Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forestry Rally - 10 Feb 08

Posted: February 19, 2008 7:58 PM

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NATIONAL JUNIOR RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Report after Round 1
The inaugural round of the Motorsport Ireland “National Junior Rally Championship” (NJRC) took place in Mitchelstown on Sunday 10th of February as part of “The Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forest Rally”. This new initiative saw 21 registered competitors start at the head of the field of what was the dawn of a new era in Irish Forest rallying.

The NJRC is a mixed surface championship for junior competitors with 4 forest rounds and 4 tarmac rounds run between February and October. The best three rounds of each discipline to count towards final points for the National Junior Rally Championship, which is class based. There are 8 classes, however on forest events all these classes run in class 9, the junior category. The winner of each class, along with two other drivers who may be nominated by expert competitors selected by Motorsport Ireland, will go forward for consideration for the Billy Coleman Award. More details of the championship are available on www.motorsportireland.com.

The Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forest Rally saw an amazing influx of young drivers whose names would normally be attributed to tarmac rallying such as Peter Wilson, Damien McCarthy, Jack Newman, Mark Sheahan, Jason Ryan to name a few. Indeed the prospect of running as first cars on the road was a deciding factor for a lot of those who have made the transition to forest rallying for the first time. Most junior competitors also registered for the Hankook National Forest Rally Championship.

Stage one in Kilworth saw John Byrnes from Limerick put in a blistering time taking a 24 second advantage over Damien McCarthy of Timoleague, who led Youghal’s Jason Ryan by 2 seconds. Kells man Peter Wilson was fourth, all the above driving Honda Civics. Eamonn Power in a Peugeot 106 was fifth followed by Jack Newman in a Civic, Kevin O’Connor in a 106, and Bernard Mulvihill in another Civic lying 8th. Stage one was a baptism of fire for the Junior competitors as 6 of the 21 suffered mechanical woes.

Stage 2 & 3 ran in the Kilcoran Forest. John Byrnes using his forest experience had consolidated his lead on stage 2 but suffered electrical problems and lost time on stage 3 and then retired. Damien McCarthy then led by 1 second from Jason Ryan, with Jack Newman third, Peter Wilson, Eamonn Power, Bernard Mulvihill, Sarah Moynihan and Mark Sheahan following up in the NJRC. Form here the rally moved to the classic Cambaun stage where Ryan took two seconds back from McCarthy to arrive into main service with a lead of 1 second.

Heading back out to repeat the loop the newcomers had acclimatised themselves to the loose surface by shaving almost 30 seconds of their stage 1 times. Ryan set fastest class time on stage 5 with Wilson 3 seconds adrift. Newman followed by 5 seconds and McCarthy a further 4 seconds off, who did not appear on the time sheet after this. Ryan won 6 and 7 and at this point had a commanding lead which opened the door for Power to win the final stage from Wilson, Newman 3rd and Patrick Cunningham 4th who had trouble on stage 1 but had good times throughout the rest of the day.

Final results were for class 9 as follows, 1st Jason Ryan (1.06.45), 2nd Jack Newman (1.07.32) 3rd Peter Wilson (1.07.42) all in class G of NJRC. 4th Eamonn Power, winning class H. Bernard Mulvihill, Patrick Cunningham and James Brown rounded off class G. Mark Lane took class B honours in his 106. Mark Sheahan won class D from Sarah Moynihan, both in 206’s. Full breakdown of NJRC standings listed below.

On winning the first round of the NJRC Jason Ryan said, “I am delighted with the result, it being my first time on the loose. We got off to a slow start but the confidence grew a little with every mile. The car was too low and bottomed out quite a lot and also used more oil than it should have.” Indeed finishing 17th overall and 4th two wheel drive was a great result for any driver on his first day in the woods.

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Results
1 Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC) 57m 22s,
2 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC) 57m 23s,
3 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC) 58m 51s,
4 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59m 49s,
5 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC) 60m 45s,
6 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 60m 55s,
7 Colin Britton/Arthur Kierans (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 61m 38s,
8 Patrick Keenan/Barry McNulty (Mit. Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 61m 56s,
9 Sean Heaney/Liam McLaughlin (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 62m 01s,
10 Connie Smith/Breen McNamee (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4) 62m 48s.

