Carrick-on-Suir Wm.Loughman Forestry Rally - 7 Mar 10

O’Connell/Wiley Make it Two in a row on Willie Loughman

Posted: March 12, 2010 10:03 AM

Sunday 7th March, Victory on the Willie Loughman Forestry Rally for Pat O’Connell, as the Cashel driver secures his second win in a row and extends his lead in the Petro Systems National Forestry Championship. At the rally finish ramp at the Carraig Hotel, Carrick on Suir, Pat and co driver Mark Wiley were delighted to clench their second win. “I knew this was going to be a very tough event. I only got my first win few weeks ago in Mitchelstown and now it’s great to back that up with victory here in Carrick on Suir. We were pushed all the way by John Reid and there was only a handful of seconds with two stages to go but we pulled out the stops on the second run over the Curteen stage.”

The six stage event got under way near the village of Ahenny on Sunday morning at 9.45 am. O’Connell (Mitsubishi EVO 9) the championship leader after round one set the pace by winning the stage (2.48) by 1 second from John Reid in the Toyota Corolla WRC and Jeremy Drislane (EVO 6) who both set 2.49. Rounding off the top five were Ian Cochrane (EVO 9) in fourth and the Moynihan sisters Sarah and Amy in their EVO 8. The pre-event favourite on his home event Andrew Purcell in the Derek Jobb backed Mitsubishi EVO 9 only got 3 Kms into the initial stage when the engine cried enough. Purcell and co driver Brian Daniels did manage to drive the car out of the stage but found oil pouring out of the sump and retired the car on the road section. Both were devastated as the pair were non finishers in Mitchelstown and now their championship aspirations look bleak.

After knocking the cobwebs off on the opener the competitors took on the famous Anner test. The layout of this year’s stage had the car’s enter the wood and turn right, meaning the start would be downhill for the first 2 Kms of the stage leading to the first section of hairpins near “Boherboy”. John Reid set the benchmark of 4.59 and O’Connell was one second back which saw the two drivers equal on time after two stages. Ian Cochrane slotted in at third with a time of 8.00 minutes and in fourth came yet another Mitsubishi, this time the EVO 6 of Jeremy Drislane on 8.05. In fifth came the two girls from Mallow in the EVO 8 after completing Anner in 5.12 giving them a total for the two stages of 8.07. This was the last we were to see of Sarah and Amy as their Mitsubishi hit throttle problems on stage three. Completing the first loop was the daunting 20 Kms of the Gurteen Complex. The stage started in side the forestry entrance near Kilsheelan and as the crow would fly the finish was only 2.6 Kms away at Glanpatrick Bridge, but the competitors were required to traverse the numerous internal road network which makes up one of the most challenging gravel stages in Ireland. O’Connell laid down his first marker over the stage as he pulled out 8 seconds of a lead on Reid. O’Connell’s time for the stage was 13.23; Reid on the other hand set 23.31 but was lucky to make the finish as he nearly rolled the car on the downhill hairpin at Boola Bridge. Ian Cochrane still held third after setting 14.10. On the move in Gurteen were Enda McNulty as he took fourth and John McLaughlin. Jeremy Drislane was the one to suffer as he set 15.03.

With the mid rally service over the crews returned to Anner for the second run. Reid was first into the stage and set a time of 5.01, two seconds slower than his first attempt. O’Connell was next and with his red EVO 9 on full song he bettered his first time by 3 seconds setting 4.57 and taking another 4 out of Reid. O’Connell’s lead was now up to 12 seconds but Gurteen 2 came next. Every rally has a defining stage and the second run over Gurteen was to prove pivotal. O’Connell put the hammer down over the 20 Kms and as he reached the stop car at the end he had increased his advantage by another 23 seconds putting him in a commanding position with only the final stage remaining. With Gurteen completed for the second time Subaru driver Enda McNulty move up to third on 41.24 and only 4 seconds separated Ian Cochrane in fourth and John McLaughlin in fifth.

