Author: monaghanmotorclub

2013 Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally

All roads lead to Monaghan this coming weekend as Monaghan Motor Club host their biggest sporting event of the calendar. With a bumper entry and no stone left unturned by the organisers this event is sure to live up to its billing as one of the top stages events of the rally season. A full entry of 141 cars will cross the start ramp at 9.20am Sunday morning to tackle the three stages which cover the general Northeast area of Monaghan, circling Castleshane, Glaslough, Emyvale and Tydavnet and back towards Monaghan where service is located in the main car park behind Flemings.

            Last years winner Daniel McKenna will lead off a fantastic field of some of the top cars in the country, including seven WRC spec cars with Donegal cousins Declan and Brian Boyle seeded at number two. Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry are seeded 3, Donagh Kelly 4 and Darren Gass 5, all in Subaru’s. Group N class is sure to be a battle royale through the Monaghan countryside with top four seeds all from Monaghan. Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly head the quartet at 12, Josh Moffett/James Rowan 14, Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity 15 and Stephen and Suzanne Wright at 16.

            The two wheel drive honours is highly sought after in Monaghan as last years winner Daniel McKenna with Stephen Hagan on the notes this year will once again be in the melting pot with Gary McPhillips/Mark Tierney seeded 7, James Stafford in the infamous Darrian at 8, Frank Kelly 9 with Rodney Wilton, Jim Mc Kenna, Pat Donegan and Brian Brogan to name a few in class 14 all fighting for class honours. Kieran “Bilko” McCarra will head the class 13 field following on from his fantastic results last year and is seeded 21. Midlands stages winners, Chris Armstrong/Tom Clinton are 22, Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne 23 and Russell Woods 24 with Paddy Kiernan/James McCarville sure to be up for class honours seeded 28. Another few local crews sure to be in with a shout in class 13 include Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague and Richard Moffett/Martin Connolly in the starlet.

            Double border rally champions Arthur and Mac Kierans lead out the class 12 brigade with Enda Haran/Patrick Corcoran in the twin cam seeded at 43 sure to keep the Aghabog duo on their toes throughout the day. Barry Ryan/Emmett Sherry are top seeds in class 11 ahead of David Moffett/Fintan Sherry with Seamus Connolly/Gary McCruddan third seeds ahead of Johno Doogan, Paul Carroll and Martin McPhillips to name but a few in the highly competitive class 11 which sees over twenty entries. Class 10 is headed by Cavan man Gary Kiernan and Niall Tierney ahead of Monaghan’s John and Niall Kelly with Barry Treanor in hot pursuit in the 205. Lloyd Hutchinson is the man to beat in class 9 in the super quick mini but will have stiff competition from Justin Smyth/Gregory Mc Quillan with Maudabawn men Damien Reilly/Damien McCabe and Pa Bellew all sure to be fighting for class honours. Tommy Doyle/Liam Moynihan are top class 7 entrants in the super quick R3 and is sure to set some top times with Brendan Cumiskey/Conor Foley also out in the newly acquired DS 2 in class 7.

            The junior rally will run in tandem with the main field and is led off by Cavan’s Darren O’Brien and Johnny Rooney seeded at 41. Kevin Eve’s and Adrian Reynolds are second junior seeds and will run at 63 with Ryan and Nicola McKenna seeded at 113 in their twin Cam and sure to be up for a class award.

            So Monaghan is surely the place to be over this coming weekend and any marshals available are asked to contact any committee member or the club website. As always spectator and competitors safety is at the fore in any motor sport event and the 2013 Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally is no different. This week the Clerk of the Course Paul Hughes emphasised the importance of safety. “The core feature of our preparations has been and always will be the safety of all concerned. Safety Marshals, Stage Commanders and Officials have been trained accordingly. The Event Safety Plan has been compiled meticulously. What is required is that spectators play their part to ensure the safe running of the event. I want to draw the attention of spectators to the Spectator Safety notice in the rally programme. This is your guide to safer spectating, ignoring it is not an option. Safety is everybody’s business and there is one common ingredient that is essential: common sense.  Please follow the instructions of the marshals and officials, who are working for your safety. I also ask spectators to respect private property where you assemble and bring your litter home. I am delighted that we have the Road Safety Authority road show attending this year to help us get the message across to all rally fans to “Keep the race in its place”. Finally, I wish everyone involved an enjoyable and safe day’s rallying in Monaghan”.

