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Did you hear the one about the Kerry Navigator??… Well the story goes like this… Attached were strict instructions to present to Mads at this weekend’s German round of the rally championships, and get him to open it while he was present. Mayo & District Motorsport Club would like to thank Tom Walsh and Seamus Coffey who without their help this jersey wouldn’t have made it out of Fordes shop in Ballyhaunis! |
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Galway Summer Rally
Also making ground was the two John’s, Duffy and Egan who had their Honda Integra 1st in Class seven and 61st overall after the second stage. But that’s as good as it got for both teams as Buckley retired with mechanical trouble and the two John’s despite their ESB backgrounds couldn’t solve an electrical problem later on during the day, as the Integra came to a halt on a road section between stages. |
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Mayo Club members at Sligo Autocross |
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Martin Tynan
Winner of Mayo Autocross July 27th 2014
Autocross July 27th Report: Tynan flies ‘Sky’ high in Mayo
Results Here
Martin Tynan from Clones, Co. Monaghan beat all challengers to claim victory on Mayo & District Motorsport Club’s Loose Surface Autocross on Sunday. Driving a Mitsubishi Evo 8, he had to do it the hard way, coming from behind on the final run to beat local favourite Derek Deane.
A capacity entry gathered at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford for the third of four autocross events to be held this year. Clerk of the Course Paul McLaughlin and his team had once again laid on a superb course, with each competitor getting three runs of two laps over the demanding route.
Derek Deane, in his JCR Rally Kart, outlined his intentions from the start, setting a time of 3:58.89 almost fourteen seconds faster than the Evo of Tynan on the opening run, with another Monaghan visitor, Mickey Conlon, a further one second back. On the second run however, Deane failed to set a time due to a coming together with the final chicane that ground him to a halt.
Tynan was next on track and while taking over twelve seconds off his first attempt, stopping the clock at exactly 4:00.00, Deane still held the lead by just over a second.
With hopes high for a home win, Deane pulled out all the stops on the final run, but only managed a 4:02.98, leaving his first run time still his best. Was it to be enough?
Tynan put in a dazzling final run in the Red Mitsubishi to take a further two and half seconds from his previous best, and record victory.
Watching the battling duo closely all day was Sligo man John McGettrick who on his first day competing in a buggy was double driving Deane’s JCR Rally Kart. He astounded regulars as he reserved his best for last, not only taking second overall ahead of Deane, but also winning class six with a time of 3:58.11 on his final run. Deane and Conlon took second and third respectively in class six.
Away from the leading protagonists, competition was just as fierce in the various classes. Foxford’s James McGreal won Class four in his Subaru Impreza, ahead of Sligo’s Padraic Mullen and Monaghan’s Cormac McElvaney. Bekan’s Sean McHugh finished fourth in that class and in twenty first place overall.
Damien McGauran from Fermanagh claimed the honours in Class three with another impressive showing in his rear wheel drive Toyota Corolla. Walter Burke from Williamstown finished second in his Escort MK2 and Kilalla’s Padraic Roche was third, also in an Escort MK2.
Nobody could match Eighteen year old Derek Mackarel from Monagahan in his 1.6 Vauxhall Nova, not only did he win Class Two but was also top two wheel drive finishing in tenth place overall. Glen Irwin from Castlederg claimed second despite not setting a time on his last run, due to losing a wheel.
Shrule’s Noel Murphy was third and also picked up valuable Young Driver points as his main challenge, Foxford’s Alan Moran, could only managed fifth in Class two. Club Chairman Matthew Murphy was seventh in his Toyota Corolla. Achill man Joe Healy brought his Honda Civic home in tenth place. Westport’s Alan McGuire guided his Peugeot 205 to a notable eleventh in Class winning the local 205 battle by a clear margin. Achill’s Peter McManamon had to settle for second in the aforementioned 205 battle and sixteenth in class, afterwards saying that he was taking it a bit easier trying not to scuff the new paint job on his 205!
