suzanne Wright opened their account on the event posting a creditable 4^th fastest time on the opening stage thus continuing their fast pace of late. As the day progressed the duo surpassed all expectations to finish an incredible second overall behind the eventual winners Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan in their WRC Ford Focus.

            Next Monaghan crew where Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity who were mindful of their championship position deciding to set a steady opening pace, as the day progressed they upped the pace to climb to 5^th overall and the group N win, this result sees them lead the West Coast championship going into the final round.

Jack Maguire/Andy Hayes also made the trip south in their Mitsubishi Evo9 taking the lead in his class from the outset and as the day progressed they held that lead to the end and climbed the overall leader board to finish 9^th overall. Aaron Duffy/Keith McConnan took their Ford Fiesta to a class win making their trip also worthwhile having battled their way up the order during the day. It was on the fourth stage that they claimed the class 9 lead which they held to the finish.

 

Monaghan Navigation Trial

Monaghan Motor Club kick off the new night navigation season on Saturday night week, 5th October. CoC’s for the event Jonathan McGovern and Damian Treanor are hard at work with their final preparations and as always marshals are very much in demand. If you are available please contact Jonathan or Damian as soon as possible. Reg’s and entry forms are available on the club website. More news next week

Monaghan Crews Fair Well on Galway Summer Rally

The highly popular Galway Summer rally was contested at the weekend, based in the West Galway town of Ballinasloe. The event was supported by several mainland UK crews as Hugh Hunter from Wales led the rally from start to finish followed by fellow countryman James Belton both in WRC Subaru’s.  Third overall on the day was Darragh O’Riordan from Cork in the latest spec Fiesta WRC.

            A strong Monaghan contingent was headed by Josh Moffett/John Rowan as the duo continued their great run of form taking the group N lead on the opening stage, a position they held to the end. This result ensures them of the group N title in the Dunlop National Rally Championship. Josh was closely followed by brother and sister pairing of Stephen/Suzanne Wright who claimed a fine 2^nd in GpN and 9^th Overall. Donegal’s Declan Gallagher and Ryan Moore were once again tops in the two wheel drive section in their starlet, closely followed by Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne who were 5th overall with Frank Kelly a further 15 seconds adrift in 6th overall. Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna made a return to the Irish tarmac and had a brilliant run all day to claim the runner up spot in the highly competitive class 14 and 10^th overall in their Toyota Starlet. Liam Bowhan with Damien Connolly on the notes, just edged into 11^th overall by a slender half second, taking third in class. Shane Maguire/ Martin McGarrity claimed 12^th overall and held a strong third in GpN all day, which duly strengthens their Top Part West Coast championship campaign. Raymond Conlon wheeled his trusty twin-cam out and was partnered by Sarah Whelan, they eventually finished fourth in class. David Moffett/Fintan Sherry had a fine run until a stage four puncture dropped them from 2^nd in class to fifth in class, however they battled away to finish 44^th overall and 4^th in class. Aaron Duffy/Keith McConnon finished a creditable 4^th in class and 58^th overall in their little Fiesta.

            Some hard luck stories included Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor who had held a fine 9^th overall and second in class 14 until driveshaft failure put them out of the event. Also going extremely well was Richard Moffett/Martin Connolly who had held 10^th overall and third in the hotly contested class 13 until their clutch cried enough on stage six. Justin Smyth/Gregory McQuillan had led their class after five stages but unfortunately stage 6 ended their fine run. The next tarmac rally for many of the local crews will be the Clare stages rally on September 22^nd.  

The Irish Tarmac & British Rally Championships came head to head on last weekend’s Ulster International Rally. The event moved from Antrim to a new base in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. The event was divided into different sections, with the Irish Tarmac registered crews competing on the Ulster Rally. Rally NI was the event in which the British Championship crews competed, while the National Rally contained Northern Ireland Championship crews as well as a plethora of modified entries.

            Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly were out in the McKinstry S14 Subaru Impreza WRC for a third time. With overall wins on both their previous outings in Monaghan and Donegal, the pair were hopeful of making it three wins out of three. Their main opposition was Tarmac Championship points leader Gary Jennings with the experienced Rory Kennedy navigating, with newly crowned National Champions Declan & Brian also competing in a Subaru. Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright & Josh Moffett/John Rowan were all set for another battle royale for Group N honours.

            Over the opening loop of stages, Moffett/O’Reilly settled into an early 3^rd place behind Jennings and early pace-setter Derek McGarritty. However, an ominous noise in the gearbox after stage 5 would spell the end of their event, all but ending their hopes of winning the Tarmac Championship this year. Stephen & Suzanne Wright finished the day as the best placed Monaghan crew in 4^th place just 8 seconds ahead of Josh Moffett/John Rowan. Wright’s challenge suffered a major setback as they lost several minutes when a turbo pipe came adrift on Saturday’s opening stage. Moffett/Rowan seized the initiative and secured Group N honours and 4^th in the Ulster Rally, with the Wright family recovering to 5^th place and 2^nd in Group N. Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy took overall honours moving Jennings to the brink of claiming his first tarmac championship crown. Derek McGarritty/James McKee finished 2^nd with Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan in 3^rd.

