Midland Navigation Trial - 26-27 Nov 11

Report: Midland Crews Reign Supreme in Fenagh

Posted: December 7, 2011 2:43 PM

Local crew Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston took overall victory on Round 4 of the National Night Navigation Championship based in Fenagh, Co. Leitrim. Enda McLaughlin was COC for the event assisted by Alan Gibbons and they laid out a terrific 85 mile route which tested both drivers and navigators to the limit. Kelly/Johnston won a closely fought battle with fellow Midland MC crew, Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy to claim overall honours and get their championship campaign back on track. Reigning National Champion Navigator Ashley McAdoo showed no ill-effect in switching to the driver's seat as he took 3rd overall, ably navigated by Francis Keenan. Interestingly each of the top three crews compete in the Semi-Expert class, showing that they are more than a match for the leading Expert crews.

Drumlin winners Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes started at No.1 and led the field into a plot & bash section from TP2-TP4. The plots were fairly straight-forward but a challenging lane into TP2 resulted in all but three crews down time. An early Time Recovery Section lay between TP7 and TP7A before the Speed Regulation Section. Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey & Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston were joint leaders with both Semi-Expert crews on clean sheets. Experts Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins were also on a clean sheet to hold 3rd overall. Following the SRS, the event headed further north with a particularly demanding lane into TP9. Indeed many crews missed the slot right just before the timepoint that would have given them a correct approach and were then caught at the timepoint for a wrong approach. Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins moved into the lead on 1 penalty on furthest cleanest from Drumlin COCs Gareth Beagan/Stephen Thornton.

The section from TP12 to TP13 involved the use of an eight mile forestry lane. The approach to TP13 was tricky as it involved a difficult to find unmapped slot left. Mackarel/Higgins lost their lead with a wrong approach at TP13. If the approach to TP13 was difficult to find, then that was nothing compared to TP14! The unmapped road off a forest track was literally a gap between two trees, and then a steep drop to a Square Left, Square Right and then up to the timepoint. Some crews found the gap at the top but didn't see that the lane continued on. By the 2nd TRS between TP15 and CB, Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston had moved into the lead on 3 penalties on the 'Semi over Expert' rule from Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan. The top five was completed by Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (5 pens), Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (5 pens) and Beginner class leaders, Shane Dalton/Micheal Reilly (13 pens). The novice class was being led by Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (14 pens).

TP18 was another Plot & Bash timepoint. This was in the same place as TP17 with a different approach. Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston & Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy who at this point were running on the same minute, both approached the same way as TP17 and received wrong approach penalties. Michael & Ciaran Tynan now took over at the front. As the weather conditions worsened, the lanes kept coming thick and fast. Another well-needed TRS between TP21 and TP22 gave crews a chance to gather themselves as there was still sixteen timepoints to go! Unfortunately Michael & Ciaran Tynan retired from the lead after an impact with a hidden rock on the inside of a corner put a sudden end to their challenge. Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes now led on a total of 9 penalties. The remaining top five were Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (18 pens), Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (20 pens), Shane Dalton/Micheal Reilly (21 pens) and Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (22 pens). Positions two to five were all occupied by Midland crews.

The challenge for the remainder for the event was not just the weather and the terrain as many crews were approaching their maximum lateness and were forced to skip timepoints. Indeed, there were plenty of tales of woe in the latter half of the event. The lead would change hands again as Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes were forced into retirement at TP29 with an engine-related problem.

TP29 & TP30 were plot & bash timepoints on trace diagrams as crews headed west and then south to Fenagh. TP35 was unmanned and all crews received 20 penalties. The approach to TP38 involved the use of a dismantled railway and the route to Control C involved a short loop off the main road just 50 metres from HQ. Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (46 pens) kept up the pressure to cement another home win (their 3rd in succession) to pull themselves back into the championship race. Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (52 pens) gave it their all but had to settle for 2nd overall, six penalties adrift of the winners. Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (54 pens) had a superb 2nd half and climbed to 3rd overall by the finish, just two penalties behind the Duffys. Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (76 pens) finished in a solid 4th overall, despite having to skip TP34. Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (88 pens) secured their third top five finish of the season to move into the lead of the National Championship.

