Kevin Barrett & Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) - SS9
MCNULTY GETS MÓR IN GALWAY - Report Courtesy of Dunlop Proud Sponsors of the Dunlop National Rally Championship 2011
Posted: August 30, 2011 5:44 PM
EVEN though they incurred a time penalty of one minute and 15 seconds, Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Subaru WRC), still emerged comfortable winners of the Mór Oil Galway Summer Rally, the seventh round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
Based at the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa, Loughrea, McNulty dominated the event and finished two minutes and 52 seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally. Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi) were third.
With an impressive start, McNulty gleamed a 14 second lead from the stage near Tynagh where Barrett was his closest rival – with Niall Maguire a further six behind in third. Group N contender, Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi) also made a bright opening to hold fourth in general classification and an eleven second lead over showroom rival, Shane Maguire (Subaru).
McNulty punched in the best times for the remaining stages of the loop and arrived at the Loughrea service halt with a lead of 27 seconds. The rally leader remarked that the stages were quite slippery and demanded good concentration. Meanwhile, Maguire slotted into second place and was particularly pleased with his performance through S.S. 3 where he was within five seconds of McNulty. Third placed Barrett lost significant time on the third test due to the state of the soft compound tyres on his Subaru WRC.
Moffett in fourth had a clean run with the exception of an incident on the second stage when he clipped a fence, luckily, his Mitsubishi was unscathed. James Stafford, thirteenth after the opening stage, made a good recovery on the second test but then lost second gear on the final stage of the opening loop. Shane Maguire moved into sixth and was followed by top local driver, Neil Pierce (Honda), Frank Kelly (Escort), Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi) and John McQuaid (Escort).
Liam McCarthy slid his Toyota Corolla out of the rally on S.S. 3. Others that failed to complete the opening loop included the Escort trio of Rodney Wilton, Declan Boyle and Adrian Hetherington.
Elsewhere, Washington James, in eleventh, lost time with brake troubles; Mike Quinn (Escort) had a slight altercation in trying to avoid the stricken Toyota of Liam McCarthy and Joe Connolly (Escort) lost time with a broken rear shock absorber.
The second loop brought several changes, the only position to remain unaltered was that of rally leader, Tim McNulty. Niall Maguire’s rally ended on the fourth stage when his Subaru WRC stopped with transmission woes while a puncture demoted Kevin Barrett to eighth place.
Although Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi) moved into second position after S.S. 4, he lost almost thirty seconds and second place (he dropped to fourth) following an incident on S.S. 5 when his Mitsubishi got stuck in a hedge.
At the penultimate service, McNulty led Moffett, who had regained second, the margin between them was two minutes and 45 seconds with Stafford just two seconds behind in third.
Fourth placed Shane Maguire (Subaru) was a little miffed at his time for S.S. 6, he reckoned he had driven at a very strong pace.
Wesley Patterson was the top Mk. 2 Escort driver, he had power steering troubles on the opening loop, he climbed to seventh with fellow Escort ace, Frank Kelly, 21 seconds behind. The top ten also featured Washington James (Darrian), who had sorted his brake troubles; John McQuaid (Escort) and Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi).
As the crews prepared to leave the service halt, McNulty’s car failed to fire up, his service crew worked anxiously to sort the problem but not before some five minutes had elapsed before the car fired into action.
The rally leader was unconcerned with the subsequent one minute and 15 second time penalty and began S.S. 7 with a lead of one minute and 30 seconds. Posting the three best times on the loop, he emerged a comfortable winner to maintain his unbeaten run in the Dunlop series. Barrett stalled on the start line of the penultimate test but did enough to take second. Moffett was cautious through the final stage to take his first podium finish of the season. Stafford was the top two-wheel drive performer, fellow Darrian ace Washington James dropped to twelfth after the rear suspension arm broke on the penultimate stage, he also had brake problems.
The Dunlop “Drive of the Day” award was won by Eamonn Dervan (Ford Escort). Non-starters included Colm Murphy (Subaru), his car developed engine troubles on the eve of the rally.
