Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan made their JWRC debut on the Monte Carlo Rally last weekend. The pair made a sensational start by going fastest on two of the first three stages before gearbox problems forced them into retirement at the end of the second day.

Monte Carlo is a unique event in the calendar. The Alpine passes, which make up the majority of special stages, are partially covered with snow and ice and the constant changing road conditions tests drivers & navigators to the limit. Daniel & Andrew had a brief chance to sample the conditions with a short shakedown stage on Wednesday. The following evening, the event began with two stages in darkness on the run from Monte-Carlo to Gap. To the surprise of their rivals, it was the Monte-Carlo novices from Monaghan who set the fastest time on the opening stage by 11 seconds! The pair were then 2^nd fastest on stage 2, but their early joy would be short lived as they were given a 2 minute, 20 second time penalty which demoted them to 7^th in class overnight. With the chance of a class win out of the question, the pair looked to regain as many positions as possible over the remaining stages.

They began Friday as they had on Thursday night, posting fastest class time on stage 3. However, gearbox problems had begun to set in and the loss of 3^rd gear left them at a major disadvantage. The pair struggled through the rest of the day’s stages but still held 6^th in class at the end of the day. A replacement gearbox could not be found in time and they could not borrow from fellow competitors, which left them with no option but to retire. Despite this major disappointment, Daniel & Andrew can take much satisfaction from the promise they showed which caught the attention of many within the WRC community. The rally was won by defending world champions, Sebastian Ogier & Julia Ingrassia, who led home a Volkswagen 1-2-3. The next round of the JWRC is the Rally of Portugal in May where Daniel & Andrew will hope to make up lost ground on their championship rivals.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

 

Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan’s appearance at Monte Carlo was the first by Monaghan Motor Club members in over sixty years at this iconic event. Brian McCaldin competed on the Monte-Carlo Rally several times in the early fifties. In those days, competitors on the Monte started at various points in Europe and then converged on Monte-Carlo. It’s hard to imagine crossing the Alps in the middle of winter in a 848cc Morris Minor or even in the heavier Hillmans and Sunbeams that McCaldin used. These cars were very nearly standard and had to endure up to 1000 miles of hard non-stop driving over roads that were in bad condition after two world wars. Service teams were unheard of so all spares and equipment, suitcases etc. had to be brought along for the ride. Quite often the crew was made up of three; driver, navigator and mechanic, but all would have taken turns at the wheel. Then when they arrived in Monte Carlo they had to do the “Special Stages” which equates to the present day rally as faced by Daniel & Andrew last weekend!

Donegal Night Navigation Trial

 

Donegal Motor Club hosted the third round of the Squealing Pig Border Night Navigation Championship last Saturday night. COC Barry Boyle laid out a challenging route through classic terrain in Mid-Donegal. Local men Paul Reid & Kevin Gallagher took overall honours on a clean sheet from defending Border Champions, Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston. Another local crew Joe & Aiden Friel completed the top three finishers. Monaghan club members, Aaron Duffy & Laurence Keenan took 2^nd in the Semi-Expert class. Eoghan Corr & Ruadhri Nash took victory in the Novice class despite a close call with a black bullock. Luckily, neither the animals inside or outside the car were harmed! Michael Carbin & Darragh Kelly had been having a great battle with Corr/Nash but were forced to make a mercy dash for fuel which dropped them down the leaderboard. Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey took advantage to claim 2^nd in class. Colm & Conor Mohan continued to impress in their first season navigating, by taking the Beginner’s class win from Emmet McCooey/Conor Boylan. Paddy & Oisin Sherlock finished 4^th in the same class despite car problems near the finish.

Donegal Forestry Rally

 

The opening round of the 2015 Valvoline Forestry Rally Championship takes place this Saturday.

The Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran is HQ for the event which will comprise of six forestry stages in south Donegal. Monaghan competitors on the entry list include Sam Moffett, Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna, Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips and Derek Mackarel/Peter Deery. Paul Sheridan is once again sitting with Enda McNulty and Mac Kierans is navigating for Alan Smyth. Full report next week.

