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Sam Moffett was the top finishing Monaghan Motor Club member on last weekend’s West Cork Rally which was round 2 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. The event attracted a stunning entry of over 140 crews for the two day event which for the first time was a round of the British Rally Championship. World Rally star, Craig Breen, won the event with Alaister Fisher once again his nearest rival in 2nd. Sam Moffett wound up third best of the ITC competitors securing 5th overall.

On a very wet opening stage through Ring village, Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty had a flier to take a slender 1 second lead from Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly who were out for the first time since Donegal. Josh’s lead was short lived as Craig Breen stormed through stage two to take the lead which he would not lose. After four stages, Josh remained in 2nd place 11 seconds back from Breen. Sam Moffett/James Fulton were 4th with Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly in 5th.

Stage six was to prove pivotal as Josh dropped well over a minute demoting him to 8th place such was the competition. At the end of the opening day, the top five was Breen, Fisher, BRC front runners Matt Edwards and Tom Cave with Sam Moffett in 5th. Barrable/Connolly held 7th with Josh Moffett in 8th. Stephen Wright with new navigator Dai Roberts were in 11th.

The leaderboard would remain largely static over day two’s six stages. Breen held off Fisher by 22 seconds to make it two wins from two in this year’s ITC. Tom Cave got the better of Matt Edwards to claim 3rd overall and top BRC points. Sam Moffett/James Fulton secured 5th place after a steady drive, making up from their disappointing early retirement in Galway. Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty took 7th overall with Damien Connolly guiding Robert Barrable to 8th overall.

Stephen Wright/Dai Roberts finished in 11th place. Arthur Kierans guided Billy Coleman Award winner, James Wilson, to 4th in class and 18th overall. Conor Mohan guided Eamon Kelly to 33rd overall and 12th in class. Five time West Cork Winners, Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley, were debuting their new Skoda Fabia R5 but their run was cut short on stage five. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane finished 2nd amongst the RHD R5 cars, the equal of 15th overall in the mainfield.

The National Rally was won by former WRC star Mikko Hirvonan in a Ford Escort Mk2. Paul Kelly guided David Condell to 5th overall in this section. Gerard McQuaid/Gary Quinlan finished in 14th place and 3rd in class. Vivian Hamill/Mac Kierans were sidelined after an off on stage 3. Brendan McAree/John Henderson had no luck in the Historic Section retiring in service on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Irish Tarmac Championship continues with the Easter Stages Rally in April which is based out of Lisburn.

McKenna wins in America!

American based Monaghan man, Barry McKenna, continued his assault on the American Rally Championship on last weekend’s 100 Acre Wood Rally based in Missouri. The gravel surfaced event was contested over two days. McKenna was joined by Donegal navigator Leon Jordan. The pair held off the challenge of Norway’s Oliver Solberg to take a 7 second victory in their Ford Fiesta.

Former National Champions, Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes took overall victory on last weekend’s Cavan Navigation Trial based in Maudabawn, Co. Cavan. The event was a counting round of the Border and National Navigation Championships. COC Andrew Wedlock laid out a challenging 75 mile route across some classic navigation terrain in the Mountain Lodge, Tullyvin and Maudabawn areas. Duffy/Hughes would emerge winners by a single penalty from reigning National Champions, Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes.

The opening section of the event stayed close to the Maudabawn area, including a trio of plot & bash timepoints on a straight line tulip between TP6-TP9. Only 6 crews managed to reach all the timepoints on this section. It was Duffy/Hughes who assumed the lead but dropped 9 penalties on this demanding section. Following a welcome time relax section near Mountain Lodge, a further two plot & bash timepoints were up next. Again these were on tulip diagram and many a crew were caught with a wrong approach.

By the midway control, Duffy/Hughes held the lead on 10 penalties. Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes were in 2^nd place on 13 penalties. The Novice pairing of Aaron Dixon/Dylan Lennon were a fine 3^rd on 14 penalties with Trevor O’Callaghan/Patrick O’Leary on 20 penalties, the only other crew to have reached all timepoints with right approach and departure.

Following a Speed Regulation Section near Clifferna, the event moved towards the Tullyvin & Kill Areas. Duffy/Hughes hit problems as their fan belt broke and required a quick repair to stay in the event. Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes had closed the gap to a single penalty but subsequently were caught with a wrong approach at Via3. Many crew dropped time to TP22 with a hard to find lane at the back of a wind turbine. Duffy/Hughes then missed TP23 which left the impressing Novice crew of Aaron Dixon/Dylan Lennon leading on 16 penalties total with the Expert pairing of Trevor O’Callaghan/Patrick O’Leary in 2^nd 1 penalty adrift.