Liam Healy, also from Achill was seventeenth in his Honda Civic. David Walsh, home on holiday from Australia steered the family Sunbeam to eighteenth place in Class two. Mervyn Fahy who was double driving the Walsh Sunbeam lost the bragging rights, finishing one place behind in nineteenth. Patrick McEveney Snr brought the family triple driven Toyota Corolla home in twentieth place. John Warren was next placed having succumb to gearbox trouble and only setting one time. Stephen McGreal from Achill enjoyed the day, double driving a Peugeot 205 finishing twenty-second in Class two.
Sligo’s John Rooney finished first in Class one, beating Foxford’s Stephen Doherty by less than a second. Stephen Reynolds from Manorhamilton was third.
Class seven, for 16-18 year olds was won once again by Patrick McEveney from Castlebar in his Toyota Corolla, Colm Ronan from Bekan was second in his Nissan Sunny and Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore on a day hampered with fuel pump problems in his Citroen Saxo, claimed third.
The Mayo & District Motorsport Club award for the leading club member went to Adrian Deane while Shauna McEveney from Castlebar picked up the Ladies Award.
The event was also the fourth counting round of the 2014 National Loose Surface Autocross Championships, a series that Derek Deane won in 2013.
This championship, which is being sponsored by Batt O’Donoghoes Five Star Catering from Co. Cork, brought some more new faces to the Mayo venue, all of whom were delighted with the facilities on offer and the fast challenging Mayo track.
The final round of the 2014 Mayo & District Autocross season takes place on Sunday 24th August.
For full online album of photos go to the Facebook Set
July Motorsport News:
Some Mayo members in Sligo Stages Rally 2014
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Podium for Shrule teenager Photos courtesy of Jeremy Raftery |
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Midland Autocross |
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The highest placed Mayo finisher was Adrian Deane, who after quite a number of events, and years, finally got the better of his brother Derek, as the siblings finished fourth and fifth respectively. Adrian wants the fact that Derek didn’t compete a third run due to mechanical trouble in his buggy, not to take away from finally claiming the bragging rights at the kitchen table. Photos courtesy of James Foley |
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Mayo& District Motorsport Club Autocross Round 2: June 8th
There was thunder in the sky and lightening quick times on the track at Harrington’s Quarry in Kilkelly on Sunday as Derek Deane once again dominated Mayo’s Loose Surface Autocross event.
The Williamstown’s man led from start to finish in his JCR Rally Kart. When the final flag was waved there was only half a second in it between first and second, Martin Tynan from Clones in his Mitsubishi Evo, having gotten closer and closer as the day went on, just failed to reel Deane’s buggy and break his strong hold on the number one position. In third place was Ian Barrett from Maynooth, still getting familiar with his recently acquired buggy, and setting progressively times throughout the day.
Next best place local was another member of the Deane family, younger brother Adrian, who claimed the Mayo Club Award finishing in 7th place, in his JB Buggy.
Foxford’s James McGreal finished in 15th and picked up 3rd in class four in his 4 wheel drive Subaru Impreza. Hollymount’s Colin Loughney won Class three and finished 27th overall in his Ford Escort MK2. Castlebar’s Patrick McEveny came out on top in the Junior class for 16-18 year olds just ahead of Lorcan Moore from Crossmolina. Patrick’s sister Shauna picked up the Ladies award.
Shrule’s Noel Murphy was highest placed in the hotly contested Mayo Young Driver’s championships bringing his Honda Civic home in 28th. Bekan’s Sean McHugh reported a good run in his Subaru Impreza finishing just inside the top 30.
Wesport native Ed Muldoon enjoyed a day’s racing with the British RX Racing team who had their impressive British Rallycross machinery over for the day, Ed was very happy with the Mayo venue and also his result in the RX150 Buggy which he guided to 32nd overall.
Padraic Roche slid his Escort MK2 to 33rd place also picking up 2nd in class three along the way. Achill’s Peter McManamon showed that recently becoming a dad again has put some extra pep in his step as he powered his Peugeot 205 to 34th place.
