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Tipperary (Mitchelstown) Forestry Rally - 26 Mar 06Posted: March 31, 2006 3:57 PM - 18054 Hits
Round 2 - 2006 Forestry Championship
Photos: John Bayly Posted: March 31, 2006 3:57 PM
McKennedy finishes 19 minutes ahead of the first junior driver. Leaving cert student Michael McKennedy from Clonakilty, winner of the Rallyconnection scholarship competed in his first forestry rally in Michelstown on Sunday 26 th March. The 18 year old drove a faultless rally in the extreme conditions and showed composure and ability beyond his years. Michael traded times with much more experienced drivers and in fact caught 2 cars on stage 3 . Of the 108 starters Michael was 39th overall a full 19 minutes ahead of the first finishing Junior driver. Michael McKennedy, a name for the future. Lloyd Hutchinson - Looking for Lost Mini Wheel & Hub!! On their way to finishing 13th o/a and first in class on the Tipp Forestry Rally, the rear right wheel and hub detached itself from the Mini of Lloyd Hutchinson/Kevin Flanaghan near the end of SS8 Combaun. The wheel is a 13" Minilte replica and should have attached a tiny KAD brake caliper and part of an alloy radius arm! The wheel is unique to Lloyd as they were made specially and the disc/caliper are only available from KAD through Lloyd so are not much use to anyone else. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the Wheel & Hub Contact 086 2719477 or 087 2720019 Email flanserve@eircom.net Owen Murphy Rallying - No luck in Mitchelstown Owen Murphy unfortunately had no luck in Mitchelstown on round 2 of the National Forestry Championship, on a day of atrocious weather conditions entering a junction the car just slid off the road and damaged the rad.Owen said there was just no grip I don't think I have ever driven in such muddy conditions we went off at the same corner as John McCarthy and stopped another competitor from going off as he just touched off our car. I am a bit sick about it but as they say That's Rallying luckily damage in minimal the rad and a few other little things. Well done to Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh, our focus now is the next event Wicklow so we will have the car ready again in the next few days. I am very disappointed for my sponsors but hope I can repay their faith in me on the next event. Owen is supported by Yokohama Tyres, Mac Tyres Ireland ,O Flynn Construction, Nyhan Motors Mitsubishi Dealers Bandon, O Brien Crowley Accountants , Wolfrace Wheels, Permafrost, Rathcormac Tyres and Carnet.ie Moore/ McHugh Take Maiden Victory with Gp N Subaru Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh (Impreza N10) survived the atrocious weather conditions emerging with a 54 second victory on Round 2 of the “McCauley Trailers” National Forest Rally Championship based in Mitchelstown Sunday 26h March. The Tyrone pairing have been loyal Championship supporters for many years and now lead the series (35 points) with an 11-point advantage. Despite the heavy rain the event boasted a record 107 starters. There were casualties from the opening stage “Kilworth”, where pre-event favourites John McCarthy (Corolla WRC) and Owen Murphy (Evo 5) went off the road on a very slippy Square Right. Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh were the surprise leaders after ss1 stopping the clocks on 10:50. They have taken very well to 4WD as this is only their second day in the ex-Aaron MacHale Evo 8MR. James Murphy/ Anthony Nestor (Escort WRC) were five secs adrift but it was Lawlor’s old rivals Frank Kelly/ Liam Brennan who had everyone talking as they tied with Murphy’s WRC for second overall with their “Mountune” powered Escort mk2. Pete McCullagh/ Alan Dolan held fourth with an impressive 10:56 driving a Gp N Evo 7. Top seeds Ollie O’Donovan/ Dave Moynihan completed the top five on 10:59 making a cautious start with their Impreza WRC. Trevor Harding/ Adrian Deasy held fifth (11:02) despite their Impreza colliding with Murphy’s stricken Evo. Locals; Pat O’Connell/ Paul Manton (Evo 6) held 6th, 1 sec down on Harding. Seamus O’Connell/ Mark Bowes were a further sec down in 7th with their mk2 BDA. Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh in 8th had an overshoot (11:16). Adrian Hetherington/ Terry Walkinshaw (mk2) held 9th and Pete Willoughby/ Greg McCarthy completed the top ten as they eased into their Gp A Evo 7. Paul Mulcahy/ Karl Baumann (Starlet) retired with a burst brake pipe before the start of the stage. The event moved to the Goaten Bridge complex near Clogheen for ss2. Harding/ Deasy set FTD with Ollie O’Donovan 2 secs adrift and leader Lawlor was a further 3 secs down. Pete McCullagh disappeared and Seamus O’Connell suffered a broken gearbox casing. At the first service near Cahir Brian Lawlor held a 6 sec advantage from O’Donovan, who was now up to speed. James Murphy and Trevor Harding tied for third, 1 sec down. Frank Kelly completed the top five, a mere 2 secs in arrears of the 4WD machines. Stage 3 saw the event return to the “Kilcoran” Forests, which have not been used for some years due to re-grading work. Lawlor and O’Donovan tied on 8:27. Murphy’s engine expired and Harding broke a drive shaft on a hairpin close to the start. Frank Kelly’s gallant drive ended with a broken oil pump belt after a very heavy landing. Stuart Darcy/ John Kilmurry (Evo 7) retired with suspension failure and Mickey McGillin/ Sean Hayde crashed their new mk2. The classic “Cambaun Wood” was next; again Lawlor set FTD. O’Donovan broke a left front drive shaft dropping 6 secs to the leader. Adrian Hetherington stopped with a mechanical failure as did Mick Nevin/ Martin Flynn (mk2) and the hard charging Conor Kelly/ Pierse Doherty crashed their Sunny close to the finish. At the lunchtime service halt in Mitchelstown after four stages Brian Lawlor led by 12 secs from Ollie O’Donovan. All was not well in either camp – Lawlor had transmission troubles and the McKinstry team discovered a cracked exhaust manifold that forced O’Donovan to retire for safety reasons. This elevated Cashel’s Pat O’Conell into second, 54 secs down on the leader. Stephen Moore was up to third, Pete Willoughby fourth albeit with had a bad misfire and former Champions; Niall Driver/ Frank Corrigan dusted off the cobwebs climbing to fifth with their Evo 6. Holding 6th; John McGaffin/ Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC) made a return to the Southern Forests. With the high rate of attrition the 2WD crews made an impact on the leader-board. Malachy Donnelly/ Sean Ferris held 7th with a 2.0 mk2. Andrew Purcell/ Mark Wiley (Civic) held 8th and Jason/ Patrick Roche were 9th (2.0 mk2). Bob Scanlon/ Finian Hannigan completed the top ten with a hired Evo 7. A repeat of “Kilworth was the first stage after service. The heavy rain persisted and the pace seemed to slack - everyone well aware this was a finishers’ rally. Stage six; “Goaten Bridge” was so bad that the leading cars requested it to be stopped in the interest of safety as the ford crossing had become dangerous. Brian Lawlor lost most gears and dropped minutes. Pat O’Connell pulled a wheel off and retired. Pete Willoughby broke the rear diff casing at the ford crossing and limped to final service. The decision was taken to stop the stage and a “stage interrupted time” was applied. The Stewarts also cancelled ss7 “Kilcoran” as both the fords had become dangerous. The competitors were sent from the final service at Cahir directly to the final stage “Cambaun Wood”. Unfortunately Brian Lawlor retired at service and was denied a well-earned victory, as his Evo would go no further. The rally was all to play for on the final stage, Stephen Moore was the new leader 47 secs clear of Niall Driver, Willoughby held third 6 secs in arrears but had to cope with his ailing transmission and John McGaffin in fourth was a wildcard to take victory. Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh came through the final stage un-scathed to take a 54 sec victory. Moore is the first to win a round of the Championship in a Gp N car since Robbie McGurk won the Carrick Forest in ’02. Moore/ McHugh in their “Kumho” shod Impreza have displaced Murphy/ Nolan at the top of the “McCauley Trailers” National Championship standings, a position they will be anxious to maintain in Wicklow on Easter Sunday. Niall Driver/ Frank Corrigan dropped 4 secs to Moore on the final stage but were overjoyed with second overall after their long lay-off. John McGaffin was sidelined on “Cambaun” with a broken hub and Willoughby fell way back as he nursed his Evo to the finish. Third overall and “Best 2WD” was the staggering result notched up by car no. 35; Malachy Donnelly/ Sean Ferris with their 2.0 pinto Mk2. Andrew Purcell/ Mark Wiley blitzed the final stage where they set FTD with their 1600 Civic taking fourth overall and class three honours. Donnelly and Purcell are now joint second overall in the Championship on 24 points with Owen Murphy 3 points in arrears. Danny McEvoy/ Michael Walsh completed the top five and took the spoils in class four as Donnelly was in the overall awards. Pete Willoughby/ Greg McCarthy in sixth were relieved to make the final control and took the class six honours. Gordon Coleman/ Paul Kelly stormed to 7th overall in their new “M Sport” Fiesta and took class five laurels. Eight-placed Bob Scanlon/ Finnian Hannigan took the Gp N spoils with their Evo 7. Ninth overall; Noel Driver/ Joe Shinnors (mk2) actually finished a rally for the first time in three years and were thrilled to be inside the top ten. Car no.121; Donal Keane Jnr/ “Foxy” Ger McCarthy were a late entry but made a lasting impressioncompleting the top ten with their 2.0 Starlet. Llyod Hutchinson/ Kevin Flanagan finished 13th overall and dominated class I with their Mini. Michael Doyle/ Tom Snell (205) were 19th overall and winners of class 2. Douglas Stewart/ Billy Ryan (206) took the class 7 spoils. Newcomers; Shane Kenny/ Eamon Crudden (Nova) took the Junior honours (class 9). The numbers continue to grow with more competitors including juniors having signed up for the Championship. Despite the atrocious weather the Rally went well. It is both refreshing and encouraging to have new winners across the board and the Championship is once again wide open. Purcell takes RALLY IDOL Scholarship Car to 4th Tipperary Forestry 2006 proved to be the wettest and most treacherous Forest Rally in recent years. However it also further proved one thing: The RALLY IDOL Scholarship car is continuing on its winning form. In a superb display of driving by Andrew Purcell on a day when many others left the road and damaged cars, the RALLY IDOL Civic never missed a beat to take a brilliant 4th overall on the second round of the National Forestry Championship. After securing top 2wd honours on the first round of the championship, in what was effectively a test run for the RALLY IDOL Honda Civic, Andrew Purcell decided to go to the second round of the Championship again as a day’s entertainment in the potent little car. The Kumho backed Civic performed faultlessly and Andrew never even picked up as much as a puncture in the drenched rain beaten stages. The RALLY IDOL car skated on through the 7 stages setting impressive times along the way, 20 seconds were lost when catching another car just before a water splash and the car in front stalled in the water and blocked the road. Then Andrew who was navigated by Mark Wiley took a stunning fastest overall on the final stage, the 1600cc Group N Civic setting a blistering time of 8.29 which was 5 seconds faster than the rally winner Stephen Moore. Andrew and Mark were exceptionally satisfied to bring the Civic to the finish after such a trouble free run, previous rallies in a variety of other cars had brought a series of frustrating retirements. This result sees Andrew holding a commanding lead in the South East Stages Championship and of course it’s another strong haul of points in the forestry series, all courtesy of the RALLY IDOL Civic. This giant killing Civic is open to anyone to drive, in fact it could be anyone’s car for 2007 for you to achieve this result. To drive this car just enter RALLY IDOL SCHOLARSHIP details are available on www.xlr8motorsport.com or by contacting Andrew direct on 0851121838. You can enter for €250 and be tutored and assessed by some of Ireland’s