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Castleblayney’s Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips put in a storming drive to take 5^th overall on last weekend’s Wexford Stages Rally. The two-day event was the final round of the South-East Stages Rally Championship. The pair were in a battle for overall championship honours with Waterford’s Eddie Power in a Corolla WRC.

The pair took the class 13 lead on stage two and maintained their advantage throughout the two days. They were 7^th after the opening day’s nine stages and climbed to 5^th overall on day two. They took the class win by over two minutes in the end. Despite their strong performance it wasn’t enough for Conlin to claim championship honours with Power taking the title on dropped scores. However, Conlon’s navigator Ciaran McPhillips secured the overall navigator title.

Thomas Treanor was sitting with Graham Kelly in 2.5 Ltr Ford Fiesta. The pair were unfortunate to retire on the opening stage but were able to re-enter under Super Rally rules, making steady progress to 42^nd overall by the finish. James McCarville with Donegal’s Paddy McCrudden on the notes also made the trip south. They were 2^nd fastest in class on stage one but lost several minutes on stage two before retiring completely on stage five.

 

Navigation Trial Classes

The Navigation Trial season is fast approaching and the Motor Club are gearing up for that all important kick off – the navigation classes! If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ to 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 continue this Friday 16^th September at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemile House. All interested persons should contact Fintan Clerkin 087 2297024 and register your position on the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

The first event after the summer break is the October Trial on Saturday 1st . COC for the event is Donal McArdle and we look forward to this.

 

There was a sensational finish to the Lakelands Stages Rally, based in Enniskillen on Saturday last 3^rd Sept. In a first for Irish Rallying, two brothers finished with identical times for first position. There has never been much to separate Clontibret brothers Sam & Josh Moffett on either Tarmac or Gravel. On this occasion, not even a second could spilt them after eight challenging stages in the Fermanagh woods. A tie-breaker was used to determine the winner with Sam getting the nod.

 

The Enniskillen Motor Club event counted as Round 5 of the Valvoline-sponsored Irish Forestry Championship.   The Moffett brothers began as they would finish, equal on the opening stage, 1 second behind Mark Donnelly’s Subaru. Sam was fastest on stage 2 to take the lead which would be crucial at the end of the day. After the opening loop of four stages, Sam held a two second lead over Josh whilst Donnelly had dropped back due to a puncture. Sam looked to have held off Josh’s attack by moving four seconds clear going into the final stage. A sensational time for Josh saw him take back four seconds in three miles to tie with Sam. The winner was determined on countback as to who was fastest over the first stage. As they were equal on that stage, it went to the second stage where Sam was faster. This allowed Sam & co-driver, James Fulton, to make it back-to-back wins in Enniskillen. Josh & Jason McKenna had to settle for 2^nd overall with Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty well adrift in 3^rd overall.

 

There was disappointment for Irish Forestry Championship leaders, Michael Carbin & Darragh Kelly, who slid off the road on stage seven. This result drops them to second in the championship behind Cork’s Gerard Lucey with two rounds to go. James O’Reilly guided Kenny McKinstry to 8^th overall in their Subaru WRC. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were another crew to fall victim to the Fermanagh woods, as a broken wheel dropped them to 41^st overall when they had been battling for 2wd honours. Michaela McGinn guided Damien McGauren to 26^th overall in their first run in a BMW 320. Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes had another frought run in their Nova. They lost over a minute fixing a loose coil lead and finished with a broken wheel. They still made it home to 47^th overall and 2^nd in the Junior class.

 

2016 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round Five Results:

1st Sam Moffett / James Fulton Ford Fiesta WRC 38:09.0
2nd Josh Moffett / Jason McKenna Ford Fiesta R5 +0:00.0
3rd Mark Donnelly / Barry McNulty Subaru S9 WRC +0:47.0
4th Desi Henry / Liam Moynihan Skoda Fabia R5 +1:30.0
5th Niall McCullagh / Ryan McCloskey Subaru S14 WRC +2:20.0
6th Martin Cairns / Gary McElhinney Ford Fiesta WRC +2:49.0
7th Jonny Leonard / Jackie Elliott Mitsubishi Evo 6 +2:59.0
8th Kenny McKinstry / James O’Reilly Subaru S14 WRC +3:10.0
9th Gerard Lucey / JJ Cremin Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 +3:37.0
10th Phil Pickard / Simon Pickard Subaru Impreza +3:46.0

 

Navigation Trial Classes

 

The Navigation Trial season is fast approaching and the Motor Club are gearing up for that all important kick off – the navigation classes! If you have a motor sport interest of any kind, the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ to 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 continue on Friday 9^th September at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Fintan Clerkin 087 2297024 to register for the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

The first event after the summer break is the October Navigation Trial on Saturday 1st October. COC for the event is Donal McArdle and we look forward to what should be an exciting start to the navigation season.