 

RSA and Motorsport Ireland Team Up Promote “Keep the Race in its Place”

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Motorsport Ireland, in association with County Monaghan Motor Club who are organisers of the Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally which is being staged on Sunday 21st April 2013, have issued a joint safety message to fans attending the sporting event to “Keep the Race in its Place”.

            The RSA and Motorsport Ireland are running a safety campaign around the event to convey life-saving road safety messages to the public and to the high-risk target audiences viewing the event. At the event, the RSA will be opening up the ‘Roll-Over Simulator’ to the public. The RSA Roll-Over Car highlights the importance of wearing a seatbelt as people experience the car turning 360degrees. “The Rally enthusiasts are predominantly young men, and we want to talk directly to this ‘at risk’ group who follow the sport. Just like any other sport, there is a time and a place for Rally driving. These events are heavily marshalled and take place in a highly disciplined and controlled environment. The drivers are specially trained and must wear special personal protective gear. Along with this, the cars are specially prepared for the purpose of rallying. Trying this without all of these precautions would be extremely unsafe.” explained Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA. “That is why we want to remind everyone attending the Monaghan Stages Rally to drive safely – and “Keep The Race In Its Place”.

“We’re expecting thousands of fans to attend the Monaghan Stages Rally,” explained Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive, Motorsport Ireland. “And by teaming up with the RSA we want to emphasise the importance of safety, both on the rally course and on the open road. And anyone attending the rally will be getting the message that ‘safety wins’ loud and clear.”

The “Keep the Race in its Place” campaign reminds people to only watch the Special Stages from safety zones, never to enter prohibited areas, and between stages and afterwards, to follow the rally drivers’ lead by staying within the speed limits, by staying belted-in, and by never ever drinking and driving.

Setting this good example is well known rally driver Aaron McHale, Board Member of the RSA. Aaron is a successful rally driver and son of rallying legend Austin McHale. He is helping to get across these important safety messages to the public as part of an advertising campaign.

“As a rally driver I am acutely aware of the need for safety,” explained Aaron McHale, “It is the top priority for all rally drivers and it should be the top priority for all road users. You simply cannot drive on open roads the same way that professional Rally drivers do on closed roads with a co-driver warning you of upcoming obstacles and hazards. Ordinary drivers just don’t drive under the same strict health and safety requirements and when driving on public roads must obey the rules of the road.”

Fans travelling to and from the Monaghan Stages Rally on 21st  April 2013 are urged to heed the message from the rally drivers – to ‘Keep the Race in its Place’, slow down, don’t drink and drive and always wear a seatbelt.

 

Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally Launch Day

Monaghan Motor Club through the guise of its committee members John Kelly and Damien Treanor held a hugely successful Rally launch day in the Hillgrove Hotel last Sunday. A large crowd were well entertained throughout the day with the plethora of rally memorabilia, including rally cars, vintage cars, classic rally cars, trade stands, videos, photographs etc. all combined for an enjoyable day to promote the upcoming Stages Rally this weekend. John and his team must be commended for their efforts in pulling the whole day together which was well supported. Any donations received at the door are for a nominated charity with report and photos to be published at a later date.

Willie Loughman Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally

Well done to Vincent and Jp McAree on their 5th overall result on last weekends Willie Loughman Carrick-on-Suir forestry Rally. The Ballinode cousins took the class win in their EVO 9. Indeed there was good Monaghan rivalry in class 8 throughout the day as Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly pushed the McAree’s all the way to the end and eventually finished just 15 seconds behind, also in a class 8 EVO 9.

            Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna had been up to 4th overall and leading the Monaghan charge but they vanished off the leader board with two stages remaining. Michael Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips were also on a great run in the two wheel drive category and were 2nd behind the ultra quick Shane McGirr after four stages but unfortunately they kept two close to the Tipperary scenery and sustained wheel damage which ended their charge. Enda McNulty and Paul Sheridan failed to complete the second stage. Michael Carbin and Stephen Thornton’s bad run of luck continued as they too failed to finish. Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans were running as sweeper in the fiesta, picking up valuable stage miles ahead of their upcoming assault on the British Rally Championship.