The day was rounded off with a run over the Clondonnell forestry complex. The stage is defined by its land locked nature with only one access road. O’Connell took the sensible approach and controlled his driving just to finish the stage; Reid on the other hand pushed right to the end and was 3 seconds faster then the EVO man. As the cars made their way back to the finish ramp in Carrick on Suir O’Connell partnered by Mark Wiley had a 32 seconds to spare over the Dubliner in Corolla WRC. The result strengths his championship lead going into round three in Birr on Easter Sunday. Taking the last place on the podium was Enda McNulty and in fourth was John McLaughlin. Ian Cochrane looked to have picked up fifth place but having missed a time control earlier in the day he was disqualified, this elevated Jeremy Drislane to fifth overall.

2 Wheel Drive: The expected class battles in the two wheel drive categories did not materialize as James Coleman, Alan Commins and Moss Fitzgerald all went out after two stages. Ray Benskin and Matt Shinnors then followed on stage four. This was made up for with the battle between Michael Cuddihy and Shane McGirr both driving Toyota Starlets in class 3. Cuddihy opened his account with 2.59 on the first stage. McGirr from Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone set 3.02 just three seconds of the pace. Then on the Anner, Cuddihy’s home advantage as he live in the shade of the trees beside the stage shone through as he took 12 seconds from the northern driver, putting him 15 up going into the first run over Gurteen.

McGirr also had local knowledge on his side as his co driver Pierce Doheny Jnr is a Carrick Motor Club member and the Gurteen complex was well known to him. Over the 20 Kms there was plenty of sideways action from both drivers and by the end McGirr had cut the deficit to just one second, stopping the clock at 14.26, Cuddihy set 14.40 and both crews were happy with their respective performances over the opening loop.

There was only one service during the rally and with this out of the way the battle resumed with a repeat of the Anner. This time it was the blue Starlet of McGirr that punched in the quickest time by 2 seconds and took the lead from Cuddihy on his doorstep. So on to the penultimate stage of Gurteen. The two drivers went for it 100%, but both hit problems. Cuddihy picked up a puncture in the final third but kept pushing right to the end and set a time of 14.50, 10 seconds slower than his first attempt. After making the journey down from Tyrone and entertaining the crowds McGirr’s day ended with drive shaft failure. He did make it to the finish of Gurteen and set the same time as Cuddihy but his rally was over. Both Shane and Pierce were devastated after a great fight and pushed the little car to the limit. Cuddihy on the other hand had time to change the offending flat tyre and went on claim the class win after the final Clondonnell stage, take sixth overall and top wheel drive. He was delighted at the finish ramp stating “We were pushed all the way by Shane and Pierce. It would have been a great fight if it went down to the wire but I’m thrilled to get the class win and to finish sixth overall is the icing on the cake”.

Club Members Results throughout the Classes:
Fourth in Class 1 and Winners of the Ladies Award Gemma Kerley and Chloe Commins.
Paul Quinlan and Thomas Cuddihy Third in Class 2.
Pascal O’Shea and Robert Hennessy Fifth in Class 3.
Shay Power and Johnny Rafter Winners of Class 5.
James Dunphy and JP Ruth Winners of Class 9.

Clerk of the Course Barry Buggan would like to extend his gratitude to all who helped make the rally a great success and thank all the competitors for supporting the event.

Pat O’Connell wins Carrick and extends his championship lead

Posted: March 12, 2010 9:17 AM

Pat O’Connell made it a two wins from two starts when he won last weekends Willie Loughman Memorial rally, round two of the Petro Systems National Forest Championship. O’Connell who won the opening round in Mitchelstown last month was at the wheel of his Mitsubishi Evo 9. He lead from start to finish and had a winning margin of thirty two seconds. The Cashel man was fastest driver on four of the six stages, and his latest victory extends his lead in the forest championship to four points.

