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Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally

Tipperary Motor Club hosted their annual Stonethrowers Stages Rally last weekend, Based around Clonmel, 112 starters crossed the start ramp to tackle the three rain soaked stages. Corks Brian O Mahony and John Higgins took a 43second win from Thomas Fitzmaurice and Fionn Foley, both in WRC spec subaru’s. Limerick men Colm Murphy and Don Montgomery were 3^rd o/a in a Group N Subaru.

 Local men Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry emerged as early leaders and held a 17 second lead going into first service but disaster struck in service when a wheel bolt sheared, putting an end to their heroic charge. It was a bad first loop for the triton shower team as Niall’s team-mate and late entrant Kevin Barrett and Sean Mullally crashed out on ss3 while lying in 4^th o/a. Jim Mc Kenna and Thomas Treanor also succumbed to the slippy conditions on the opening loop as they slid their escort off the road and out of the event on the opening test. Jack Maguire and Andy Hayes were also victims of the wet stages on the opening loop, as were Eugene Meegan and Paul Kelly.

   Despite all this bad luck, Monaghan crews faired much better in group N as Sam Moffatt and James O Reilly took the group N win and a 5^th o/a finish. Next up were Shane Maguire and Marty McGarrity who got off to a slow start but improved their pace throughout the day to finish 2^nd in group N and 7^th over-all. Stephen Wright and Martin Connolly were using this event as a test for the upcoming Ulster Rally this weekend and set some great times to finish 3^rd in group N and 10^th over-all. Josh Moffatt and John Rowan had been the early leaders in group N and were up to an impressive 4^th over-all, but there best efforts were undone on ss6 when the slid the EVO9 off the road to end their challenge.

  Further down the field Seamus Connolly and Gary McCrudden put in a superb performance in the wet conditions and slid their twin cam home to a class 11 win and 19^th o/a. Barry Greer and Suzanne Wright brought their ford fiesta home with a class 6 win and 24^th over-all. Next of the local crews were Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes in their trusty 205. They held the class 10 lead throughout the day to finish in 27^th o/a, this result increasing their lead in the national championship. Martin Donnelly and Paul Sheridan  finished in 28^th over-all in their EVO9. Ryan Lougheran and Fintan Sherry teamed up at the last minute and things seemed to work out well as they took 3^rd in the highly competitive class 11. Paddy O’Reilly and Jonathan Treanor teamed up for the first time also and had a clean run all day to take their escort home to 5^th in class 13. All in all

 a mixed day of fortunes for the locals in Clonmel.

 

Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial

 

Monaghan Motor Club will host their first ever endurance trial event this Sunday 19^th August. CoC for the event is Andy Mackarel and he is currently busy with the setting out of this new event to Monaghan MC. The format for his trial is approximately 10 venues or “selectives” which are ran 2-3 times each with centralised service in Threemilehouse GAA complex. These selective’s consist of a timed run, usually on private ground, timed to the second in which the driver and navigator are required to traverse a predetermined route set out by the CoC. Penalties are applied for failing to traverse the route in the right direction, hitting cones or other obstacles, failing to come to a complete stop within a “stop-box” etc. This new and very popular form of motorsport could best be described as a mix of night navigation and autotest skill’s. Andy’s 10 selectives cover a wide variety of surfaces from grassy & gravel lanes to concrete and tarmac through farms and quarries etc. throughout the areas surrounding Threemilehouse, Clones, Newbliss and Swanns Cross.

            As this event is an official Motorsport Ireland discipline, all normal regulations apply and a full list of MI regulations can be downloaded from Monaghan Motor Club website at www.monaghanmotorclub.net (Appendix 35 which include amendments to the 2012 Endurance Trial Regs) Night navigation type cars are allowed up to a maximum 2000cc non-turbo, but no four-wheel drive vehicles of any type are permissible as directed by Motorsport Ireland and as per amended endurance trial regulations. Tyres must be standard road going type. Appendix 35 regulations on club website has an in-depth insight into these events and anyone interested in competing are urged to have a look at these. This event promises to be good value for money as well as a light-hearted days sport.

            Regs and entry forms are also available on club web site with scrutiny at Pat McQuaids garage outside Threemilehouse from 7.30am on Sunday 19^th with drivers briefing at 10am sharp. Coc Andy Mackarel has indicated that this event will require up to 100 marshals and your help would be greatly appreciated if you are not competing. Andy has also indicated that these selectives are on private property and there is no spectator access to most of these, therefore why not volunteer as a marshal and be part of the running of another successful event for Monaghan Motor Club. Please text or ring Paul Hughes on 086 2571401 to enlist as a marshal for the day. Full Report next week.