best drivers on our Tarmac and Gravel tracks, and if you prove yourself to be the best of the bunch and move to the Grand Final you can win the keys to this car and TEN Thousand Euro with which to spend on rallying it. Entry is simple- it’s open to anyone! Absolutely anyone, no catch, quite simply- you can arrive and drive and prove you have what it takes to be a RALLY IDOL, and you could be setting the stages alight in the giant killing Civic with the cash prize scholarship covering your costs. Don’t miss your chance to try out for this fabulous prize- more info available on- Results Position Driver/Co-Driver (Car) Total 1 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) 01:03:55 2 Niall Driver/Frank Corrigan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 01:04:46 3 Malachy Donnelly/Sean Ferris (Escort MKII) 01:05:57 4 Andrew Purcell/Mark Wiley (Honda Civic VTI) 01:07:07 5 Danny McEvoy/Michael Walsh (Ford Escort G3) 01:07:21 6 Pete Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) 01:07:30 7 Gordon Coleman/Paul Kelly (Ford Fiesta ST) 01:07:48 8 Bob Scanlon/Finian Hannigan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 01:07:49 9 Noel Driver/John Shinnors Snr (Ford Escort 2.0) 01:09:35 10 Donal Keane Jnr/Ger McCarthy (Toyota Starlet RWD) 01:09:40 Leaders After SS1-6 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5 MR) SS8 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) Stage Winners: SS1 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5 MR) SS2 Trevor J Harding/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza WRX) SS3 Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) & Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5 MR) SS4 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5 MR) SS5 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5 MR) SS6 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) SS7 Cancelled SS8 Andrew Purcell/Mark Wiley (Honda Civic VTI) PRE EVENT NEWS
25/03/06 KEITH CRONIN TIPP FORESTRY PREVIEW Keith Cronin resumes his assault on the 2006 McAuley trailers National Forest Rally Championship on Sunday next when he takes the start line of the Sean Conlon Memorial Forest Rally. The TLC&MCC run event will present Keith and his navigator Anthony O Conaill with 100kms of challenging forest stages which will include some of the classic stages such as Cambaun and Goats Bridge but will also include 2 runs over a brand new stage in the Kilworth complex which has been totally resurfaced. Backing Keith for the year are Hevac Pumps, Tadhg O Conaill Plumbing and heating and Cork Builders Providers. The car being used by Keith this year is a BTRDA class winning Group A Peugeot 206 and Keith is looking forward to getting back on the loose in it after his run in the West Cork Rally last weekend. Speaking during the week he said: “The car really has the potential for some really quick times and we were going quite well in the first round in Carrick-on-Suir until clutch failure put us out. I am comfortable with the left hand drive aspect of things and the set up seems right so we’re going to give it our best shot on Sunday.” First car leaves the start ramp in The Square, Mitchelstown at 9.30 am and is due back at 5.30 pm. 24/03/06 Owen Murphy Heads For Mitchelstown The current leader in The 2006 McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship gets ready for his second outing of the year in the Sean Conlon Memorial Mitchelstown Forest Rally. Fresh from success on the first round where he stunned many with his pace Owen is enjoying great success at present as just two weeks ago he won the first round of The Fiesta Sporting Trophy (UK) Championship on the Malcolm Wilson Rally this means the 19 year old from Cork now leads 2 championships in 2 countries however the Mitsubishi EVO 5 is the focus this weekend This Mitchelstown Forest Rally is one of the most popular rounds of the championship and Owen has competed on this event in 2004 and 2005 but retired on both occasions. During the week Colm and crew were working feverishly on the car to make sure everything is ok for Sunday. The Mitsubishi EVO 