Galway Summer Rally - 28 Aug 05

Posted: September 5, 2005 8:46 AM

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Ferodo Bonus Scheme
The latter half of the season has been turning into a bit of a Ray Breen benfit, as the Focus driver has romped to three wins on the trot, and shot into the lead of the Ferodo Bonus Scheme. Could he continue this in Galway? Or could some of the other Ferodo frontrunners like Alan Ring, Ed Power or Kevin Barrett make a charge up the leaderboard....?

While Breen did end up taking maximum Dunlop and Ferodo points, he certainly didn’t have it all his own way on the day. Eamonn Boland was the winner of the rally outright, with Breen finishing 12 secs back, with Charlie Donnelly another 17secs behind. The leaderboard had a very different look with just 2 stages to go though, as Charlie led going on to the 2nd last stage, only for the Corolla to pick up a puncture. Breens 4th maximum score on the trot maintains his slender 2 point lead at the head of the Bonus Scheme field, still ahead of Alan Ring, who again took maximum class 4 points. Gabriel Martin took 2nd place points, whileWillie Fannin could only manage 3rd place points after late clutch problems.

Behind the top three there is a huge class 6 battle developing between Ed Power and Dominic Naughton. The drivers are level on points in the Dunlop championship, and Ed has just a 3 point lead over Dominic in the Ferodo standings. Eamon McElvaney took maximum class 6 points on the day.

Kevin Barrett and Charlie Donnelly are level on points in 6th and 7th, just ahead of Jim Harrison, Seamus Gorman and Gabriel Martin. Jim had a day to forget, he had 3 spins and an off on the very first stage,and this was followed later on by a much bigger off which finished his rally.

Ferodo Bonus Scheme runners have already started to claim National class titles. Raymond Gilleece has won class 3, Andrew Mullen wins class 5, Tomas O Rourke has taken class 7, while Micky Conlon has won class 10. Congratulations to all concerned, once again Ferodo runners are out in front! In the Bonus Scheme there are just 2 rounds to go, so dropped scores will now come into play, see you in Clare for round 9!

As well as the end-of-year prizes, there is a draw for registered Ferodo competitors starting each rally. Winner of the 100euro in the Bonus Draw for the Galway Summer Rally is Charlie Donnelly.

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BOLAND WINS GALWAY SUMMER RALLY
BREEN TAKES TOP DUNLOP POINTS TO STRETCH CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
(Report courtesy of Irish Dunlop – sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship)

Wexford's Eamonn Boland and co-driver, Francis Regan in a Ford Focus WRC won the Athenry based Loughrea Plant Sales Galway Summer Rally, round eight of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. At the finish of the eight stage rally, they were 11.9 seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell, who took maximum Dunlop points to edge closer to the national title.



A puncture on the penultimate stage robbed Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) of a possible victory, they had to be content with third. Finishing 17.1 seconds behind their Dunlop rivals, Donnelly/Toner move into second in the series. Championship contenders, Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru WRC) crashed out on S.S. 2, they face an uphill task of winning the title. The Group N category was won by Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi), they extend their lead in the series.

Although he had two overshoots on the opening stage, Brady's Yard, Charlie Donnelly (Toyota Corolla WRC) still managed to top the time sheets where he was 7.9 seconds ahead of the Ford Focus of Eamonn Boland with Ray Breen's similar car a further 3.3 seconds behind. Breen opted for a wet tyre compound in the drizzly conditions and reckoned his decision cost him a few seconds, meanwhile, Boland was actually on slick tyres for both stages. Willie Fannin (Subaru) set the pace in Group N and was also fourth overall on the leader board followed by the Subaru WRC's of reigning Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire and Jim Harrison. Harrison had to complete the stage without the intercom system enduring no fewer than three spins, he also clouted the front left side of the McKinstry run Subaru WRC. The second stage, Francis Gap, south of Loughrea, brought several retirements most notably that of Harrison, who crashed and rolled his Subaru on a downhill section. Breen's earlier tyre choice proved perfect for the second stage and he duly set fastest time, however, Boland maintained the lead, albeit by 0.8 of a second. Breen, in second place also overshot at the same location that brought the demise of Harrison.