Second overall for the second time running and now second in the championship was John Reid. The Dubliner was driving his Toyota Corolla WRC and he shared the lead with O’Connell after two stages, but he was unable to keep pace with the Tipp man on the long stages in Gurteen wood. Reid had two fastest times.

Enda Mc Nulty, from Tyrone captured the last place on the podium. Driving a Subaru Impeza he impressed with a steady drive to third.

Fourth overall was captured by John Mc Laughlin who also won Group N in his Evo9, followed home by Jeremy Drislane in a similar car who won class six.

Local driver Mick Cuddihy was claimed sixth in the giant killing Toyota Starlet. Cuddihy won class three and was first two wheel drive car home. The rest of the top ten was filled by Christy Carey (Evo 9), Mark Donnelly (C2R2 Maxi), Nigel Creagh (Escort Mk 2) and Timmy England (Evo 5).

The Willie Loughman rally was a six stage event and it was hosted by Carrick-on Suir MC, with a base in Carrick- on- Suir. It ran very well thanks to the diligence of Barry Duggan COC and his team of volunteers. There was a total stage distance of 68km, spread over six stages. Carrick classics Anner and Gurteen were visited twice while the shorter stages of Ahenny and Clondonnel had one visit.

A total of fifty three crews started the rally, and thirty completed the course. The principal retirements were Andrew Purcell (engine) Martin Cairns (gearbox) James Coleman (accident), Sarah Moynihan (mechanical) and Vincent Mc Aree (accident).

Successful test on Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally for Breen

Posted: March 8, 2010 9:47 PM

Craig and the team report that taking part in his home Club Forestry Rally proved to be a very productive outing. After completing nearly 70 Kms of gravel stages in the Wm. Loughman forestry Rally Craig now feels he has a good package looking forward to the Bulldog International on the 27th of March.

Craig’s comments after the event:
“I’m very pleased with today's work. Using the forestry rally gave the test session a competitive edge and comparing my times with that of the Mitsubishi group N cars gave us a benchmark.
I started slowly on the first stage and was five seconds down on Pat O’Connell but form that point forward I picked up my pace. If this were a typical test session we would be using the same length of stage for the full day but by taking part in the rally we only repeated two stages. One of these was the 20km’s of Curteen. Over the first run we set a good time but on the second run I pushed hard and cut 21 seconds off our previous time. The variation of all the stages gave us a grounding looking ahead to the Bulldog and the only major change I can foresee is the weather.”

The team now heads to Claremorris, Co. Mayo next weekend for the Mayo Stages. The event being held next Sunday the 14th is the second round of the Dunlop National Tarmac Championship. Craig will use the one day rally as a tarmac test in preparation

Craig:
“After testing this weekend on gravel, I’m now looking forward to getting a comprehensive tarmac setup in place for the Circuit of Ireland. The stages on the Circuit will have different characteristics from those of Galway, so it will be important to (A) Get some more time in the car on tarmac and (B) nail down a setup that will keep our championship aspirations going”

More Details:

Craig Breen Foundation

Posted: March 8, 2010 9:43 PM

2wd Winners - Michael Cuddihy/Richie Coady

More Photos

Posted: March 8, 2010 8:53 AM

Joe Lane Photos
M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)
John Bayly (www.rallyfile.com)

Full Results

Posted: March 8, 2010 8:44 AM

1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 43m 49s,
2 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC) 44m 01s,
3 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Subaru Impreza) 45m 44s,
4 John McLaughlin/Ray Fitzpatrick (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 45m 59s,
5 Jeremy Drislane/Liam McLaughlin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 47m 20s,
6 Michael Cuddihy/Richie Coady (Toyota Starlet) 47m 40s,
7 Christy Carey/Anthony Nestor (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 48m 02s,
8 Mark Donnelly/Paddy Robinson (Citroen C2R2) 48m 24s,
9 Nigel Creagh/Sean Kiernan (Ford Escort) 48m 41s,
10 Timmy England/Eoghan Fogarty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 Gp N) 48m 53s.

