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Last weekend saw the penultimate round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship stages in the County Clare town of Ennis. With 96 starters in the main field and weather conditions very much wet and slippery it was sure to be a testing event. Cork’s Brian O Mahoney and John Higgin’s took the overall win in their Subaru Impreza. They were pushed all the way by the ever-trying Monaghan men Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry who settled for 2^nd, 19seconds behind O’Mahoney. 3^rd over-all went to Kerry men Kevin Kelleher and Gerard Conway. This 2^nd over-all for Maguire and Sherry means that this years National title will go down to the wire on the Donegal Harvest with O’Mahoney, Maguire and Kerry man Thomas Fitzmaurice all still in the running for overall honours.

As ever their were quite a number of local crews who made the trip to Clare as Kevin Barrett teamed up with Conor Foley for the first time to finish just outside the top three in 4^th overall having overcome some minor issue’s early on to take the class win. It was a good day at the office for the Triton Showers/Maguire International team as Shane Maguire and Martin McGarrity took the third Subaru home to 8^th over-all, despite some clutch trouble over the first loop of stages. Shane and Martin were second group N behind Colm Murphy, also in a Subaru.

In the two wheel drive category it was Frank Kelly and Liam Brennan who once again blitzed the opposition with an incredible run to 5^th overall with Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle and Martin Byrne 7^th overall and first in class 13 in their escort. Class 11 provided one of the battles of the day as Ryan Loughran and James McCarville were on the pace and eventually finished 12^th overall and 2^nd class 11 just behind Neil Pierce and Enda O’Leary in a civic. Once again Seamus Connolly and Gary McCrudden were entertaining the crowds with their aggressive driving style but a spin on the final loop of stages meant they had to settle for 3^rd class 11 and 13^th overall. Adrian Foley and Adrian Flynn were reacquainted once again in the Nova and were rewarded with 23^rd overall a fine 2^nd in the highly competitive class 10 behind Cavan’s Paddy Kieran and Darren O’Brien who were 20^th overall.

Michael Carbin had James O’Reilly on the notes in Clare but an altercation with a bale left the 205 with a burst radiator and forced them into retirement. Late entrants Josh Moffett and John Rowan were also forced into retirement with mechanical trouble.

Wexford Dick Bailey Stages Rally

Well done to the Moffett Engineering Rally team on their recent good runs on the Wexford Dick Bailey two day Rally. Their long haul South was rewarded as Maurice Moffett and Jason Mc Kenna took their class 14 starlet home to 5^th overall and a class win to boot. Next up were Richard Moffett and Martin Connolly who incredibly finished on the exact same time as father Maurice on 2:00.40 after two days rallying as they finished 6^th overall and class 13 winners. Incidentally just three seconds separated the top three in this highly competitive class 13. David Moffett and Eamon Hayes took the 3^rd Starlet home to a class 11a win also. A good weekend at the office for the Moffett Engineering Starlets. Fintan and Sean Sherry also made it to Wexford in their class 10 escort but unfortunately their weekend was short lived as they were forced into retirement as early as stage 3.

The Rally was won by James Stafford in a Darrian T90 GTR with Damian Cole 2^nd in a Subaru and John Dalton 3^rd, also in a Darrian.

Donegal men win Galway Summer Rally

Donegal cousins Declan and Brain Boyle won the recent Galway Summer Stages Rally. This win was made all the more special by the fact that the Donegal men were out in a newly acquired Subaru WRC for the first time. John Joe Fleming and Robbie Ward were 2^nd o/a in a Focus WRC while Donegal’s Declan Gallagher and Derek Henna had a fabulous run to 3^rd o/a in there back wheel drive starlet.

            There were a number of local crews who made the trip West and it was Emmett Sherry who topped the pile, navigating Barry Ryan to a fine 5^th over-all in their class 11 escort. Jack Maguire and Stephen Mc Elroy were 11^th and 3^rd in class 13 in their escort. Emyvale New Holland dealer Barry McKenna had Martin McGarrity on the notes and had a great run to 12^th o/a through the stone walled Galway stages. Jonathon Treanor was in the hot seat for the first time with Adrian Cannon in the ever-quick Honda and blitzed the class 2 opposition to take the class win and 15^th over-all. Justin Smyth and Gregory McQuillan once again made the trip to Galway worthwhile with a comprehensive class 9 win and 19^th over-all in their escort. Justin was on the pace from the off and even the rain while on slicks couldn’t slow down the Lisnalong men. Justine and Gregory would like to thank their sponsors Seamus Doran Plant Hire-Smithboro, Fitzpatrick Fuels-Clones, EMG Services-Ballybay and Martin Smyth Agri for their generous help.

            Unfortunately Darren and Nicola McKenna’s day was short lived as they retired on stage 2 in their class 11 twin cam. Damian Connolly was on the notes for Louth man Liam Bowhan in the starlet and they consistently climbed the leader board throughout the day and were up to 15^th but retired on ss7.

