The countdown to the 2015 Crockets on the Quay, Mayo Mini-Stages Forest Rally is firmly on following a successful launch at Crockets on the Quay, headquarters for the October 18th event.
A large crowd was in attendance on Friday night last to hear information about the rally from a selection of speakers, including Clerk of the Course Trevor O Connell and Chairman of Mayo & District Motorsport Club Matthew Murphy, who thanked the sponsors and the hard working team who have made the return of a Forest Rally to Mayo after an absence of more than 15 years possible.
Others to speak on the night included Art McCarrick, Sports Development Officer with Motorsport Ireland and Paul Garvin, Crockets on the Quay and Ballina Chamber of Commerce.
Earlier in the day Mayo & District Motorsport Club organised a very successful event, held in Moygownagh Community Center for local schoolchildren from Carn National School, Moygownagh and Scoil Naomh Brid, Ballycastle which are both located close to stages on the event. Presented by Mayo & District Motorsport Club Road Safety Office Maggie Bonner, together with members of Mayo & District Motorsport Club, the R.S.A, Bus Eireann and An Garda Siochana, the initiative provided the school children with a special opportunity to learn firsthand about Road Safety and the safety measures that are in place to run a rally, as well as a demonstration of safety equipment on board a current rally car. The presentation was very well received with lots of questions and much excitement about the forthcoming rally.
With two weeks to go Mayo & District Motorsport Club reports that a surge of competitors have entered the Mayo Mini-Stages Forest Rally in recent days and any local competitors intending to enter the rally are advised to get their entries in without delay.
For spectators intending to visit the rally on October 18th, plenty of time should be allowed to get to the stages to park and find a safe viewing location, as the Forest stages have only limited access. Always obey the marshals and follow their instructions, as they are there to ensure that everyone has a safe day’s rallying. A Rally Programme with a detailed map will be available to purchase in the area on the lead up to the weekend.
In a busy weekend for Mayo & District Motorsport Club members the highlight was down south at the Cork 20 international Rally, Aaron MacHale and Paul McGee were crowned the 2015 Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Group N Champions with a 10th place finish overall giving them the necessary points to take the crown.
Speaking afterwards Ballina based McGee said “We’re absolutely delighted, the battle with Brendan Cumiskey and Ronan O’ Kane in their Impreza went right down to the wire, but Aaron kept his nerve and we done it, it feels great and we owe a lot to the team at Philip Case Rallysport for looking after the Mitsubishi Evo, that and Killian Duffy’s Pacenotes of course!, I never imagined this at the start of the year, We’ve had a brilliant year. A fair bit of effort goes in behind the scenes and we are lucky to have a great team and sponsors behind us.”
Donagh Kelly put in another flawless drive to win the event; he brought his Ford Focus WRC home 1 minute and 45 seconds ahead of the Keith Cronin in a Citroen DS3. Also putting in another exceptional display were Pauric Duffy and Kevin Glynn, the Mayo club members brought the P1 Rally Rentals Fiesta R5 home in 7th place and third in Class 5.
Elsewhere at the weekend, Alan Moran, Sean McHugh, James McGreal and Lorcan Moore were among a large entry that gathered for the running of Connacht Motorclub’s Autocross event at the new venue in Aughamore, Co. Sligo. Triple driving Sean McHugh’s Impreza, it was Moran that settled into the grove setting two second fastest times overall on two of the four runs, despite getting quicker during the day the two Subaru guru’s McHugh and McGreal couldn’t get a look in at the young Foxford prodigy, who went on to finish the event in second place overall and take the top spot in Class 9. Despite having to settle for second in Class 9 McHugh was delighted, he had achieved a feat that he’s been trying to accomplish for a number of years, that being finishing ahead of James McGreal who had to settle for third in Class 9. Young Lorcan Moore from Crossmolina brought his Citroen Saxo home second in the junior class despite suffering a misfire throughout the day.
Also in action on Sunday was the father and son team of Seamus and Oisin Coffey from Ballyhaunis, the pair had their Peugeot 205 in action at Galway Motorclub’s Autocross event held in Ballycumber Co Offaly. It was a fruitful outing for the pair, Seamus took away third in Class 2 while Oisin secured second in Class 8.
The official launch of the Crockets on the Quay Mayo Mini-Stages Forest Rally takes place on the evening of Friday 2nd of October at 7.30pm in Crockets on the Quay and all are welcome to come along.
The clubs monthly meeting will follow afterwards at 9pm
It was a case of almost a great result for John Higgins & Kahlid Al-Suwaidi last weekend at Rally Cyprus, The mixed-surface dirt/asphalt two day event counted towards both the FIA’s European and Middle-East Rally Championships and drew a very strong entry list.
The Qatar Irish pairing and an excellent first day, lying third placed MERC crew overnight but an electrical problem with their Fiesta at midpoint service on day two forced them to retire from the event.
Tipperary Autocross
Ronan and Jason Murphy made the trip to the Tipperary Motor Club AutoCross, held last Sunday in Kilmanahan. While the day didn’t go to plan for Ronan who just couldn’t ‘get in the groove’ Jason fared better finishing third in class in the Honda Civic.
TeamMurphy collect more silverware
Father & son #TeamMurphy continued their recent good run of form at Westmeath & District Motorclub’s (Grass surface) Autocross at Killucan, Co Westmeath on September 13th.
Jason finished 2nd in class 9 while Ronan was 3rd in class 1
Pics John Delaney.
Foxford man Alan Moran put in a masterful performance on the Lakeland Forest Rally, round five of the Valvoline Irish Forestry Rally Championship, held in Enniskillen on Saturday last. Moran with navigator John Burke alongside drove his Peugeot 206 without incident through the forests of west Fermanagh, rewarded at the end of the event with third place points in the junior championships. With championship leader Patrick O’ Brien retiring on the last stage, the points haul for the young Mayo driver propels him into first place overall with only two rounds remaining. Wesport man Ed Muldoon was unlucky, after putting in some fine times earlier in the day he retired his DJ Rally-hire Mitsubishi Evo on the penultimate stage. Next round for both Mayo crews is slightly closer to home, Round six of the Valvoline Irish Forestry Rally Championship, the Mayo Stages Forest Rally takes place on October 18th.