JUNIOR CLASS:
1 Jason Ryan/Tadhg O'Sullivan (Civic) 66m 45s,
2 Jack Newman/David Coyle (Civic) 67m 32s,
3 Peter Wilson/John Kilmurray (Civic) 67m 42s.

Leaders After:
SS1-8 Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC)
& Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC)

• Download Full Results and Times

Photos:
Joe Lane - Action Photos.ie
Totally Sideways
Sport Limerick

Video Clips
Waylander Video Clips

• Tipperary Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship
• 2008 Junior Rally Championship

In Car Action with Andrew Purcell/Michael Courtney - SS8

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Time and Distance Schedule available
• Entry List on line
• Regulations available

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07/02/08

• Download Time and Distance Schedule

Rally programmes will be available at the Rally Headquarters or petrol station in the Mitchelstown

The programme contains stage maps and details as well as the rally timetable.

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05/02/08

Entry List
No Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
201 Ross Forde/Arron Forde (Suzuki Swift) [9]
202 Eamonn Power/Adian Cullen (Peugeot 106) [9]
203 Triona Kelly/TBA (Escort MK2) [9]
204 Sean Liston/Daniel Browne (Toyota Corolla) [9]
205 Dermot Ryan/Lorcan Duggan (Suzuki Swift) [9]
206 Bernard Mulvihill/Enda Gerety (Honda Civic) [9]
207 Aiden Mulcahy/Des Flynn (Honda Civic) [9]
208 Patrick Cunningham/Shane O Brien (Honda Civic) [9]
209 Stephen Hernon/Ivan Hernon (Toyota Corolla) [9]
210 Ciaran O Connor/Kevin (JUICEY) Joyce (Honda Civic) [9]
211 Kevin O Connor/Denis Collins (Peugeot 106) [9]
212 Richard Price /Sean Duggan (Honda Civic) [9]
213 Vincent McAree/Ivan McAree (Peugeot 106) [9]
214 Sarah Moynihan/Amy Moynihan (Peugeot 206) [9]
215 Shane Maguire/Michael Carbin (Peugeot 205) [9]
216 Mark Sheehan/Anthony O Connail (Peugeot 206) [9]
217 Mark Lane /TBA (Peugeot 106) [9]
218 Andrew Lehane/Damien Fleming (Honda Civic) [9]
219 Colm Cronin/Tba (Peugeot 206) [9]
220 Peter Wilson/John Killmurray (Honda Civic) [9]
221 Jack Newman/David Coyle (Honda Civic) [9]
222 Paul McMahon/Derek Butler (Ford Escort) [9]
223 Michael McKennedy/Andrew Mahon (Toyota Corolla) [9]
224 Damian McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) [9]
225 John Byrnes/Kenneth Sheil (Honda Civic) [9]
226 Ian Stanley/Alan White (Honda Civic) [9]
227 Colin O Toole/Mark Horgan (Corsa) [9]
228 Conor Kelly/Denis Ryan (Corsa) [9]
229 Jason Ryan/Tadgh O Sullivan (Honda Civic) [9]

101 Mike McDonnell/John Blue Spillane (Suzuki Swift) [1]
102 Ben Donnelly/Tba (Astra) [1]
103 Seamus Cooke/Gerard Hyland (Escort MK2) [1]
104 Shane Timoney/TBA (Ford KA) [1]
105 Adrian Levis/Eric Deane (Suzuki Swift) [1]
106 Paul Archer /Michael Archer (Nova) [1]
107 John Quill/John Coleman (Nova) [1]
108 Sean Mullervy/Terry Mullervy (Honda Civic) [1]
109 Colum Browne/Lawerence McGrath (Ford KA) [1]
110 Colman Kirby/Jemima Ottman (Nissan Sunny) [1]
111 Johny Kenneally/Andrew Beamish (Escort MK2) [1]
112 JJ Wall/Patrick Wall (Peugeot 106) [1]
113 Andrew Fanning/TBA (Ford KA) [1]