Donnelly, another driver to overshoot in the slippery conditions held third - 4.8 seconds behind his Dunlop championship rival, Breen. The Derry driver also overshot on another occasion where his Toyota Corolla WRC stalled and lost a few valuable seconds. Following a slow start on S.S. 1, Denis Cronin (Subaru WRC) set a fine pace out on S.S. 2 and moved up to fourth ahead of Niall Maguire (Subaru) and Group N leader, Michael Curran (Mitsubishi), who held sixth overall, caught the Subaru WRC of Hugh Martin Doherty on S.S. 2, but the time loss was minimal. Elsewhere, Noel Redmond (Subaru WRC) opted for a cautious approach, it yielded seventh in a top ten rounded by Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), Alan Ring (Subaru) and Hugh Martin Doherty (Subaru WRC). Ring lost time when he overshot a junction and his Dunlop showroom rival, Alan Ring was lucky to survive when his Subaru almost visited the scenery. Apart from Harrison, the second stage also claimed JJ Fleming, who hit the rear of his hired Subaru WRC, Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi) and Darragh Raftery (Subaru WRC).

On the repeat of the two stages, Donnelly and Breen traded stage times but Boland retained the lead that was cut to two seconds by a hard charging Donnelly. Third placed Breen, who was 6.6 seconds behind, reckoned he was too cautious and should have set a quicker pace. A change in fourth place saw reigning Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire reel in Denis Cronin, however, they were only 2.2 seconds apart. Michael Curran (Mitsubishi) wasn't entirely impressed about his performance through the third stage but made amends on S.S. 4 to move some 24 seconds ahead of class rival, Willie Fannin (Subaru).

Noel Redmond (Subaru WRC) in seventh place, suffered great discomfort from a back pain, especially over the bumpy sections of the stages. Eighth placed Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) reported no problems and elsewhere, the top ten featured the Subaru's of Willie Fannin and Alan Ring.

A double loop of two stages to the east of Loughrea provided the action for the second half of the rally. Donnelly reigned supreme and moved into the lead on stage 5. At the final service halt, he led Boland by 7.4 seconds with Breen content with his third place and not wishing to get involved in a direct battle with Donnelly. Fourth placed Maguire stretched his advantage over Cronin to some 12 seconds with Redmond filling sixth place.

In the race for Group N, Curran was quickest on S.S. 5 and he entered the final two stages in seventh place and over 30 seconds ahead of rival Willie Fannin. On the day's penultimate stage, Donnelly lost the lead when he punctured the front right hand wheel after cutting a tightening bend. Having to traverse most of the stage, he lost some 50 seconds and dropped top third.

On the final stage, Boland did enough to secure his first rally victory since September 2003 and his first in a Ford Focus WRC.

Breen, in the Dunlop shod Ford Focus WRC took the top Dunlop points to move a step closer to his inaugural title with Donnelly having to be content with third. The points he gained move him to second in the series with just two points remaining. Breen's lead is a considerable 37 points, allowing for dropped scores, the margin is nine points.

Elsewhere, there was little change to the top ten with Maguire netting one of his best finishes to date, he was fourth followed by Cronin and Redmond.

Curran won Group N, he was seventh in a top ten that also included Kevin Barrett, Alan Ring and Eamonn Daly, who took a top ten place at the expense of Willie Fannin who lost Turbo Boost on the last 2 stages.