Expert class:
Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins were the only Expert crew in the top five overall, demonstrating that it was a tough night for this class. Colin Fitzgerald/Daire Hayes (105 pens) finished 6th overall and 2nd Expert to reignite their National campaign. Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (171 pens) had a troubled run to 3rd in class. Despite missing numerous timepoints after getting stuck, Gareth Beagan/Stephen Thornton (197 pens) survived to finish 4th in class, while Dave Fitzgerald/Glyn Gaffney (198 pens) took 5th.

Semi-Expert class:
Overall honours went to Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston, with Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy and Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan in 2nd and 3rd place overall respectively. 4th in class went to Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly (225 pens) who were the sole other finishers after the retirements of Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey and James Logue/Hugh Kelly.

Novice class:
Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry took class victory and 5th overall. This pair are having a great season and their consistency has taken them into the overall lead of the championship at the midpoint of the season. Arthur Kierans/Mac Kierans (192 pens) finished in 2nd place and also claimed a top ten overall finish. This pair could be strong contenders in the class should they continue with the series after Christmas. Ciaran McElroy/Damien McCabe (252 pens) finished 3rd in class while Stephen Wright/Muireann Hayes (265 pens) were 4th after a trying night. Eoghan Corr/Gary McCrudden (280 pens) completed the top five finishers.

Beginners class:
Andrew Stewart/Robert Howard (235 pens) took the class win in their nimble Peugeot 205. Paddy Callaghan/Gary Cahill (272 pens) finished in 2nd, while long-time leaders Shane Dalton/Michael Reilly (305 pens) had to settle for 3rd after a troubled second half dropped them out of contention. Aaron Duffy/Micheál McCluskey (357 pens) finished 4th and Killian Duffy/Sean Heneghen (400 pens) finished in 5th place.

In overall terms Darren Quinn (45 points), heads Michael Carbin (42 points) and Pakie Duffy (38 points) in the Drivers category, while Nigel McCloughry (45 points) heads Evin Hughes (42 points) and Muireann Hayes (40 points) on the Navigators leaderboard. The Expert class is led by Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes, the Semi-Expert class by Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy, the novice class by Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry while Shane Dalton/Micheál Reilly lead the Beginner class.

The Championship is now on a hiatus until 21st January with the Cork 1000 Shakes Night Nav next on the agenda.

Summary Report

Posted: December 5, 2011 12:20 PM

Midland Motor Club crews take the top 1 and 2 places in the Midland Motor Club Night Navigation Trial which took place on November 26th/27th last.
The Venue was Foxfield Community Centre, Fenagh, Co. Leitrim.
The event was Round 3 of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Trial Championship, Round 4 of the National Navigation Trial Championship and also the Final Round of the Johnston’s Toy Town Midland Motor Club Championship.

Competitors were greeted with a warm welcome in Foxfield on what was a blustery winter’s night. No snow compared to last years event but torrential rain on parts of the night made visibility challenging in the mid section of the trial for the forty three starters. Sam Johnston and Chris Kelly were best on the night taking first place with just 46 marks followed by father and son team Pakie Duffy & Colin Duffy with 52 marks and Ashley McAdoo & Francis Keenan from Monaghan in third on 54 marks. Midland Motor Club crews did well overall with Darren Quinn & Nigel McCloughry taking first in their class and an impressive fifth overall.
Andrew Stewart & Robert Howard took first in the beginner’s class and Shane Dalton & Michael Reilly took the third place spot. Sean Mullervy & Sean Brady received the best Midland Motor Club Crew award for their performance.

The event unfolded over the thirty eight time points on the night, veterans Andrew Mackarel & Liam Higgins brought the challenge to local Midland crews with a clean sheet on Time Card 1, Sam Johnston and Chris Kelly matched them with a clean sheet too. The top two runners were followed closely by Monaghan crews Michael Carbin & Evin Hughes, Garreth Beagan & Stephen Thornton, Michael Tynan & Ciaran Tynan, Colin Fitzgerald & Daire Hayes, Joe Shinnors & Greg Shinnors, Ashley McAdoo & Francis Keenan all on 1 mark each picked up by a penalty at Time point 2.

