5th Overall, Class 3 Winner and Top Two Wheel Drive was the marker laid down by Craig Breen on last weekend’s Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally his final warm-up event before the commencement of the FIA WRC Academy at the end of the month. Breen was in the Motorsport limelight the evening before the event as he appeared on RTE Television's The Daily Show. Breen filmed a piece for the show with ex Irish Boxer Bernard Dunne but it was Breen pulling the punches last Saturday when he got back to business in preparation for the WRC Academy.
Out on gravel stages for the second time in eight days but as Craig returned to home ground in Carrick on Suir his misfortune at the Sunseeker was put quickly behind him as he stepped up his preparation for Portugal. The six stage event got underway on Saturday afternoon with the first of six stages at 3pm. The opening loop was completed in daylight. Craig was joined by current BRC champion co driver Barry McNulty calling the notes as his usual navigator, Welsh man Gareth Roberts had work commitments. Breen in Keltech Fiesta R2 settled in over the opening loop of three stages and was in a very relaxed mood at the mid-point service. Over the second loop, which was covered in darkness, Craig set three fastest times in his class and on the final stage was only four seconds off the best time on the test. After the event Craig said “I’m very happy with my preparation ahead of the start of the academy championship. WRC Sweden now seems along time ago. I’m delighted with my transition back to front wheel drive. Rallye Sunseeker was tricky in the wet conditions but today’s event here in Carrick was just what I needed. Over the next week I’ll be concentrating on my fitness as well as putting the final touches to my new website. I’m also looking forward to my new column in Carsport Magazine which is due for release this week.”
Last week Craig completed a three-day FIA WRC Academy Induction Programme at M-Sport in Cumbria. In total thirty four drivers attended the event which covered technical briefings on the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car and Pirelli tyres. The induction programme also included classroom tutorials on topics including professionalism, goal setting, media, nutrition and fitness.
TWO ON THE TROT FOR MURPHY-O’BRIEN COMBO
Posted: May 31, 2011 11:52 AM
Owen Murphy and fellow Corkman James O’Brien strengthened their grip in this year’s Valvoline Forest Rally Championship with a finely judged victory on last weekend’s Wm Loughman Rally. Murphy led a trio of Mitsubishi Evo 9’s across the winning line, 14 seconds ahead of Monaghan’s Vincent Mc Aree who in turn had a 4 second margin on Liam Ryan from Cashel . Murphy now has a 7 point lead in the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship ahead of McAree,the 2009 Junior Forest Champion.
Based in Carrick-on-Suir, the Loughman rally- round two of the Valvoline series-consisted of two loops of three stages, the first loop on Saturday afternoon with the repeat visits under the cover of darkness in the evening.
Fastest out of the box was Jeremy Drislane who used the power of his Impreza WRC to claim fastest on the first stage at Kilsheelin. A spin on the second relegated him to fourth for the rest of the rally. Murphy went fastest on the second, with a time that moved him into a lead that he would never surrender. Liam Ryan was the chaser and with good times in Gurteen and Anner he was second overall at first service, 46 behind Murphy and seventeen ahead of McAree. With the spot lights on the crews headed back to Kilsheelin, Gorteen and Anner. Mc Aree was the main mover, putting his night nav experience to good use by winning the three stages and this was enough to claim second place from the Tipp man by 4 seconds.
As expected Craig Breen was a firm favourite with the spectators in the Fiesta R2, the Waterford man was 5th overall and winner of class3. A member of the Carrick club he has not registered for the Championship, and he was using the rally as a continuing build up for the BRC and WRC Academy Championships.