Pos Driver/Codriver (Make) Total
1 Eamonn Boland/Francis Reagan (Ford Focus WRC) 1:04:13.7
2 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 1:04:25.6
3 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1:04:42.7
4 Niall MaGuire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:05:55.4
5 Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:06:16.2
6 Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Flavey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:07:27.1
7 Mike Curran/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) GpN 1:07:59.8
8 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:08:03.3
9 Alan Ring/Derek Brannigan (Subaru Impreza N11) GpN 1:08:46.4
10 Eamon Daly/Ger Healy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) GpN 1:08:59.4

Junior 1 Keith Cronin/Anthony O Connell (Peugeot 106) 0:38:10.1
2 Colin O Toole/Anne Marie Kennedy (Opel Corsa) 0:38:18.0
3 Seamus O Grady/Oonagh Roche (Proton Satira) 0:38:23.4
4 William Kiely/Tadgh O Sullivan (Peugeot 106) 0:38:36.0
5 Rory Thomas/Aidan Thomas (Toyota Corolla) 0:38:55.1


Class winners:
Stuart Dempsey/Adrian Foley (Swift),
Enda Hallinan/Ollie Ward (Civic),
Tom Cahill/Des Sherlock (Integra),
Mike Curran/Fabian McShane,
John Murphy/Liam Moynihan (Puma),
Niall Guinevan/Leslie Stanley (Peugeot 206),
David Percy/Owen Percy (Escort),
Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin,
Pat Ryan/Derry Couins (Escort),
Kieran Murphy/David Burke (Escort),
Pat Casey/Richard Casey (Corolla),
Martin McGee/Damien Crawford (Escort),
Patrick Boyle/Marty Sherlock (Escort),
Sean Lyons/John Devine (Escort),
Joe McHugh/Dermot McHugh (Escort Cosworth).

Leaders after
SS1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2-4 Eamonn Boland/Francis Reagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5-6 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7-8 Eamonn Boland/Francis Reagan (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)

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Photo of Jim Harrision's car after SS2 accident by RubyWax

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Results
rally.connect.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Galway Motor Club Home Page

Photos:
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• ‘ Loughrea Navigator takes another bite from the Big Apple’
  Rallying for Croi – Year 2
• Breen leads the troops to battle in Athenry’
• Full Entry List on line
• More Event Details including leading entries.
• Marshals Wanted
• “The Fields of Athenry“
• Regulations available
• Galway Summer Rally moves to Athenry

From left to right, R. Swarbrick ( Raheen Woods Hotel ), Dennis Murphy ( President Galway Motor Club) M.Conneely( Loughrea Plant sales) and P.Shiel ( Clerk of Course ) are pictured launching the new base for The Galway Summer Rally, at a reception which took place on August 2nd.
Photo: Joe Lane

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16/08/05
‘ Loughrea Navigator takes another bite from the Big Apple’
Rallying for Croi – Year 2
After a successful 2004 campaign, well known Loughrea based navigator, Linda Conroy has decided once again to trek the streets of New York and walk another marathon. Linda will swop 4 wheels for 2 feet and walk the full New York City Marathon, all 26.2 miles to raise funds for CROI.

CROI, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation is dedicated to the fight against heart disease in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. To date the charity has raised almost 10 million euro to fund activities in the areas of research, education and the development of local cardiac services. These funds have helped develop community based support systems for cardiac patients and their families. Loughrea has benefited greatly from the CROI Defibrillation Training Programme, having 8 community based Defibrillation machines and over 50 local residents trained to use them. To date the call for their use has been limited but successful.

