Donegal Closed Mini Stages Rally - (Sat) 30 Jan 16

Posted: February 10, 2016 10:04 AM - 17086 Hits

In Car

Posted: February 9, 2016 1:04 PM

Ryan Loughran & James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk 2) SS6


Damien Tourish & Domhnall McEleaney (Ford Escort Mk2) SS2

Photos

Posted: February 6, 2016 11:07 AM

Results

Posted: February 6, 2016 11:01 AM

1 Jonathan Pringle/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII) 38m 51s,
2 Ryan Loughran/James McCarville (Ford Escort MkII) 39m 07s,
3 Joe McGonigleCiaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia S2000) 39m 08s,
4 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Ford Escort MkII) 39m 31s,
5 Damien Gallagher/Brendan McElhinney (Ford Escort MkII) 39m 39s,
6 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort MkII) 40m 14s,
7 Wesley Patterson/Johnny Baird (Ford Escort MkII) 40m 23s,
8 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) 40m 34s,
9 John Bonner/Leon Jordan (Ford Escort MkII) 40m 41s,
10 Paul Purtill/Raymond Scott (Ford Escort MkII) 40m 42s.

Production class: 1 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath.
Juniors: 1 Mark Murphy/Michael Hamilton (Civic) 48m 22s.
Historics: 1 Harry Brown/Martin McGrath (Avenger) 53m 17s.

Leaders After
SS1 CANCELLED
SS2 Damien Tourish/Domhnall McEleaney (Ford Escort MkII)
SS3-6 Jonathan Pringle/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII)

SS1 CANCELLED
SS2 Damien Tourish/Domhnall McEleaney (Ford Escort MkII)
SS3 Jonathan Pringle/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII)
SS4 Frank Wray/Joe McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Jonathan Pringle/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII)
SS6 Joe McGonigleCiaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia S2000)

Seeded Entry List

Posted: January 21, 2016 8:33 AM

100+ Entries for Mini Stages

Posted: January 20, 2016 5:44 AM


Karl Reid, Clerk of the Course, Brian Brogan, Chairman Donegal Motor Club, Caroline Robinson, Restaurant/Duty Manager, Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Leonard Wilson, Deputy Clerk of the Course.


Once again the emphasis is on the quality of the Ireland?s largest motor club with its Mini Stages format rally, based in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny.

As one of the early events in the MotorSport Ireland calendar, with an emphasis on a "keep it simple" approach for the Donegal Club, the new Clerk of the Course, Karl Reid and his hard working team, have once again put in place another gem; of an event, with a well-supported entry list.

The top 20 was released today, after Friday's closing date, and it looks like it will not disappoint. Crews are using the event to do an early test session for the new 2016 season, with names such as McPhillips, Fisher, Henry, and local drivers Doherty, McGonigle, Brogan, Kelly, Gallagher, Tourish all within the top 10 of the entry list. In at number 1 is Alistair Fisher, with the experienced Gordon Noble, driving a new Fiesta R5+. This entry along with a similar class entry Skoda by Desi Henry, will prove interesting in terms of a shake-down for bigger things to come, in the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Clerk of the Course, Karl Reid, said,
"On behalf of the organising team, it gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone including competitors, volunteers and spectators to Donegal Motor Club?s Clanree Hotel Closed Mini Stages Rally which will take place on Saturday 30th January. The rally will be round two of the 2016 Donegal Commercial Vehicles Club Championship.

We are over the moon about the entry received over the past few weeks and although we were concerned about the event so close to Christmas, we are so pleased to have this level of interest, which now stands at over 100 cars. Our local entry has not let us down, and with some added spice of the very new R5+ class, this will be ?icing on the cake? and a real treat for the spectators who will come to watch this rally. The route is compact and close to Letterkenny. With the recce this weekend, on Sunday 24th January, we are in the final stages of preparation."