Skibbereen Night Navigation Trial

 

The fifth round of the National Night Navigation Championship takes place this Saturday night near Clonakilty. COC Eric McCarthy plans for an 80 mile route with the event kicking off at 11.15pm. A small contingent from Monaghan are planning on making the trip down for this one.

Forthcoming events:

February 6^th‘/7^th Galway International Rally

February 14^th/15^th Midland Navigation Trial

February 15^th Monaghan Autotest

February 21^st Fivemiletown Forestry

February 22^nd Birr Stages Rally

 

Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan have begun their journey to the Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the Junior World Rally Championship. The pair will begin their reconnaissance for the event this week. A shakedown stage on Wednesday will give the crew a chance to assess the conditions before the ceremonial start on Thursday evening. It will be a baptism of fire for this young crew with the opening two stages of the event taking place in darkness on Thursday night.

The next two days are centred around Gap before returning to Monte Carlo Saturday evening. Sunday’s final morning loop takes place before the finish in Monte Carlo on Sunday afternoon. Updates on the lad’s progress during the event are available via twitter @DMKMotorsport and Facebook at Daniel McKenna Rallying. The club wishes them the very best for this event and the rest of the year.

 

Hayes’s plough through opposition on 1000 Shakes

Cork Motor Club played host to round 4 of the National Night Navigation Championship last Saturday night. COC Greg Shinnors organised a challenging 85 mile event through the North Cork countryside. Arctic weather conditions in the lead-up to the event resulted in snow & ice covering the majority of the route. The hazardous conditions had competing crews fighting for traction & struggling to keep the car in a straight line. Local crew David Beamish/Muireann Hayes took a well deserved win from Owen Murphy/Daire Hayes, which secured a 1-2 finish for the Hayes family. Club members Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes finished right behind in 3^rd to maintain their overall lead in the Championship. Defending National champions, Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston were sidelined with a broken radiator. Richard Cassidy also made the long trip from Monaghan and he and navigator Paul Phelan finished in 4^th place. The National Night Navigation Championship continues with Skibbereen Motor Club hosting the 100 Isles event on Saturday 31^st of January.

Donegal Navigation Trial

 

The Night Navigations are coming thick and fast with Donegal Motor Club hosting the Eamon Harvey memorial event this Saturday, January 24^th. The event is the third round of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship. COC Barry Boyle is planning an 80 mile event run from Termon Community Centre with the first car departing at 9.01p.m. A number of Monaghan crews are expected to make the trip for this event. Full report will be available next week.

Upcoming events:

January 24^th Donegal Night Navigation Trial

January 31^st Donegal Forestry Rally

January 31^st Skibbereen Night Navigation Trial

February 7^th/8^th Galway International Rally

February 14^th Midland Navigation Trial

February 15^th Monaghan Autotest

 

AGM

There was a good attendance at the Annual General Meeting of Co. Monaghan Motor Club held in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Friday 16^th January.

Club Secretary Cora Maguire provided a summary of the 8 events run by the club during 2014 and concluded by confirming that she was stepping down as Secretary after 15 years in this role. The Chairman Paul Hughes thanked Cora for her work and commitment during this time and confirmed that she would continue as an ex officio member of the committee.

Treasurer Cathal MacArtain then presented a positive report on the financial performance of the club and thanked his assistant Brendan Flynn for his substantial input. A total of €1280 was donated to local charities.

The Chairman, in an extensive report, thanked all who assisted the club throughout the year. In particular, he had words of praise for the Gardai, Monaghan County Council, Monaghan Municipal District committee members, Civil Defence, Red Cross, local media, residents on event routes and members of the public for their support.

He thanked the club’s main sponsors the Hillgrove Hotel, as well as the Northern Standard, Wrights Quarries, McAree Engineering, Sean McDermott’s GFC and all advertisers in the rally programme.

2014 had been another successful year for the club and its members. It was a special year for the club in terms of competitor success. For the first time ever, two Monaghan men and stalwart club members Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans were crowned overall British Rally Champions. Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly made their debut in the World Rally Championship in Germany, having secured 3 outright wins in Monaghan, Limerick and the Killarney International Rally of the Lakes. There was continued success on the national scene where Monaghan club members won many of the key championships as well as individual events.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that the work involved in running the club events is increasing. More volunteers are required and he appealed to the members to give this serious consideration. He concluded by wishing all club members continued success and safe motoring in 2015.

