Johnny O’Connor and Killarney Co-Driver Gerard Conway brought their RX Racing supported Citroen C2R2 to the finish in Tralee Sunday afternoon, they were both happy and disappointed with their third position.
After the opening Loop they lay 3rd overall, 4 seconds off Christopher Snow and 14 seconds off Junior Rally leader Bernard Foley. John commented in service “Our first run was OK we can shave at least 10seconds off our time, we just need to find a good rhythm.”
On the repeat of the stages the lads upped the tempo and found their rhythm to take 16 seconds off their opening time halving the gap between them and 1st! With stage five cancelled it was all to play for between John, Christopher and Bernard with them all setting times well inside the top 20 of the more powerful main field rally and there was now just 6 seconds separating the top 3 going into the last 2 stages!!
The Limerick/Kerry pairing were going out on maximum attack , meaning it was going to be a nerve wrecking wait for the O’Connor Motorsport service crew!
However it was not to be, when approaching a slow sequence of corners the little Citroën stepped out of line and got beached on a bank as co-driver Gerard explained, “it was a second gear bend into a first gear corner and the car went slightly straight on, it was a slow impact but there was a small bank there, I taught that was our rally over but just as I got out Johnny got the car reversed off the bank, so we just continued slowly to the end of the stage”.
In total the off road excursion cost the pair 30seconds and with it any chance of challenging for victory. After the rally Johnny said, “Before I go any further I want to thank John and Niall of the US Wholesalers Rally Team they kindly lent us 2 back shocks, as we wouldn’t have started the event because our own shocks were sent away to be rebuilt but became stranded in Holyhead due to a logistics problem. It was a disappointing way to end the rally but all credit to Bernard and Christopher they pushed us hard in the afternoon”
The next event for O’Connor Motorsport is next weekend’s Circuit of Ireland Rally where Kevin & Shane contest the second round of the Citroën Racing Trophy.
FITZMAURICE/FOLEY TAKES CIRCUIT OF KERRY ON A TIE BREAK
Posted: July 19, 2012 11:38 AM
The local crew of Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru) won a pulsating Carlton Hotel Circuit of Kerry, the third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, after a tie-break with the similar Subaru WRC of Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins.
Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry, also in a Subaru WRC, were 32 seconds further behind in third. It was the fifth time in recent history that the rally was won in such circumstances.
Meanwhile, Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) won the Modified category to move into the lead of both the inaugural Dunlop National Mark 2 Escort Champions Trophy and the rally.ie category.
Victory in the Group N showroom class went to Eugene Meegan/Brian Sharkey (Mitsubishi EvoX).
On the opening stage, Headley's Bridge, Fitzmaurice set a cracking pace to open up a lead of 14 seconds over the opposition. Maguire was second quickest ' a mere second ahead of Barrett with O'Mahony a similar time frame behind in fourth. Barrett, second on the road, remarked that the dust from Fitzmaurice's Subaru hung in the Kerry air and was a problem. Maguire was untroubled as O'Mahony recalled a spin that cost him a few fleeting seconds. Fitzmaurice topped the time sheets on Desmond's Grave and arrived at the Tralee service park with a 23 second lead over Barrett. Maguire was three seconds further behind with O'Mahony in fourth - 37 seconds off the lead.
Frank Kelly (Escort) led the Modified category, the Tyrone driver nine seconds in front of his Donegal rival, Declan Boyle, they were fifth and seventh respectively split by the Mitsubishi of late entry, Eugene Meegan.
Colm Murphy (Subaru) admitted he was a little off the pace ' he was eighth ' eleven seconds behind Meegan. The final places in the top ten were annexed by Mike Quinn (Escort) and another late entry, Mark Donnelly (Mitsubishi). Quinn's progress was stymied by brake troubles.
Elsewhere, having posted the sixth best time on the first stage, Roy White (MG S2000) slipped to 13th. when his car stalled at a junction.
Having made some adjustments to the suspension, O'Mahony proceeded to punch in the best times for the repeat of both stages to move into second ' eleven seconds behind leader, Fitzmaurice, who spun and lost vital time on S.S. 4. Maguire was third with Barrett in fourth reporting a slipping clutch.