Leader After
SS1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS2 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC)
& Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3-6 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS2 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS5 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS6 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Carrick_Forestry_Wm_Loughman2010FinalResults.xls

HANS Incentive for Northern & UK Competitors for Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally

Posted: March 5, 2010 12:01 PM

Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club are delighted to announce the supply of HANS units to any Northern or UK competitors FREE OF CHARGE for this weekends rally.

Any Northern or UK competitors not currently entered in the rally can avail of this offer.

Competitors wishing to enter the rally and avail of this special offer please contacting 00353-51-640000 or 00353-87-2276699, to provide you with a voucher number which you must produce to CCS Race N Rally who will be at the event Scrutiny area .

Please book your free HANS unit in advance with CCS Race N Rally by contacting 00353-61-718766 or 00353-87-2525453

Final Instructions / Time & Distance

Posted: March 4, 2010 5:45 PM

Final Instruction 1 and Time Schedule uploaded to club Site.

There will be no Postage of Final Instructions because the Club are still taking late entries.

• Carrick on Suir Motor Club

Craig Breen Rallying set for gravel test before BRC assault

Posted: March 3, 2010 5:14 PM

Craig opened the year with a fantastic second overall in the West of Ireland at the Galway International Rally, the team will now focus on their second championship campaign for 2010 as Craig mounts his challenge for glory in the British Rally Championship.

Following a four week break Craig will now begin a month of intense action during March and early April. In preparation for the opening round of the British Rally Championship (The Bulldog International Rally North Wales) and the second round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (The Circuit of Ireland), Craig will use two events as test sessions to fine tune the “Kick Energy” Ford Fiesta Super 2000.

Up first is his home forestry event in Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary the Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally, then a week later Craig and the team will make the trip to Claremorris for the Mayo Stages Rally.

Craig on getting back behind the wheel for his next outing,
“After four weeks away from competition I need to get some competitive miles on the car and to bring myself back up to peak performance before the beginning of the BRC. I have been testing an S2000 over the intervening weeks as part of my job at M-Sport but it wasn’t my car and there’s nothing like the heat of battle to get the blood pumping. The stages for the Wm. Loughman are some of the best gravel tests in Ireland and the main aim of the team is to have a good gravel package for the Bulldog. I also want to fine tune my tarmac setup for the Circuit of Ireland and that’s why we’re taking in the Mayo Stages. The Circuit will be as tough as usual and the stages will be faster than Galway so it’s important to get a competitive event in before we head there”.

March and early April Schedule:
Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally 7th March
Mayo Stages 14th March
Bulldog International Rally North Wales 27th March
Circuit of Ireland 2nd – 4th April

Entry List Available

Posted: March 3, 2010 8:36 AM

On Club website Click on "EVENT"

• Carrick on Suir Motor Club

Entry List / Final Instructions to be Published on Wednesday Night

Posted: March 2, 2010 3:47 PM

As the Club are still in the process of taking entries for the event. Final Instruction and the Rally Entry List will now be available from Wednesday evening the 3rd of March 2010.

• Carrick on Suir Motor Club

Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship Round 2 Preview - Carrick on Suir

Posted: March 1, 2010 8:39 PM

Round two of this years Petro Systems Irish Forest Rally Championship moves to Carrick-on- Suir for this weekends Wm Loughman Forestry Rally. Organised and Promoted by Carrick on Suir Motor Club, the rally is based in Carrick-on- Suir with the rally head quarters at the Carraig hotel.

Barry Duggan steps up this year as Clerk of the Course and he would like to welcome competitors, officials and spectators to the Club’s first rally of the year. Barry and his event team have been working hard over the winter months in preparation and can now announce that the event will feature four stage locations, two of which will be repeated and two will be covered once with a total stage distance of 68km. Road distance is approximately 114 km.