 

Upcoming Events

National Navigation prize giving Saturday 27th April in Portlaoise. Kilmore Hotel Cavan Stages Rally Sunday  26th May.

 

Planning is at an advanced stage for this years Monaghan Stages Rally to be held on Sunday 20th April. Once again head quarters for the event is to idealic Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. Clerk of the Course, Paul Hughes and his team have been hard at work over the last 4-5 months to ensure this event lives up to its billing as one of the top stages events in the Irish Rally calendar. Entries are flooding in with regulations and entry forms available on the club website at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net As with any stages event there are hundreds of marshals required and if you are available and willing to help at any stage over the course of the weekend please do not hesitate to contact any committee member.

            A Rally launch day is at an advanced stage of planning and is to be held in the Hillgrove Hotel on Sunday 14th April from 2pm to 6pm. This launch event is sure to have something for all the family to enjoy. A host of trade stands will be in attendance along with a display of historic and vintage cars. The 1982 Irish tarmac championship winning car will be on display alongside the 2012 tarmac championship winning car of Darren Gass. Interesting to see how these cars have evolved over a 30 year period! There will also be simulators and many local rally cars there on the day for all to enjoy. Rally videos will be on the big screen and old/new rally photos will be on display which is sure to evoke a few memories of yesteryear on the local rally scene. Monaghan Motor Club will have their own stand as well as the Sligo Pallets Border Championship stand. Our very own Sean McCaffery will be MC for the day and keep all in attendance up to speed with everything that’s happening.  Plans are also afoot for a scrutineers forum at the launch event which will give local rally people an opportunity to have a chat one on one with some MI scrutineers, so whether you are building a car and have some queries or maybe just want to express your opinions or have suggestions regarding car safety etc. this is an ideal opportunity for you. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what is guaranteed to be an enjoyable day in a relaxed atmosphere so come along to the Hillgrove on Sunday 14th with fun for all the family. More details next week.

 

Upcoming Events

Squealing Pig Border Night Navigation Prize giving in Squealing Pig, Monaghan this Friday, 5th April at 8.30 sharp. Please come along for what is guaranteed to be a great night and support the Border Night Navigation Championship sponsor’s, the Squealing Pig. Contact Andy on 087 2558957 to book tickets ASAP.

             

 

It was a memorable win for Co. Cavan youngster Chris Armstrong and Tom Clinton on last Sundays Midlands Moto Stages Rally. The Virginia youngster overcame a 6 second deficit over the final loop of three stages to claim his first ever overall win with a 3 second advantage over rivals and good friend Rodney Wilton and Conor McMahon. The latter in the Wilton Waste Recycling backed class 14 escort had held the lead through the opening six stages but couldn’t manage to hold off the hard charging Armstrong who has only acquired the class 13 escort this time last year, having been in front wheel drive previously. Pat Donegan/Alan Keena had a great battle for third throughout the day with Maurice Moffett and eventually pulled out a 15 second margin. Maurice and Patrick Brides were on a great pace throughout the day and as usual thrilled spectators in the class 14 starlet. Paddy McVeigh and Stephen O’Hanlon rounded off the top 5 in an Impreza WRC.

            On what was a dry but cold day with conditions very gravely and mucky it was to be a real challenge for competitors. First victim of the day was Daniel McKenna and Niall Morley as they sustained suspension damage on the opening test over some jumps. They did manage to make it back to service and acted as a sweeper car for the remainder of the event, much to the delight of the many thousands of spectators who braved the elements. David Moffett and Fintan Sheery teamed up for this event and had an excellent run in the second of the Moffett starlets to finish 7th overall and take the highly competitive class 11R win. It was misfortune for the third Moffett starlet on show as Richard Moffett and Martin Connolly failed to make the finish after a great battle over the opening six stages with younger brother David. 

            Arthur and Mac Kierans picked up where they left off in Mayo with another fine drive to take the KES backed escort home to another class 12 win and 10th overall. Jack Maguire and Andy Hayes finished in 11th overall and second in class 13. Barry McKenna and Johnny Bairds fortunes seemed to have turned as he had a great run to 16th overall and just missing out on 3rd in class 13.