In the Modified section, Frank Kelly was a slender second ahead of Declan Boyle. Colm Murphy (Subaru), who was seventh, led the Group N category ' three seconds ahead of Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi). Mike Quinn (Escort) in ninth continued to be hampered by brake problems. The top ten was completed by Mark Donnelly (Mitsubishi).
The afternoon stages on the outskirts of Tralee served up more exciting fare. On Stage 5, near Camp, O'Mahony and Maguire topped the time sheets, covering the stage in a time of five minutes and three seconds with Fitzmaurice, who clipped a chicane bale, a second behind as he continued to lead O'Mahony ' the margin between them stood at ten seconds. On Stage 6, O'Mahony was quickest albeit by a second to leave the deficit at nine seconds. Maguire was just three seconds behind in third but Barrett retired when his Subaru overheated.
In the Modified category, Kelly led Boyle by four seconds with both drivers extracting the maximum from the Ford Escorts. Group N leader, Colm Murphy slid his Subaru off the road on Stage 6 leaving Meegan at the top of the showroom category. Mark Donnelly was sixteen seconds further behind. Kerry drivers, Tommy Mason and Charlie Hickey, in Ford Escorts, rounded off the top ten.
O'Mahony set a scintillating pace and moved ahead on the penultimate test, he finished the stage ten seconds quicker than Fitzmaurice to move into the lead, albeit by a second with Maguire 15 seconds further behind in third.
In a dramatic final stage, Fitzmaurice was a second quicker than O'Mahony, both had the same overall time but with Fitzmaurice posting the fastest time on the final stage, he took the laurels on a tie-break. Meanwhile, Maguire, who punctured on the final stage, was third ' 32 seconds behind.
Kelly won the Modified category after a great duel with Boyle, who was six seconds behind. Mike Quinn (Escort) was next in classification. Group N winner, Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi) was seventh in a top ten that also featured the Escort trio of Tommy Mason, Frank Sweeney and Charlie Hickey. Mark Donnelly (Mitsubishi) retired with transmission woes.
There were joint winners in the Dunlop 'Drive of the Day' - West Cork's, Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic) and Donegal's, Adrian Cannon/Niall Morley (Honda Civic).
139 Shane McCarthy/Tony Mulcahy Peugeot 205 Class 6
140 Sean Hickey N Flemming
141 Sean Kelliher/Mike Dowling
Withdrawls
133 Con Mulcahy TBA Nova Class 10
27 Anthony Hand/Laura Fuery Escort Class 11
5 Derek McGarrity James McKee Mini WRC
11 Eamon Daly B Doherty Evo 9
64 Eamon Barrett Tba. Escort
33 Paul O Brien
35 Pat Ryan
94 Donal O Reilly
119 Andrew Ryan
FITZMAURICE HOPING TO REIGN IN THE KINGDOM - Courtesy of Dunlop - proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship
Posted: March 30, 2012 2:44 PM
LOCAL hero, Thomas Fitzmaurice (Subaru) heads up a fascinating entry for Sunday's Carlton Hotel Circuit of Kerry, the third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. The eight stage rally is always one of the most exciting events in the Dunlop series and has ended in a tie break situation on at least four occasions including three involving current Dunlop leader, Niall Maguire. Just two years ago, Derek McGarrity edged out Dunlop regular, Kevin Barrett.
On home ground, Fitzmaurice faces his Dunlop rivals, Niall Maguire, Kevin Barrett and Brian O'Mahony, all in S11 Subaru WRC's.
Although it's his first season in a Subaru WRC, Fitzmaurice has made the transition very quickly - winning in Abbeyleix and recovering to take fifth in Claremorris after he was down in 85th. position after the first stage. Running at number one poses no problems for the Abbeydorney driver. 'I don't think about it, once you put yourself under pressure you don't perform. We found an issue with the gearbox and how the incident in Claremorris happened. Points wise, Mayo was a bit of a comeback alright. I'm missing the experience, it's a case of learning what the car can do, the likes of Niall (Maguire) and Kevin (Barrett) have that while Brian (O'Mahony) is hungry now and will go well.' On his chances in Kerry, he remarked, 'Going back over the last five years, I never had any luck in the Circuit of Kerry, on the last two occasions, I haven't even finished. Consistency is what wins the Dunlop championship, I would like to do well in Kerry but it is not going to come at the risk of the championship, you just got to be wise and smart.'