Speaking about the entry, Mr. Reid said,
"I had some interesting calls from teams wanting to enter some of the new homologated 'R+' cars. These are recent additions, so recent that there was a special meeting called by Motorsport Ireland to determine if they could run in our event. They got the OK and I believe that will set a standard for the remainder of the motorsport calendar for this year."
    Sunday 24th January 09.45 ? 16.00 Recce
    Friday 29th January 15.00 ? 20.00 Mechanical Scrutineering at Donegal Commercial Vehicles, Drumkeen
    Friday 29th January 15.30 - 20.30 Documentation Scrutiny at Rally HQ
    Saturday 30th January 8.30 Competitors Safety Briefing at Rally HQ
    Saturday 30th January 10.00 Rally Start from Rally HQ
    Saturday 30th January 16.30 Rally Finish at Rally HQ -Parc Ferme
Mr Reid gave the outline of the route used for the rally and then went on to make some thanks.
"The event will have a format consisting of 6 special stages, in a format of 2 stages run 3 times, over a distance of approximately 90 kms, with centralised servicing in Letterkenny. Details of this will be available in the Rally Programme. We are very pleased to have the Clanree Hotel as the title sponsor for the event. Their support is very much appreciated. The management and staff of the hotel have been tremendous in their assistance with the event to date, and I?m sure this will continue in the build-up, during and after it as well! Equally, the support of all our other sponsors is also greatly appreciated. In return for their assistance, I would ask you all to, where possible, support our sponsors. Without their input it would simply not be possible to run this sporting event.

IN particular, I wish to thank all the residents along the rally route for their co-operation. I hope that they all have a safe and enjoyable day and we will strive to keep the inconvenience to a minimum. I would ask that all competitors, when traversing the stage, respect the residents ? particular during your reconnaissance as the roads are open to the public who are going about their daily business. Please drive with care with the speed limit specified. I would also ask you to collect all litter and dispose of it appropriately. It is also highly important that spectators respect the residents and their private property along the stages. Please respect the notices and co-operate with the volunteer marshals on this matter.

I would also like to acknowledge the co-operation and assistance of both Donegal County Council and the local Garda Siochana in the planning and running of this event. Thank you!

Donegal Motor Club Ltd could not run this event without the support of the many volunteers, some of whom will travel from neighbouring motor clubs to work on the event in various roles. I would like to extend a very warm 'Thank You!' to each and every one of you ? the assistance is recognised. You are all the 'UNSUNG HEROS' of the event. Safety is as always our key priority during this event. In relation to this a comprehensive Safety Plan has been compiled and approved by our governing body, Motorsport Ireland. I would appeal to all spectators to co-operate fully with the officials who are there for everybody?s safety. Equally I would ask competitors to obey all of the safety measures which are their responsibility.

On the weekend, I would like to wish everybody involved a safe and very enjoyable Clanree Hotel Closed Mini Stages Rally 2016."

Provisional Top 20

Posted: January 20, 2016 5:41 AM

No Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Ford Fiesta R5+) [20]
2 Martin Doherty/Damien McCauley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
3 Frank Wray/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [15]
4 Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
5 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5+) [20]
6 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5) [5]
7 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Ford Fiesta R5+) [20]
8 Wesley Patterson/Johnny Baird (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
9 Brian Brogan/Damian McGettigan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
10 Johnathon Pringle/TBA (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
11 Chris Armstrong/Chris Melly (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
12 Manus Kelly/Vincent Collins (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
14 Damian Toner/Denver Rafferty (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
15 Damian Gallagher/Brendan McElhinney (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
16 Damien Tourish/Domhnall Mc Eleaney (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
17 David Condell/Eugene McGrath (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
18 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
19 Aidan Wray/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [4]
20 Pat Kirk/John Mc Elhinney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [14]

Promo Video

Posted: January 19, 2016 6:07 AM

Rally Launch - (Tue) 19 Jan 16

Posted: January 15, 2016 12:31 PM

Date for your Diary next Tuesday, the Press Launch for the Clanree Hotel Donegal Motor Club Mini Stages's Rally is next Tuesday 19th January starting at 8.00pm in the Clanree Hotel.

Oisin Kelly from Highland Radio will be the compare for the evening. There will be rally cars in attendance for pictures outside the Hotel.

Press Release 3

Posted: January 3, 2016 12:27 PM

With over 3 weeks to go to the Donegal Motor Club 'Closed Mini Stages Rally' planned for Saturday 30th January 2016, in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Clerk of the Course for the event Karl Reid, reminds everyone that regulations and entry forms are now available from the Donegal Motor Club website, link below.

The event is based at the Clanree Hotel, on the Derry Road, Letterkenny, a 4-star Hotel, part of the McGettigan Hotels group of Irish and International Hotels.

In a message to competitors, Mr Reid said,
"if you are considering competing on this event, please submit your entry as early as possible in order to facilitate the efficient planning of the event, before the closing date of Friday 15th January".
He continued, "With the regulations finally back from Motorsport Ireland, we are now open for entries. For the competitor, this is a really compact event, with 2 stages run 3 times, all the classes having a run over all 6 stages on the day, that is both the Juniors and Historic classes, including the main field. Although our final entry fee has risen higher than we planned, due to the increased MotorSport Ireland Insurance levy, the fee does include Personal Accident Insurance, and IRDS Insurance at standard rate, we are expecting a strong field, and all entries in place by Friday 15th January."

Rally Guide 1

Posted: January 1, 2016 2:23 PM

Regulations Available

Posted: December 21, 2015 3:09 PM

Event Poster

Posted: December 9, 2015 9:22 AM

Clanree Hotel to Sponsor Donegal Motor Club Closed Mini Stages Rally

Posted: December 1, 2015 6:16 AM

Donegal Motor Club 'Closed Mini Stages Rally' planned to take place on Saturday 30th January 2016, will be based at the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Clerk of the Course for the event Karl Reid, has announced that the event will be sponsored by, and based at the Clanree Hotel, on the Derry Road, Letterkenny, a 4-star Hotel, part of the McGettigan Hotels group of Irish and International Hotels.

McGettigan Hotels is an Irish owned company with luxury properties in eight locations throughout Ireland. With hotels across Ireland, located in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Wexford, Wicklow and in Letterkenny in Donegal.

Karl said, "We are really pleased that the Clanree Hotel has become our sponsorship partner with this important event in our calendar for 2016. With the excellent facilities available on site, so close to Letterkenny, we know that this will be a boost for all in Letterkenny Town especially in the New Year."

Karl continued to say, "...while the regulations are not ready yet, the Entry Fee will be ?395, for 90 kms of 6 special stages, in a format of 2 stages run 3 times. We will have the regulations up on the website shortly, we await final confirmation from MotorSport Ireland. Keep watching the webpage!"

Regulations and further details will be made available shortly

Donegal Motor Club Closed Mini Stages - Press Release 1

Posted: December 1, 2015 6:13 AM

Donegal Motor Club has just announced the return of a special 'Closed Mini Stages Rally' planned to take place on Saturday 30th January 2016.
Recently elected Clerk of the Course for the event Karl Reid, is busy planning a route and preparing Regulations. Once again the Donegal Club has been tasked by the National Sporting body, MotorSport Ireland, following an application to run such an event in for the North-West region of the Ireland.

Karl said, "We have been given the go-ahead for the event recently, and it is a priority to get the route, regulations, and essential requirements in place shortly to give the Club Members a great Mini-Event. Although termed 'Mini' it requires the same stages of planning, although with fewer miles than the Joule International Rally or Harvest Rally. The full team are hard at work to make this happen. Essentially this is an event for the Donegal Motor Club members, as it is a 'closed' permit."

Outline details available so far include, the date for the event, Saturday 30th January 2016, which will be based out of Letterkenny. The route will consist of 6 special stages, in a format of 2 stages run 3 times, over a distance of approximately 90 kms.

Regulations and further details will be made available shortly.

Club Website

Posted: December 1, 2015 5:57 AM

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