1 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
2 Andrew Purcell/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
3 James Murphy/Anthony Nester (Ford Escort WRC) [7]
4 Kevin O Kane/Martin Brady (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
5 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Escort WRC) [7]
6 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
7 Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
8 Colin Britton/Arthur Kierans (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
9 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
10 John McGaffin/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
11 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Toyota Corrolla WRC) [7]
12 Stuart Darcey/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [7]
14 Trevor Moore/Ray Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort MK2) [5]
15 James Coleman/Michael Haley (Ford Escort MK2) [5]
16 Pat O Connell/Paul Manton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [8]
17 John Hickey/tba (Subaru) [6]
18 Brendan Murphy /Pat Condon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [6]
19 Jason Roche/Raymond Greene (Ford Escort MK2) [5]
20 Connie Smith/Brian McMamee (Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4) [6]
21 Padraig Farrell/Kieran McElhinney (Subaru Impreza) [6]
22 Patrick Keenan/Barry McNulty (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [8]
23 John (sean) Heany/Liam McLaughlin (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [8]
24 Mark Murphy/Carol O Keeffe (Subaru Impreza) [6]
25 John Meade/Kevin Kearney (Subaru Impreza) [6]
26 Connie Delaney/Ray Grace (Subaru Impreza) [8]
27 John Reddington/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [8]
28 Ollie Williams/Micheal Walsh (Escort MK2) [5]
29 Jeremy Drislane/TBA (Evo 6) [6]
30 Jimmy Devane/Mike Buckley (Nissan Sunny) [5]
31 Ciaran Mahon/Conor Bruton (Escort MK2) [3]
32 Paul Fitzgerald/Paul Noughton (Escort MK2) [3]
33 Darren Donnelly/Michael Loughney (Escort MK2) [4]
34 Mick Nevin/Des Moran (Escort MK2) [2]
35 James Fagan/Rachel Fagen (Escort MK2) [2]
36 Ray Benskin/Peadar Walsh (Escort MK2) [4]
37 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Toyota Celica) [6]
38 Owen Mulcahy/Paul Dwane (Fiesta Rwd) [3]
39 Sean Sheehy/Liam Walsh (Honda Civic) [4]
40 Clement Lonergan/Martin Luddy (Honda Civic) [3]
41 Tom Kenneally/Karl Baumann (Toyota Starlet) [4]
42 Marc Butler/Michael Kelleher (Honda Civic) [3]
43 David Dunne/Micheal Feeney (Escort MK2) [5]
44 Seamus o Grady/Billy Collins (Peugeot 205) [4]
45 Hans Matthia/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [6]
46 John Walsh/Michael Walsh (Escort G3) [4]
47 Stephan Cullen/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [8]
48 Alan Kelly/TBA (Sierra Cosworth) [6]
49 Tom Curley/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo ) [8]
50 John Fleming /Ron Mackey (Escort MK2) [3]
51 Ml O Donoghue/Dan Murphy (Subaru Impreza) [6]
52 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Nova) [3]
53 Emmet Cronin/Joe Fitzgibbon (Escort MK2) [2]
54 Michael Murphy/Pat Cashman (Toyota Corolla) [3]
55 Martin Sheehan/Barry Murphy (Subaru legacy) [6]
56 Patrick Walsh/Jason Walsh (Honda Civic) [3]
57 Robert Hughes/Trevor Hughes (Corsa) [3]
58 Declan Cuddy/Nigal Moody (Subaru Impreza) [6]
59 Kieran Crowley/TBA (Peugeot 106) [3]
60 Tom Herbert/TBA (Honda Civic) [3]
61 Diarmuid (Dart) Danagher/Dennis Gallagher (Escort MK2) [2]
62 James Cooney/Aidan Kiely (Corsa) [2]
63 Nick Hegarty/Allyn Jennings (Toyota Corolla) [3]
64 Sean Sheedy/Richard Lucey (Toyota Corolla Rwd) [3]
65 Kevin Fowler/Darren Walsh (Nova) [2]
66 Mark Dolphin /Brian Hurley (Escort MK2) [3]
67 Coleman Hurley/Sean Holland (Astra) [4]
68 Brian Hennessy/Robert Jones (Peugeot 205) [2]
69 Jason Culleton/Sandra Culleton (Renault Megane) [4]
70 Anthony Maybury/Sean Cunningham (Toyota Starlet) [3]
71 James Brown/TBA (Honda Civic) [3]
72 Joe Earle/Keith Dunne (Peugeot 205) [2]

Excel version will be available on the club site later:

• Tipperary Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship

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15/01/08
HQ: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

Regulations and Entry Form on:

• Tipperary Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship
• 2008 Junior Rally Championship