Kerry born driver, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), who lost out on a tie-break to Derek McGarrity on the 2010 Circuit of Kerry, always performs well in the Kingdom. He was very much in the hunt in Claremorris until a puncture ended his chance of taking victory. Currently, he is in third place in the Dunlop campaign ' six points behind Maguire and four behind Fitzmaurice.
Another driver to perform well in Kerry is Monaghan's, Niall Maguire, amazingly, he has finished in tie-break situations on no fewer than three occasions, yet, only winning on one occasion. He travels to north Kerry as series leader. 'I'm surprised to be leading the Dunlop National Rally Championship. Make no doubt about it, Kerry will be a tough event, Thomas (Fitzmaurice) is local and will go hard as will Kevin (Barrett) and Brian (O'Mahony). With all of us in S11's, it's a great championship this year.'
Having retired from the last round in Mayo, Cork driver, Brian O'Mahony (Subaru WRC) needs a strong performance in Kerry especially as this year's campaign is based on the best six out of eight events.
Meanwhile, former Circuit of Kerry winner, Derek McGarrity, who was set to drive his recently acquired MINI WRC as a shakedown for next week's Circuit of Ireland, has withdrawn his entry.
Fresh from his fourth place finish in Claremorris, Clonmel's, Roy White will campaign his MG S2000 and will be aiming for another top result.
Limerick's, Colm Murphy (Subaru) is the top Group N entry and having missed the last round, will be keen on making up for lost ground in the race for the Motorsport Safety Group N award.
Meanwhile, the top ten is completed by the Ford Escort trio of local ace, Mike Quinn, Tyrone's, Frank Kelly and Donegal's, Declan Boyle, all looking for points in the chase for the inaugural Dunlop National Mark 2 Escort Champions Trophy and the rally.ie category. This has the hallmark of a fascinating battle. Elsewhere, the entry includes John McQuaid, Jonathan Pringle, Tommy Mason, Charlie Hickey, James Coleman, Frank Sweeney and Mike Walsh, all in Ford Escorts.
Relative newcomer, Cavan's, Jonathan Pringle, is the top Modified competitor along with Camillus Bradley, who is not competing in Kerry. Pringle has only contested about nine rallies to date and is certainly making an impression.
Aside from Colm Murphy, the Group N contingent in Kerry features Clonakilty's, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) and Monaghan pair, Shane Maguire (Subaru) and Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi).
Cork driver, Stephen Carey (Honda Civic) the reigning Dunlop Class 3 champion, will be competing in his 50th. rally and has been seeded at number 50 to mark the occasion.
Final Instruction No 1, Time & Distance, Scrutiny Times
Sunday 1st of April will see the O’Connor Motorsport crew travel to Tralee for Round 2 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship - The 2012 Carlton Hotel Circuit of Kerry Junior Stages Rally. Competitors will charge over the first 6 Stages of the rally and a total of 21 young drivers from all over Ireland have entered this event. It promises to make a very interesting spectacle as there are at least ten crews capable of winning the event! Limerick driver, John O’Connor is seeded No.6 and it will be his 2nd day out in the Citroen C2R2 with Killarney’s Gerard Conway guiding him from the passenger seat throughout the event, the Team will be hoping to bring Gerard a good result in his home county, and with preparation well underway, John appears very optimistic about the trip back west!
“We have ironed out a few issues we had with the car in Birr and I’m more confident with the left hand drive so hopefully we’ll see a bit of progress this weekend. Kerry Motor Club seems to have laid out a fantastic event for us and it’s a brilliant idea to let us compete in the morning as it makes it easier for crews who travel long distances”.
For all the rallying supporters heading down to watch the rally keep an eye out for the O’Connor Motorsport Citroen C2R2 supported by Rx Racing, The Windscreen Company, SVS Incar Cameras, Delta-Karting and DM Motor Factors. O’Connor Motorsport will also give live updates of the rally on Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to stay tuned for the latest stage times and progress of John this Sunday!