Linda got involved when she witnessed the good work carried out at University College Hospital Galway, where much of the coronary facilities have been funded by Croi. Martin Ward spent a few days in coronary care as a patient and was grateful for the excellent care he received. Martin is backing Linda all the way in her funraising campaign and the pair are currently leading class 14 in The Dunlop National Rally Championship and The Top Part West Coast Championship. Martin and Linda have been a familiar sight over the years, competing in their Opel Manta A. The Loughrea duo achieved many class wins in the Manta including Post Historic Champions for 2004. That same year saw a change of direction for Martin and Linda with the purchase of a BMW M3, which can easily be spotted with the Rallying for Croi signwriting on it. Disaster struck at the recent Stonethrowers rally in Tipperary, when the engine blew on the second last stage. The service crew are working non stop to have the car ready for the Galway Summer rally at the end of the month

Linda learned her skill as a co-driver from her good friend, the late Tommy Glynn, who passed away earlier this year. Tommy’s remarks of , “ now aren’t you able to do it “ will keep her motivated and she feels his spirit will keep a watchful eye on her during the marathon. Linda has been calling the notes for Martin since 1996 and is proud to wear the rally suit and boots that Tommy passed on to her. In 2004, Linda completed the marathon in a time of 5.49.1 and raised 7’481 euro for this worthy cause and would like to thank everyone that supported her. Please help Linda in her 2005 campaign. Donations can be given to Linda in car number 26 or at one of the collection points at Rally Headquarters.

Linda will be walking from Loughrea to the rally start in Athenry on Sunday the 28th of August. Remember, you can make a difference by Sposoring Linda’s feet and help promote a healthy heartbeat

Everyone in Galway Motor Club would like to wish Linda the best of luck in the 2005 New York Marathon

‘ Breen leads the troops to battle in Athenry’
Ray Breen, current National Rally Championship leader is top seed for the Loughrea Plant Sales Galway Summer Rally on August 28th next. Breen and Andrew Purcell appear to be unstoppable in the Dunlop backed Ford Focus, having notched up 3 back to back wins in the championship. Breen is top of the table with 118 points, Jim Harrison at number 2 with 87 and Charlie Donnelly a close third with 83 points. The Donnelly name is no stranger on the winners roll of honour in Galway, Eugene having a number of victories to his credit. Will 2005 see Charlie repeat that success? ‘To the victor go the spoils’ but who ever that may be , the battle will be a hard one, in The Fields of Athenry.

Noel Redmond, leading the West Coast Championship comes in at number 6 and Alan Ring comes in at number 15. Kieran Daly in the Ford Focus Championship comes in at 88.

The local crews are out in force, with JJ Flemming and Robbie Ward, the top galway crew at number 9. There are a number of local crews in the top 40 including Daragh Raftery at 18, Martin Ward and Linda Conroy at 26, Sean Lyons and John Devine at 27 and Pat Spain and Padraic Ryan at 31.

It promises to be a cracking rally, so make sure you don’t miss out.

Programmes will be on sale on Friday 27th. The first car is due off the start ramp in Athenry at 9.40am on Sunday morning, with first service in Loughrea at 11.21 am. The winning car is due back in the Raheen Woods in Athenry at aprox 5.23pm.