Alan Moran suffered mechanical problems in his Peugeot 206 only setting one run time and having to settle for 36th. Liam Healy from Achill never stopped smiling all day rounding off a great days driving with 38th place, one ahead of Club Chairman Matthew Murphy in his Corolla. Next up in 40th place was Alan McGuire from Wesport in his Peugeot 205.
Killalaa cousins Michael and Fergal Loughney were separated only by Stephen Doherty who finished between them in 46th place. David Healy from Skreen was another to succumb to mechanical woe, only setting a first run in his Nissan Primera but good enough for 49th place. Another Achill man Stephen McGreal enjoyed his first day in the Valley finishing in 50th place.
South Mayo’s Brian McDonnell on a holiday home from Australia guided his Toyota Corolla to 53rd on his Autocross debut, one place ahead of another Autocross first timer Terry Greavy from Bonniconlon.
With local Mayo & District members making up 24 entries of the 56 that started the event, the forecast is bright with a good chance of more lightening times at Round 3 on July 27th. More details here on the club website.
Photos courtesy of Rally through a Lens
 John Duffy and John Egan 1st in Class 7 at Circuit of Munster
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| Killian Duffy and Abdulaziz Alkuwari in action at Rally Italia, the pair retired during SS15 after losing a wheel when they ran wide and clipped a tree stump. They had been in third place in WRC2.
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Mayo Motorsport Club stand |
May 11th Autocross Report:
Results
DEANE DOMINATES AGAIN
The first Mayo & District Motorsport Club Autocross of 2014 took place on Sunday in Harrington’s Quarry, Kilkelly with a capacity entry for the first time in a number of years.
Derek Deane from Williamstown won the event, continuing his amazing record on his home event, and proving that’s it’s the man and not the machine as his one week old JCR Rally Kart made its debut on the loose surface track. Second home, Martin Tynan from Clones was the early leader, making use of the abolition of the 4 Wheel Drive Penalty for 2014 in his Mitsubishi Evo, but in the end he had to settle for second behind Deane. There were three members of the Deane family in the top 4, as Derek’s brothers Mervyn and Adrian were third and fourth respectively in their JB Buggies.
Next up was James McGreal from Foxford who finished fifth overall and claimed second in class 4 for 4WD cars. Other locals to fare well were Colin Loughney from Hollymount who came home second in class 3 in his Ford Escort. Foxford’s Alan Moran put in a blindingly quick last run in a Peugeot 206 to claim second in the highly competitive class 2 and gain valuable Mayo Young Driver Championship Points. David Carney from Westport fresh from a podium on the last round of the British Rally Championship won the Mayo & District Club Award using the event to get further seat time in his Citroen DS3-R3T. Club stalwart Padraic Roche was fourth in Class 3 while Club Chairman Matthew Murphy was sixth in class 2. Sean McHugh from Bekan was seventh in class 4 in his Group A like sounding Subaru Impreza. Last year’s Mayo Young Driver’s Champion Noel Murphy from Shrule began the defence of his title with a fourth place finish in class 2. David Jordan from Westport finished seventh in that class in his Corolla, with Alan McGuire also from Westport in ninth in a Peugeot 205. Liam and Joe Healy from Achill double drove their Civic and had a great battle with Liam just coming out on top.
MAYO AUTOCROSS 2014 PREVIEW
Always popular with competitors, once again, Mayo & District Motorsport Club will be running two championships as part of its Autocross season. The Frank Harrington Challenge trophy is awarded to the overall champion driver and all competitors are automatically eligible, with points awarded on overall finishing positions. Driver’s best three scores from the four events count towards final championship totals. Derek Deane from Williamstown is aiming for an unprecedented three titles in a row in his family run JB Buggy. He won’t have it all his own way, however, with last year’s runner up Mickey Conlon from Monaghan a real contender having switched to a buggy. The 4Wheel-Drive Penalty has been abolished for 2014, so the likes of Peter McCullagh, James Lannon and James McGreal could be back in contention with their selection of powerful Subaru’s and Evo’s.