Seeded Entry List
Posted: March 24, 2012 10:43 PM
1 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
4 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
5 Derek McGarrity/James McKee (John Cooper Works MINI WRC) [8]
6 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2000) [15]
7 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
8 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
9 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
10 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
11 Eamon Daly/Brian Doherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
12 Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Seaman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
14 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
15 Josh Moffett/Lennon Domhnáll (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
16 John McQuaid/Seamus O'Connor (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
17 Pat Donegan/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
18 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
19 Tommy Mason/Podgh Doody (Ford Escort RS) [13]
20 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [13]
21 James Coleman/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
22 Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
23 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Subaru Impreza STI) [8]
24 Tim Enright/Stephen Buckley (Ford Escort) [13]
25 David Murphy/John Doody (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
26 Sean Moran/Keith Moriarty (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
27 Anthony Hand/Laura Fuery (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
28 Aidan Walsh/Jim Casey (Peugeot 205) [13]
29 Sean Lyons/Devine John (Ford Escort RWD6) [14]
30 Ken O'Neill/Ronald Riordan (Ford Puma S1600) [6]
31 Niall Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11]
32 Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
33 Paul O'Brien/ TBA (Honda EG6) [11]
34 Andrew Slattery/ TBA (Subaru Impreza N10) [1]
35 Pat Ryan/Jack Dalton (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
36 Eoin Woods/Cathal McGrath (Ford MK11) [13]
37 William Cavanagh/Olivia Coen (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
38 Patrick Kiernan/Gary Kiernan (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
39 Jason McSweeney/John McGrath (Honda Civic) [11]
40 Mark Kane/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
41 Alan Fair/Jarlath Conneely (Honda Civic EK4) [6]
42 Michael Carbin/Peter Deery (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
43 Pat Price/Stephen Price (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
44 Johnny Curran/Mikey Walsh (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [13]
45 Ryan Loughran/James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
46 Eddie Kennelly/TP McNamara (Ford Escort) [10]
47 Liam Higgins/Mike Ward (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [15]
48 Joe McCarthy/Calvin Kirby (Honda Civic EK4) [2]
49 Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic EK4) [2]
50 Stephen Carey/Breda O'Driscoll (Honda Civic) [3]
51 Enda McCormack/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
52 Paudie Casey/Tony McCarthy (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
53 Declan Gannon/Alan Leonard (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
54 Kieran O'Connell/Gerard Buckley (Honda Civic Typer) [7]
55 John O'Donnell/Philip McDonald (Peugeot 205 RWD) [10]
56 Mike Costello/Paddy Costello (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
57 John Murphy/Martin O'Connor (Subaru Impreza) [15]
58 Chris Campbell/Sean Campbell (Honda EG6) [11]
59 Michael Kelleher/Paul Purtill (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
60 Mike Dolan/Carrie Moroney (Honda EG6) [11]
61 Jonathan O'Callaghan/Gavin Sheehan (Peugeot 106 GTi) [11]
62 Eamonn Barrett/Ken Kenneally (Ford Escort) [9]
63 Keith Naughton/Brendan Behan (Ford Escort) [14]
64 John Forde/Eamonn Creedon (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
65 Niall Walsh/Ger Keohane (Honda Civic) [11]
66 Martin McLaughlin/Danny McLaughlin (Ford Escort) [11]
67 Mike Neligan/John Hurley (Toyota Corolla RWD) [11]
68 Patrick Slattery/Tommy Healy (Honda Civic) [11]
69 Michael O'Sullivan/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
70 Neilus Carroll/TJ Flahive (Ford Escort G3) [13]
71 Denis Dineen/Donal Dineen (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
72 Comer Justin/Shane Reidy (Honda Civic EK4) [6]
73 Brendan Dunne/Brendan Murphy (Honda Civic EK4) [2]
74 Michael Conneely/Aisling Grimes (Honda Civic Vtec) [2]
75 Conor Walsh/Joey Hilliard (Ford Escort Mk4) [10]
76 Gerard Dineen/Anthony Madigan (Toyota Starlet RWD) [12]