            Jim McKenna and Thomas Treanor failed to make the finish having disappeared off the leader board over the final loop. The hard charging escort men were up to 5th overall in final service. Johno and Padraig Doogan were also on a great run and up to 12th overall after stage 7 but they too failed to finish whilst lying 2nd in class 11R. On form Cavan men Paddy and Gary Kiernan also failed to finish in their class 13 escort but were up to 5th overall before their retirement.

            Cootehill man Darren O’Brien with Johnny Rooney on the notes won the junior rally by over a minute and a half from Barry and Sean Brady, both in honda civics.

 

MIDLAND MC STAGES RALLY TOP 10

1 Chris Armstrong/Tom Clinton (Escort) 65m 35s

2 Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon (Escort) 65m 38s

3 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Escort) 66m 35s

4 Maurice Moffett/Patrick Brides (Starlet) 66m 50s

5 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O’Hanlon (Impreza WRC) 67m 02s

6 James Laverty/Francis Regan (Impreza Gp N) 67m 14s

7 David Moffett/Fintan Sherry (Starlet) 68m 50s

8 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Impreza WRC) 69m 09s

9 Eamon Dervan/Brian McNamara (Escort) 69m 10s

10 Arthur Kierans/Mac Kierans (Escort) 69m 28s

 

JUNIORS:

1 Darren O’Brien/Johnny Rooney (Civic) 47m 13s

2 Barry Brady/Sean
Brady (Civic) 48m 48s

3 Alan Lawson/Sean Harte (Civic) 49m 52s

 

Upcoming Events

Squealing Pig Border Night Navigation Prize giving in Squealing Pig, Monaghan on Friday 5th April at 8.30 sharp. Please come along and support our sponsors regardless of receiving a trophy. Contact Andy on 087 2558957 to book tickets ASAP.

            Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally will take place on Sunday 20th April. All systems are go with a hard working team spending endless hours on road books, safety plans, time schedules, PR etc. Regs and Entry forms are available on club website at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net so all intending competitors are asked to send them in ASAP. A launch day for the event is also taking place with a guaranteed action packed day for all the family in the Hillgrove Hotel. Full details in next weeks edition

 

Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin ended their navigation on a high at the weekend with an outright win on the Monaghan motor Club navigation Trial in Newbliss last Saturday night. This completes a great season for the pair as they recorded two wins in Donegal also. 36 crews departed Newbliss to tackle the tight knit trial with 40 timepoints and 7 via’s, never any more than seven miles from HQ as the crow flies. At petrol halt Tynan/Higgins were tied with Ashley McAdoo and Francis Keenan on 2 penalties. Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins decided a cautious approach was the better option as they needed a good finish to claim the 2012/13 border and national championships, which they ultimately did with a 3rd over-all finish. Tynan/Clerkin and McAdoo/Keenan both held their nerve through the tricky second half, dropping a further two penalties to both finish on 4 with Tynan/Clerkin taking the overall win on novice over semi-expert ruling. National title chasers Colin Duffy and Sam Johnson took 4th overall as they had a good run in unfamiliar territory. Trevor Farrell and Noel Hall completed the top 5 and 3rd in expert class.

            With McAdoo/Keenan claiming top spot in the semi-expert class ahead of Pakie Duffy and Nigel McCloughery, it was Damien Treanor and Jonathan McGovern who took third place on a tough event. Dermot and Laurence rounded off a good year with many class trophies, taking top spot on this occasion and 10th overall. Eoghan Corr and Brendan Treanor were second in class once again ahead of Keith McConnon and Michael McCluskey. In what was a tough event for beginners, Fintan McGorman and Derek Mackarel used their local knowledge to great effect, taking a comfortable class win. Indeed had it not been for a dreaded 50 penalties with too much time take back they could of finished the event 6th overall. Second beginner went to Gerry Kelly and Seamus McTigue ahead of Donal McArdle and Andrew Wedlock.

            So after what was an enjoyable night for all who tackled the maze of lane’s through Newbliss and surrounding areas its was the old dog’s for the hard road, as Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins are once again crowned double National and Squealing Pig Border navigation champions. Watch this space for upcoming National and Border prize giving dates.

            CoC’s for the event, Ciaran and Michael Tynan would like to thank all residents along the route, especially those who offered their private lanes. All 30 marshals who turned up on the night to ensure everything was manned. Results teams and to the tea ladies who did a great job.       

