Galway Summer Rally - 30 Aug 09

Video Clips

Posted: September 1, 2009 9:55 PM

Setanta TV Times for Galway Summer Rally

Posted: September 1, 2009 9:13 PM

ON THE LIMIT SPORTS TV TIMES

BARRETT/CONNOLLY WIN GALWAY SUMMER RALLY
Report courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: September 1, 2009 9:03 PM

TAKING his first ever victory in a round of the Dunlop series, Maynooth's, Kevin Barrett, in a Subaru WRC, has won the Galway Summer Rally, round eight of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.  After nine stages in wet conditions around Headford, Barrett and his co-driver, Damien Connolly, finished six seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry. 
Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi) was 14 seconds further behind in third.
Reigning Dunlop National Rally champions, Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) crashed out on the first stage, however, two-second places from the remaining two rounds will still be enough to ensure a successful defence of their title.

Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) was the pacesetter on the opening stage, Kilbeg, he led the Subaru of Niall Maguire by some nine seconds, Maguire stopped at the scene of the Elliott accident. Kevin Kelleher guided his Mitsubishi into equal second with Maguire.  Fourth placed, Kevin Barrett was extremely fortunate to survive when his Subaru slid off on shiny tar at a square left, although the front of his Subaru was somewhat rearranged, the radiator was undamaged and he was able to continue.  The Mitsubishi's of Trevor Bustard and Thomas Fitzmaurice followed in fifth and sixth respectively.

Barrett set the pace on the second test, Caherlistrane where Jennings and Kelleher shared top spot, the latter lucky to survive a moment over a jump.  Barrett's Subaru punctured twice on the third stage and Jennings dropped a few seconds when he caught up with the ailing Subaru.  At the Trading Post service halt, Kelleher topped the leaderboard, his Mitsubishi was two seconds ahead of Jennings with Maguire a further 12 seconds in arrears in third.  At the service halt, Maguire remarked, "I was on the wrong tyres for all of that loop, it's very slippery in there." Barrett was fourth.
Fitzmaurice in fifth remarked that he was going to change to a softer compound tyre for the second loop. Bustard was just four seconds further behind.

Mike Quinn (Ford Escort) admitted he was struggling in the wet conditions, nevertheless, he was the top two-wheel drive exponent.  The top ten was completed by the Galway trio of Patrick Cunningham (Honda Civic), Tom Flaherty (Escort) and Mike Bird (Subaru WRC).

Although Barrett was quickest through S.S. 4, Jennings took up the mantle of rally leader, demoting Kelleher to second - three seconds adrift.  Barrett and Maguire occupied equal third - twelve seconds further behind.
Barrett was also quickest through S.S. 5 and Maguire set the pace on S.S. 6, however, both were four seconds behind rally leader, Kelleher at the final service halt.  The Cork driver remarked that he was pushing his Mitsubishi to its limits.  Meanwhile, Maguire was still annoyed at his tyre choice for the opening loop while Barrett was quite positive and was pleased with his performance through the loop of stages.
For early pacesetter, Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) Stage 5 proved disastrous as he hit a wall when trying to negotiate a chicane bale that was out of place.  He eventually managed to traverse the sixth stage but the time lost on the fifth stage dropped him to ninth in general classification. 
An untroubled Fitzmaurice moved into fourth ahead of Trevor Bustard (Mitsubishi) with Quinn (Escort) completing the top six.  Mike Bird (Subaru) in seventh place was the top Galway competitor as he recovered from his opening stage indiscretion.  Another Galway driver, Thomas Cahill (Mitsubishi) was ninth even though he had power steering woes and had slid off on a number of occasions.  Jim McKenna's Toyota Starlet rounded off the top ten.

Maguire was one second quicker than Kelleher through S.S. 7 but the latter retained top spot by a three second margin. 
Barrett was the fastest driver through the penultimate stage where Maguire took the lead, six seconds ahead of Barrett with Kelleher slipping to third - five seconds further behind after he had to manoeuvre a chicane bale out of his way and lost around ten seconds.  On the final stage, Barrett set a cracking pace to take his first ever victory in a round of the Dunlop series.  Maguire had to be content with second and the 18 championship points, his title ambitions are still alive, however, two second places for Elliott will deny Maguire a record fourth title. 

Kelleher took third overall and Fitzmaurice had an untroubled run to secure fourth - his best finish in a round of the series.  Mike Quinn (Escort) extended his lead in the rally.ie award, he was the top two-wheel drive competitor.

Jennings took seventh overall and eleven championship points to retain his lead in the Patterson's RallyNews Group N Award, however, both Kelleher and Fitzmaurice are also in the title hunt.  The top Galway driver was Mike Bird (Subaru WRC) and the top ten was completed by Thomas Cahill (Mitsubishi) and Jim McKenna (Toyota Starlet). 

