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Monaghan Stages Rally - 23 Apr 06Posted: April 26, 2006 11:43 AM - 17833 Hits
Round 3 - 2006 National Rally Championship
Posted: April 26, 2006 11:43 AM
McElvaney takes home win Report Courtesy of Dunlop An exciting third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Rally was won by local driver, Adrian McElvaney and his co-driver, Paul Goodman in a Subaru WRC. They finished 19 seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy, who move into the lead of the Dunlop series. In a tense finish, they edged out the Toyota Corolla WRC of Glen Allen/Damien Connolly by just one second. The final loop brought the retirement of two crews that occupied top three positions, Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla), who led after S.S. 6, retired with engine problems on the penultimate test while turbo difficulties forced out former Dunlop champions, Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru WRC). The Group N showroom category was won by Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru) and Enda Keenan/Enda Sherry (Escort) were the highest placed two-wheel exponents. Elliott topped the time sheets following the first stage, Feebagh, that finished close to the village of Scotstown. The Cavan driver was five seconds faster than Ray Breen (Ford Focus WRC) with pre-event Dunlop Championship leader, Charlie Donnelly (Toyota Corolla WRC) a further three seconds behind. All three reporting a trouble free run through the bumpy stage. Local hero and former Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire held joint fourth with the Toyota Corolla of Glen Allen and Adrian McElvaney, who won the event in 2005, another second in arrears to complete the top six. Michael Barrable (Ford Focus), Aaron MacHale (Toyota Corolla), Kevin Barrett and Martin Doherty, in Subaru WRC's, rounded off the top ten. In Group N, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) and Alan Ring (Subaru) were joint quickest through the stage followed by Willie Fannin, who was two seconds adrift. Frank Wray dropped time when he slid his Mitsubishi off the road for a few seconds. Local heroes, McElvaney and Maguire had contrasting fortunes through the second stage where the former set the fastest time but the latter dropped time with a deflated rear wheel. Elliott was another to lose time when he overshot as Donnelly forged to the top of the time sheets. Elliott was quickly back on the pace through the third stage of the loop and at the service halt, he shared the lead with Breen while Donnelly was only a mere two seconds off the pace. McElvaney's pace through S.S. 2 hauled him up to fourth - just five seconds off the lead. Elsewhere, Maguire was fifth and Glen Allen felt his Corolla wasn't sharp enough at top speed. Barrable in seventh reckoned he was driving at a very comfortable pace but that there was plenty of pace left in the car - especially on the quick sections. MacHale's Toyota was bottoming out over the jumps, he was eighth in a top ten that also featured Kevin Barrett and Sean Devine in Subaru WRC's. Alan Ring led Group N - four seconds ahead of Fannin but joint S.S. 1 leader, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) lost some two and a half minutes with a puncture a few miles into S.S. 2. In the modified category, Maurice Moffett held the advantage but Mark Alcorn, who was the top competitor in the opening two rounds, retired with crankshaft problems. On the second loop, Breen took sole possession of the lead - at the service halt, his mechanics had stiffened the suspension and it seemed to suit the Dunlop champion, who was two seconds ahead of Elliott with McElvaney 17 seconds behind in third. It all changed again on S.S. 5 where Donnelly regained the lead - albeit two seconds ahead of McElvaney. Elliott lost almost a minute with a puncture and on S.S. 5 and Breen dropped outside the top ten when his Ford Focus cut out several times on the stage and he had to wait anxiously before firing it back into action. Donnelly's lead at the service halt was ten seconds - he opined that he lost the paddle shift for the fourth stage and confirmed that they had traversed the opening three stages with a problematic anti-roll bar. Second placed McElvaney reckoned that he lost precious seconds trying to get past the stricken Ford Focus of Breen. Niall Maguire, who moved into third - 14 seconds behind McElvaney, reported no problems with his Subaru WRC. Glen Allen (Toyota Corolla WRC) held fourth with Elliott in fifth somewhat despondent after his puncture on S.S. 5. Barrable continued to make changes to the suspension system, he was sixth from Martin Doherty (Subaru). Kevin Barrett stalled on S.S. 5, his Subaru WRC developed a misfire, he held seventh ahead of top Group N competitor, Alan Ring (Subaru), who traded times with rival, Wilie Fannin, the two drivers separated by a margin of four seconds. Drama unfolded on the final loop of stages when, first, Donnelly's Toyota stopped with suspected engine problems and later, Maguire's Subaru was sidelined with turbo problems. McElvaney, who entered the final loop in second behind Donnelly, went on to score back-to-back wins and as he registered for the series, secured maximum points. Elliott fastest on all the stages of the final loop took second - 20 seconds behind McElvaney and beat Glen Allen (Toyota Corolla WRC) on a tie-break. Barrable ended the event in fourth place in a top six that also featured Martin Doherty (Subaru) and Aaron MacHale (Toyota Corolla). Kevin Barrett (Subaru) finished seventh on his first outing in the Dunlop series in 2006. Defending champion, Ray Breen fought his way back to eighth overall. In the Group N category, Ring managed to stem the challenge of Willie Fannin and ended with a winning margin of 13 seconds, they were the final two drivers in the top ten. The top two-wheel drive exponent was local Monaghan ace, Enda Keenan (Escort). Gp N Winners - Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy Photo: www.roydempster.com Results 1 Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1.12.05 2 Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1.12.24 3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1.12.25 4 Michael Barrable/M Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) 1.12.57 5 Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1.13.43 6 Aaron MacHale/Craig Parry (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1.14.03 7 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1.14.21 8 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 1.15.11 9 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 1.15.16 10 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 1.15.29 Leaders After SS1 Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS2 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) SS3 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) & Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS4 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) SS5-8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) SS9 Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures Eymard Brennan Photography rallypics.org Roy Dempster Photos NG Motorsport Images Willie Fannin used his Promax Motorsport built Subaru Impreza N12 for the first time in Monaghan. Willie & Co-Driver Mick Courtney finished a close 2nd in Group N. PRE EVENT NEWS EARS will be providing tyre services on both the Monaghan Stages Rally and Clare Single Stage events this weekend.