            In the Rally NI section of the event, Scotshouse man Daniel McKenna with Aghabog navigator, Arthur Kierans were gunning for more success in class R2 following class wins on the Jim Clark and Scottish rallies. Local man Jon Armstrong was their main rival for the weekend. Armstrong put in some stunning times on Friday running as high as 2^nd in the Rally NI section, beating the times of Group N and some WRC machinery! McKenna/Kierans adopted a more cautions approach and finished the day 2^nd in class and 5^th overall among the Rally NI competitors just under a minute behind Armstrong. Saturday morning on the Ulster is notorious for catching crews out and sure enough by the end of the first loop, McKenna/Kierans were up to 3^rd place and leading R2 while Armstrong retired after going off the road. Gearbox gremlins crept in on McKenna/Kierans’ hopes of a class win but with a comfortable advantage over their nearest class pursuer, the Monaghan crew adopted a steady approach to the finish eventually coming home in 5^th place and sealing the class R2 win.

            Monaghan representation was also plentiful in the National section where Damien Hagan/Janice Mackarel were competing in their Mk2 Escort. Emmet Sherry was calling the notes for Omagh’s Amy Cox in a Skoda while Matthew McKenna was sitting with Darren McKelvey. Hagan/Mackarel had a great run to finish 14^th overall 6^th in class 6. Cox/Sherry finished in 25^th overall and 3^rd in class 4. McKevley/McKenna came home in 31^st place overall and 4^th in class 9.

 

Monaghan Motor Club Night Navigation Classes

Navigation trial classes are back! Monaghan Motor Club’s very popular annual course of navigation classes is due to start again on Wednesday 28th August. Event preparation, map reading, timing along with much more will form the foundation of this popular course. The course will run over 5-6 weeks depending on requirements and includes one week where we cover stage rallying basics for the co-pilot.

            Venue is the GAA complex in Threemilehouse and will start each Wednesday at 8pm sharp until 10. Anyone wishing to attend please register with Conor Maguire on 086 1677446.

 

Leitrim’s Enda Mc Loughlin, navigated by Declan Tynan won last Sundays Monaghan Motor Club Endurance trial for a second successive year. The pairing had a 26 second advantage over Ian Downey and William Kelly after 23 testing selectives across North Monaghan. Eddie Peterson and Kevin Fagan were 3rd with the top three all in similar Starlets.

            CoC for the event Andy Mackarel and his team put a mammoth effort into getting and setting up selectives which proved very popular with all who took part. The day started with scrutiny at Sam’s Diner and then up to event HQ at the Four Seasons Hotel. First car departed at 10.30am and headed for the Threemilehouse/Greenans Cross areas to endure 10 demanding selectives through lanes and yards known locally as Keenans, Mc Guinness’ and Wrights Quarry as well as the farm lanes of Robert and Richard Moore before returning to the Four Seasons for a much deserved dinner break and service. The afternoon selectives brought competitors northwards towards Balinode/Scotstown/Tydavnet and Carrickroe where 13 more tests lay in wait. These selectives were on the farm lanes of Mc Mahons, Sherlocks and Mc Meels as well as Mc Aree Engineering Works at Carrickroe, Wattersons Quarry and the ever popular track at Rally School Ireland. This event surely lived up to its name as an endurance trial with the first car arriving back to HQ at 7.00pm where results and prize giving took place soon after.

            Ian Downey and William Kelly had led through the early selectives but it was the Starlet of Mc Loughlin/Tynan which led at the mid way halt and progressed through the afternoon tests to extend their lead and follow up on last years result with another overall win. Karl O’Donohue and Damian Connolly were 4th overall and 2nd in class 1 in their Rover 214 with Midlands men Sam Johnston and Nigel McCloughry 5th overall and 1st in class 1. Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin rounded off the top three in class 1 which was the endurance trial specification car class.

            Michael and Ciaran Tynan won class 2 in the “petite” 998cc Diahatsu Cuora ahead of Stephen Rushe and Conor Hagan in a Toyota Yaris. Francie Mc Kenna and Oisin Craig were 3rd in class 2 in the rally spec Rover MG ZR, this was Oisin’s first competitive outing so a good result for this team. Kieran “Bilko” Mc Carra and Gary Mc Crudden were tops in class 3 and 6th overall, just ahead of Daniel Mc Kenna and Peter Deery who were 7th overall in the left hand drive mazda. James Greenan and Seamus Mc Tigue were 3rd in class 3, just ahead of Jonathan McGovern and Damian Treanor.

            Damian “shortcut” Hagan and Derek Mackarel won class 5 in their rear wheel drive mazda MX5, ahead of Thelma and Louise (aka Eoghan Corr and Brendan Treanor) in a similar MX5. Other locals to feature included Adrian and Anthony Foley in there Nova who finished 16th overall with Peter and Shane Farrell 18th overall. Samuel and Carol Patterson took the trusty corsa home to 21st overall. Arthur and Mac Kierans viewed most of the days proceedings from the sidelines,

having parked their mount on its side in almost the identical same place as they slid of on last year!