Night Navigation Classes

Once again Monaghan Motor Club will run night navigation classes before the upcoming new season starts in early October. These classes will be run over six consecutive weeks starting on Thursday August 30^th and once again will be based in Threemilehouse GAA complex. This course will cover all aspects of night navigation as well as the basics of stages rallying navigation. More information next week.

Monaghan Motor Club will host their first ever endurance trial event on Sunday 19^th August. CoC for the event is Andy Mackarel and he is currently busy with the setting out of this new event to Monaghan MC.

The format for his trial is approximately 10 venues or “selectives” which are ran 2-3 times each with centralised service in Threemilehouse GAA complex.

These selective’s consist of a timed run, usually on private ground, timed to the second in which the driver and navigator are required to traverse a predetermined route set out by the CoC. Penalties are applied for failing to traverse the route in the right direction, hitting cones or other obstacles, failing to come to a complete stop within a “stop-box” etc.

This new and very popular form of motorsport could best be described as a mix of night navigation and autotest skill’s.

Andy’s 10 selectives cover a wide variety of surfaces from grassy & gravel lanes to concrete and tarmac through farms and quarries etc. throughout the areas surrounding Threemilehouse, Newbliss and Swanns Cross.

            As this event is an official Motorsport Ireland discipline, all normal regulations apply and a full list of MI regulations can be downloaded from Monaghan Motor Club website at www.monaghanmotorclub.net (Appendix 35 which include amendments to the 2012 Endurance Trial Regs) Night navigation type cars are allowed up to a maximum 2000cc non-turbo, but no four-wheel drive vehicles of any type are permissible as directed by Motorsport Ireland and as per amended endurance trial regulations. Tyres must be standard road going type. Appendix 35 regulations on club website has an in-depth insight into these events and anyone interested in competing should have a look at these.

This event promises to be good value for money as well as a light-hearted days sport so why not send in your entry early, as places are limited to 70 starters.

            Regs and entry forms are also available on club web site with scrutiny at Pat McQuaids garage outside Threemilehouse from 7.30am on Sunday 19^th with drivers briefing at 10am sharp.

Coc Andy Mackarel has indicated that this event will require up to 100 marshals and your help would be greatly appreciated if you are not competing. Andy has also indicated that these selectives are on private property and there is no spectator access to most of these, therefore why not volunteer as a marshal and be part of the running of another successful event for Monaghan Motor Club. Please text or ring Paul Hughes on 086 2571401 to enlist as a marshal for the day.

Ballinodes Shane Maguire with Fermanagh native Martin McGarrity on the notes created history at the weekend when they won the Sligo stages rally. Their win means its the first time ever a father and son has won the rally as Shane’s father Niall has also won the rally on numerous occasions. Shane and Martin had the daunting task of running first on the road for the rally, a position they had not had to contend with before. Pat Kirk and Peter Ward were promoted to 2^nd over-all on the penultimate stage as the Bustard brothers from Donegal slid out of the event whilst in a great battle with Shane and Martin for the over-all honours. Championship sponsors Andrew Mullen and Elaine Doherty in the Sligo Pallets EVO 9 were 3^rd over-all on their home event. This result, coupled with a 2^nd over-all in Newry and Mourne shows the series sponsors are well and truly on the pace and with the Donegal Harvest in October as the final round, this crew are sure to be top 5 contenders once again.

Despite the changeable weather conditions Shane with regular navigator Martin Mc Garrity where quickly into there stride setting equal fastest time with regular contenders Trevor and Kenny Bustard. Third seed’s Pat Kirk and Peter Ward set a time four seconds shy of the leading pack, whilst fourth on the road was Garry Jennings who was in an unfamiliar WRC Corolla and unfortunately for Garry and his partner Herbie Blackburn their mount developed an electrical fault early in the opening stage and with a substantial time loss this Fermanagh crew were resigned to the fact they had lost too much time to aim for the win. By first service the Bustard brothers had jumped into an eight second lead, however Maguire and McGarrity answered by taking three seconds back to leave a five second deficit. Garry Jennings was climbing back up well and set four fastest times and the other four fastest stage times where dead ties between the Bustard and Maguire cars, all testament to the closeness of the fight between them. Going into the penultimate stage the Bustard boys did hold the lead by a slender ten seconds, a monumental push from Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity which saw them take nine seconds from their first pass of the stage was possibly enough to put some pressure on their closest rivals, but unfortunately Trevor and Kenny Bustard crashed out and the battle was ended as Shane and Marty emerged victorious which was tinged with much emotion as their close friends hadn’t made the finish. Thanks goes to all who made this victory possible for the boys.