Additionally, the Mayo Young Driver Challenge will return in 2014. This competition is open to Mayo & District Motorsport Club members under the age of 30 on the first of January 2014, and has seen some highly competitive driving from up and coming competitors over the years. Champion from last year Noel Murphy from Shrule will be back to defend his title with his main competition sure to be from previous two-time Champion Foxford’s Alan Moran and fellow Foxford man Stephen Doherty. There is also a possibility of former Champion Justin Ryan from Headford making a return after two years out of Autocross action but he will miss the first round due to injury.
Held at the popular Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford, Mayo & District Motorsport Cub’s autocross track is recognised as one of the best venues in the country, regularly attracting entries from all corners of Ireland, as well as overseas.
The first of the four rounds rev’s into action on this Sunday May 11th, followed by Round 2 on June 8th, Round 3 July 27th and the final Round on August 24th.
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The third round of the 2014 Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship took place in the picturesque setting of Glendalough Co. Wicklow on Saturday. (Pics courtesy of John Kilbride) |
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Closer to home three members of Mayo & District Motorsport Club make the short trip across the border to compete at the Connacht Motor Club Autocross in Saehan, Sligo on Sunday. Best placed of the Mayo’s was Padraic Roche in his Ford Escort Mk2 who finished in 16th place. |
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Also in action this weekend was a 14 year old Jason Murphy from Shrule who was taking part in Round 2 of The National Grass Surface Autocross Championships which was taking place at ‘The Naul’ in Dublin. Jason put in an excellent performance in his 1.4 Honda Civic, getting progressively quicker during the day and claiming an excellent second place in the Junior section.
Closer to home Aidan Gannon from Tubbercurry navigated Anthony O Brien to a Class 20 victory and excellent 17th overall onThe Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally, round three of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, while Sean Hynes from Foxford, competing in Formula Sheane at Bishopscourt claimed fifth in Race 1 but failed to finish race 2 after a coming together with another racing car while battling for positions. |
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April 2014 Motorsport News Carney caps Carlisle Rally with Podium (Photos by Jasmina Bareham and Peter Boyd) |
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Also on duty, outside of Ireland this weekend was John Higgins from Kiltimagh who was navigating at Rally Jordan, an event that last year seen him make headlines when the car he was competing in then, alongside United Arab Emirates driver, Majed al-Shamsi, slid off a cliff face and fell over 20ft into a ravine. Undaunted by last year’s events, this year the Mayo man was calling the pacenotes for Emariti driver, Juma Al Falasi. They put in a solid performance over the three day event, which took place alongside the picturesque backdrop of the Dead Sea, and after the twenty one special stages ran mostly over desert terrain, the Abu Dhabi Junior Racing backed pair finished the event in 14th place overall in their 2wd Citroen DS3 R3. |
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Closer to home this weekend, at the Killarney International Rally of the Lakes, two teams were flying the Mayo flag. Shane Buckley from Ballyhaunis had Westport’s Keefe Kilcoyne alongside on the notes but the pair didn’t make it to the finish, retiring their Honda Civic half way through the second day of the event. (Photos by Rally Through a Lens) |
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Monaghan Stages Rally-Mayo members top of the Class Sam Moffett and navigator James Reilly made it back to back wins on their home event, the Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally on Sunday 27th April. The Combilift backed Ford Fiesta WRC dominated from the opening stage to take a two minute win from the Ford Escort WRC of Peader Hurson and Damien Connolly, with Daniel McKenna and Stephen Hagan third in their two wheel drive Ford Escort. |
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Derek Bolton from Ballaghaderreen who had Trevor O Connell on the pacenotes in the Subaru impreza, claimed top honours in Class 15. The pair negotiated their way through the mix of fast twisty stages, getting increasingly quicker though the day and claiming the class win by more than two minutes. Delighted with their performance Derek said “This gives us some valuable points for the Border Championships, now roll on Cavan Stages Rally in four weeks’ time”. (Photo courtesy of James Burke) |
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| 14 year old Jason Murphy from Shrule was competing at the two day Carrick on Suir Autocross over the Easter weekend, He finished 2nd in Junior section on both days in his 1.4 Honda Civic. | |
| The first weekend in April was a busy one for Mayo & District members, competing the length and breadth of the country and beyond.