MCNULTY GOES WEST - Preview Courtesy of Dunlop Proud Sponsors of the Dunlop National Rally Championship 2011
Posted: August 30, 2011 10:45 AM
The Mór Galway Summer Rally on Sunday will provide Meath’s, Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) with an opportunity to strengthen his bid to win the Dunlop National Rally Championship. The nine stage rally, based at the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa, Loughrea, is the seventh round of the national campaign.
Fresh from his win on the Ulster Rally last weekend, McNulty and co-driver, Paul Kiely have an eight point lead over Robert Barrable.
However, the reigning Billy Coleman award winner is an absentee in the west of Ireland as he’s competing in a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in the Czech Republic. That leaves Monaghan’s Sam Moffett as McNulty’s closer pursuer – 13 points in arrears.
McNulty, with maximum points from four events, is the top seed with the Subaru WRC’s of Kevin and Niall Maguire completing the top three.
Last weekend, McNulty took victory in the Ulster Rally to move into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Championship.
He is the first driver to lead both the Dunlop National and Irish Tarmac Championships at this point of a season. No driver has ever achieved this double in the one year. “We now want both championships, but it will be difficult. It’s a case of so near and yet so far, as everybody knows, anything can wrong.” said McNulty
Three drivers have won both championship s at different times, the late Frank Meagher won the National in 1986 and Tarmac in 1995; Ian Greer won in 1993 (National) and 1999 (Tarmac) and the most recent double winner, Eugene Donnelly won the National in 2003 and the Tarmac the following year.
Meanwhile, Kevin Barrett can improve on his current fourth placed position while Maguire is in an uncustomary sixth place in the Dunlop campaign. Having retired from the last round, Motorsport Safety Group N contender, Colm Murphy (Mitsubishi) will be trying to close on Sam Moffett as the series draws to a close.
Wexford’s, James Stafford in his nimble Darrian T90, could spring a surprise should the roads around Loughrea remain dry.
Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) will also be trying to move up the Dunlop leader board, currently, the West Cork driver is fifth overall, two points behind Barrett. The top ten in Galway is completed by the Mk. 2 Ford Escorts of Wesley Patterson, Rodney Wilton, Pat Donegan and the aforementioned Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi)
Having been involved at the cutting edge of the Group N battle in 2010, Shane Maguire has a difficult task in closing the gap to rivals Colm Murphy and Sam Moffett, Maguire is seeded at eleven ahead of Mike Quinn (Ford Escort) and the Darrian of rally.ie award contender, Washington James (Darrian T90). James is seven points adrift of category leader, Frank Kelly (Ford Escort). The entry in the two wheel drive category is ultra competitive and features Declan Boyle, Frank Kelly and Adrian Hetherington, all in Ford Escorts.
Elsewhere, there are places for Maurice Moffett (Toyota Starlet), Tom Flaherty (Ford Escort), Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Escort pair, Michael Conlon and Sam Smyth.
The entry also includes the Subaru’s of Richard Burke and Pat Kelly along with Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi) and the Escort trio of John McQuaid, Ed Synan and Michael Curran.
The search for the “ GRP4 Fabrications King of the Mk2” gets under way at 10am next Sunday morning when over 35 Mk2’s tackle the first of 9 special stages in the Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally. Gary McPhillips was crowned “ King” in 2010 and went on to win the rally overall but the competition will be more intense this year as the rally is a counting round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, which has helped to ad 4 World rally cars to the top ten. Current championship leader Tim McNulty heads the field next Sunday in his Subaru Impreza WRC S12b with Paul Kiely on the notes.
The first Mk2 over the start ramp will be Wesley Patterson followed by Rodney Wilton, Pat Donegan and current West Coast leader, Mike Quinn. The Ford Escort Mk2 will occupy 9 slots of the top twenty on Sunday. Such is the array of highly competitive cars and talented drivers that it is almost impossible to predict who will be “ GRP4 Fabrications King of The Mk2”, prior to 5pm on Sunday next August 28th.
GRP4 fabrications are sponsoring the perpetual trophy for “ King of the Mk2” and have been joined by some well known motorsport equipment suppliers to sponsor prizes for the first Mk2 in classes 9 through to 14.