Possibly the drive of the day (not taking away from Shanes win!) was that of Arthur and Mac Kierans who blitzed the two wheel drive machines and indeed were 3^rd over-all heading into the last few stages. Unfortunately for the Aghabog duo, conditions dried up and the EVO 9 of Mullen and Doherty slipped past, but nonetheless 4^th over-all for the Kierans brigade a tremendous result. Jim McKenna and Thomas Treanor took the class 14 spoils and 9^th over-all. Justin Smyth and Gregory McQuillan made a return to the stages with a convincing class 9 win and 17th over-all. Seamus Connolly and Gary McCruddan were class 11 victors and 18^th over-all in the twin cam. John Kelly and JP Mc Aree were in a close class 10 battle throughout the day and settled for 3^rd and 31^st o/a behind Patrick Kiernan/Darren O’Brien and Martin Ewing/James Ewing. David Smyth and Mark Deery brought the black twin cam home to 4^th in class 11. Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes’ day was short lived as they bowed out early on with gearbox issues in the 205.

Fintan Sherry made his debut in the junior category with dad Sean in the navigators seat and was surely giving plenty of tips and encouragement along the way, although but these probably weren’t need as Fintans night navigation experience surely paid off in the slippy conditions. 1^st over-all junior was his reward, well done and we’ll surely see more of Fintan in the near future. Worth noting Fintans times were well up in the over-all class 10 classifications.

So with one round remaining its all to play for in this years Sligo pallets border championship but reigning champions Arthur and Mac Kierans have the bit firmly between their teeth now and will be hoping to replicate last years performance in Donegal and put together back to back titles.

CONNAUGHT MC STAGES RALLY TOP 10

1/ Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Impreza Gp N) 69m 59s

2/ Pat Kirk/Peter Ward (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 71m 51s

3/ Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 72m 15s

4/ Arthur Kierans/Mac Kierans (Escort) 72m 19s

5/ Anthony Cairns/Mark Preston (Impreza) 72m 20s

6/ Alastair Cochrane/Jonathan Charlesson (Escort) 72m 21s

7/ Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee (Escort) 72m 25s

8/ Enda Haran/Patrick Corcoran (Escort) 72m 28s

9/ Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Escort) 72m 29s

10/ John Cairns/James Cairns (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 72m 30s.

Vincent and JP McAree 2^nd over-all in Cork Forest

McAree cousins Vincent and JP made the journey south to Mitchelstown in Cork last weekend for Tipperary Motor Clubs annual Forestry Rally and had a spirited performance to take 2^nd over-all behind the ever hard charging Gary Jennings, with local Cork man Owen Murphy only two seconds adrift in 3^rd.

The Mc Aree’s were leading after the first stage but Gary Jennings showed his class on the gravel, winning five of the eight stages as Vincent was fastest on the last and joint with Jennings on the second last. Nevertheless a great performance in the EVO 9. There was plenty of other Monaghan interest as Stephen and Suzanne Wright had a great battle with Josh Moffatt and John Rowan all day and came out on top by almost 30 seconds. Incidentally Sam Moffatt and James O Reilly were also down but their day ended after stage 2 with fuel pressure problems. With this being Sam and Josh’s first venture to the forests its worth noting that they, along with Stephen and Suzanne Wright all set the exact same time on the first stage so will be interesting to look out for this mini “Monaghan” battle over the next events.

With two rounds remaining in this years Valvoline Forestry Championship Stephen and Suzanne Wright hold the lead over Gary Jennings with the Mc Aree cousins third. But with dropped rounds to be taken into account Jennings may hold the upper hand but all is to play for in the Lakelands and Glen’s of Antrim forestry Rally’s.

TIPPERARY M C FOREST RALLY TOP 10

1/ Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Impreza) 35m 30s

2/ Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 48s

3/ Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 50s

4/ Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 36m 18s

5/ Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright (Lancer Evo 6) 36m 49s

6/ Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 37m 17s

7/ Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 37m 29s

8/ Martin Cairns/Gary Monteith (Impreza WRC) 37m 42s

9/ John Reid/Enda Shiels (Corolla WRC) 37m 54s

10/ Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 37m 57s

Jennings Win’s Donegal International Rally

 

Fermanagh man Gary Jennings with Donegal native Neil Doherty on the notes had a memorable victory on last weekends Topaz Donegal International Rally. To make it an even sweeter victory Gary was in a rented Subaru S14 WRC, which he had never competed in before. Leading from start to finish Gary and Neil took a minute and 21 seconds win over Seamus Leonard and John McCafferty. Derek McGarrity and Paul Kiely had a steady run throughout the weekend to round off the top three.

