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 Club member Enda Sherry is realising he is living the Irish rallying dream, as the Ballinode co-driver and his driver Darren Gass have been crowned 2012 Irish Tarmac Rally Champions. Along with the title comes history in the making, as Enda becomes the first ever Monaghan man to score victory on the international championship, the duo’s Subaru Impreza S10 ran without fault all season.
           The opening round of the year brought the crews to the Galway international rally back in February and Darren and Enda entered the event as somewhat underdogs, the opening loop of stages saw them close to the leaders in fourth place and with a good push over the middle loop they jumped into second place, a momentous push on the last loop saw the fight go between the Gass car and multiple tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly, Gass held a healthy 16 second lead over the chasing pack, however Donnelly showed his capabilities by taking 15 seconds back to allow Darren and Enda to take their first victory and into the bargain Enda claimed the first ever international victory for a Monaghan man.

The next round of the championship saw the contender’s head to the Circuit of Ireland a counting round of the internationally renowned irc European championship. The Gass team entered the event buoyed by their Galway result and their times reflected this as they set numerous fastest times to lead the event, a position they held to the end with a winning margin of one minute twenty seven seconds.

 The third counting round was the Killarney rally of the lakes an event which Darren hadn’t personally contested before, a steady approach saw the duo take a healthy second place behind a hard charging Daragh O’Riordan it was this result which really strengthened their title bid.

 Round four brought the crews to Donegal and with it a battle royal the opening day brought its dramas, The Gass crew where languishing in tenth place after the opening day and their main championship rival Garry Jennings commanded from the front of the rally. However in a never say die spirit Darren and Enda never gave up and battled with tooth and nail to climb back up the leader board as high as they possibly could over the remaining two days. Eventually Jennings was awarded victory and Gass climbed to a creditable fifth place and with it a haul of points to keep the championship dream alive.

The penultimate round of the championship was staged on the lanes and roads of the Ulster Rally, With the championship now at a crucial stage it was evident that the title race was basically down to the crews of Jennings or Gass, the scene was set for an epic battle. On this occasion it was Gass who proved to be the pacesetter and really stepped up to the mark setting a string of fastest times with Derek McGarrity and Garry Jennings both breathing down his neck it was nail biting to say the least. Eventually the picture became clear it was to be Gass and Sherry’s names to be etched on the winners trophy having led from the outset it was possibly the sweetest victory yet as they now had one hand on that elusive tarmac championship crown.

 The final counting round took place at the weekend on the Cork ’20’ rally and with the championship basically now a two horse race between Darren Gass and Garry Jennings it was looking to be a scintillating finish to the season as it was a scriptwriters dream, unfortunately for Jennings the dream was over before the event began as a last minute problem to source a suitable car for the event ditched his hopes of any title bid, and with it a jubilant Gass and Enda Sherry crossed the start ramp as 2012 Irish Tarmac Champions something which obviously delighted them beyond their wildest dreams. They continued on in the event however their one and only mechanical failure came on the final round when the power steering failed on the car and they where forced to retire, they where very mindful this could have painted a very different picture to the title, and the end of the rally they both thanked the organisers of the championship and the individual rally organisers, all the sponsors and every one of their families, friends and supporters for their help encouragement and belief every step of the way. Its a new chapter for the boys something they will cherish for ever

 Saturday night last saw Monaghan Motor Club run the first of this years night navigations. Coc for the event Shane Maguire and his team laid on a magnificent route and with 40 starters it was sure to be a test of man and machine. Local man Damien Connolly with Donegal’s Gary McElhinney behind the wheel led the event from start to finish to take a narrow 1 penalty win from Michael and Ciaran Tynan in 2^nd with midland’s men Colin Duffy and Sam Johnston 3^rd.

            As the event left Bellanode and headed south along the Clones/Monaghan road the lane’s came thick and fast with some expert crews dropping penalties as early as time point 5. Tp6 was a grassy lane alongside Shane’s own house as the event moved northwards towards the Bragan Mountain area. Time point 11 and 12 were located in the same place, which caused difficulties further down the field as most semi and novice crews dropped time or missed them completely. Time points 18 to 22 were once again located in the Bragan Mountain’s with fast flowing gravel lanes and the odd tight farmyard ensuring there was no let up as the plot and bash sections were very well laid out and tricky. By mid way Connolly and McElhinney were on a clean sheet with Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins 2^nd on 1 penalty with the novice pairing of Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin a creditable 3^rd on 2 penalties.