The officers and committee members elected for 2015 are as follows:

President: Charles McCollum

Chairman: Paul Hughes

Vice-Chairman: Conor Maguire

Club Secretary: Roisin Meenagh

Event Secretary: Gary Hall

Treasurer: Cathal MacArtain

Assistant Treasurer: Brendan Flynn

PRO: Evin Hughes

Registrar: Ronnie Hawe

Committee: Damien Treanor, Kerry Stevenson, Thomas Treanor, John Kelly, Eoghan Corr, Shane Maguire, Garry Farrelly, Ciaran Tynan, Jonathan McGovern, Michael Sheridan. Ex Officio: Cora Maguire.

There followed a lively discussion on some of the new regulations introduced by Motorsport Ireland for 2015. It was agreed to arrange a meeting with all interested parties in the near future. The date for this meeting will be confirmed on the club website.

Four expert crews proved inseparable last Saturday on the first night navigation trial of 2015 hosted by Monaghan Motor Club. First time CoC Lyndsay Boyd with the help of Mark Hamill, Christine Boyd and their team laid on a 70 mile route which departed Cremartin GAA complex at 9.01pm and headed Northwards through Clontibret, Ardaghey and Tyholland before its return through Bryanlitter and Shanmullagh. Frosty and Snowy weather conditions left things even more difficult for the 34 starters. In the end it was Gary McElhinney/Damian Connolly, Michael & Ciaran Tynan, Andy Mackarel/Fintan Clerkin and Colin Duffy/Muireann Hayes who managed to keep a clean sheet throughout the night to record a four way tie for overall honours, all experts and all driving similar cars.

The novice class was also a tight affair with a three way tie for the class win and 5th overall. Eoghan Corr/Ruaidhri Nash, Derek Mackarel/Seamus McTigue and Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey all dropped 1 penalty into timepoint 26 and could not be separated on engine size so were deemed joint class winners. The semi expert class was won by Brendan Treanor and Gary Farrelly from Michael Carbin and Emmet McCooey in 2nd with Damien Treanor and Jonathan McGovern in 3rd, despite some problem’s through the second half of the night.

Shane Maguire and Conor Boylan had a convincing win in the beginners class, ahead of Colm and Conor Mohan in 2nd. Paddy and Oisin Sherlock had a good run to third in beginners class and are gaining experience with every event.

That’s the 2015 navigation calendar kicked off as Cork motor club host a national round this coming weekend, followed by Donegal next weekend which is a round of the Border Championship. Well done to Lyndsay and all his team on a good tricky yet concise event which proved enjoyable for all competitors. Lyndsay would like to thank all residents along the route, marshals, result’s team, Cremartin GAA committee, McChesneys garage and all who help out in any way, big or small.

Co. Monaghan MC Navigation Results Top 12:
1 (tie) Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza), Colin Duffy/Muireann
Hayes (Subaru Impreza), Andy Mackarel/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza), Gary
McElhinney/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza) 0 marks,
5 (tie) Eoin Corr/Ruadhri Nash (Subaru Impreza), Derek Mackarel/Seamus
McTigue (Subaru Impreza), Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey (Subaru Impreza)
1m,
8 Ashley McAdoo/Laurence Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 1m,
9 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 2m,
10 Fintan Larmer/Sean McCaffrey (Subaru Impreza) 2m,
11 Martin Tynan/Stephen Thornton (Subaru Impreza) 8m,
12 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Subaru Impreza) 15m.

Monaghan Motor Club Annual General Meeting

County Monaghan Motor Club will hold their Annual General Meeting this Friday night, 16th January at 8.30 sharp in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. All club members are asked to attend this worthwhile meeting where you can have your say in the running of the club. All 2014 club members are eligible to vote for the incoming committee who will represent its members for the coming year. Nomination forms for the election of officers to the incoming committee are available on the club web site at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net and once again all club members are asked to fill these in and return to club secretary before Tuesday 13th January. So please come along and share your views.