            As ever this event proved to be more of a marathon than a race with 143 cars starting in the main field to tackle the 22 stages over three days through some of the most famous stages in Ireland. Monaghan man Enda Sherry was seeded at number 1 alongside young Markethill driver Darren Gass. Leading the series prior to this event, this crew incurred road penalties on day 1 which would ultimately drop them from as possible 2^nd over-all to 5^th. Nonetheless a good points haul in their quest for the International title. Local men Niall Maguire and Conor Foley were at number 6 for the event and putting in some very consistent times throughout the weekend. Unfortunately bad luck set in on the final stage as gearbox troubles raised its ugly head again, forcing them into retirement while lying 6^th over-all. Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly started at number 17 in their evo 9 and had a ding-dong battle all weekend with younger brother Josh who had Jason McKenna on the notes. Josh and Jason were late entrants and certainly had the upper hand through most of the weekend but Sam and James pulled out all the stops on the Sunday stages to pull through and take the Group N victory and 6^th over-all. Josh Moffatt had to settle for 7^th over-all, only 17seconds behind brother Sam after 3 intense days rallying.  Another Monaghan crew saw Daniel mc Kenna and Arthur Kierans leading the national rally away at number 10 but their event was short lived with transmission woes forcing their retirement on Friday afternoon while leading the National rally. However they re-joined the Rally for the Saturday stages and set some great times, whilst entertaining the crowds along the way.

Heavy rains continued throughout the Friday and Saturday stages but thankfully the sun made an appearance on Sunday for the final day of the rally. The National Rally turned out to be more of a local battle as Declan and Brian Boyle just edged out Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett for the over-all win in the National Rally by a mere 4.8 seconds after 3 long days rallying. Incidentally Manus was in the now famous red Gary McPhillips escort for the weekend. Martin McGee was 3^rd with Brian Brogan 4^th over-all, both Donegal natives. Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor was another local crew seeded at number 37 in their black escort but sadly retired over the final few stages on Sunday whilst lying 12^th in the National event. Cavan pairing of Damien O’Reilly and Damien mc Cabe were at number 98 in there escort mk2 and finished 3^rd in class 9 and 47^th over-all. Donegal’s James Greenan had Monaghan man Jonathan Treanor on the notes and they had a good steady run throughout the weekend in there class 9 corsa despite losing some time on the Friday stages with gearbox problems and went on to take 2nd in class 9 and 40th over all.   Sean Agnew had regular navigator Peter Deery on the notes and were 19^th over-all and 2^nd in class 9 in the national section. David Smyth/Mark Deery was another Monaghan crew to tackle the Donegal stages and had an excellent run to 39^th over-all. Well done to all locals’ crews who made the trip.

 

2012 Topaz Donegal International Rally Top 10

1/ Garry Jennings/Neil Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 25m 06s

2/ Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 26m 27s

3/ Derek McGarrity/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 28m 01s

4/ Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 28m 17s

5/ Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 29m 03s

6/ Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 34m 05s

7/ Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 34m 22s

8/ Martin Doherty/Damien McCauley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 37m 52s

9/ Kevin O’Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 42m 35s

10/ P J McDermott/Paul Goodman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 42m 53s

 

Group N Production class:

1/ Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly

2/ Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna

3/ Martin Doherty/Damien McCauley

 

National Rally:

1/ Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort) 2h 32m 21s

2/ Manus Kelly/Donal Barrett (Ford Escort) 2h 32m 26s

3/ Martin McGee/Denis O’Mahony (Ford Escort) 2h 34m 48s

 

Historic Rally:

1/ Andy Johnson/Jim McSherry (Vauxhall Chevette) 2h 03m 54s

2/ John Keatley/James McKeefrey (Ford Escort) 2h 04m 01s

3/ Stephen McFerran/Ellen McFerran (Ford Escort) 2h 08m 34s

 

Junior Rally:

1/ Damien Whoriskey/Michael McClafferty (Ford Escort) 56m 03s

2/ Barry McLaughlin/Aodhan Gallagher (Toyota Corolla) 56m 28s

3/ Christopher McLaughlin/Niall O’Donnell (Toyota Corolla) 58m 03s.

 

Raymond Conlon and Darren Mc Cague entertain in Sol Rally, Barbados

Well done to club members Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague who made the epic journey to Barbados recently to compete in the now famous Sol Rally, Barbados. Raymond and Darren slid their black twin cam to a fine 3^rd in class on this event, which is ran over two weekends. Full report and photo’s next week.

 

Sympathy

Monaghan Motor Club would like to extend their sympathy to the family & friends of Michael Leonard who passed away recently. Michael was an active competitor for many years and also assisted on various events held by the club. A native of Aghabog, Michael has no doubt influenced many of the current motorsport followers in the area and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

 

 

Monaghan Motor Club offers its condolences to the families and friends of those fatally injured at the  Cavan Stages Rally on Sunday last (27/4/12)

Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured,to whom we wish a full recovery. 

Paul Hughes (Chairman)

For and on behalf of Monaghan Motor Club