5 will have new sponsorship this weekend. Owen is delighted to have Nyhan Motors The Bypass Bandon on board as a sponsor for the year Nyhan Motors are the leading suppliers of Mitsubishi cars in the Cork area. Owen said its great to have a dealer from Cork helping us in our quest for the Gp N title in the McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship. Also for this event Owen has secured sponsorship from Rathcormac Tyres wholesalers and retailers of tyres in Ireland. For this event Owen with Garry Nolan on the notes will use the new Yokohama Advan A035E tyre. This particular tyre should be very suited to the conditions here in Ireland. Asked about the event Owen said , We might be going a little easier then the last time out Gp N is what we are interested in not chasing WRC cars however there are some very quick drivers and cars in Gp N who may not yet have gelled for the first event but may well be a force this time out , we will see where we are after a few stages and take it from there. Owen is supported by Yokohama Tyres, Mac Tyres Ireland ,O Flynn Construction, Nyhan Motors Mitsubishi Dealers Bandon, O Brien Crowley Accountants , Wolfrace Wheels, Permafrost, Rathcormac Tyres and Carnet.ie and not forgetting my service crew and all who are helping the weekend. 22/03/06 Event Preview Round 2 of the “McCauley Trailers” National Forest Rally Championship takes place this Sunday 27h March. Tipperary Motor Club host the event, which is based in Mitchelstown and has attracted over one hundred and twenty entries including a foray WRC, Gp N and exciting 2WD machinery. COC Jim O’Brien has revamped the route offering a new format of eight stages (4 done twice) with service after ss2, 4 &6, including a return to the completely re-surfaced “Kilcoran” Forest Complex. Top seeds; Ollie O’Donovan/ David Moynihan are a surprise entry. It has been four years since O’Donovan last showed in the Irish Forests, which incidentally was this same event. Despite several punctures on the day he managed a podium finish in his ex-McRae Legacy. This year the London based Limerick man will be use his “McKinstry Motorsport” P2000 Impreza WRC which has the potential to win. However O’Donovan will have to fend off stiff competition from the “McCauley Trailers” Championship regulars. Second on the road and very much the hot favourites are; John McCarthy/ MJ Morrissey (Corolla WRC) – McCarthy won here in ’03, led in ’04 and set some FTD’s in ‘05. The East Cork man tends to be un-touchable through “Cambaun Wood” and has the determination to take victory. Kevin O’Kane is at 3 with his Harper prepared Impreza WRC. O’Kane will have Martin Brady on the notes. Number 4, James Murphy/ Anthony Nestor (Escort WRC) are close to home and will be confident after taking fourth in Carrick, where they set FTD on the final stage. Championship leaders; Owen Murphy/ Gary Nolan (Evo 5) are fifth on the road and will be anxious to strengthen their resolve at the top of the Championship standings. Murphy stole the show in Carrick where he took a sensational second overall with his un-assuming Gp N Evo 5. The Cork teenager has enjoyed more success as he recently won the opening round of the Fiesta Challenge on the Malcom Wilson Rally in Cumbria. While the young gun is match fit he no longer has the element of surprise and is now seeded among the front-runners. Trevor Harding/ Adrian Deasy (Gp A Impreza) are at six followed by a formidable GP N line up with; Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh (Evo 8MR) at 7, Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh (N10 Impreza) at 8, Pete Willoughby/ Greg McCarthy (Evo 7) at 9, Brian McGillin/ Dave Doherty complete the top ten, launching their latest spec Impreza N12. Stuart Darcy (Evo 7) is at 11, followed by Pete McCullagh/ Alan Dolan (Evo 7) at number 12. Frank Kelly/ Liam Brennan (mk2) are top the 2WD seed at no. 15. There are plenty of 2WD contendors with the likes of Noel Driver, Ollie Williams, John Reid, Seamus O’Connell, Adrian Hetherington, Mickey McGillin, Malachy Donnelly, Jason Roche and Andrew Purcell all on the entry list. Possibly