 

Maguire & James O’Reilly survived last stage drama to win the Gort-based Galway Summer Rally on Sunday last 28^th August. The event was the penultimate round of the 2016 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The pair had led from the opening stage piloting a Subaru S12B WRC. They were fastest on each of the first seven stages and built up a lead of over a minute before drama struck on the final stage. A puncture almost cost them dearly but they survived and held onto their overall lead. In the end, only 4.7 seconds separated them and their nearest rival Gary Kiernan in his Escort.

 

Shane Maguire & Mac Kierans made it a double success for the Maguire family with overall honours in Group N and 14^th overall. They held off the challenge of their main rival, Cathan McCourt. The Monaghan pair snatched the advantage on the opening loop and were able to maintain a 15-20 second gap for the remainder of the day. Paul Kelly joined forces with Limerick’s Paul Purtill once again. The pair pushed hard throughout the day to come home 8^th overall and 1^st in the very competitive class 13. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden returned to the top of class 11R, taking a dominate two minute win. This leaves them on course for a Border & National championship class double. John & Niall Kelly took class 10 honours after a thrilling battle with Donegal’s Shane Carr. The Kellys came out on top by just 8 seconds and finished 44^th overall.

 

Not so fortunate were the fellow Corolla team of Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague, who failed to complete the opening stage.

 

Galway Summer Stages Rally Top 10

 

1 Niall Maguire/James O’Reilly (Impreza WRC) 61m 55s,
2 Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore (Escort) 62m 00s,
3 Paddy McVeigh/Gary McElhinney (Impreza WRC) 62m 02s,
4 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 62m 11s,
5 Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty (Escort) 62m 14s,
6 Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O’Neill (Escort) 62m 33s,
7 Daniel Cronin/Shane Buckley (Lancer Evo) 62m 37s,
8 Paul Purtill/Paul Kelly (Escort) 62m 47s,
9 Paul Curley/Jason Ollerenshaw (Impreza) 62m 47s,
10 Russell Woods/Martin Byrne (Escort) 62m 58s.

 

Navigation Trial Classes

 

The Navigation Trial season is fast approaching and the Motor Club are gearing up for that all important kick off – the navigation classes! If you have a motor sport interest of any kind, the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ to 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 2^nd September at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemilehouse. All those interested should contact Fintan Clerkin 087 2297024 to register for the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

The first event after the summer break is the October Navigation Trial on Saturday 1st October. COC for the event is Donal McArdle and we look forward to what should be an exciting start to the navigation season.

 

A number of Monaghan crews made the trip to Derry last weekend to compete on the Ulster International Rally. The event was a counting round of the Irish Tarmac, British & Northern Ireland Rally Championships. The Moffett brothers Sam and Josh were there, as well as Stephen Wright in pursuit of Tarmac Championship points. However, a combination of mechanical gremlins and the tricky conditions accounted for two of our leading contenders. Indeed, it was Scotstown navigator, James O’Reilly who was the first Monaghan man across the line. He guided Scottish pilot, David Bogie, to 4^th overall in their Skoda Fabia R5, after a steady run throughout the rally.

 

Josh Moffett/John Rowan overcame some mechanical problems to finish 7^th overall in their Fiesta. Not so lucky was his brother Sam & Karl Atkinson. The pair had set some impressive stage times before mechanical gremlins brought their event to an end following an off on SS8. Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans were another leading retirement after a frought event. They retired after SS1 following a turbo problem and re-joined on the Sunday only to suffer further problems with the throttle. Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry also exited the rally with an off on day one.

 

Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane finished 12^th overall in their R5 Fiesta. Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to victory in class B4 in their Citroen C2R2. Brendan McAree/Peter Deery brought their Historic Porsche to 3^rd in class H2. James McCarville was in the ‘hot seat’ for Ryan Loughran. The pair took an early lead in the National Rally before retiring with an off on stage four.