Results
Posted: May 31, 2011 11:51 AM
1 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 00s,
2 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 13s,
3 Liam Ryan/Aidan Bourke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 17s,
4 Jeremy Drislane/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 35m 54s,
5 Craig Breen/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta R2) 36m 12s,
6 Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 37m 26s,
7 Paul Fitzgerald/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort 1.6 16V) 37m 36s,
8 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Gp N) 37m 56s,
9 Michael Cuddihy/James Dunphy (Toyota Starlet RWD) 38m 19s,
10 Sarah Moynihan/Amy Moynihan (Mitsubishi Impreza N11 Gp N) 38m 23s.
Leaders After:
SS1 Jeremy Drislane/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2-6 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
Stage Winners
SS1 Jeremy Drislane/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3 Jeremy Drislane/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS5 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS6 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
Owen Murphy / James O Brien are ready for round 2 of the VALVOLINE FOREST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP the Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally. Driving the Hankook Mitsubishi the Cork crew are hungry for another good result after a great win on Round 1 of the series a few weeks ago.
It was in Carrick On Suir in 2006 that Owen first really burst on to the rally scene seeded a lowly 25 the young teenager from Ballincollig shocked the establishment with his turn of speed and was lying 2nd going into the first service battling with one of the legends of Irish Rallying Kenny McKinstry. Owen in the end finished second and a great result that netted 3 fastest stage times against the mighty WRC car of McKinstry. Owen later went on to win GpN in the championship and the Billy Coleman award in 2006.
This year the Carrick-On-Suir Club have added a twist to their rally they are running 3 stages in the day and three stages in the dark. This will be a shock to many drivers who have never driven at night at full tilt.
Owen said I had one of my best ever rally’s here in 2006 it was a super days rallying for me and I always wanted to come back and give this rally a proper go, this is one of the classic events of the championship and with the night time stages it’s a twist for Irish rallying ,I have rallied in the dark before so hopefully that will stand to me.
The Hankook Mitsubishi has had a spanner check and all seems well so if you want to see action get down to Carrick-On-Suir on Saturday afternoon when the battle resumes for round 2 of the VALVOLINE FOREST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Associate sponsors include
The Killumney Inn , Nyhan Motors , Walsh Printers Clonakilty, Ger Leahy Photography,
Preview - VALVOLINE FOREST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO
Posted: March 2, 2011 3:51 PM
This weekend’s Wm Loughman rally is counting round number two of the Valvoline Forest National Rally Championship and another great event is anticipated. Organised and promoted by Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club, the rally is based in Carrick-on-Suir with the HQ at the Carraig hotel. Barry Duggan is Clerk of the Course once again and he is happy to report that all six stages are in excellent order. The 2011 rally moves from its traditional Sunday format to a "Saturday Single Day Event". Scrutiny takes place on the morning of Sat 5th and the rally action then gets underway in the afternoon. The first loop of three stages commences at 15:00 and it will be repeated under the cover of darkness from 19:00, with the winner on the podium at 20:10.
The club have got a fine entry and the intense competition that featured on round one in Mitchelstown is set to be repeated with John Reid, Owen Murphy and Andrew Purcell the top seeds. This trio had a huge battle in Mitchelstown, never more than 15 seconds apart. On the last stage however, leading driver Reid spun and finished second. Purcell retired off the stage and Murphy went to win his first rally. Once again the 2WD section will be very competitive and promises to be another Escort v Starlet battle with James Coleman and Shay Power vying with Shane McGirr and Mick Cuddihy. Local driver Craig Breen drives his Fiesta R2 and it will be fascinating to see how he copes with the challenge of Alastair Fisher in a similar car. Fisher finished 7th in Mitchelstown, and both drivers are using the Carrick event as a shakedown for the WRC Academy series. Fifty crews have entered Carrick, and the unique challenge of the racing in the darkness is likely to spring a surprise or two.
After round 1 of the Valvoline championship, Owen Murphy leads with 21 points ahead of John Reid and Frank Kelly on 19 and 18 respectively. In the 2WD category, Frank Kelly has 21 points with Shane Mc Girr 19 and James Coleman 18.