Dunlop Championship heads for Monaghan Preview Courtesy of Dunlop The third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Monaghan Rally, based at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, takes place on Sunday with reigning Dunlop champion, Ray Breen heading a capacity entry. Breen, in his Dunlop shod Ford Focus WRC, got his Dunlop title defence back on track when he annexed top points in the last round, the Circuit of Kerry. That should provide the Kilkenny driver with renewed confidence ahead of the nine-stage rally. Current Dunlop leader, Charlie Donnelly in his Toyota Corolla WRC is one of Breen's main rivals in the bid for the 2006 title. The Derry driver has garnered an impressive 38 points from the opening two rounds. Commenting ahead of the event, he said, "I like the Monaghan Rally, especially since I won it a few years ago when it was based in Castleblaney. We have put far more effort into our preparation this year and hopefully it will pay off. While I would like to win, the emphasis must be on getting championship points. I expect that Ray (Breen) and myself will have a strong battle again. Patrick Elliott is also increasing his pace and is becoming very consistent." Cavan's, Patrick Elliott has certainly increased his pace this season and with the vastly experienced co-driver, Rory Kennedy calling the pacenotes, Elliott, in his Subaru WRC, should be very much in the title frame. Local Monaghan duo, Adrian McElvaney and former Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire are seeded at number four and five respectively. McElvaney will drive a Subaru WRC and on home ground, will be expected to mount a serious challenge. Maguire, the only driver to win three national titles in recent times, should also figure prominently. Having made the long trip to Dingle for the Circuit of Kerry, where he was forced out before the start, Glen Allen will be hoping for a change of fortune in Monaghan where he will drive his usual Toyota Corolla WRC with local co-driver, Damien Connolly calling the notes. Maynooth's, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) makes his first appearance of the season in a round of the Dunlop series, he finished third overall in last year's Dunlop series. It will be interesting to see if Michael Barrable (Ford Focus WRC) will be able to mix it with the top contenders on this occasion. In Kerry, a number of glitches didn't help his confidence and he fell off the leading pace. The top ten also features Sean Devine, who retired his Subaru WRC from a top six place in last week's Meteor Electrical Circuit of Ireland due to transmission problems. Dubliner, Aaron MacHale, in a Toyota Corolla completes the top ten, he finished seventh in the Circuit of Kerry. Elsewhere, Martin Doherty and Hugh Martin Doherty, both in Subaru WRC's, are just on the fringes of the top ten. Kerry driver, Alan Ring in his new N12 Subaru is the highest seeded Group N driver. The intensity in the race for the Patterson's RallyNews Award is increasing on every event. In Monaghan, the contingent also includes Willie Fannin (Subaru), Frank Wray (Mitsubishi), PJ McGrath (Subaru), Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi), Tadhg Linehan (Subaru) and Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi). Series leader, Kevin Kelleher, in a Mitsubishi, has got the call from the reserve list and the Clonakilty driver will be seeking to extend his advantage in the showroom category. Mark Alcorn (Toyota Corolla), is the top two-wheel drive exponent, he has impressed in his outings in Castlebar and Dingle. On Sunday, opposition will come from Maurice Moffett (Starlet), Enda Keenan (Escort), Mac McKenna (Peugeot 205), Paddy Boyle, Gordon Rogers and Camillus Bradley, all in Ford Escorts. The likes of Trevor Lancashire, Rodney Wilton, Gary McPhillips, Mick McQuaid and Robbie Peoples, on board Ford Escorts, should also be amongst the frontrunners. Other interesting entries include Pat Kirk (Mitsubishi) and Ian Roche (Peugeot 206). Apart from Kelleher, the reserve entries feature Gabriel Martin (Subaru) and Production WR champion, Niall McShea in a Ford Orion. In the Junior category, the top seeds are Daniel McKenna, Grainne McDaid and Vincent McAree. 07/04/06 Top 20 1 Ray Breen / Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) [8] 2 Charlie Donnelly / Paddy Toner (Toyota Corrolla WRC) [8] 3 Patrick Elliott / Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 4 Adrian McElvaney / Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 5 Niall Maguire / Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 6 Glenn Allen / Damien Connolly (Toyota Corrolla WRC) [8] 7 Kevin Barrett / Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 8 Michael Barrable / Michael Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) [8] 9 Sean Devine / TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 10 Aaron McHale / Gerard McMonagle (Toyota Corrolla WRC) [8] 11 Martin Doherty / Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 12 Hugh Martin Doherty / Michael McBride (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] 14 Alan Ring / Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12) [4] 15 Willie Fannin / Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12) [4] 16 Frank Wray / Joe McNulty (Mit. Lancer Evo 6) [4] 17 Mark Alcorn / Kevin McCafferty (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11] 18 Maurice Moffett / Jason McKenna (Toyota Starlet RWD) [14] 19 Enda Keenan / Enda Sherry (TBA) [] 20 Mac McKenna / John Loughran (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13] 21 Paddy Boyle / Marty Sherlock (Escort 2.0) [13] Full Entry List updated daily on: 04/04/06 Entry List and further details will be available on the Monaghan Motor Club website. 05/03/06 Regulations available: 28/02/06 Regulations available shortly Regulations will be available for Monaghan from 3rd March onwards. Entry forms will not automatically be posted out, but will only be posted to those who request. All others will be expected to download from the Monaghan Motor Club website.
Topics:
Monaghan Stages Rally
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