Westport’s David Carney had his Citroën DS3 at Kerry Motor Club’s Circuit of Kerry Rally in Tralee, unable to finish the event due to fuel pump gremlins; he gained valuable stage mileage in his rapid French chariot. |
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| Closer to home on the Sunday, five local drivers headed to Sligo for Round 1 of Connacht Motor Club’s Autocross season. Top Mayo finisher was Ballina’s Padraic Roche, after organizational duties at the recent Mayo Stages Rally; Padraic was delighted to get behind the wheel of his Escort MK2 finishing in 12th place and just missing out on 3rd in class 4. Westport’s Alan Maguire and Achill’s Peter McManamon were nip and tuck with each other during their three runs at the Hazelwood track. The pair, in similar Peugeot 205’s really enjoyed the day and with McManamon picking up penalties for hitting elements of the chicanes on his last two runs it gave Maguire the upper hand this time in a battle that will surely continue to provide thrills and excitement throughout the rest of the year. |
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| Killala’s Raymond Carroll was next to finish in his class 1 Nova, blowing the cobwebs off his hot hatchback after the winter break. Enjoying his first day out behind the wheel was Stephen McGreal from Achill who was double driving Peter McManamon’s 205. Having gotten consistently quicker through the day, it’s looking like he will be swapping his regular marshalling duties for a race suit during the coming year!. Photos by CLRally pics |
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| Killian Duffy was in action in Portugal navigating for Abdulaziz Al-kuwari in their first WRC2 outing of 2014, the pair who suffered suspension trouble on the morning of day two in their Fiesta, finished the event in 8th place, unable to better their result of 5th in 2013 but they were glad to get a finish on the hotly contested sub category of the world’s most prestigious rally championship. “This rally was about finishing, learning and getting back into the swing of things after six months away from WRC2,” said Al Kuwari.Photos by André Lavadinho |
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Foxford’s Formula For Racing Photos by James Foley
the 2014 championships. He finished 8th in a frantic first race that seen four cars retire and then, narrowly missed out on a podium place, finishing 4th in race two. |
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Defending Dunlop National Rally champions, Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru WRC) made the perfect start to this season’s campaign with a start to finish victory in the Hotel Ballina/Kennedy Motors Mayo Rally, the first event of the eight round series.
In slippery conditions, they finished two minutes and 21.8 seconds ahead of the MG ZR of Roy White/James O’Brien. Paddy McVeigh/Gary McElhinney (Subaru WRC) were a minute and 1.1 seconds further behind third.
The Group N category was won by Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Mitsubishi). The Longford/Cork duo of Tommy Doyle/Liam Moynihan (Renault Clio R3) were the top two wheel drive competitors. The Dunlop “Drive of the Day” award was won by Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru WRC).
On an extremely slippery opening stage near Bunnyconnellan, Boyle was 4.9 seconds ahead of Hugh Hunter, who endured a half spin. Roy White (MG ZR) was third fastest – 10.9 seconds further adrift. Former triple Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) languished down in fourteenth place almost 40 seconds off the lead due to intercom problems, tyre choice was also an issue. White caught up with Maguire’s Subaru about a mile from the finish but, due to the narrow road, the Monaghan man was unable to allow White overtake.
As the medical services were requested for a resident on the second stage, rally organisers re-routed to the third stage. There, Boyle posted another fastest time to move into a 16 second lead over Hunter. At the Ballina service park, leader Boyle remarked, “It is very slippery out there, I’m taking it nice and steady.” White remained in third – 21.4 seconds behind Hunter.