The first car leaves Carrick at 09.30 and the winner will be on the podium at 15.40.

While entries are still available, the rally promises to be another big battle between Pat O’ Connell and Andrew Purcell who excited the fans on round one in Mitchelstown. Purcell set the pace on the Tipp M.C. event until he experienced brake problems which forced him over maximum lateness.

O’Connell who was the championship runner up last year went on to win his first rally and will bring huge confidence to the start ramp on Sunday. There promises to be a fine representation of Escort Mk2’s and we can look forward to them power sliding their way around the course. On what is his home forestry rally, Criag Breen is expected to run as '00' car in his Fiesta S2000. Breen is fresh from an excellent 2nd overall in last month’s Galway International and will be using the Carrick event as practice for the British rally Championship which starts later this month.

Prize Winners in the 2010 Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally Incentive Plan Draw

Posted: February 27, 2010 5:56 PM

To qualify for each Prize the Winners are required to start the event

Timmy England - 1st prize = Full Forestry entry refund
Declan Cuddy - 2nd prize = Free Entry for the 2010 Ravens Rock Rally.
Barry Driver - 3rd prize = Free Entry for the inaugural C.O.S MC Halloween Historic Stages Rally.
Shane McGirr - 4th prize = €125.00 refund on the Forestry entry.
Alan Dineen - 5th prize = €100.00 refund on the Forestry entry.
Frank Byrnes - 6th prize = Bed and breakfast for 2 people Saturday Night 6/03/2010 in Carrick-on-Suir.
Edward Cogan and John Treacy 7th prize = Free Carrick-on-Suir club Membership for 2011 for both Driver and Navigator.

Now with the draw completed the Club will still accept entries up to the date of the event but if prospective competitors want to be seeded on the official entry list they will be required to submit their entry by post on Tuesday the 2nd of March.

Reminder Closing Date for entries to be included in Incentive Draw - Friday 26th February

Posted: February 24, 2010 2:58 PM

Reminder Closing Date for entries to be included in Incentive Draw - Friday 26th February

Carrick on Suir Motor Club to offer 2010 Event Incentive Plan

Posted: February 21, 2010 10:43 PM

Carrick-on-Suir Motor club, one of the most competitor friendly clubs in the country in their 52nd year are as creative and helpful as ever.

During a recent Carrick-on-Suir Motor club meeting a proposal was put forward to encourage and help competitors for their 2010 events

Carrick on Suir Motor Club 2010 Event Incentive Plan

• Carrick-on-Suir MC is delighted to announce that Mick Bracken from On the Limit Sports will cover the Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally for TV plus DVD’s of the Rally will also be made available.
• All Entries for the Forest Rally received and paid by the closing date 26/02/10 will be entered into a draw for the following prizes.:

1st prize = Full Forestry entry refund.

2nd prize = Free Entry for the 2010 Ravens Rock Rally.

3rd prize = Free Entry for the inaugural C.O.S MC Halloween Historic Stages Rally.

4th prize = €125.00 refund on the Forestry entry.

5th prize = €100.00 refund on the Forestry entry.

6th prize = Bed and breakfast for 2 people Saturday 6/02/10 in Carrick-on-Suir.

7th prize = Free Carrick-on-Suir club Membership for 2011 for both Driver and Navigator.

• Special Introductory Entry Fee of €400 for those drivers young and not so young who have never competed in a forestry event before.

Whilst the closing date for the Forest Rally is 26/02/10 the club will however accept entries after this date but they will not be included in the draw.

Regulations and Entry Form in the Downloads section of:

• Carrick on Suir Motor Club

Craig Breen to '00' with Fiesta S2000

Posted: February 11, 2010 4:56 PM

On what is his home forestry rally, Criag Breen is expected to run as '00' car in his Fiesta S2000.

Regulations / Details

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

Format: 2 locations ran once each + 2 locations ran twice

Regulations and Entry Form in the Downloads section of:

• Carrick on Suir Motor Club