the most exciting and strongest challenger to Frank Kelly will be the Dungarvan duo; Paul Mulcahy/ Karl Baumann who return with their rapid 1600 16v Starlet. The classes are well supported across the board and victory will be tough on the day. The Junior class is set to flourish as David Dunne (mk2), Conor Kelly (Nova), Nick Hegarty (Skoda), Liam Graham (Ka), Shane Kenny (Corsa), Ciaran McCullagh (Nova) and Emmet Cronin (mk2) embark on the Junior Championship. The first competing car will leave the start ramp from the Square in Mitchelstown at 09:30. Drivers will have to be quick out of the box as “Kilworth” offers a bit of everything with lots of junctions, fast/ smooth sections into narrow, tight and twisty bits. Stage 2; “Goats Bridge” will run in reverse. After the opening two stages there will be a 15 min Service on the Ardfinnan road (R670) into Cahir. Stage 3 is a new stage in the “Kilcoran” forests, which has been totally re-surfaced. Stage 4; The event heads to Co. Limerick for “Cambaun Wood” a classic fast/ flowing stage sure to see the locals set the pace. After Cambaun the crews return to Mitchelstown for the main service in the Galtee Car Park before the repeat of “Kilworth” and “Goats Bridge”. There will be a brief final service close to Cahir before the closing stages; “Kilcoran” and “Cambaun” with the first competing cars due back at the square in Mitchelstown at 5:30 pm. HQ: The Clongibbon House, The Square, Mitchelstown. Scrutiny/ Parc Ferme: O’Donnell’s Esso Station, Cork rd, Mitchelstown Service: After ss 2; 11:25 Ardfinnan rd into Cahir (R670) – 15 mins. After ss 4; 13:15 Galtee Car Park, Mitchelstown – 45 mins. After ss 6; 16:00 Ardfinnan rd into Cahir (R670) – 15 mins. Results & Awards: The Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown. Maps: Discovery Series 74, A3 Colour maps will be available. Time and Distance Schedule Rally Programme Rally Programmes will be available form the the HQ, The Clongibbon House, The Square, Mitchelstown. and Petrol stations in Mitchelstown. 21/03/05 Top 20 1 Ollie Donovan/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2 John McCarthy/Mick Joe Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC) 3 Kevin O’Kane/Derek Brannigan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 4 James Murphy/Anthony Nestor (Escort RS Cosworth) 5 Owen Murphy/Gary Nolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) 6 Trevor J Harding/Aidrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza WRX) 7 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) 8 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) 9 Pete Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 10 Brian McGillin/David Doherty (Subaru Impreza N12) 11 Stuart Darcy/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) 12 Peter McCullagh/Alan Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) 13 John McGaffin/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) 14 George Tracy/Liam McLoughlin (Peugeot 206 WRC) 15 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MKII) 16 Kevin Duggan/Keith Bovaird (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) 17 Pat O’Connell/Paul Manton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) 18 Niall Driver/Frank Corrigan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 19 Brendan Murphy/Pat Condon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 20 Sean Heaney/Michael McElwee (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 21 Paul Mulcahy/Carol Brennan (Toyota Starlet) 13/02/06 Timetable: Friday 17th March Entries Close Saturday 25th March 4 - 9pm Scrutiny: O’ Donnell’s Esso Station Fermoy Rd Saturday 25th March 5 – 9pm Paper Scrutiny: Clongibbon House Hotel Sunday 26th March 8.30am Drivers Briefing: Clongibbon House Hotel Sunday 26th March 9.30am First Car Away: Start Ramp, The Square Mitchelstown. Sunday 26th March 5.30pm First Car Finished Finish Ramp, The Square Mitchelstown Sunday 26th March 7.30pm First Prv. Result’s: Firgrove Hotel Sunday 26th March 8.30pm Prizegiving: Firgrove Hotel
Topics:
Tipperary Forestry Rally
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