Daniel Barry in his R4 Mitsubishi was a fine fourth followed by Steve Wood in the ex-Darren Gass Subaru WRC, who clipped a rock and stalled on the third stage. Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) slotted into sixth.
Sam Moffett led the Group N category, he was seventh overall in a top ten completed by Paddy McVeigh (Subaru WRC), Josh Moffett, who spun his Mitsubishi on the opening stage and Aaron MacHale (Mitsubishi). Elsewhere, Trevor Bustard (Mitsubishi) had a major moment on the third stage and was lucky to escape unscathed. Niall Maguire withdrew at the service halt due to engine concerns.
With all the drivers remarking on the slippery conditions, Boyle fared best on the second loop of stages. His only indiscretion was on S.S. 5 when he stalled his Subaru at a junction. Hunter had a good stage time on S.S. 4 but his rally ended on the next stage when he retired with a sensor issue. Boyle arrived at the final service halt with a lead of one minute and 57.4 seconds. Second placed White opted for a cut slick but having two intermediate compound spare wheels, he changed the front wheels for the sixth stage.
Paddy McVeigh (Subaru) slotted into third despite a huge moment on S.S 6 when he hit a rock that was dragged on to the stage. Daniel Barry in his R4 Mitsubishi was fourth – 4.9 seconds behind McVeigh. Steve Wood and Kevin Barrett completed the top six, the latter had visibility issues when the screen fogged up on S.S. 6, he also experienced problems with sixth gear.
Josh Moffett moved into the lead of Group N when his brother Sam retired with engine troubles on S.S. 5. Donegal’s Trevor Bustard, who had a moment on S.S. 5, was 20.3 seconds behind in a top ten completed by Tommy Doyle (Renault Clio R3) and Raymond Conlon (Toyota Corolla). Aaron MacHale retired his Mitsubishi with fuel pump troubles.
Kevin Barrett withdrew his Subaru at the final service halt due to problems with sixth gear.
On the final loop of three stages, Boyle survived a heart stopping moment on the penultimate stage and went on to take victory and maximum Dunlop points. White and McVeigh completed the top three. Wood in the ex-Darren Gass Subaru WRC was fourth from Daniel Barry (Mitsubishi), who won the R4 category and Group N winner, Josh Moffett, who finished sixth overall.
1. D. Boyle/B. Boyle (Subaru WRC S12B) 1h. 00m. 23.5s.
2. R. White/J. O’Brien (MG ZR S2400) 1h. 02m. 45.3s
3. P. McVeigh/G. McElhinney (Subaru WRC) 1h.03m. 46.4s
4. S. Wood/K. Moriarty (Subaru WRC) 1h. 04m. 02.4s
5. D. Barry/G. Noble (Mitsubishi EvoX) 1h. 04m. 37.1s.
6. J. Moffett/J. Rowan (Mitsubishi EvoIX) 1h. 05m. 27.2s
7. T. Bustard/J. McCafferty (Mitsubishi EvoIX) 1h. 06. 13.8s.
8. T. Doyle/L. Moynihan (Renault Clio R3) 1h. 06m. 20.6s
9. R. Conlon/D. McCague (Toyota Corolla) 1h. 06m. 21.5s
10. D. Leonard/D. Mullen (Mitsubishi)1h. 06m. 55.0s.
Dunlop National Rally Championship (Provisional Positions after Round 1): 1. D. Boyle 20pts; 2. R. White 18pts; 3. P. McVeigh 16 pts; 4. S. Wood 14pts.
Media Co-Ordinator,
Dunlop National Rally Championship.
How the locals fared on Mayo Stages Rally 2014
Photos by James Burke and Kevin Glendinning
A number of local crews and competitors claimed top awards in the Hotel Ballina / Kennedy Motors Mayo Stages Rally 2014. Top placed local finishers and winners of the Mayo & District Motorsport Club Top Crew Award were Ballinrobe based Sligo man John Warren and Ruthann O’Connor from Kilmaine, finishing in 23rd place overall in their Toyota Corolla. This was after a day long battle with Westport man David Carney in his newly acquired Citroen DS3-R3. Carney led for the majority of the day but John and Ruthann managed to overhaul him on the final stage to claim the award for the second year running. All was not lost for Carney though as he claimed victory in class 7.