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:59 PM

2WD Winners: Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:57 PM

GpN Winners: Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery

Photos

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:49 PM

Hassett Motorsport Photography
James Burke Motorsport Photography
Forde Fotos

Full Results

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:48 PM

1 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC) 68m 03s,
2 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 68m 09s,
3 Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 68m 23s,
4 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 71m 34s,
5 Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mit. Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 71m 56s,
6 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort Mk II) 72m 03s,
7 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 72m 47s,
8 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Subaru Impreza WRC) 73m 06s,
9 Thomas Cahill/Philip Conneely (Mit. Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 73m 46s,
10 Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Toyota Starlet 1.6 16V) 74m 28s.

JUNIORS:
1 Patrick Divilly/Gerard Divilly (Corolla) 43m 17s,
2 Ciaran Walsh/Aidan Gannon (Civic) 43m 41s,
3 Darren McKenna/Rebecca McKenna (Corolla) 43m 59s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS2 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
& Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3 Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS5-7 Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS8 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS2 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Kevin Barrett/ Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Full Results: results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

DUNLOP CONTENDERS HEAD WEST FOR GALWAY SUMMER RALLY
Preview courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: August 28, 2009 12:15 PM

Reigning Dunlop National Rally champion, Patrick Elliott (Subaru WRC) needs two second place finishes from the remaining three rounds, beginning with Sunday's Galway Summer Rally, to retain his Dunlop crown.
Although the Cavan driver is twelve points behind his title rival, Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) he has the advantage when dropped scores are taken into consideration.

Of the seven rounds he has contested, Elliott, who won his inaugural Dunlop title on last year's Galway Summer Rally, has taken maximum scores on five occasions.  His season began with a flourish and three straight wins - Nenagh, Castlebar and Tralee earned him a six point lead over Maguire, who was runner-up on the same three events.  Then, on the Circuit of Munster, Elliott went off the road on the final stage and Maguire took victory and the maximum haul of Dunlop points. Ever since, Elliott has trailed the Monaghan driver, but victories in Sligo and Clonmel has seen him regain his confidence and edge closer to back to back Dunlop titles.

Meanwhile, for Maguire, a former triple national champion, victory in Galway is almost a pre-requisite, unless of course Elliott fails to finish.  Just like 2008, there's been precious little between the title chasing pair, but the Monaghan man knows his title rival has the advantage at this point of the season.

Dunlop National Championship regular, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), seeded at number three, will try and regain his third place championship position in Galway.  Maguire will be hoping that the Maynooth driver could split himself and Elliott to boost his own title ambitions.

Fermanagh's, Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi), who is third overall in the series, also leads the race for the Patterson's RallyNews Group N award.  He is involved in a terrific tussle with Cork's, Kevin Kelleher, also in a Mitsubishi.  Although he has a 14-point advantage, the situation is much closer if dropped scores were applied.  Indeed, both drivers would have equal points reflecting the intensity of the chase for supremacy.  Meanwhile, other Group N title rivals like Eamonn Daly and Thomas Fitzmaurice are also amongst the top ten in Galway.

Leader of the inaugural rally.ie award (for two wheel drive cars), Mike Quinn (Escort) should be able to consolidate his championship lead with Galway's, Neil Pierce (Honda Civic) his nearest opposition over the nine stage encounter.

It's possible for a number of drivers to clinch class wins in the Dunlop series in Galway, those in contention include Kenneth MacHale in Class 1; Mark Kane (Class 6) and Shane Maguire (Class 10).

Aside from Mike Bird (Subaru WRC), a strong Galway entry also features John Spain (Toyota Celica), Tom Curley (Mitsubishi), Thomas Cahill (Mitsubishi), Tom Flaherty (Ford Escort), Patrick Cunningham (Honda Civic), the aforementioned Neil Pierce (Honda Civic), Pat Kelly (Subaru), Peter Howley (Toyota Starlet), Richard Burke (Subaru) and current Billy Coleman award winner, Ross Forde.

Media Sign On:

Posted: August 27, 2009 4:20 PM

The Media sign on will be in the Raheen Woods Hotel Athenry.

Media office will be open for media sign in on Saturday in the Purple Lounge of from 8am until 12noon and 3pm until 6pm.

Media office will be open for media sign in on Sunday from 8am until 9am.

A deposit of €20 must be paid at sign on and will be refunded on return of your official bib.

All media must be affiliated to Motorsport Ireland and show identification and should not be accompanied by any person under 18 years of age.