Car Driver/Navigator (Make) [Class]
1 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus) [8]
2 James Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
4 Eamonn Boland/Francis Reagan (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
5 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
6 Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Flavey (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
7 Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
8 Niall MaGuire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
9 JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
10 Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
11 Denis Cronin/Helen O' Sullivan (Subaru Impreza) [8]
12 Hugh Martin Doherty/Michael McBride (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
14 Mike Curran/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
15 Alan Ring/Derek Brannigan (Subaru Impreza) [4]
16 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N9) [4]
17 Ian Barret/Eoin O Flaherty (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
18 Daragh Raftery/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
19 Graham Quinn/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [4]
20 Jack Sleator/Timmy England (Skoda Fabia WRC) [8]
21 Joe MacHugh/Dermot MacHugh (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
22 David McNulty/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
23 Eamon Daly/Ger Healy (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
24 Peter Clifford/John Young (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
25 Anthony O'Halloran/Conor Foley (Opel Manta) [13]
26 Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (BMW M3) [14]
27 Sean Lyons/John Devine (Ford Escort) [14]
28 Pat Kirk/Sean Harris (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
29 Paddy Boyle/Marty Sherlock (Ford Escort) [13]
30 Aidan Walsh/Jim Casey (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
31 Pat Spain/Padraic Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
32 Stephen Bird/Dominick Downey (Ford Escort Mk2) []
33 Paul Dempsey/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [4]
34 Mike Bird/Ken Flanagan (Mitsubishi Evo 8) []
35 John Reddington/Ian Hynes (Ford Escort) [12]
36 Martin McGee/Damian Crawford (Ford Escort) [12]
37 Douglas Richardson/John Richardson (Ford Escort) [14]
38 John Danaher/Patrick Naughton (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
39 Thomas O Rourke/John McGrath (Opel Astra GSI) [7]
40 Tom Flaherty/Tomas McMahon (Ford Escort) [13]
41 Michael Quinn/Sean Enright (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
42 Pat Price/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
43 Eddie Donaghy/Charlie Donaghy (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [4]
44 Seamus McCusker/Vincent Fergus (Ford Escort) [14]
45 John Cairns/James Cairns (Subaru Impreza) [4]
46 Ray Hilliard/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
47 Mike Walsh/Ger Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
48 John Morris/Mattie Keane (Ford Escort Cosworth) []
49 John O Sullivan/Niall O Sullivan (Peugeot 205) [13]
50 Michael Hally/Ray Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
51 Pat Kelly/Martin Flynn (Subaru Impreza) [4]
52 Enda Hallinan/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic) [2]
53 David Percy/Owen Percy (Ford Escort Maxi) [7]
54 David Randles/Con Duggan (Nissan Almera Kit Car) [7]
55 Christy Carey/Richard Talbot (Subaru Legacy) [15]
56 David Murphy/Tony Murphy (Subaru Impreza) [4]
57 Martin Gabriel/Donal Lennon (Subaru Impreza) [4]
58 John Folan/Johathan Folan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
59 Pat Barry/Stephen O Connell (Ford Sierra) [14]
60 Brian Corey/Hugh McKenna (Ford Sierra Cosworth) [15]
61 Patrick Corcoran/Amanda Giles (Toyota Starlet) [11]
62 Pat Casey/Richard Casey (Ford Escort) [11]
63 Shane Quinn/Claire Hogan (Peugeot 205) [14]
64 Eamon McElvaney/Alan Keena (Peugeot 106) [6]
65 Eddie Power/Robert Nolan (Renault Clio Super1600) [6]
66 Seamus Gallagher/Dan MaGuire (Citroen Saxo Kit-Car) [6]
67 Frank Sweeney/Seamus O Connor (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
68 Pat Callanan/Kenneth Sheil (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
69 Sean McHugh/John Rowland (Subaru Impreza) [4]
70 Neil Pierce/Enda O Leary (Honda Civic) [6]
71 Dominic Naughton/Keith Moriarty (Peugeot 106) [6]
72 Ian Roche/Paul Roche (Peugeot 206) [6]
73 David Roe/TBA (Honda Civic) [6]
74 Niall Guinevan/Lescir Stanley (Peugeot 206) [6]
75 Pat Ryan/Derry Couins (Ford Escort) [9]
76 Peter Cummins/Sean Dillon (Darrian T90) [9]
77 Cyril Wharton/Paul O Shea (Ford Escort) [10]
78 Michael Cunningham/Eugene Sharkey (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
79 Frank McNamara/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
80 John Murphy/Barry O Donnell (TBA) []
81 Liam Egan/Sean Moriarty (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
82 Patrick MaGuire/Joe Fitzgibbon (Subaru Impreza STI) [4]
83 Kieran McBride/Daniel O Donnell (Honda Civic) [2]
84 Eamon Lee/Peter Howley (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
85 Paddy O Rourke/Billy Roche (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
86 Gerard O' Connell/Alistair Wyllie (Ford Escort) [12]
87 Derek Deane/John Paul McGettrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
88 Kieran Daly/Marie Daly (Ford Focus) [7]
89 Mike Neligan/John Hurley (Opel Astra GSI) [7]
90 Des McKenna/Anthony Gallagher (Toyota Corolla) [11]
91 John Quin/Stephen Quin (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
92 Peter Leahy/Gregory Kennedy (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
93 Martin Quirke/John Hurley (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
94 John Burke/Seamus Sommers (Peugeot 206) [6]
95 Paul Elliott/Mark Bownes (Peugeot 206) [6]
96 James Power/Declan Kelly (Ford Escort) [10]
97 Gerard Hodgins/Gerard Dervan (Peugeot 205) [10]
98 Owain Drought/Padraig Ryan (Honda Civic) [2]
99 Tommy O Brien/TBA (Honda Civic ) [2]
100 Tommy Flanagan/Keith Flanagan (Toyota Celica GT4) [15]
101 Noel Lambert/Stephen Moylan (Mitsubishi Colt) [11]
102 Tom Curley/Paraic Callanan (Honda Civic) [2]
103 Raymond Gilleece/Alan Leonard (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
104 Michael Conlon/Trevor Cassidy (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
105 Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty (Ford Puma) [5]
106 John Murphy/Liam Moynihan (Ford Puma) [5]
107 Martin Creaven/Shane Creaven (Ford Escort Mk1) [12]
108 Sean Smyth/Gerard Moloney (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
109 Paudie Casey/Sinead O Keeffe (Toyota Corolla) [13]
110 Jason Clifford/TBA (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
111 Brendan Gormonly/TBA (Suzuki Swift) [1]
112 Paul Kennedy/Kathleen Kennedy (Suzuki Swift) [1]
113 John Duffy/John Egan (Opel Astra) [3]
114 Brian Melia/Michael Doherty (Honda Integra) [3]
115 Tom Cahill/Des Sherlock (Honda Integra) [3]
116 Paul Horan/TBA (Peugeot 106) [2]
117 Martin Cunningham/Jonathan Cunningham (Honda Civic) [2]
118 Tommy Doyle/TBA (Honda Civic) [6]
119 Mike Devine/Kevin Treacy (Ford Escort) [10]
120 Ian Liston/Liam O Connor (Ford Ka) [5]
121 Richard McGaugh/John Ryan (Ford Escort) [12]
122 John Coughlan/TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) []
123 Dean Laffey/Lisa Ollerenshaw (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
124 Shane Donohoe/Noel Donohoe (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
125 Colin Flanagan/Ollie O Grady (Ford Puma) [5]
126 Seamus Gorman/Cian Gorman (Honda Civic) [2]
127 Declan Sylver/Stephen Dooley (Honda Civic) [6]
128 Kenneth McHale/Derek McCarthy (Toyota Yaris) [1]
129 Stuart Dempsey/Adrian Foley (Suzuki Swift) [1]
130 Adrian Boyle/Lisa Healy (Suzuki Swift) [9]
131 George Wiley/Brian McLaughlin (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
132 Patsy Finnerty/Wesley Roberts (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
133 Michael Dolan/Declan McDonagh (Fiat Uno) [9]
134 Jarlath Conneely/Maria Duggan (Peugeot 205) [10]
135 Brian Grealish/Derrick Feeney (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
136 James Ryan/Stephen Ryan (Ford Escort ) [10]
137 Mike Kenny/Gene Stack (Ford Escort) [12]
138 Martin Finnerty/Ann-Marie Finnerty (Ford Anglia) [13]
139 David Quigley/Jason Ollerenshaw (Ford Fiesta) [9]
140 Matthew Murphy/Ronan Murphy (Toyota Corolla) [11]
141 Liam Delaney/Joe Bergin (Honda Civic) [9]
142 Aidan Neviile/Joe Crowley (Honda Civic) [2]
143 Michael Shiel/TJ Shiel (Ford Escort Mk1) [10]
144 Christopher Crowe/Gabriel Hession (Ford Sierra) [13]
145 Michael Hagan/Eamon Brady (Honda Civic) [2]
146 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Keith John McCarthy (Ford Escort) [10]
147 Martin Kelly/Patricia Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
148 Kieran Murphy/David Burke (Ford Escort) [10]
149 Eoin McGreal/Marcus Molloy (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
150 Kevin McHugo/Gerard Feuily (Toyota Corolla) [10]
151 Ronan Kinneavy/Damien Walshe (BMW E30) [10]
152 Michael Feeney Snr/Michael Feeney Jnr (Toyota Corolla) [11]