Darragh Mullen navigating for David Leonard in a Lancer finished 10th overall. Darragh was highest placed Mayo & District Motorsport Club member and in the process won class 20. Aidan Gannon from Tubbercurry ably navigated Anthony O’Brien to 2nd in that class.
Colin Loughney from Hollymount had Kilfian man Seamus Murphy navigating for the first time. The pair found the stages treacherous but still took the Escort to 5th in class 12 and 35th overall.
Ballaghadereen/Ballina pairing Derek Bolton and Trevor O’Connell survived early intercooler pipe problems in their Impreza to finish 2nd in class 15. Knockmore man Kenneth McHale with Derek McCarthy on the notes took 3rd in class 15 and 42nd overall, also in a Subaru Impreza.
Barry Cuffe from Belcarra powered his often sideways Mk 2 Escort to 43rd overall and a credible 4th in class 11R. Former club chairman Sean McHugh, who had Paul McLaughlin alongside in his distinctive BMW M3 came home in 60th place. Bekan man Sean was delighted to finish his home event and really enjoyed the demanding stages.
Current club chairman Matthew Murphy, with his brother Ronan on the notes finished just behind Sean in 61st in his Toyota Corolla.
Keith McFadden and Chrystal Culkeen claimed 3rd in class 7 and 62nd overall.
Mayo club secretary and Crossmolina man John Duffy with John Egan on the notes finished 67th in their distinctive Honda Integra.
Local man Martin Hastings was navigating for Donegal’s Eamonn McCaffery in a Ford Puma, the pair claimed top honours in Class 5.
Ballina pairing Tony Langdon and Eddie Quinn were happy to come home 4th in class 6 and 73rd overall to bag some valuable Border Rally Championship points.
Bonniconlon man Darragh Devine with Paul McGee on the notes, took his class 2 civic to 74th as he really enjoyed his local stages. Ed and John Muldoon from Westport were next up in their Evo 9. Ed was another who found the stages very slippy and suffered a puncture early on in the event but managed a 79th place finish. The local pairing of Martin Cawley and Kenny Langan, were next, finishing 80th in their Peugeot 205.
An amazing achievement from local girl Trisha Greavy, on her first ever rally she finished 3rd in class 11F driving her pristine Honda Civic, afterwards she thanked her navigator Darren Gilmartin for keeping her clear of the ditches.
Former Mayo Young Driver Champion Justin Ryan from Headford, with Ballinrobe man Andy Walsh on the notes, took his Honda Civic to 3rd in the highly competitive Junior event, finishing just ahead of last year’s winner Noel Murphy from Shrule.
The testing and extremely slippery stages saw a lot of competitors fall by the wayside throughout the day, among them a number of local club entrants. Mayo club member Aaron MacHale with Kilitmagh’s Eamon Walsh sitting on, originally led the race for top local crew but unfortunately had to retire their Evo on the second loop with mechanical issues.
Event joint sponsor Ciaran Kennedy and Paddy O’Hora were leading class 2 until an off on stage 8. Foxford man Alan Moran was embroiled in the local battle in the Junior category until his Peugeot 206 succumbed to clutch trouble. Another Foxford man Stephen Doherty on his first day out had Jared Gill on the notes but was unfortunately stopped after the first stage with electrical woes.
David Doherty was running in 4th in class 7 until he had to retire after stage 5. Local man Patrick Durcan from Bonniconlon unfortunately had to retire his Nova after 7 stages.
On his return to tarmac rallying, Foxford man James McGreal had problems all day with his recently acquired Mitsubishi Evo, eventually retiring with turbo trouble.
The Greavy family were well represented on this rally but unfortunately Terry and Brendan had not the same luck as Trisha, as they failed to finish the final stage of the event.
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