Seeded Entry List
Posted: March 2, 2011 11:44 AM
CAR NO DRIVER /NAVAGITOR (CAR) [CLASS]
1 John Reid/Enda Sheilds (Toyota Corolla WRC ) [7]
2 Owen Murphy /James O Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [8]
3 Andrew Purcell/Brian Daniels (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6) [6]
4 Ian Cochrane/Ray Fitzpatrick (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [8]
5 Jeremy Drislane/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
6 Liam Ryan/Aidan Bourke (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [8]
7 Vincent McRee/Jp McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [8]
8 Sarah Moynihan/Amy Moynahan (Subaru Impreza N11) [8]
9 James Coleman/Micheal Hayley (Escort Mk11) [5]
10 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Ford Fiesta R2) [3]
11 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta R2) [3]
12 Shay Power/John Rafter (Escort) [5]
13 Michael Cuddihy/James Dunphy (Starlet) [3]
14 Shane McGirr/Pierce Doheny (Starlet) [3]
15 Paul Fitzgerald/Kaye Shanahan (Escort Mk 11) [3]
16 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Lancer EVO 8) [8]
17 Patsy Keenan/Martin Brady (Lancer) [8]
18 Connie Delaney/Ray Grace (Impreza) [6]
19 Mark Murphy /Carol O Keeffe (Impreza) [6]
20 Jer Connors/Owen O Neil (Impreza) [8]
21 Pat Price/Patrick Price (Lancer EVO 6) [6]
22 Bob Scanlon/Frank Dwyer (Lancer EVO X) [8]
23 Mick Cremin/James O Shea (Lancer EVO ) [6]
24 Paul McMahon/Kieren Brennan (Impreza) [6]
25 Matt Shinnors/Cathrine Levis (Escort) [3]
26 Alan Commins/James Commins (Escort) [4]
27 Ray Benskin Jnr/Ollie Kierce (Escort RS 2000) [4]
28 Ray Benskin/Peader Walsh (Escort Mk 11) [4]
29 Seamus Anderson/Lisa Knox (Escort Mk11) [4]
30 Ed Colton/Claire O Mahoney (306) [5]
31 Steven Wright/ () []
32 Trevor Hutton/Tristen Hutton (Lancer EVO 8) [6]
33 Barry Driver/Derek Driver (Sunny) [6]
34 Noel Wade/ (Escort) [3]
35 Paschal O Shea/Robbie Henessey (Escort) [3]
36 Paul Quinlin/Thomas Cuddihy (Sunbeam) [4]
37 Sean Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon (Escort Mk11) [4]
38 Jason Kelly/ (106) [3]
39 Emmet Watchorn/John Hade (106) [3]
40 Daire Murphy /Ger Britt (Civic) [3]
41 Gemma Kerley/Lynn Martin (Corolla) [3]
101 Andrew Fanning/Paddy King (Ka) [1]
102 Emmet Cronin/Richie Long (Escort) [1]
103 Michael Nevin/Micheal Gerahy (Escort Mk11) [2]
104 Tristan Horan/Ronan Shanahan (Ka) [1]
105 Derek Butler/Diarmuid O Shea (Civic) [9]
106 Liam Kelleher/Patrick Meade (Escort Mk11) [2]
107 Joe Shinnors/Derry Healy (Nova) [1]
108 Douglas Stewart/Billy Ryan (206) [9]
109 Ian Downey/ (Corsa) [9]
110 Simon Reid/Philip Heery (Civic) [9]
111 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort Mk 1) [2]
112 Alan Keena/Fionnula Maloney (Civic) [9]
113 Michael Ryan/Kieran Carol (206) [9]
114 Edward Mcnamara/James Duggan (Sunny) [1]
Full Entry Refund - Daire Murphy - Ger Brett
Half Entry Refund - Shane McGirr- Pierce Doheny Jnr
B+B Carraig Hotel - Vincent McAree - JP McAree
ENTRIES have topped the 40 mark and its now looking like a bumper lineup for Saturday the 5th. As well as Shane McGirr and his Co driver Carrick Club member Pierce Doheny Jnr, a second Starlet has now joined the party as Michael Cuddihy's entry came in. This year Michael is partnered by James Dunphy. James was in contact with Club PRO Trevor McGrath during the week and reported he enjoyed his day in Mitchelstown in the Orange Starlet. James stated "The Starlet is not easy to pilot but Mick does a great job and as we move to Carrick we are on Home ground and I can't wait". Another interesting entry now on the list is that of Co. Tyrones, Alastair Fisher. Fisher is out again in his Fiesta R2 as he gains more valuable time in the car in preparation for the FIA WRC Academy. Another driver who was in contact with Trevor was 2010 Triton Showers Champion Andrew Fanning, Andrew suffered problems on the opening round but with his car now ready for more action the Ford Kia man will be in Carrick next weekend. Rounding off the latest update are as we can see from the incentive winners Vincent McAree, who is out in an EVO 9 and MK 11 men Ray Benskin and Paul Fitzgerald.