Junior
J1 Colin O' Toole/Anne Marie Kennedy (Opel Corsa) [16]
J2 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J3 Seamus O Grady/Oonagh Roche (Proton Satira) [16]
J4 Neil Hickey/Ned Doherty (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J5 Kevin Gallagher/Gavin Gallagher (Vauxhall Corsa) [16]
J6 Eamonn O Brien Jnr/Eamonn O Brien Snr (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J7 Tim Radford/Jonathan McGrath (Peugeot 106) [16]
J8 Tommie Rafferty/Brian Purcell (Peugeot 205 GTi) [16]
J9 William Kiely/Tadgh O Sullivan (Peugeot 106) [16]
J10 Martin Leonard/Raymond Coppinger (Toyota Starlet) [16]
J11 Christopher Monaghan/Cornelius Sweeney (Opel Kadett) [16]
J12 Paul Conlon/TBA (Peugeot 205 GTi) [16]
J14 Paul Foote/Olivia Coen (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J15 Enda McLoughlin/Alan McWeeney (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J16 Michael Carron/Lisa Carron (Austin Mini) [16]
J17 Martin Horgan/TJ Flahive (Honda CRX) [16]
J18 Brian McSweeney/Gerry Myers (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J19 Paul McDermott/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
J20 Rory Thomas/Aidan Thomas (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J21 Brian Murphy/David Byrne (Citroen Saxo) [16]