77 John O'Keeffe/Brendan Duffin (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
78 Dan Kellaher/Aileen Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
79 Sean O'Carroll/Ian Stanley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
80 Anthony Breen/Fergal Keane (Subaru Impreza) [8]
81 Fergus Kelly/Micheal Doc Doherty (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
82 Paul McMahon/Cathal Quill (Peugeot 106) [6]
83 John Kelliher/Jason Brick (Ford Escort G3) [9]
84 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Vauxhall Corsa) [11]
85 Timmy Ahern/Conor Galvin (Honda Civic) [11]
86 Philip Darcy/ TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
87 Frank Dwyer/Michelle Stafford (Ford KA) [5]
88 Graham Kelliher/Kevin Savage (Honda Civic) [11]
89 Matt Behan/David O'Brien (Peugeot 205) [10]
90 Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Honda Civic) [6]
91 Kevin O'Sullivan/Martin O'Riordan (Subaru Impreza STI) [15]
92 Maurice Browne/James Browne (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
93 Andrew Kearney/Eoin O'Neill (TBA TBA) [1]
94 Donal O'Reilly/Tomas O'Reilly (Peugeot 106 Cup Car) [6]
95 Kieran O'Sullivan/Patrick O'Gorman (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
96 Tommy Kelly/Barry Foyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
97 Jonathan Courtney/Paul McGlinchey (Toyota Corolla RWD) [11]
98 John Mannion/Jerry Costello (Vauxhall Corsa) [10]
101 Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Honda Civic) [16]
102 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Honda EG6) [16]
103 Dean Raftery/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic EK4) [16]
104 Bernard Foley/Paul Twomey (Honda Civic) [16]
105 Derek Butler/Aaron O'Regan (Honda Civic) [16]
106 John O'Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2 R2) [16]
107 Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
108 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [16]
109 Martin Casey/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
110 Damien Doolan/Colm Linehan (Vauxhall Nova) [16]
111 Colin Roche/Donal Balfe (Toyota Starlet RWD) [16]
112 David Carmody/Mark O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [16]
114 Rob Duggan/Andrew Duggan (Honda Civic) [16]
115 Gary Dineen/John McCarthy (Ford Escort) [16]
116 Charles O'Neill/ TBA (Honda Civic Vtec) [16]
117 Padraig Deasy/Edel McCarthy (Nissan Sunny) [16]
118 Anthony Keating/Kevin Enright (Ford Escort G4) [16]
119 Andrew Ryan/ TBA (Peugeot 106) [16]
121 PJ O'Dowd/John Young (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
122 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort) [18]
123 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Ford Cortina) [17]
Rally Launch - (Sat) 24 Mar 12
Posted: March 22, 2012 10:55 AM
Official launch of the 2012 Carlton Hotel Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally takes place this Saturday 24th March at 6pm in the Carlton Hotel, Dan Spring Road Tralee.
All welcome
Kerry Motor Club, the organisers of the Circuit of Kerry Rally are pleased to announce the reappointment of Senan Raggett as Clerk of the course for his 6th consecutive rally.
Senan, has been a member of KMC since 1990, and initially joined the club as a marshal and worked through the ‘ranks’ to be COC of one of the most popular events on the Irish Motorsport Calendar.
The Rally will be a counting round in Both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and Irelands premier Regional Championship that is of course The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship.
Senan thanked the directors and members for his appointment and also the Carlton Hotel Tralee for their continued sponsorship and support; he also announced a few radical changes to follow on from the last 2 years novel approach in helping to attract entries in such economically challenging times.
They are as follows:
1. Entry fee will be €475
2. €200 Voucher for each class winner for Kerry Mini Stages Rally 2011(Banna)
3. Modified Challenge
For the second year KMC will offer 2 free entries from 4 nominated events, to highest placed car in classes 9 to 14 (those events are Circuit of Munster, Galway Summer, Clare Stages or Kerry Mini Stages)
In addition to the above if ‘The Modified Challenge’ is won by a car in class 13 or 14, a free entry for Banna will be awarded to the highest place car from classes 9 to 12.
4. A Return to a 4x2 format.
5. Again The Carlton Hotel have been amazing with their offer for the weekend, A double/twin room for Saturday night B&B €99 and stay Sunday night FREE!!! Contact details for the Carlton Hotel can be found on the Circuit of Kerry page on www.kerrymotorclub.com
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