Davagh Sunset Rally

Enda McNulty with Monaghan man Paul Sheridan on the notes took the over-all win on the hugely popular Sunset Rally on Friday week last. This event is a gravel surface event run under the cover of darkness, adding to the challenge and spectacle and attracted 53 entries. Enda and Paul took a 13 second win from the fivemiletown pairing of Shane McGirr and Jackie Elliott in the ultra quick starlet. Vivian and Paul Hamill were 3^rd over-all in their escort.

            As with any rally event throughout the country there was a convoy of locals who made the trip to the Davagh Forests. Dessie Keenan and Enda Sherry tried their luck in the sticks in the infamous Maguire G3 escort and had great run to 9^th over-all and 2^nd in class 8. Michael Conlon and Gerry Buckley made a welcomed return with a fine run to 12^th over-all and 3^rd in class 7. Andy Mackarel and Raymond Conlon were out once again in the EVO4 and had a steady run to 16^th over-all and 2^nd in class. Conor Maguire teamed up with Damian Hagan for the night and took his immaculate MKI escort home to 20^th over-all and 4^th in class. Michael Carbin took a step into the unknown in the 205 and with Martin McGarrity on the notes they finished 25^th over-all and missed out on a class win by 6 seconds. Michael’s night navigation experience surely helping through the Davagh Forests. Cavan native Noel Lappin with Daire Maguire on the notes were 26^th over-all and class 3 winners.        

Night Navigation Classes

Classes continue tonight (Thursday) at 8pm in Threemilehouse GAA complex. Still not too late to join in. This course cover’s all aspects of night navigation as well as the basics of stages rallying navigation. Navigation regular Fintan Clerkin has kindly taken on the task of running these classes for this year and if you are interested in partaking please call or text Fintan on 0872297024.

Sympathy

Monaghan Motor Club and its members would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Peter O Reilly, Monaghan who died suddenly last week. Peter is survived by his wife Frances, daughters Sinead and Ashling and sons Daniel, James and Greg who are all regular competitors on motor sport events.

Sunday last saw Monaghan Motor Club run a very successful endurance trial in the North Monaghan area. CoC for the event Andy Mackarel laid on a challenging and diverse route, which consisted of 7 “stages” totalling 17 “selectives”.

Its probably fair to say little was known about this form of motorsport prior to this event but all reports suggest that it will become popular after an enjoyable days racing through the Monaghan countryside. Enda McLoughlin from midlands MC had a new Toyota starlet for the event and with local Monaghan man Declan Tynan on the note’s were on the pace of the expert’s early on which they carried throughout the day to take an 8 second win after the 17 selectives. 2^nd over-all went to autotest expert Eddie Peterson with Vincent Fagan navigating, also in a starlet. 3^rd over-all went to Robert Woodside and Sue Graham in an immaculate and unique Mazda MX5.

With HQ in Sean MacDiarmaid’s GAA complex, Threemilehouse where 1^st car left at 10.30 and headed for Wright’s Quarry for the first selective. This test started with a gravel surface and some flowing corners but soon tightened up as it switched to concrete with many hairpins through the concrete slab lined course. Then it was on to the next test known locally as Keenans lane, between Threemilehouse and Corcaghan. This test could be considered the most hazardous of the day, which saw a few cars slid off throughout the day on the grassy and gravel strewn lanes. Both these tests were completed a number of times throughout the morning. As the day progressed the endurance trial moved further west towards Newbliss and Clones. The third selective was around a farm at Boughill on the Killeevan-Magherarny road. This test was a short but very technical sprint with two “stop-boxes” which require competitors to stop their car dead inside a designated area. Failure to complete this resulted in time penalties. Then it was on to Clonavilla farmyard outside Clones. This farm has previously been used on night navigations and the sheer size of the sheds and lanes in the clonavilla complex provided an excellent test for both man and machine as the many ramps in and out of sheds tested a driver’s commitment.

Once the first of the runs around Clonavilla was complete it was into Clones for a well-deserved dinner break at McCaugheys filling station on the Monaghan Road. At the half way stage it was Eddie Peterson and Vincent Fagan who held a slender 1 second lead form Robert Woodside and Sue Graham with eventual winners Enda McLoughlin and Declan Tynan in 3^rd, 15 seconds adrift. Local men Damian Hagan and Derek Mackarel were up to 6^th over-all at this stage in their yaris. It was back to Clonavilla for another run and then onto the outskirts of Newbliss on the Cootehill road for three tests all within close proximity and familiar to regular night navigation competitors. First up was a concrete farm lane known as Corlougharoe. This test had the only “code- board” of the event which required competitors to stop (or slow down if you were quick enough!) and record a code which must then be given at stage end to the marshal to avoid time penalties. Then it was on to Aghareagh (or Bosco’s lane as its known locally) this test was a mixture of concrete, gravel and mud which provided great entertainment for the many on-lookers. The last of the seven tests was close by at Correvan with a lovely flowing gravel surface out to the finish. All of these five tests (or “selectives”) were repeated before the short haul back to threemilehouse before the eagerly awaited results were posted.