O’Callaghan/O’Leary’s challenge faltered when a wrong slot on a lane resulted in them going over maximum lateness. Dixon/Lennon led until TP33 when they reached maximum lateness and had to skip a number of timepoints in the closing stages. Mackarel/Hayes and Duffy/Hughes were both on 37 penalties total going into the final five timepoints. Duffy/Hayes were able to shave a minute on the final plot & bash timepoint and finished on 41 penalties total to take the event win. Mackarel/Hayes finished 2^nd and put themselves back in the driving seat for the National Navigation Championship.

Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan recovered from an earlier missed timepoint to take 3^rd overall on 60 penalties. Aaron Dixon/Dylan Lennon were the only other crew to finish under 100 penalties to take 4^th overall and victory in the Novice class with a total of 86 penalties. Peter Deery/David McCrudden won the Semi-Expert class, taking 5^th overall in the process.

James McCabe/Shane Farrell & Noel Sherry/Oisin Sherlock completed the Semi-Expert class podium positions. Midlands duo, Shane Dalton/Seamus McTigue took 2^nd place in the Novice class with Francis McElvaney/Danny McKenna in 3^rd.

Local brothers, Aaron & Ben McIntyre won the Beginners class and were a very impressive 6^th overall to boot. Gene McDonald/Colm McKeevor took 2^nd and were 9^th overall with Colm Mohan/Aiden Sherry in 3^rd.

The National & Border Navigation Championships conclude with the Monaghan Navigation Trial on Saturday 30^th March.

Top 10:

1 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 41 marks,

2 Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 42m,

3 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 60m,

4 Aaron Dixon/Dylan Lennon (Subaru Impreza) 86m,

5 Peter Deery/David McCrudden (Subaru Impreza) 112m,

6 Aaron McIntyre/Ben McIntyre (Subaru Impreza) 118m,

7 Shane Dalton/Seamus McTigue (Subaru Impreza) 120m,

8 James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody (Subaru Impreza) 134m,

9 Gene McDonald/Colm McKeever (Subaru Impreza) 142m,

10 Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 150m.

 

Limerick Forestry Rally

 

The adverse turn in the weather last Sunday played havoc with the planned Motorsport fixtures. The Rockchapel based, Limerick Forestry Rally had to be abandoned midway through the second stage of the event. The arrival of snow resulted in a number of crews leaving the road and a decision was made to cancel the event on safety grounds.

Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan had made a great start to hold 2^nd overall on the opening stage while Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were a remarkable 3^rd in their 2wd Escort. Calum Maguire was navigating for Peter McCullagh and they were 14^th. David Condell/Paul Kelly were 23^rd, Peter Beaton/Conor Boylan 55^th and Derek Mackarel/Grace O’Brien 64^th and last after spending many minutes stuck in a drain.

It was a weekend of success for Monaghan Club Members as they took overall honours on the opening rounds of both the Northern Ireland Rally Championship and National Rally Championship. On Saturday, Stephen Wright & Keith Rainey took victory on the Kirkistown Rally in their Fiesta R5. The following day, Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes got their National Championship title bid off to the perfect start with overall victory on the Birr Stages Rally.

Kirkistown Stages

The six stage Kirkistown Stages Event was based entirely within the confines of Kirkistown racecourse in Co. Down. Competitors enjoyed the unseasonal warm weather as they competed over the tarmac tests. Multiple Northern Ireland Championship, Derek McGarrity, was the pacesetter from the off.

Stephen Wright/Keith Rainey slotted into 2^nd place but a spin on stage two dropped them back to 6^th. A charge through stage four resulted in a fastest time and promoted them back to 2^nd. McGarrity was sidelined on the final stage after a small engine fire and Wright/Rainey posted a 2^nd fastest time to take the victory by a six second margin. Darren & Nathan Gass debuted a Skoda Fabia R5 and claimed 2^nd place. Derek & Mark McGeehan completed the podium places.

Matthew McKenna guided Liam McFall to 13^th overall. Jack Maguire/Keith McConnan set some good times during the day but a long delay on the opening stage meant they could do no better than 49^th overall. Ciaran & Paul Maguire finished 53^rd overall and 4^th in class in their Honda Civic.

Birr Stages Rally

 Last Sunday, the 2019 National Rally Championship kicked off with the Abbeyleix based Birr Stages Rally. The event consisted of a 3×3 format including some stages in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. A capacity entry made the start including a strong entry of local crews.

Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes immediately set the pace on the short opening stage near Rathdowney. They were two seconds quicker than reigning National Champion, Declan Boyle, in 2^nd. Moffett rapidly extended his lead on stage two and three which were fog affected. They arrived in service with a 27 second lead over Boyle with Peader Hurson and Monaghan’s Damien Connolly nearly a minute behind in 3^rd overall. Suspension problems had delayed Sam Moffett/James Fulton in their Fiesta R5 while Niall Maguire/Anthony Nestor were getting reacquainted after nearly 20 years since they last competed together.

Boyle only trimmed two seconds off Moffett/Hayes on the second loop while Roy White displaced Hurson for 3^rd. Sam Moffett was motoring better now and was involved in a close battle with the R5 Skoda of Scotland’s David Bogie.

Moffett/Hayes took no chances on the final loop to secure the event win 24.8 seconds ahead of Boyle. Roy White/James O’Brien were a distance 3^rd ahead of Hurson/Connolly in 4^th. Sam Moffett/James Fulton finished 6^th overall in their R5 Fiesta while Niall Maguire/Anthony Nestor came home in 7^th overall.

David Moffett/Martin Connolly finished a fine 14^th overall and took victory in class 13. Shane Maguire/Donal Balfe took 3^rd in Group N and 16^th overall. Shane was making a return to the series after a year’s absence. Emmet Sherry guided Stuart Darcy to 24^th overall and 5^th in class in his new Escort. Conor Mohan guided Eamon Kelly to 33^rd overall and 1^st in class 2. Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming and Des Moore/Arthur Kierans failed to finish.

The National Rally Championship will continue with the Midlands Stages Rally on Sunday 24^th March.

Michael Carbin & Conor Mohan came close to overall victory on last weekend’s Fivemiletown Forestry Rally. After eight fast and flowing forest stages, the Smithborough/Ballinode team were just eight seconds shy of the similar Lancer of Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey.

 

The pair had been in a steady 5^th place at the halfway mark but there were major changes at the head of the leaderboard in the latter half of the event but such was the pace they were only 14 seconds behind the rally leaders. By stage six, they had climbed to 2^nd place. Going into the final stage they trailed event leaders Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty by 37 seconds. However McCourt/McNulty retired on the test. Carbin/Mohan missed out on the win as Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey stormed through the test turning a 3 second deficit into an 8 second win.

 

Andrew Grennan was navigating for Vivian Hamill in an Escort but they failed to make the finish.

 

Monaghan Men Make Mark on Cambrian Rally

 

A number of club members contested the opening round of the 2019 British Rally Championship, the Cambrian Rally based in North Wales. After 10 demanding forestry stages, Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty led the Monaghan crews home in 5^th place overall. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane brought their Skoda Fabia home in 9^th overall. Arthur Kierans joined forces with Billy Coleman Award Winner, James Wilson. They finished an impressive 12^th overall and took victory in the very competitive Junior category by just 2 seconds! Paul Sheridan guided Enda McCormack to 17^th overall.

 

ALMC Endurance Trial

 

The opening round of the 2019 Irish Endurance Championship got underway with last weekend’s ALMC Endurance Trial based in Luttrlestown, Co. Dublin. A number of Monaghan crews tackled the event which attracted a full entry of 70 crews. After 18 selectives which included a number of night selectives, top stages competitor Robert Barrable & his navigator Ciaran Larkin took the win by 52 seconds from his brother Peter & navigator Gary McElhinney. The Dublin/Monaghan partnership of Karl O’Donoghue and Evin Hughes secured 3^rd overall after make good progress on the night selectives.

 

Emmet Sherry/Ciaran Geaney finished 10^th overall and finished 2^nd in the Semi-Expert class. Ryan Treanor/Paul Murphy finished 4^th in the same class. Craig McPhillips/Oisin Sherlock brought their Toyota Glanza to 5^th in class B. Colm McKeever/Shane Marron took 4^th in the Beginners class with Robert Graham/Shane Murphy taking 2^nd in the Novice class. Aaron McElroy guided circuit racer Nicole Drought to victory in class A1 in her Micra. Noel & Aiden Sherry took 3^rd in class C for up to 2.0 litre Navigation cars. Cathal & Eimear McGlone brought their Suzuki Ignis to 12^th in class B with Damien Treanor/Gordon Burke taking 16^th in the same class.

Defending Tarmac Champion, Josh Moffett, netted a podium finish on last weekend’s Galway International Rally, the opening round of the 2019 Irish Tarmac Championship. The pair held a steady pace throughout the one day event, initially holding 4th place but moved to 3rd following the retirement of Gary Jennings. Overall honours went to WRC star, Craig Breen in a Ford Fiesta with Alastair Fisher taking 2nd place.

Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans returned to the stages and finished in a steady 9th place in their Fiesta R5. Conor Mohan guided Eamonn Kelly to 20th overall and 2nd in class. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane took Class 24 honours for Right Hand Drive R5 Cars from Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry.

Gerard McQuaid/Jack McKenna finished 12th overall and 2nd in class in the National Rally. Thomas Treanor guided Fergal Kelly to 28th overall and 6th in class. David Condell/Paul Kelly re-entered the event under Rally 2 rules and took 38th overall and 5th in class. Sam Moffett/James Fulton retired early after being caught out in the extremely slippy conditions. The Championship continues with the West Cork Rally on St. Patrick’s Weekend.