Triton Showers National Rally Launch

Irish rallying began a new chapter with the launch of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship at the Glen Royal Hotel, Maynooth on  Saturday last January 10th. The series will consist of eight rounds with the best six scores to count.  It will begin from the heritage town of Abbeyleix in County Laois in February and conclude at the maritime town of Bantry in West Cork in late October. In between, the Triton Showers journey will cascade throughout county towns of Roscommon and Monaghan, the medieval town of Kilmallock, Waterford City, Sligo town and the penultimate round in Ballinasloe.  The series will herald a new era for the Midland Motor Club, who join the national series for the very first time.  Next year’s eight rounds will include the return of the Dublin based ALMC Rally to the championship.

Speaking at the launch, Kevin Barrett, Managing Director of Triton Showers said, “Although Triton Showers have been involved in rallying for several years through the support of events such as the renowned Circuit of Ireland and the Lurgan Park Rally along with a regional championship, our sponsorship of the National Rally Championship adds a new and important dimension.” “We look forward to encompassing the unique variety of the eight events that will unite under the umbrella of Triton Showers to showcase Irish motorsport at its very best.  The fact that eight different organising clubs and locations are gearing up for the 2016 Triton Showers series is another illustration of the diversity of the National series.”  Kevin added, “The Triton Showers livery will also continue on our own car and those of Niall Maguire and Shane Maguire as we begin an exciting era in Irish motorsport and together with underpinning the National campaign, Triton Showers is set to become an even more familiar name in motorsport. “

MCKENNA PREPARES FOR JWRC DEBUT

Daniel Mc Kenna and Andrew Grennan set sail for Monte Carlo over the weekend to embark on a junior world rally championship campaign starting on Friday 23rd January. The formidable pairing have joined forces once again and have worked tirelessly over the past six months to make it happen , albeit one event at a time but the motions are in place to cross the start ramp in Monte Carlo. Monaghan Motor Club and all its members wish Daniel and Andrew the very best of luck in Monte Carlo. A full report on Daniels preparations as well as an insight into the Monte Carlo rally itself will feature in next weeks edition so watch this space

All roads lead to Cremartin GAA Centre this Saturday night as Monaghan Motor Club host the first Night Navigation Trial of the 2015 calendar. First time CoC Lindsay Boyd, ably assisted by Mark Hamill and their team have laid on a 70 mile route in the North Eastern Monaghan area. Plotting is at 6.30 with first car away at 9.01pm. As always marshal are in big demand so if your able to help out please make yourselves available at Cremartin GAA Complex by 8.00pm this Saturday night, 10th January.

Monaghan Motor Club Annual General Meeting
County Monaghan Motor Club will hold their Annual General Meeting on Friday night, 16th January next at 8.30 sharp in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. All club members are asked to attend this worthwhile meeting where you can have your say in the running of the club. All 2014 club members are eligible to vote for the incoming committee who will represent its members for the coming year. Nomination forms for the election of officers to the incoming committee are available on the club web site at http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net and once again all club members are asked to fill these in and return to club secretary before Tuesday 13th January.

Don’t forget, Monaghan Motor Club will host our annual dinner dance tomorrow night (Friday) the 5th of December where once again we will be running our Night of Champions as well as honouring our own club championship winners for the year gone past. Why not come along for an enjoyable night as we commend some of our most successful members for their triumphs in 2014. Tickets are €25 and can be booked through any committee members. Four course dinner is served at 8 p.m. sharp. MC for the night is our very own Sean McCaffrey with music afterwards into the early hours.

MONAGHAN CREWS ATTACK KILLARNEY HISTORIC RALLY

Congratulations to Raymond Conlon and James O Reilly on taking 6th overall in the Modified Rally at the Killarney Historics Rally last weekend. The pair also took 3rd in class 6. Stephen and Susanne Wright changed from the norm and attacked the rally in an Escort MK 2, the brother and sister pair took 21st in the Modified Rally and 7th in class 6. It was disappointment for Monaghan’s Steven Corey and Sligo’s Vinnie Boyd who retired on stage two. The event is the only rally run for Historic rally cars in the country and is always popular with competitors and spectators alike. Cavan’s Chris Armstrong won the overall modified section in his Mk II escort