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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08/08/05
More Event Details
The championship action moves to Galway on August 28th next. Galway Motor Club in association with our main sponsor, Loughrea Plant Sales bring you action from 3 championships, as a Junior rally and Historic rally. It’s going to be a tough challenge, packing so much in to a one day event but COC Pat Shiel and his team are confident it’s one they can handle.

The Rally has a new base in Athenry for 2005. Rally Headquarters will be The Raheen Woods Hotel, which is brand new and just recently open for business. The hotel has an impressive range of facilities from a number of bars and cosy lounges like McHales Bar, The Blue Bayou Restaurant for casual dining, Tranquillity Leisure & Spa and a number of Banqueting & Conference Rooms that will cater for everyones needs during the rally weekend. The proximity of the Hotel to the N6, the Railway Station at Athenry and Galway Regional Airport makes the rally easily accessible for those travelling from further afield. The Team at Raheen Woods Hotel are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the hotel for this exciting weekend event on August 27th/28th next.

The entries have just closed at the time of writing and its looks very much like a full housemiliar names are vying for places in the top ten. Ray Breen and Andrew Purcell would have to be one of the favourites, given their impressive run in the national championship. We can also expect to see action from Kevin Barrett, Jim Harrison and Eammon Boland, all in Subaru WRC’s. Eammon Boland should have a good Galway following, his co-driver Francis Regan has family in Kiltartan. As we write, the top crews are preparing to contest Stonethrowers. It remains to be seen if Ray Breen can hold on to his lead until he faces “ The fields of Athenry”.

The rally will also have a strong contingent of local crews as always. Mike Bird and Ken Flanagan, JJ Flemming and Robbie Ward, Pat Callanan and Kennneth Shiel, John Spain and Keith Sheppard as well as Martin Ward and Linda Conroy, are all hoping to get a place on the entry list. The range of cars and crews in action should make a fantastic weekend of rallying. Pat Callanan, Martin Ward and Neil Pearce are all doing well in The West coast Championship, each leading their class at the moment.