Update
Posted: March 1, 2011 10:18 AM
Round two of the Valvoline National Forestry Rally Championship is NOW just over a week away and Barry Duggan (COC) reports that he and his team were out surveying each of the three STAGES for this years event at the weekend and all are in PERFECT condition. Barry was out again last week accompanying Killian Duffy as he carried out his Pacenote making, Killian stated that "The loop of three stages will be a fine test to all the competitors and the SURFACE is ideal." This comment was echoed by Brian Patterson who was also out on the stages.
Entries already include, Overall winner of round one Owen Murphy, Reigning Carrick MC Champion Seamus Anderson, and Dubliner Bob Scanlon.
The club would also like to underline that they will be taking ENTRIES UP UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT.
Event Poster
Posted: February 18, 2011 2:36 PM
Regulations / Details
Posted: February 7, 2011 10:30 PM
This Year's Willie Loughman’s Forestry Rally Returns to the Dark. In 2008 Terence Kearney introduced the competitors to Night Stages with the event starting in the early hours and the 2011 event again sees a return of "NIGHT STAGES" as this year's six stage event will have three special stages in Darkness.
A tough season is expected this year in Motorsport but the Carrick on Suir Motor Club are always to the forefront in pushing new boundaries and forging new ground. The same can be said about Barry Duggan Clerk of the Course for years Willie Loughman Forestry Rally. Barry takes charge for his second time after calling the shots on a very successful event twelve months ago. For 2011, Barry will push the envelope as he intends to streamline the rally down to a "Saturday Single Day Event". The event this year forms the second round of the Valvoline National Forestry Championship. The one rally moves this year from its usual Sunday format to a new all in one day scrutiny and rally on the Saturday. Competitors will arrive on Saturday morning the 5th of March for mechanical/paper scrutiny, the rally action then gets underway in the afternoon with the first of six stages getting off the startling at approximately 3pm. The first loop will be completed in daylight but the second loop will see darkness fall and the competitors will have to adapt to the conditions.
• Rally Base: Carraig Hotel, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary.
• 60 Kms Covering 6 Special Stages, total road distance 116
• Club Include Class 10 for Historic Cars
• Early Entry Incentive Package.
• Centralized Scrutiny and Service.
• Scrutiny Saturday March 5th - 0900 – 1200 hrs located in Mill River Business Park Carrick on Suir
• Documentation 0930 hrs – 1230 hrs Carraig Hotel, Rally HQ
• Drivers Briefing Saturday March 5th 2011 @ 1330hrs (Compulsory for all crews)
• First Car @ 1430hrs
• First Car Finish @ 2010hrs
Early Entry Incentive Package Draw: This Year's Early Entry Incentive Package Include
• B+B for two People in the Carraig Hotel, Rally HQ on Friday Night the 4th of March or Saturday Night the 5th of March.
• Full Entry Refund
• €225 Refund of Entry Fee
Competitors who want to avail of the Early Entry Incentive Package MUST have the Entry In by the Event Closing Date: Friday 25th of February 2011
The 2011 Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally will take place on Saturday 5th of March.
Scrutiny will be on Saturday Morning.
Rally will start on Saturday Afternoon, with the final loop of stages taking place in the dark!
Regulations and more details available shortly.
News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
Links
Upcoming 
Most