A huge thank you must go to, GRP4 Fabrications, West Wales Rally Spares, SMH Rally Bitz, Henderson Autosport & Spares and finally C. Bradley Motorsport.
The new King will be crowned at 5pm on Sunday next at the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa.
Entries remain open for Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally
Posted: August 23, 2011 2:05 PM
Entries will remain open during the week by contacting the entries Secretary between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on 086 2626477 / +353 86 2626477 or email: galwaymc@gmail.com
Historics
H1 David Dee/Rita Dee (Austin Mini Cooper) [17]
H2 Philip McKibbin/Andrew McKibbin (Ford Cortina) [17A]
H3 Niall Keane/Sean Henaghan (Hillman Avenger) [17A]
H4 Joseph Breslin/Stephen Lyons (Morris Mini Cooper S) [17A]
H5 Denis Collins/John Doody (Ford Escort) [17A]
Mayor welcomes Galway Summer Rally to Loughrea
Posted: August 17, 2011 8:21 AM
Kieran Donohue (Clerk of the Course) Martin Kearney (Mor Oil Ltd, Sponsors) Councillor Jimmy Curley, Mayor of Loughrea. Martin Kearney. Mor Oil Ltd ( rally sponsors) Kieran Donohue (COC) Pat Shiel (Deputy COC)
Photo:
Reg Gordon
Mayor of Loughrea, Councillor Jimmy Curley was on hand on Friday last to officially launch the Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally at a function in The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa. The Mayor welcomed everyone in attendance on the night and also stressed the importance of events like the Rally, to the local economy in Loughrea. Councillor Curley also promised to do everything he could as Mayor of Loughrea to ensure the rally has a successful weekend on August 27th and 28th.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Kieran Donohue, President of Galway Motor Club. Kieran first thanked Martin and Norrie Kearney of Mor Oil Ltd for their continued sponsorship of the rally for a third consecutive year and then went on to give the assembled guests some details of the forth coming 2011 rally.
The rally will have its headquarters in The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa which is also the venue for the prizegiving ceremony after the rally on Sunday night.
The rally begins with a ceremonial start at 8pm on Saturday August 27th on Main Street, Loughrea. The top twenty cars and drivers will be there with all local Galway competitors in attendance on the night. On the limit Sports will be filming the whole event which is round 7 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and Round 4 of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship, for future broadcast on TG4. This is an ideal opportunity for spectators to see the cars and competitors before they head out on the stages on Sunday. Among the drivers in attendance on the night will beTim McNulty, Kevin Barrett, Niall Maguire, Wesley Patterson, Maurice Moffett and locally Eamon Dervan, Alan Fair,Noel Conroy, Neil Pierce,Pat Kelly, David Quigley, Pat Spain and Tom Cahill, to name just a few of the 140 competitors on the event.
The most coveted prize among Galway Motor Club competitors is The Conroy Cup, which is awarded to the first Galway crew to cross the finish ramp on Sunday evening. The current holders are Tom Flaherty and Patrick Curley who have entered their Mk2 Ford Escort for the 2011 rally to defend their title.
On Sunday morning the action starts on special stage 1 at 10.03am in the Tynagh before heading towards Abbey for Stage 2 and then to Kylebrack for Stage 3. The cars will return for service to Loughrea Mart at 11.50am before heading out again for 2 further runs over the same loop of stages to cover a total of 279.6kms during the day. The first competitors to cross the finish ramp in a Ford Escort Mk2 will be crowned “ Grp4 Fabrications King of the Mk2”. The winners of The Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally 2011 are due back at the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa around 5pm.
We can all look forward to an action packed weekend in Loughrea on August 27th and 28th. As always safety is a top priority for spectators and competitors alike. Galway Motor Club appeal to everyone attending the rally to heed the advice from the Gardai and Rally Marshals who are on duty to help you have a safe and enjoyable weekend in Loughrea.
King of the Mk2s - Flyer /Details
Posted: August 12, 2011 8:08 PM
Invite to Rally Launch!