The location for Scrutiny and Parc Ferme is beside Rally HQ, so it makes life a bit easier for everyone this year. The first car is due off the start at the Raheen Woods at 9.40 on Sunday morning. Centralised service will be based in Loughrea.
Galway Motor Club and Loughrea like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend of rallying. We would remind all spectators to cooperate with the Gardai and Rally Marshals and to remember to respect the property you may be on when viewing a stage. The residents on the stages are kind enough to allow us to run the rally and we would ask all spectators to remember that.

Rally programmes will be on sale in local shops on Friday 26th August.

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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John Spain, Keith Sheppard, Martin Ward, Adam Spain, Pat Shiel ( COC ), Jarlath Conneely (Loughrea Plant Sales ) and Philip Conneely, (Dep COC ). Pictured launching details of The 2005 Loughrea Plant Sales, Galway Summer Rally, on July 15th at the premises of Loughrea Plant Sales.
Photo: Tommy Martyn

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Download Full Size Launch Photo

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26/07/05
Marshals Wanted
The Galway Motorsport Marshals Club are looking for additional Marshals for the Summer Rally if you can help us out please call club secretary Hugh Conlon @ 086-8036145 Pre Rally meeting takes place in the Menlo Park hotel Galway Monday 22 August at 8pm

Galway Motorsport Marshals Club

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25/07/05
“ The Fields of Athenry “
The town of Athenry will hear music of a different kind this August, when it plays host to the Galway Summer Stages Rally 2005. The East Galway Town which is well known for it’s Heritage sites, now finds a place on the motorsport calender for round 8 of The Dunlop National Rally Championship on Sunday August 28th. The Raheen Woods Hotel, which is a brand new development for Athenry will be the headquarters for the rally.

Galway Motor Club are indebted to Loughrea Plant Sales who have returned for a second year as the main sponsor for the event. The 8 stage rally also counts as Round 4 of The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. The event is being run by Pat Shiel as COC, who has the assistance of a large crew from Galway Motor Club.

The entries secretary for the event is Michelle Crowley, who can be contacted on (087) 9497265 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm only.
Entries close on the 5th of August and Final Instructions will be posted on the 13th of August.
Regs are available online on the GMC website.

The 2005 rally will consist of 8 special stages run in a 4 by 2 format with centralised servicing in Loughrea.

Round 6 of The National Championship in Sligo produced an exciting rally and some surprises along the way. Ray Breen took first place adding to his previous win in Ravens Rock. Back to back wins leave the Kilkenny man with a strong lead on the Championship table. The race is far from over, as Charlie Donnelly, Jim Harrison and Patrick Elliott are pushing hard and still in contention for the title. The withdrawl of Kevin Lynch would seem to leave the 2005 Dunlop Championship title to be decided among this quartet. The action in Group N is non stop, with Alan Ring and Michael Curran among the top contenders at the moment. Willie Fannin had some bad luck on stage 3, a hard roll saw an early end to his day in Sligo. The Championship has produced some exciting rallying so far and The Galway Summer Stages on August 28th will be no exception.

The West Coast Championship has reached the half way mark, with Noel Redmond in the lead. A number of Galway crews are competing with Martin Ward and Linda Conroy in the lead in class 14 and Neil Pearse and Enda O Leary in the lead in Class 6. Philip Conneely and Michelle Crowley are currently 2nd in class 10.

For an action packed weekend of rallying, Galway is the place to be on August 27th/28th. Further details will be published in the coming weeks.

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11/07/05
Regulations and Entry form on:

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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06/07/05
The Galway Summer rally will have a new base this year, The Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, Co. Galway.

The service area will be in Loughrea with 8 stages run in a 4 by 2 format.

Regulations will be available in mid July

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship