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Jack McKenna & Christopher McMahon took an impressive overall win on the 2018 Monaghan Endurance Trial. The Emyvale pair had been competing separately in the Navigation scene for the past few years and teamed up for the first time to contest the event. After 18 selectives, the pair emerged victorious ahead of 2018 Endurance Championship leader, Peter Barrable & the experienced Damien Connolly. The team of Kieran McCarra & Kate Lynch claimed 3^rd overall.

COC Fintan Keenan laid out a challenging event which had condensed road miles as all the selectives were based in North Monaghan. With a record entry of 55 crews, the event was shaping up to be a classic. The opening loop featured some selectives used in previous years, finishing with a new selective at the old Combilift plant. The lanes & fields were particularly tricky thanks to the extended wet weather and traction was at a premium. Despite this, the battle for honours was intense.

The opening test near Ballinode was a mixture of gravel & concrete. Such is the even competition in this form of motorsport only 4 seconds covered the top 10! After the first loop of five selectives, Championship front runners Peter Barrable/Damien Connolly held the lead by 7 seconds with Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes in 2^nd. A host of local drivers were chasing hard behind led by Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch with Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin, Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon, Gary Cassidy/Calum Maguire & Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden all figuring strongly.

Drama ensued on Selective 8 as the deteriorating road conditions resulted in multiple crews getting stuck and recording maximum times with O’Donoghue/Hughes and McCarra/Lynch dropping back. By the halfway mark, Barrable/Connolly were out in front despite a close call on a looped section in Comblift. Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin were now in 2^nd place with Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon in 3^rd. Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch had recovered to 4^th place with Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden in 5^th.

A mixture of Tarmac, Loose & Grass selectives featured in the afternoon. Oneselective had to be cancelled due to the weather softening the ground but the others ran without incident. Barrable’s lead was gradually being eroded but a major turning point occurred on Selective 14 as he lost significant time whilst McKenna/McMahon blitzed the entire field to jump from 3^rd to 1^st. After another test they were now 9 seconds clear with Tynan/Clerkin in 2^nd and Barrable/Connolly having dropped to 3^rd. A missed code board would drop Tynan/Clerkin down the leaderboard leaving McKenna/McMahon 14 seconds clear of Barrable/Connolly.

The leaderboard remained fairly static over the final repeated loop and in the end it was Jack McKenna/Christopher McMahon who emerged victorious after a fine display in their Starlet. Peter Barrable/Damien Connolly took 2^nd overall. Kieran McCarra/Kate Lynch were left rueing their early maximum as it cost them overall honours. Nevertheless, it was a fine recovery to 3^rd overall.

Midland duo, Robert Howard/Claire Murtagh recovered from a slow start to claim 4^th overall. Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin finished 5^th edging out Trader’s trophy rivals Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden on the final test. Gary Cassidy/Calum Maguire took 7^th and but for road penalties they would have had the overall win. Sam Moffett/Ciaran Duffy enjoyed their first experience of Endurance Trials to claim 8^th overall with Derek Butler/Ruadhri Nash and Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes making up the top 10.

Damien & Thomas Treanor took victory in class B (Navigation cars up to 1400cc) with David Forde/Patrick O’Leary and Darren Boyle/Garry Farrelly completing the podium. Nigel & Ryan Brennan took class honours in class C (Navigation cars up to 2000cc) with Noel & Aiden Sherry in 2^nd and Samuel Patterson/Shane Maguire in 3^rd. Class A1 (Endurance cars up to 1000cc went to Peter & Aaron Cummins. Nicole Drought/Aaron McElroy & Adam Montgomery/Andrew Hamilton completed the top three.

At the prizegiving, COC Fintan Keenan extended a big thank you to all the residents and landowners who provided the use of their properties for the event. He also thanked the Four Seasons Hotel for hosting the event and all the marshals and timekeepers who stood out in the inclement weather to ensure the safe running of the event.

Mackarel wins Birr Autocross

Derek Mackarel took overall victory on the Birr Grass Surface Autocross at the weekend. Derek posted the best of the time of the day in his Berrisford Suzuki. Derek has been competing on both grass and loose surface autocross events as well as the Irish Forestry Championship this year and his exploits have earned him a Billy Coleman Award nomination.

Navigation Trial Classes 2018

The night navigation trial season is fast approaching and Monaghan Motor Club is gearing up for that all important kick start with the annual navigation classes. If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ for this sport. The scheduled classes will cover the full range of topics including map reading, timing, car regulations and pace notes for stages rallies.

The classes will continue on Friday 31^st August at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Shane 0862616120 to book your place for the classes. Registration will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

Josh Moffett has moved clear at the top of the Irish Tarmac Championship standings thanks to his 2^nd overall finish on the Ulster Rally. Based in Antrim and Newtownabbey, this event on 17^th and 18^th August was also a round of the British & Northern Ireland Rally Championships. After two days of classic stages in Antrim & Tyrone, Moffett & co-driver Andy Hayes finished 2^nd overall scoring maximum points for the Irish Tarmac Championship.

There was drama before the event as ITC Championship leader, Sam Moffett, was forced to withdraw due to work commitments. Friday consisted of five classic stages at Glendun, Torr Head & Cairncastle. The action was fast and furious with Moffett/Hayes leading at the overnight halt. They were just 4.4 seconds of British Star Matt Edwards in another R5 Fiesta. Welshman, Rhys Yates held 3^rd just 0.6 seconds further back.

Saturday consisted of six stages in the Sperrin Mountains. The lead changed hands as Yates stormed to the front on stage six, before Edwards snatched the lead on Stage 7. The long Dorrvaille stage was next and Edwards maintained his lead with Moffett/Hayes in 2^nd just 8.7 seconds behind. Edwards pulled away on the final loop as Moffett settled for 2^nd place and top championship points. David Bogie/John Rowan climbed to 3^rd by the finish in their Skoda. Moffett now holds a commanding championship lead but with dropped scores and bonus points available in Cork, the title race remains open, with his brother Sam the other main contender.

Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 8^th overall, 3^rd in the National Rally and 1^st in class. Martin Connolly guided William Mavitty to 16^th overall and 1^st in class in their Lancer.

Sheridan Wins in Galway

Paul Sheridan guided Jonathan Pringle to overall victory in the Galway Summer Rally. The event was the 4^th round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The pair led the event from start to finish claiming their 2^nd win this year after their victory on the Laois Heartlands Rally.

Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane finished 2^nd overall in their Skoda Fabia R5. Conor Mohan guided Eamon Kelly to 30^th overall and 1^st in class 11F. Christopher Brennan/Martin Hughes finished 41^st overall and 2^nd in class 11F. Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley switched from the Focus to an Historic Ascona with which they won the Historic class. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden suffered a rare non finish. Justin Smyth/Gregory McQuillan also failed to finish.

Endurance Trial 2018

Regulations are now available for the 2018 Monaghan Endurance Trial which takes place on Sunday August 26^th. Fintan Keenan returns as COC this year after taking on the mantle last year with the Four Season Hotel again serving as HQ. This sport has really kicked off this season with strong entries and the club is expecting approximately 50 crews to make the start. The action gets underway at 10.00am and crews will traverse the various selectives until arriving back at the Four Seasons at 5.00pm. Regulations and entry form can be downloaded from www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Navigation Trial Classes 2018

The night navigation trial season is fast approaching and Monaghan Motor Club is gearing up for that all important kick start with the annual navigation classes. If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ for this sport. The scheduled classes will cover the full range of topics including map reading, timing, car regulations and pace notes for stages rallies.

The classes will start on Friday 24th August at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Shane 0862616120 to book your place for the classes. Registration will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

The night navigation trial season is fast approaching and Monaghan Motor Club is gearing up for that all important kick start with the annual navigation classes. If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ for this sport. The scheduled classes will cover the full range of topics including map reading, timing, car regulations and pace notes for stages rallies.

The classes will start on Friday 24th August at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Shane 0862616120 to book your place for the classes. Registration will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

Endurance Trial 2018

Regulations are now available for the 2018 Monaghan Endurance Trial which takes place on Sunday August 26^th. Fintan Keenan returns as COC this year after taking on the mantle last year with the Four Season Hotel again serving as HQ. This sport has really kicked off this season with strong entries and the club are hoping for approximately 50 crews to make the start. The action gets underway at 10.00am and crews will traverse the various selectives until arriving back at the Four Seasons at 5.00pm. Regulations and entry form can be downloaded from www.monaghanmotorclub.net

Josh Moffett continued his quest for success in the Triton National Rally Championship with overall victory on the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally. The event was the 4^th Round of the National Rally Championship and the first event since May. Josh and co-driver, Keith Moriarty led from start to finish in a dominant display.

Moffett & Moriarty blew the opposition away on the opening stage taking 11 seconds out of their rivals. Declan Boyle/James O’Reilly were their nearest challengers with local man Roy White/James O’Brien in 3^rd. All three were piloting WRC Fiestas. After three stages, Boyle had only trimmed the gap to 10 seconds and Moffett promptly doubled that advantage on Stage 4. Moffett led by 22 seconds after six tests from Boyle with White nearly a minute further back.

There was late drama on Stage 8 when Josh’s lead was slashed to three seconds when the car dropped a cylinder. They were able to rectify the problem on the final stage and another sterling drive through the final test saw them increase their advantage to 8 seconds. Boyle/O’Reilly had to settle for 2^nd place to maintain their championship lead.

Elsewhere in the field, Mac Kierans guided Sean Moynihan to 20^th overall and 1^st in class 12. Jack McKenna guided Jason Black to another victory in the Junior class while Ryan Brennan guided Gareth Black to 3^rd in class.

Kelly wins in Cork

Paul Kelly guided David Condell to overall victory on the Imokilly Mini Stages Rally. The Carlow/Monaghan pairing flew through the six stages in East Cork. Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald had made the early running but after their retirement on stage five, Condell/Kelly held off the Lancer of Owen Murphy/Anthony Nestor by nine seconds for the win.

American-based club members Barry McKenna has had a brilliant few weeks with back to back rally wins either side of the Irish Sea. In July, Barry took his first overall win on the Cork Forestry Rally based in Mallow. He followed this success up with victory on the Grampian Forest Rally in Scotland.

On the Cork Forestry Rally, McKenna and co-driver Leon Jordan were involved in a big three way battle with the similar Fiestas of Josh Moffett/Stephen Thornton and Andrew Purcell/Mark Wiley. Each day counted as separate championship rounds. Purcell/Wiley pipped McKenna/Jordan over the opening day by just 1.7 seconds. Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty were 3^rd overall on day one.

Moffett/Thornton were fastest over the six Sunday stages but only edged out McKenna/Jordan by two seconds. When cumulative times were included, McKenna/Jordan had secured the overall rally win by 12 seconds from Moffett/Thornton with Purcell/Wiley in 3^rd.

Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan switched from their Mk2 Escort to a WRC Fiesta for the weekend and they recorded a fine 5^th place finish. Kaine Treanor guided Stephen McCann to 6^th overall. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips brought their Escort home to 14^th overall and 2^nd in class. Paul Kelly guided David Condell to 17^th overall and 3^rd in class.

Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes came home 32^nd overall and 4^th in class after losing several minutes on Saturday which cost them any chance of a good result in the Junior class. Conor Boylan guided Peter Beaton to victory in the Junior 1000cc Class.

McKenna then joined forces with former British Champion, Arthur Kierans, to contest the Grampion Forest Rally in Scotland. This event was a counting round of the Scottish Rally Championship. Despite being unfamiliar with the Scottish Forests, McKenna/Kierans, climbed from their No.11 seed and took the outright win.