Posted: August 12, 2011 12:54 PM
The President and Committee of Galway Motor Club will host the Official Launch for the 2011 Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally on
Friday August 12th
at 7.30pm
in The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa, Old Galway Road, Loughrea Co. Galway
Everyone is welcome to attend
Marshals Required
Posted: August 11, 2011 3:09 PM
Contact:
086-817 9297 / +353 86-817 9297
Rally launch night for Friday August 12th
Posted: August 5, 2011 12:35 PM
Galway Motor Club will hold the official launch for The Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally on Friday August 12th at 7.30pm in The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa. Galway Motor Club president and COC, Kieran Donohue will be master of ceremonies for the evening and everyone is welcome to attend.
A steady flow of entries has resulted in over 80 confirmed so far with 10 days to go until the closing date. Kevin Barrett, Wesley Patterson, Washington James and Mike Quinn are among the leading drivers confirmed so far. A number of local Galway drivers have also confirmed entries including, Eamon Dervan, Michael Conneely, Alan Fair, Johnathon Folan and Pat Kelly.
A large Mk2 entry is expected for the “ Grp4 Fabrications King of the Mk2” which was run for the first time in the 2010 Mor Oil Summer Rally and proved to be a huge success. Gary McPhillips won the title and also won the rally overall.
The Entries Secretary can be contacted on (086)2626477 between 7.30 and 9.30pm nightly or email : galwaymc@gmail.com
Entries open for “Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally” 2011
Posted: July 16, 2011 11:29 PM
Galway Motor Club have announced that online entries are now open for The Mor Oil Galway Summer Rally 2011. The rally is round 7 of The Dunlop National Rally Championship and Round 4 of The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. The closing date for entries is August 15th, while the rally takes place on Sunday August 28th and will be based in The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa in Loughrea Co. Galway.
Clerk of the Course Kieran Donohue has put together a challenging 9 stage rally which will take place over a total of 279.6 kilometres, of which 143.1 will be special stages. The committee have worked hard to put together an excellent rally for competitors and spectators alike. The Service and Scrutiny areas will also be located within easy reach of the rally headquarters.
Tim McNulty and Paul Kiely are leading the National Rally Championship by 8 points after round 7 in Sligo. A win in Galway for Robert Barrable and Damien Connolly would certainly put the pressure on. Robert came to Galway last year for his first outing in a Ford Focus WRC and has since been blazing a trail in a Skoda Fabia S2000, winning the West Cork rally earlier this year.
Mike Quinn and Grainne McEnery are leading the West Coast Championship on 58 points after round 3 and will be keen to retain the top spot in Galway. 2010 West Coast Champion, Shane Maguire is currently in third place.
August 2010 saw the first search for the “ Grp4 fabrications King of the Mk2” and due to the huge success of this event, Torsten Schmidt of Grp4 Fabrications will once again sponsor a trophy as part of the 2011 Mor Oil Galway Summer rally. Gary McPhillips was crowned “ King of the Mk2” last year and also won the rally outright, recording the first 2 wheel drive win since 1992.
The Clerk of the Course for 2011 is Kieran Donohue and the Deputy COC is Pat Sheil. The Entries Secretary can be contacted only between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on (086)2626477 or by email: galwaymc@gmail.com
Thanks to the generosity of our Main Rally Sponsors Mor Oil Ltd and also to Grp4 Fabrications for sponsoring the “ Grp4 fabrications King of the Mk2”, we can look forward to an action packed day on the stages on Sunday August 28th.
Galway Motor Club are delighted to announce Mor Oil Ltd, as the title sponsor for The Galway Summer Stages Rally 2011. Mor Oil operate 2 well known service stations in Oranmore and Lough Atalia and provide bulk fuel supplies with a fleet of oil tankers. Commenting on the announcement, Clerk of the Course Kieran Donohue said “We in Galway Motor Club are delighted with the continued support of Martin Kearney and his team in Mor Oil, for a third consecutive year. This event will bring a vital boost to the local economy and would not be possible without the support of our sponsors”.
The rally will be based in the luxurious Lough Rea Hotel and Spa on the weekend of August 27th and 28th. The rally is a counting round of The Dunlop National Rally Championship and The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship which will see some of the top cars and drivers in action on the stages around Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Entries for the rally will open shortly and full details will be available on the club website:
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