 

Monaghan MC Navigation Trial top 10

1 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 4 marks

2 Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 4m

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

4 Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson (Subaru Impreza) 6m

5 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 8m

6 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Subaru Impreza) 12m

7 Gary McElhinney/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza) 33m

8 Pakie Duffy/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Impreza) 44m

9 Fintan McGorman/Derek Mackarel (Subaru Impreza) 61m

10 Dermot Keenan/Laurence Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 62m

 

Boyle cousins off to the prefect start

Declan and Brian Boyle have got off to the perfect start this season with another win on the opening round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally championship on Sunday last in Mayo. This follows on from there win in Birr for the opening round of the national. the Donegal men took a start to finish win with 1min and 30sec’s to spare over Donagh Kelly, both in Subaru WRC. Russell Woods and Gary Gallagher had a great run through the Mayo stages to claim 3rd overall, 5 seconds ahead of Cavan’s Johnathan Pringle, both in class 13 escorts. Declan Gallagher and Ronan Murrin rounded off the top five. Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague flew the flag highest for the travelling Monaghan brigade with a great 5th overall finish and 3rd in class 13. 

            Arthur and Mac Kierans also had the perfect start to their border campaign as the back to back winners took another class win in the trusty class 12 escort. Seamus Connolly and Gary McCruddan finished with a class win and 14th overall after some disappointing results of late by their standards. They also took the drive of the day award. Justin Smyth and Gregory McQuillan had an eventful day and did well to finish as class 9 winners and 15th overall. This was despite a high speed spin on stage 2 and the gear stick breaking on stage 6. Justin and Gregory would like to thank all their sponsors for the day. Jack Maguire and Stephen McElroy were 17th overall in the red escort. Michael Conlon and Niall Connolly had a troubled day but finished in 20th overall. John and Niall Kelly made a welcomed return to the stages in the twin cam and finished 3rd in the highly competitive class 10. David Smyth and Mark Derry were also out in the class 11R twin cam and took 3rd place spoils.

 

Mayo Stages 2013 Top 10

 

1/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle Subaru WRC 8 1:05:09.7

2/ Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan Subaru WRC 8 1:06:39.2

3/ Russell Woods/Gary Gallagher Ford Escort Mk 13 1:09:25.8

4/ Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne Ford Escort RS 13 1 1:09:30.4

5/ Declan Gallagher/Ronan Murrin Toyota Starlet 13 2 1:09:32.0

6/ Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague Toyota Corolla 13 3 1:11:06.5

7/ Pat Kirk/Joe McNulty Mitsubishi Evo 4 1 1:11:34.7

8/ Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty Mitsubishi Evo 4 2 1:12:23.2

9/ Paul Clarke/Patrick Cunningham Ford Escort 13 4 1:12:41.8

10/ Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee Ford Escort 13 5 1:12:46.5

       

Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins once again proved they are a formidable force when it comes to night navigations, taking another commanding win on Cavan MC annual navigation trial in Maudabawn on Saturday night last. With four wins from four starts in the border campaign they are impossible to beat at the minute. Colin Duffy and Sam Johnson kept the pressure on however for the 2013 National title with 2nd overall ensuring it goes down to the wire on the final event with a winner takes all scenario as they are level on points. Midlands men Packie and Colin Duffy had a good run to 3rd overall and semi expert class winners.

            CoC for this event, Thomas Wedlock with Darren O Brien laid on a fantastic route through the windmill strewn countryside of Maudabawn, Mountain Lodge and Kill taking in the infamous knobbys jump’s along with many gravel lanes through the windmills which wouldn’t look out of place on Rally Finland. Ashley McAdoo and Francis Kennan were leading the event at mid-point with the only clean sheet but dropped to 4th overall and 2nd semi-expert as their car began to boil through the second half. Bobby Sharkey and Mac Kierans had a good run to a novice class win and 5th overall, ahead of Michael and Ciaran Tynan who were also on 28 penalties. Both crews missing a tricky time point 20 amongst the windmills. Dermot and Laurence Keenan had a great run to take 2nd in novice and they too were one of 15 crews to miss tp20. Gerry Kelly and Seamus McTigue were once again the winners in the beginners class, a long way ahead of Ryan Connolly and Shane Mulligan in 2nd.