 

Ulster International Rally Top Ten

 

1 Elfyn Evans/Craig Parry (Ford Fiesta R5) 2h 11m 15s,
2 Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Ford Fiesta R5) 2h 12m 23s,
3 Jonny Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) 2h 12m 41s,
4 David Bogie/James O’Reilly (Skoda Fabia R5) 2h 13m 16s,
5 Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin (Citroen DS3 R5) 2h 13m 23s,
6 Marty McCormack/David Moynihan (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2h 15m 47s,
7 Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta R5) 2h 17m 09s,
8 Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta R5) 2h 17m 11s,
9 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2h 17m 45s,
10 Tom Cave/James Morgan (Ford Fiesta R5) 2h 18m 10s.

 

Navigation Trial Classes

 

The Navigation Trial season is fast approaching and the Motor Club are gearing up for that all important kick off – the navigation classes! If you have a motor sport interest of any kind the Navigation Trials are the best form of obtaining the correct ‘foundation’ to 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 2nd September at 8pm sharp in the excellent facilities of the Sean Mac Diarmada complex in Threemile House. All interested persons should contact Fintan Clerkin 087 2297024 and register your position on the classes. Registration on the night will also include club membership, maps, romer and all necessary paperwork to complete the 6 week course.

 

The first event after the summer break is the October Trial on Saturday 1st . COC for the event is Donal McArdle and we look forward to this.

 

Sligo’s Patrick Corcoran & Art McCarrick (Starlet) took overall honours on last weekend’s Endurance Trial, based at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan. After 23 demanding tests, Corcoran/McCarrick came out on top by just five seconds from Kieran McCarra/Darren McCague. (Colt). Regular Endurance competitor, Kevin O’Rourke/David Ray (Starlet) completed the top three 19 seconds off the winner. This was the Sligo pair’s first ever victory, following an impressive drive throughout the day.

 

COC Shane Maguire put together an excellent route including multiple new selectives which were universally praised by competitors. The opening loop of selectives contained tests at Monaghan Quarries, Latton Hut Cross and Wright’s Quarry as well as several private lanes. Cocoran/McCarrick were on a charge from the start and led after seven tests with McCarra/McCague and Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes in pursuit. McCarra/McCague trimmed the gap slightly on the second loop as O’Donoghue/Hughes began to fall away. The remaining nine selectives were to the West and North of Monaghan town including Rally School Ireland. Cocoran/McCarrick continued to put in a faultless run maintaining their advantage from McCarra/McCague while Kevin O’Rourke/David Ray charged to 3^rd after some impressive selective times. An impressive charge by McCarra over the last loop saw him close to gap to just five seconds by the finish with O’Rourke/Ray fourteen seconds further adrift. Karl O’Donoghue/Evin Hughes & Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin completed the top five in another brace of Starlets.

 

Class B went to Robert Howard/Andrew Stewart with Mark Reilly/Darragh Gibbons and Anthony McDonald/Adrian Foley completing the top three. Peter Farrell/Shane Farrell were comfortable winners in Class C with Mark Hamill/Darren Caulfield and David Dixon/Abraham Dixon completing the top three. Oisin Sherlock/Pamela McMahon won class A1 from Catherine Dancey/Robert Dancey while the aforementioned O’Donoghue/Hughes won class A2 from Tynan/Clerkin and Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan in 3^rd.

 

Monaghan Endurance Trial Top Ten

 1.  P Corcoran/A McCarrick         Starlet        9:14

2.  D McCarra/D McCague            Colt             9:19

3.  K O Rourke/D Ray                      Starlet       9:33

4.  K O Donoghue/ E Hughes       Starlet        9:36

5.  M Tynan/ F Clerkin                   Starlet     10:05

6. P Farrell/ S Farrell                      Civic         10:36

7. R Howard/ A Stewart                 Starlet      10:54

8. M Tynan/ C Tynan                      Starlet      11:09

9. A Kierans/ J McKenna               Colt           11:16

10. G O Donoghue/ D Connolly   Starlet      11:28

Carbin Continues Pursuit of Forestry Glory       

 

Also on Sunday last, Cork Motor Club hosted Round 4 of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship. The popular Mallow-based event features some of the finest forestry stages in Ireland. Smithborough’s Michael Carbin and Darragh Kelly entered the event leading the Irish Forestry Championship and secured some useful points towards their championship campaign thanks to a 6^th place finish on the day, 3^rd amongst the registered championship crews.

 

Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips also made the trip south and came home 12^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Michaela McGinn navigated American-based Irishman Patsy Keenan to 25^th overall. There was disappointment again for rising star, Derek Mackarel. He and navigator Daire Hayes were forced to retire their Nova on stage four. The championship resumes with the Enniskillen-based Lakelands Forestry rally in early September.