Tipperary Stonethrowers Stages Rally - 12 Aug 07

Posted: August 15, 2007 3:21 PM - 23443 Hits

Sepam Stonethrowers Rally 2007 in association with Andrew Fanning Motor Factors
Round 6 - 2007 Southeast Stages Championship

  • Gareth MacHale/Bryan Murphy win
  • GREER WINS PILOT C2 R2 EVENT
  • Full Results & Times
  • Photos
  • Video Clips

Posted: August 15, 2007 3:21 PM


GREER WINS PILOT C2 R2 EVENT
Carryduff youngster Jonny Greer with co-driver Jonny Hart emerged victorious on the Charles Hurst Irish Citroen C2 R2 Challenge pilot event. After eight stages on the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, Jonny finished an amazing thirteenth overall, amongst World Rally car, Group N and modified machinery, also recording a top ten stage time on stage four. Jonny quipped at the finish. “I was delighted with the result, and as each stage progressed I was able to utilise more of the C2 R2’s potential.” In second place was local driver Paul Manton, who helped to organise this pilot event, where eight of the 1600cc Citroen C2 R2’s started. Paul finished an excellent twentieth overall, after an epic battle with Donemana driver Davy Graham. Ironically both drivers went off the road on the same corner on stage six, but Davy was stuck fast for two minutes, and eventually finished fourth C2 R2, behind Monaghan’s Barry Evans who is likely to be further up the timesheets next time after finding a technical fault with his car after the rally. Fifth C2 R2 was an ecstatic John Quill who swapped second for second with Ollie Carroll, John taking fifth by a mere six seconds, after a final stage attack.

Magherafelt’s Martin Laverty had a long trip to Tipperary for just one stage mile, as he slipped off the road into retirement, whilst the only other retirement was Newry’s Norman Savage, who snapped a clutch cable on the start line of stage three.

Jonny Greer was awarded four tyres form Kerr’s Tyres for his first place, and two additional tyres for the fastest C2 R2 on the stage four shootout, whilst second placed Paul Manton also received two Michelin rally tyres.

Challenge co-ordinator Raymond Moore was happy with the turn out and performance of the cars on this trial event.
“We are working hard to get a challenge up and running for next year, but for this event I would like to thank, Norman Kerr of Kerr’s Tyres for putting up the prizes, Paul Manton and for the Tipperary Motor Club for their organisation, and Adrian McElhinney and Grannia McDaid for their prompt end of stage results.” At present a potential calendar of events is being drawn up, and also the challenge organisers are looking to tie down deals with associated sponsors to make this a premier one make rally series in Ireland.


Results
1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 58m 12s,
2 Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59m 26s,
3 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59m 47s,
4 David James/Jim Crowe (Ford Focus WRC) 60m 36s,
5 Ian Barrett/Eoin O’Flaherty (Subaru Impreza N12B) GpN 61m 05s,
6 P J McGrath/Killian Duffy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 36s,
7 Gwyn Thomas/Anthony O’Conaill (Ford Puma 4WD) 62m 18s,
8 Owen Murphy/Paul Williams (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 62m 28s,
9 Terence O’Shaughnessy/Eugene McGrath (Toyota Corolla 2.0) 62m 50s,
10 Liam Wall/Andy Donoghue (Escort Mk II) 63m 06s.

Leaders After:
SS1-8 Gareth McHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC)


PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Reserve list - 161 is running
  • Time and Distance Schedule
  • Full Entry List available
  • Event Details
  • Top 10 Entries
  • Regulations available to download

08/08/07

Full Entry List on Club Website:

02/08/07
Event Details
CoC Micheal Boland is putting together the final perpetrations for this years rally.
The rally this year will be based much closer to the town of Clonmel and its headquarters the Clonmel Park Hotel with the first two stages taking place in the Cahir, Ardfinnan and Newcastle area. These two stages will be repeated in the morning with centralised servicing in the Powerstown Park Racecourse in Clonmel.
In the afternoon the rally moves to just outside Clonmel town to the Kilsheelan and Powerstown area. All these stages will be similar to those used in 2003 which proved to be very popular will all competitors.
The stage Commanders Martin O’Keeffe, John Commons, Shane Reynolds and Shane Kenny have put in a massive effort to ensure there are four great stages fro everyone to enjoy.
There is sure to be great competition on the day with Gerarth McHale sure to be hot favourite for overall honours but the more regular competitors Noel Redmond, Seamus Heron and Kevin Barrett will sure to be putting it up to him on the day.
There will also be great two wheel drive action with a large entry of clubmen on display and some of those to look out for are two Darrians of James Stafford and Washington James, but they wont have it all their own way with James Colman and Maurice Moffett sure to provide some great RWD action on the day.
This years Sepam Stonethrowers rally will also be the official Launch of the C2R2 Championship which will start competitively in 2008 with no less than 9 cars competing this year so it will be a great litmus test to see who will be the ones to watch for next year. Local Tipperary motorclub clubman Paul Manton from Cashel will be the first C2R2 on the road.

Top 10
Gerarth McHale Ford Focus WRC
Noel Redmond Subaru Impreza WRC
Seamus Heron Ford Focus WRC
Kevin Barrett Subaru Impreza WRC
PJ McGrath Subaru Impreza WRC
David James Ford Focus WRC
Jack Slator Subaru Impreza WRC
Ian Barrett Subaru Impreza GpN
Willie Fannin Subaru Impreza GpN


11/07/07
Rally Headquarters, Clonmel Park Hotel

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