McLoughlin and Tynan had done just enough through the latter selectives to take their first endurance trial win ahead of more experienced crews.

            Midlands’s navigation regulars Sam Johnston and Colin Duffy finished in 3^rd overall with fellow clubmen Micheal Reilly and Nigel McCloughery 7^th o/a and 2^nd in class, both crews also in starlets. Other locals to face into the unknown of endurance trials were Damien Hagan and Derek Mackarel who was navigating for the first time on a competitive event. They were up to 6^th over-all at one stage but a few penalties late on dropped them back to 10^th at the end. Kieran “Bilko” McCarra and Darren McCague revived an ex-navigation civic from the dead and certainly looked to have a great days crack, finishing 12^th o/a and 4^th in class. Arthur and Mac Kierans “borrowed!” a civic for the day and despite their best efforts early on at breaking her, she refused to lie down and brought the Aghabog men home to 13^th o/a. Cathal McGlone and David Smyth acquired the infamous Paul Fitzpatrick owned golf for the day and finished 16^th o/a. Josh Moffatt and Gary McCrudden had a primera out for the day and finished 18^th o/a, reports suggest that this is Josh’s road and recce car which bears all the haul marks of a few battle scares!! Samuel and Carol Patterson also had their night navigation primera out on this event and finished 19^th o/a and also seemed to enjoy their day. Peter Farrell somehow coaxed Jim McKenna into the passengers seat for the day and they limped there civic over the line with clutch problems to finish 20^th o/a.  Eoghan Corr and Peter Deery resurrected a seat Ibiza that also refuse’s die and finished 21^st. Steven Rushe and Conor Hagan had a Hyundai Getz on show for the day and finished 22^nd over-all. Think its fair to say this particular car wouldn’t exactly be used to this style of driving! As with all forms of motorsport there are always non-finishers, Evin Hughes was navigating for Karl O’Donoghue but their day was short lived as their rover stopped after the first selective with engine trouble. Trevor Farrell and Noel Hall were forced into early retirement when they burst the sump on their fiesta. Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin rung the diff out of their vectra after the 3^rd test, thus proving that bigger cars are not ideal for this form of motorsport.

All in all a great days entertainment for all crews. CoC Andy Mackarel and Monaghan Motor Club would like to thank everyone involved. Firstly the landowners who gave up their farms, quarries, lanes etc. so that this event could be run, your generosity is greatly appreciated. To Sean Mac Diarmaid’s GFC for use of their facilities along with Newbliss Community Centre where results were prepared throughout the day. McQuaids garage, Threemilehouse for the use of their facilities for scrutiny. All marshals who came out on the day to volunteer and ensure the safe running of the event. A big thank you to everyone else who helped out in any way. Well done to Andy for running an enjoyable event at such short notice and hopefully should this event run again it will be better supported from club members.

Ulster International Rally

Well done to club member Enda Sherry who navigated Armagh’s Darren Gass to 1^st over-all on last weekends Ulster International Rally. Darren and Enda had a convincing 1 minute 12 second win over their nearest rivals Gary Jennings in a similar spec Subaru with Darragh O’Riordan 3^rd o/a in a S12B spec Subaru. In the group N category Sam Moffatt and James O’Reilly had a great run through the North Ulster stages to take 6^th o/a and 2^nd in class behind Dublins Robert Barrable in an S2000 Skoda. Stephen Wright and Martin Connolly had a consistent weekend and were rewarded with 3^rd group N and 7^th over-all.

In the National Rally Arthur Kierans was in the hot seat with Derek McGeehan in the Mini WRC and came home in 3^rd o/a, 8 seconds off the rally winner Frank Kelly with Camillus Bradley 2^nd. Mechanical gremlins throughout the weekend possibly preventing the McGeehan mini from claiming an over-all win. Amy Cox had Monaghan’s Emmet Sherry on the notes and they had a steady run in their R3 civic to finish 23^rd over-all. Matthew McKenna was navigating for Michael Carroll in a fiesta ST and had a great run to 28^th o/a and a class win to boot. Jonathan Treanor was sitting with Simon Devlin but their rally was short lived when they stopped on stage 6 in a corolla.

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 start next Thursday night, 30^th August and will run for six consecutive weeks. Once again the classes will be based in Threemilehouse GAA complex, starting at 8pm sharp. This course will cover all aspects of night navigation as well as the basics of stages rallying navigation. Navigation regular Fintan Clerkin has kindly taken on the task of running these classes for this year and if you are interested in partaking please call or text Fintan on 0872297024 to confirm your place as spaces are limited.

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.