            Coc of the event, Andy Mackarel thanks all the land and property owners for their help and support, all the marshals and time keepers, results team and the Four Seasons Hotel. Also a big thank you to John Kelly, Damian Treanor, Fintan Clerkin, Richard Cassidy, Rodney Adams, Trevor Farrell and especially to Cora for all their help. Also to anyone else who helped out in any way. Special word of thanks to Damian Hagan for tying up all the tape that little bit higher so the MX5 could fit underneath it!! There is a good selection of photo’s from this event at http://www.picturesofireland.ie

 

Cork MC Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally

Michael O’Brien and Greg Shinnors won last Sundays Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally in a focus WRC, almost a minute ahead of Owen Murphy and James O Brien. Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna proved they are an up and coming force on the gravel by taking 3rd overall in their EVO 9, with just 11 seconds separating second, third and fourth places. The two wheel drive battle came down to a nail biting finish as Frank Kelly just pipped Marty McCormack by 3 seconds, having been level with 2 stages to go. Shane McGirr took 3rd two wheel drive and 7th overall. Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly were 9th overall and 2nd group N. Enda McNulty and Paul Sheridan wee 11th overall and 1st in class 20. Michael Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips were 17th overall and Michael Carbin/Stephen Thornton were 20th overall and 3rd in class 20.

 

Night Navigation Classes

Yes its that time of year again and with the night navigation season only a matter of 6 weeks away Monaghan Motor Club will once again be holding night navigation classes for new and existing navigators to brush up on their skills. These classes will commence next Wednesday night 28th August starting at 8pm in Threemilehouse GAA complex.

 

Mayo Autocross/Ulster Rally

Best of luck to travelling club members this week to Mayo Autocross for the final round of Harringtons Quarry Autocross. Derek Mackarel will lead the charge in his nova as he aims to secure a class win in the championship.

            Also to all members heading for Enniskillen this weekend to contest the Ulster International Rally. Daniel Mc Kenna, Josh Moffett, Sam Moffett, Steven Wright, Shane Maguire, Damien Hagan and Gary Mc Phillips along with their respective navigators are all on the entry list. Good luck to all and full report next week.

 

 

Boyles are Dunlop Tarmac Champions

 

Declan and Brian Boyle confirmed their status as Dunlop National Rally champions for 2013 on Sunday last on Tipperary Motor Clubs Stonethrowers Rally. The Donegal men had a commanding lead prior to the event with Monaghan’s Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry their closest rivals. Unfortunately Maguire/Sherry failed to finish which confirmed the Donegal cousins as National Champions. Indeed they took a convincing win by almost 2 minutes from Roy White in the MG Rover. Welsh man James Belton rounded off the top three.

            Declan Gallagher and Ryan Moore had an outstanding drive through the Tipperary countryside to take fifth overall and the top two wheel drive honours in the blistering white starlet. As with most events this year it was the travelling Monaghan contingent who dominated the Group N production class. Only 29 seconds separated the top three with Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly coming out on tops on this occasion, ahead of younger brother Josh Moffett and James Rowan. Stephen and Suzanne Wright had to settle for 3rd on this occasion but keep there title hopes very much alive. Eugene Meggan rounded off the top 10 and 4th in group N while Liam Bowhan and Damian Connolly took their starlet home to 11th overall and 2nd in class 13. Barry Mc Kenna and Martin Connolly also had a great run to finish 18th overall and 3rd in class 13 in the New Holland/Mc Kenna Agri backed escort.

            David Smyth and Mark Derry were as consistent as ever to finish 2nd in class 11R and 28th overall, a valuable points haul towards their championship hopes. Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle failed to finish whilst lying inside the top 10 after stage 5, as did Jack Maguire who was 15th after the first stage in his class 20 EVO.

 

 

Tipperary MC Stonethrowers Rally Top 10

1/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle Subaru Impreza

2/ Roy White/James O’Brien MG

3/ James Belton/Mark Glennerster Subaru Impreza

4/ Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O’Hanlon Subaru WRC

5/ Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore Toyota Starlet

6/ Sam Moffet/James O’Reilly Mitsubishi Evo

7/ Josh Moffet/John Rowan Mitsubishi Evo

8/ Stephen Wright/Susanne Wright Mitsubishi Evo

9/ Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally Subaru WRC

10/ Eugene Meegan/Sarah Whelan Mitsubishi Evo 4

 

 

Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial

Sunday next see’s Monaghan Motor Club host their annual endurance trial. The Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan town is the start venue for the event with scrutiny starting at 7.30am at Sam’s Diner (Opposite Four Seasons), drivers briefing is at 9.30 with first car off at 10am. Regulations and entry forms are available on club web site at monaghanmotorclub.net. As always many marshals are required so please contact any committee member as soon as possible.