After handing in Time Card 2 Sam Johnston and Chris Kelly, Michael Tynan & Ciaran Tynan were joint first, James Logue & Hugh Kelly second and Pakie Duffy & Colin Duffy in third .

The final run and Time Card 3 showed a good shake up with crews picking up more penalties. At the end of the night however only a few marks separated the top three crews. Night Navigation Trials are now becoming popular and Midland Motor Club had seven new crews to add to the field.
Further Navigation classes will be available to encourage this trend. Clerk of the Course in charge of running this event was local Foxfield man Enda McLoughlin assisted by Alan Gibbons. They put together a fantastic route and an event that tested the navigation skills and driving of every competitor. Enda would like to thank the marshals and officals who helped on the night, Monaghan Motor Club for providing results also special thank you to Una McLoughlin, Susanne Hehle and Geraldine Gibbons who looked after everyone with food, tea and coffee on the night. Thank you to the Gardai and the residents along and surrounding the route for their co operation and who came out in support and welcomed this event.

Prize giving photos can be viewed on

• Midland Motorclub

Results

Posted: November 28, 2011 5:22 PM

1 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 46 marks,
2 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 52m,
3 Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 54m,
4 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 76m,
5 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Legacy) 88m,
6 Colin Fitzgerald/Daire Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 105m,
7 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 171m,
8 Arthur Kierans/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 192m,
9 Garreth Beagan/Stephen Thornton (Subaru Impreza) 197m,
10 Dave Fitzgerald/Glyn Gaffney (Subaru Forester) 198m,
11 Joe Shinnors Jnr/Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 202m,
12 Sean McKenna/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 225m.

Semi-experts:
1 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy,
2 Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan,
3 Sean McKenna/Garry Farrelly.

Novices:
1 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry,
2 Arthur Kierans/Macartan Kierans,
3 Ciaran McElroy/Damien McCabe.

Beginners:
1 Andrew Stewart/Robert Howard (Peugeot) 235m,
2 Eoghan Corr/Gary McCrudden (Subaru Impreza) 280m,
3 Shane Dalton/Michael Reilly (Subaru Impreza) 305m.

Midland Navigation Trial - 26-27 Nov 11 - FULL RESULTS

35 entries received so far

Posted: November 23, 2011 7:54 PM

35 entries received so far and climbing. – Get your entry in – First 50 only.
Regs and entry on

• Midland Motorclub

Flyer

Posted: November 4, 2011 11:46 AM

Details

Posted: November 4, 2011 11:44 AM

Preparation for the Midland Motor Club final event for 2011 the Night Navigation Trial has been underway and is set to run 26th/27th of November next. Clerk of the course Enda McLoughlin and Assistant Clerk of the Course Alan Gibbons have been planning the 80 mile (approx) route the competitors will take.

The Venue for the event is Foxfield Community Centre, Fenagh, Co. Leitrim where competitors will be given their first route card at 19:45. Prize giving afterwards will be in Quinn’s Lounge, Fenagh.

This is Round 3 of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Trial Championship and Round 4 of the National Navigation Trial Championship. This is also the Final Round of the Johnston’s Toy Town Midland Motorclub Club Championship. The Club Championship has created a buzz around the club as the championship has become very popular after is second year of revival by the members.

The Club Championship title is close and will be decided and this event. Going into the Clubs Autocross in August Colin Duffy Drumlish was in the lead followed closely in second place with a one point difference by Chris Kelly Longford. Sean Mulervy Drumlish and Sam Johnston Longford were close too fighting for third and fourth place. After the battle on the Autotest track over the two days the points and positions swapped around on the leader board. Chris Kelly is now in the lead with 106 points, Colin Duffy is on 102 points, Sam Johnston on 95 and Sean Mulervy on 91 points. It’s all to play for now. Good luck to the club members, officials, marshals and all visiting competitors. Thank you for your support. We look forward to a great event.

Further details including Regs and Entry are on the club website

• Midland Motorclub

Regulations / Club Website

Posted: January 2, 1990 3:06 PM

Regulations available at:

• Midland Motorclub