            A quick petrol halt in the Killylough area just north of Tydavnet was a welcomed break for all competitors as more of the same lay ahead through the second half. Timepoints 26-30 were also plot and bash and once again their locations were set out in such a way that any small navigator error resulted in missing time points or worse still, double visits. Nineteen of the 37 crews still in the hunt missed time points 28 and 29 altogether as they failed to negotiate a tulip diagram correctly, leading them straight to time point 30. The last 5 timepoints led crews back to the Bellanode/Tydavnet areas as the overall result was ultimately decided on the last lane of the night with all crews dropping time. McElhinney/Connolly did drop 3 minutes on this last lane but they had done enough to secure the over-all win. This result leaves this years club navigation championship going to the wire and will be decided on the Drumlin on 10^th November. Provisionally Damian Connolly now has a 2 point advantage over Liam Higgins for the navigators award while Andy Mackarel and Michael Carbin are head to head for the drivers award.

            McElhinney/Connolly’s win left three crews tied on 5 penalties for the expert class win but the furthest cleanest rule mean’t Michael and Ciaran Tynan took the expert class win and 2^nd overall ahead of Colin Duffy and Sam Johnston with the Monaghan/Donegal pairing of Damian Hagan and Aidan Friel 3^rd. Sean McKenna and Gary Farrelly picked up where they left off last season with another semi-expert class win. It was a close battle for 2^nd but it was the midlands men Packie Duffy and Nigel McCloughery who scraped through for 2^nd on 54pens ahead of Michael McCluskey and Francis Keenan on 56pens. Fintan Clerkin put his recent navigation classes to good use and came out with a novice class win along with driver Martin Tynan. Double visit penalties, their biggest downfall of the night as 2^nd overall was within their reach. 2^nd novice went to Mark Donnelly and Martin Connolly who also had double visit penalties. 3^rd novice home was Eoghan Corr and Brendan Treanor. This crew weren’t down much time but five missed time points dropped them down the overall standings. In the beginners class it was an excellent result for Derek Mackarel, driven by Richard Cassidy in the trusty vectra. This was Derek’s first time navigating and only missed two timepoints along the way. 2^nd beginner went to Michael Conlon and Paul Mulholland who was also out for he first time. Andrew Stewart and Robert Howard were 3^rd beginner on a testing night for their immaculate Peugeot 205.

            So a great event to kick-start the new navigation season. Well done to Shane as first time CoC, and he would like to thank Michael Carbin, Evin Hughes, Fintan Sherry and Bart along with the many others who helped PR and aid in the successful running of this event. Shane would also like to thank residents along the route, especially those who granted permission for use of private lanes, to the many marshals who turned out on the night, Bellanode community centre, Maggies Bar and the women who looked after the soup and sambo’s, Maguire International for scrutiny facilities, results teams and anyone else who helped out in any way. The upcoming Drumlin on 10^th November with Mr. Northern Sound himself, Sean McCaffery as Coc will be the decider for all club navigation classes and is sure to live up to its reputation as a demanding event. Also keep free Saturday 1^st December for Monaghan Motor Clubs annual Dinner Dance and awards ceremony where all club navigation awards will be presented.       

           

 

Co. Monaghan MC Navigation Top 12:

1/ Gary McElhinney/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza) 4 marks

2/ Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 5m

3/ Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 5m

4/ Damien Hagan/Aidan Friel (Subaru Impreza) 5m

5/ Sean McKenna/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 32m

6/ Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 42m

7/ Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 46m

8/ Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 48m

9/ Justin Smyth/Conor Maguire (Subaru Impreza) 50m

10/ Packie Duffy/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Impreza) 54m

11/ Micheal McCluskey/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 56m

12/ Ray O’Neill/Stephen O’Neill (Ford Mondeo) 56m

 

‘CORK 20’ International Rally

It was another successful weekend for Monaghan crews on the Cork 20 International Rally last weekend. Monaghan’s Enda Sherry was navigating for Darren Gass on this the final round of this years Tarmac Championship. Although they didn’t finish the event they had still done enough to be crowned 2012 Tarmac Champions. (See full report elsewhere)

            It was a double success as Sam Moffatt and James O’Reilly brought their EVO9 home to 5^th overall and in doing so they were crowned Group N champions for 2012. A magnificent feat for the Monaghan men. Monaghan Motor Club would like to congratulate both crews on their achievements, the first time Monaghan club members have won both the overall and Group N awards in the Tarmac Championship.