            Well done to Thomas, Darren and all their team on an enjoyable and well run event. All roads lead to Newbliss, Co Monaghan this Saturday night for the Border and National Night Navigation decider.

 

Cavan MC Navigation Trial top 12

1 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 7 marks

2 Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 14m

3 Pakie Duffy/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Impreza) 16m

4 Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 26m

5 Bobby Sharkey/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 28m

6 Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 28m

7 Dermot Keenan/Laurence Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 30m

8 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 32m

9 Trevor McConnell/Ruaidhri Nash (Subaru Impreza) 32m

10 Joe Friel/Aidan Friel (Subaru Impreza) 38m

11 Gerry McIntyre/Aaron McIntyre (Subaru Impreza) 42m

12 Sean McKenna/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 43m

 

 

Munster CC Moonraker Forest Rally

England’s Mick O’Brien and Limericks Greg Shinnors took victory on last Sundays Moonraker forestry Rally. This pairing took a start to finish win in a focus WRC ahead of Philip and Simon Morrow in an EVO 9 . It was another good day in the Combilift/Moffett stable as Josh Moffett, partnered by Jason McKenna took 3rd overall after a good battle throughout the day with Martin Cairns and Kevin Flanagan who eventually succumbed to the pressure and had to settle for 4th. Sam Moffett and David Moynihan were 5th overall and took the group N win.

            Fresh from their Fivemiletown win, Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan were 9th overall as a bad stage time on the 2nd test dropped them well down the leader board. Michael Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips had a fantastic run to claim top spot in the two wheel drive battle. They were level with Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott heading into the last stage and had an excellent run to take 7 seconds off McGirrs time to finish 10th overall and top twd.

 

Munster CC Moonraker Forest Rally Top 10

1 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Focus WRC) 29m 31s,

2 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 29m 39s,

3 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 30m 17s,

4 Martin Cairns/Kevin Flanagan (Impreza WRC) 30m 26s,

5 Sam Moffett/David Moynihan (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 31m 10s,

6 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Corolla WRC) 31m 19s,

7 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206) 31m 20s,

8 Niall Henry/John Rowan (Impreza) 31m 28s,

9 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Impreza) 31m 36s,

10 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Escort) 31m 59s.

Daniel McKenna Support Draw
After a fantastic night in Connolly’s Bar and Lounge Scotshouse, a great crowd came out in force to show their support for Daniel’s attempt at the British Rally Championship. The official winners of the prizes in the draw are as follows:
Winner of the 1st prize and the chance to Co- Drive for Daniel in his Mk2 Escort in the Midlands Stages Rally in 3 weeks or €1000 cash prize is: Sean Mc Hugh (Mayo Motor Club), Bekan, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Winner of the 2nd prize, A weekend for 2 and 1 evening meal in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny is: Tony Fitzpatrick, Ture, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan
Winner of the 3rd prize, SCANBITZ Rally Team Merchandise Jacket, Hoody, Polo Shirt and Cap is: Helena Mc Cusker, Inver Close, Roslea, Co. Fermanagh
            The Supporters Club would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support, from ticket buyers, ticket sellers, sponsors for the main draw prizes, sponsors for the raffle prizes and everyone for their words of encouragement and help over the past 8 weeks. Thank you.

 

Monaghan Navigation Trial

This Saturday sees Monaghan Motor Club host the final round of the National and Squealing Pig border navigation championships. Following four wins from four starts, Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins have a commanding lead in the Squealing Pig border championship and a top 12 finish should see them lift the title for another year, The National championship is a much closer affair however with Andy/Liam and Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson tied on points heading into this final round. Coc for the event is Ciaran Tynan and the HQ is Acorn Centre, Newbliss. As always there are up on 50 marshals required so if your available please text Ciaran on 0877827918. Marshals are asked to be in Newbliss no later than 8pm. Plots out at 6.30 and 7.30 with first car away at 9.31pm.

 

Upcoming Events

Best of luck to all local competitors who kick start their Sligo Pallets Border Rally championship campaign this Sunday with the Mayo stages Rally. Monaghan Stages Rally is fast approaching with trojan work happening behind the scenes at present. Sunday 20th April is the date and as always this will be one of the biggest sporting events of the year in the county. A Rally launch event is also in the pipeline with an organising team working hard to provide an enjoyable family orientated day out in the Hillgrove. More details to follow.