Rally Programme Outlets

Posted: August 27, 2009 1:06 PM

Programme Outlets

Time and Distance Schedule, Scrutiny Times, Map of Scrutiny & Trailer Park, Service Park Information, Final Instructions 1

Posted: August 27, 2009 1:03 PM

Time and Distance Schedule

Scrutiny Times

Map of Scrutiny & Trailer Park

Service Park Information

Final Instructions 1

Entry List Updates / Final Instructions on

Posted: August 23, 2009 2:10 PM

Entry List Updates and Final Instructions on:

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Entry Lists

Posted: August 21, 2009 11:27 AM

Entry List - Main Field

Entry List - Minis

Entry List - Juniors

Posted: August 21, 2009 11:21 AM

Denis Murphy, Vice President, Galway Motor Club
County Mayor Cllr.Tom McHugh
Cllr. Mary Hoade
Victor Farrell, Clerk Of The Course, Galway Motor Club
Honorary Member of Galway Motor Club -Dr. Eamon John Sullivan
Photo: Dermot Kelleher

Mór Oil Galway Summer Rally 2009 Launched

Posted: August 12, 2009 3:18 PM

The official launch of the Mór Oil Galway Summer Rally 2009, was held in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, on Friday August 7th. A large number of guests from the local Galway area and the world of motorsport, were in attendance to hear Victor Farrell, the Clerk of the Course and Martin Kearney Managing Director of title sponsors, Mór Oil, announce details of the upcoming event. Martin Kearney wishes the club and organisers all the best and noted how delighted he is to be involved.

The county Mayor Tom McHugh and Councillor Mary Hoade were also in attendance on the night. Tom stated that he looks forward to the event and was delighted that the event is going into the Headford area.

The rally takes place on Sunday 30th of August 2009 and will have its administrative headquarters in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co. Galway. The rally gets underway with a Ceremonial Start at the hotel on the Sunday morning, which is always a fantastic occasion and a great opportunity to see the top cars and teams before they hit the stages. There will be a single location for centralised service on the day beside the Trading Post outside Headford on the main Galway to Headford Road. Mechanical scrutiny will take place on Saturday 29th of August between 14.00 and 20.00 in the Raheen Industrial Estate in Athenry and Parc Ferme will be at the Raheen Woods Hotel beside it. The organisers are confident that a single location will lead to a considerable reduction in traffic movements over the weekend.

There are 9 challenging and demanding stages awaiting the competitors. There will be 3 stages and each will be run 3 times, with 2 visits to service at the Trading Post during the day and the winning cars will return to the finish ramp in the Raheen Woods hotel on Sunday evening.

2007 Billy Coleman award winner Keith Cronin attended the launch.

A full entry list will be published after entries have closed. For further updates, including official Rally Programme outlets, please check the Galway Motor Club website at

• Galway Motor Club

Rally Launch - (Fri) 7 Aug 09

Posted: July 31, 2009 3:51 PM

Galway Motor Club is delighted to announce details of the Launch night details for the 2009 Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally. Clerk of the Course, Victor Farrell from Galway and the Organising Committee are very busy getting ready for this great 2009 event.

The official launch night for the event will be in the lovely Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry once again. It will take place on Friday the 7th of August and all are welcome to come along and welcome our new event sponsor Mor Oil.

Event Regulations and entry forms are available now on the club website

The event facilities will be based once again around the Athenry area all within easy access of the Hotel, which will be Parc Ferme once again. More information on the route and schedules will be available at the launch night.

The rally itself takes place on Sunday August 30th with a very compact three stage loop chosen. Each stage will be repeated three times. This year’s event is round 8 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship & Round 4 of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship.

• Galway Motor Club

Posted: July 31, 2009 3:49 PM

At The Announcement of the Galway Summer Rally 2009 new sponsorship deal were
Victor Farrell (Clerk Of the Course) and Alan Kearney Sponsor Mor Oil Ltd,
Photo: by Reg Gordon

Mini 50 Celebration Rally in Galway Stages

Posted: July 30, 2009 3:38 PM

As 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Mini, Galway Motor Club have decided to run the first ever Mini only rally within the Galway summer Stages on August 30th.

The Minis will battle it out at the end of the national event, just ahead of the Juniors over the last 5 stages of the rally. Already many top Mini drivers have shown keen interest in entering the rally, all looking forward to competing against fellow mini enthusiasts. It promises to be entertaining for both competitors and spectators alike.

• Galway Motor Club

Regulations available

Posted: July 26, 2009 12:59 PM

• Galway Motor Club

Mór Oil to sponsor the 2009 Galway Summer Rally

Posted: July 21, 2009 9:26 PM

Galway Motor Club are delighted to announce that Mor Oil Ltd are the sponsors of the 2009 Galway Summer Rally.

Regulations and more details available shortly

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

• Galway Motor Club