 

Donegal Harvest Stages Rally

Best of luck to all local competitors heading for Donegal this weekend to contest the final round of both the National and Border Championships. The Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town is the place to be this Saturday and with both the National and Border Championships still undecided its all to play for on the narrow Donegal roads with Monaghan crews in the hunt for both titles. Full report next week.

 

This Saturday night, 6^th October sees Monaghan Motor Club host the first of this years night navigation trials. This event is a counting round of the 2012 club championship and Shane Maguire has taken on the role of Coc, assisted by Michael Carbin and their team. This event will be based in Ballinode Community Centre and reg’s and entry forms are on club website www.monaghanmotorclub.net  All intending competitors are urged to carefully read all the new amendment’s to this years navigation regulations as there are some significant changes. Once again these amendments can be found on club website. As always help is needed and any marshals available are asked to contact Shane by text 0871215255 or any committee member and be in Ballinode Community Centre no later than 8pm on Saturday evening.

Bushwhacker Forestry Rally

 

It was a day of high drama on last Saturday’s Mc Kelvey Bushwhacker Forestry Rally in Omagh. The final two stages saw Derek Mc Garrity overcome a 3 second deficit to win by 13 in his Impreza from Martin Cairns who was second in a similar Subaru. Championship leaders Gary Jennings and Rory Kennedy were on the start line of the final stage and ready to clinch the Valvoline Irish Forestry Championship when his Subaru expired in a cloud of steam and smoke. This left veteran crew of Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr promoted to 3^rd over-all as the drama in front unfolded.

            Jennings’ title rivals Colin Britton and Arthur Kierans finished 4^th over-all to ensure this years Irish Forestry Championship goes down to the wire on the final round in Co. Antrim. For yet another weekend running Frank Kelly and Liam Brennan claimed the two wheel drive honours and 6^th over-all from Vivian Hamill in 2^nd and Adrian Hetherington in 3^rd. Damian Connolly was navigating for Derek McGeehan in the mini WRC and finished 7^th over-all and 2^nd in class. Stephen and Suzanne Wright had another fine run through the sticks to come home with 8^th overall and 3^rd in class, albeit in a slightly older spec EVO 6. Vincent and Jp McAree had a troubled day with brake issues but must be content with 10^th overall and 2^nd in class 2. Tarmac experts Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly are getting to grips with the unique driving style on the loose and finished in 19^th overall. Michael Conlon acquired the services of Ciaran McPhillips as navigator for the day and had a steady run to 23^rd overall and 4^th in class.

            Unfortunately for Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna they had a second non-finish in as many weekends as they failed to make first service. Best of luck to Colin Britton and Aghabog’s Arthur Kierans on their quest to win this years Valvoline Irish Forestry Championship on the Glens of Antrim Rally on 27^th October. Arthur and son Mac also hope to defend their Border Rally Championship title on the final round coming up on Donegal Harvest on 13^th October.      

   

Mayo Motor Club Harringtons Quarry Championship

Well done to father and son team of Martin and Michael Tynan on their recent success’ at this years Mayo Motor Club Loose Surface Quarrycross championship. This venue has become very popular with competitors from around the country for its full gravel surface, which is well maintained. After 4 rounds in this years championship, Martin was pipped by a single point for 3^rd overall in his EVO8, a great result considering there were 84 registered drivers over the 4 event’s. This result was consolidated with a 3^rd overall last Sunday where he led after the first run. Not to be outdone Michael Tynan also contested all four rounds and consistency paid off to finish in 5^th overall in his EVO 5.

            The championship was won by Derek Deane in a buggy special with Maynooth’s Peter McCullagh 2^nd in a lancer and James Lannon 3^rd in and EVO 9. 

 

Monaghan Motor Club Night Navigation Trial

Saturday 6^th October sees Monaghan Motor Club host the first of this years Night Navigation’s. This event is a counting round of the 2012 club championship and Shane Maguire has taken on the role of Coc, assisted by Michael Carbin and their team. This event will be based in Ballinode Community Centre and reg’s and entry forms are on club website www.monaghanmotorclub.net As always help is needed and any marshals available are asked to contact Shane or any committee member and be in Ballinode Community Centre no later than 8pm on Saturday 6^th October.

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.