DUNLOP DAY 7: O’MAHONY/HIGGINS ARE CLARE CHAMPIONS
Posted: May 20, 2016 7:59 AM
WITH their third victory in as many outings, Cork’s, Brian O’Mahony and his Mayo co-driver, John Higgins (Subaru WRC) have moved into the lead of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
On the Auburn Lodge Hotel Clare Rally, the penultimate round of the series, they finished 19 seconds in front of the similar Subaru WRC of Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry. Kevin Kelleher/Ger Conway, in an S9 Subaru WRC, were 57 seconds further behind in third.
Pre-event Dunlop series leaders, Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley retired their Subaru with transmission troubles on the fifth stage, they are now six points behind O’Mahony/Higgins. Maguire/Sherry remain in contention for the Vard Memorial Trophy, they are ten points behind the new leaders. The series will now be decided on the Donegal Harvest Rally on October 13th. next.
Meanwhile, Frank Kelly and co-driver, Liam Brennan (Escort), who finished fifth overall, clinched the inaugural Dunlop Mk. 2 Champions Trophy, Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru) secured the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award and Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort) won the Dunlop Historic series, they were also presented with the Dunlop “Drive of the Day” award.
On a wet opening stage, Spancill Hill, Fitzmaurice and O’Mahony shared the lead with Maguire 14 seconds behind in third. Colm Murphy, in his Group N Subaru, shared fourth with top two-wheel drive exponent, Frank Kelly (Ford Escort) as Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) completed the top six.
Maguire set the pace on the second stage while Fitzmaurice set a cracking pace on S.S. 3 to move into an 18 second lead. At the Ennis service halt, he remarked, “I pushed hard on that third stage.” Second placed O’Mahony was somewhat miffed as he reckoned he also pushed hard. Maguire, 13 seconds further behind was off briefly on the third stage near Corrofin. Kevin Kelleher moved into fourth place despite some high speed slides that prompted him to make a change of tyres at the service halt. Kevin Barrett in sixth was untroubled but Roy White (MG S2000), one place behind had no intercom for all but one kilometre of the third stage. Colm Murphy retained the lead in Group N but lost time with a bent suspension arm and an overshoot. Frank Kelly was equal seventh with Murphy in a top ten that also featured Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Shane Maguire (Subaru).
Out on S.S. 4, O’Mahony set a strong pace and that, coupled with transmission woes for Fitzmaurice, put O’Mahony in front by a margin of nine seconds. On the next stage, Fitzmaurice’s rally ended when his Subaru continued to fail to select fifth gear, intent on not delaying other competitors, his Subaru dropped into a drain as he allowed Frank Kelly to get past. Maguire was quickest through the stage and on S.S. 6, Kevin Kelleher punched in his first ever fastest time in a Subaru WRC – four seconds quicker than both O’Mahony and Maguire.
At the final service halt, O’Mahony led Maguire by 22 seconds with Kelleher 29 seconds further adrift in third. Fourth placed, Kevin Barrett was forced to switch his Subaru WRC to safe mode as the coolant pressure gauge soared.
Frank Kelly (Escort) took a cautious approach – he was some 50 seconds in front of the Toyota Starlet of Declan Gallagher. Roy White retired his MG S2000 with an engine malady. Local driver, Anthony O’Halloran (Mitsubishi) was untroubled in eighth with the Group N Subaru’s of Shane Maguire and Colm Murphy completing the top ten, the latter lost time when the bonnet shorted across the battery and having attended to the problem, it flew open after he re-started.
Meanwhile, David Guest retired his Honda Civic after the boot lid flew off following a heavy landing over a jump, petrol fumes entered the cockpit leaving them with no option only to withdraw from the rally.
Out on the final loop, O’Mahony judged his pace to ensure his third victory in as many outings and moves to the top of the Dunlop National Rally Championship standings. Maguire took second with Kelleher third.
Results
Posted: May 20, 2016 7:31 AM
1 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC) 74m 19s,
2 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 74m 38s,
3 Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Conway (Subaru Impreza WRC) 75m 35s,
4 Kevin Barrett/Conor Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC) 77m 05s,
5 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MkII) 77m 31s,
6 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12B Gp N) 79m 25s,
7 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort MkII) 79m 57s,
8 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Subaru Impreza N11 Gp N) 80m 24s,
9 Anthony O’Halloran/Charlie McEnery (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 81m 11s,
10 Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan (Ford Escort MkII) 82m 47s.
Motorsport Safety Team Group N Production class:
1 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery,
2 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity,
3 Anthony O’Halloran/Charlie McEnery.
rally.ie Two wheel drive class:
1 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan,
2 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne,
3 Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan.
Historics:
1 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort) 59m 44s,
2 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Cortina) 59m 59s,
3 David Dee/Rita Dee (Mini Cooper S) 67m 47s.
Juniors:
1 Bernard Foley/Paul Twomey (Civic) 55m 38s,
2 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Civic) 55m 57s,
3 Derek Butler/Aaron O’Regan (Civic) 56m 20s.
Leaders After:
SS1 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
& Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2-3 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4-9 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS1 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
& Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Conway (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC)
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL CLARE RALLY - Courtesy of Dunlop proud sponsors of the Dunlop National Rally Championship
Posted: September 14, 2012 9:53 PM
The most exciting Dunlop National Rally Championship in recent times reaches the penultimate stage on Sunday next (September 16) with the Ennis based Auburn Lodge Clare Stages Rally.
Three drivers, Thomas Fitzmaurice (Kerry), Brian O’Mahony (Cork) and Niall Maguire (Monaghan), all in S11 Subaru WRC’s, are in contention for the Vard Memorial Trophy. This year’s Dunlop series consists of eight rounds with the best six scores taken into consideration.
Currently, Fitzmaurice heads the point’s standings on 90 points – 14 ahead of O’Mahony with Maguire eight points further behind. With the dropped scores taken into consideration, the situation is much closer – Fitzmaurice and O’Mahony are equal on points with Maguire eight points behind.
Maguire is the top seed in County Clare and really needs to take maximum Dunlop points to stay in the title race and set up a title decider on next month’s final round, the Donegal Harvest Rally. The Monaghan driver, who has won the series three times, was actually leading the last round until a sheared wheel stud ended his participation after just three stages of the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally. His sole victory in the series was on the Mayo Rally and a repeat is essential to maintain his Dunlop Championship title ambitions.
“I don’t know, I’ll do Clare and then see what happens, rallying can be very fickle.” said Maguire
Meanwhile, Fitzmaurice has two victories to his credit – the first round in Abbeyleix and round two in Kerry – he has maintained his position as leader of the series since the third round in Kerry.
“I’m fired up, I have to perform, I can’t let Brian slip away now. It will be maximum attack from the start and that’s certainly not up for debate. I reckon if it’s not done in Clare, it won’t be done in Donegal where I expect Declan Boyle to be on form. It’s been a great championship.”
The only way Fitzmaurice can win the title in Clare is if he claims maximum points and O’Mahony’s points haul does not exceed fourteen, irrespective of what happens to Maguire.
Winner of his last two rounds, Brian O’Mahony with maximum points in Carlow and Clonmel (Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally) knows exactly what is needed to ensure his continued participation in the title race.
“It’s a case of more of the same. I know what to expect from Thomas and Niall while Declan (Boyle) won’t be far off the pace either, indeed, he could have a major bearing on the outcome of the series. I have already dropped my two scores so this really limits my options, but it’s good for the focus. It’s great for the championship and the spectators.”
Donegal’s, Declan Boyle occupies the number four berth on the nine stage event in Clare. He has acquired last year’s Dunlop Championship winning S12B Subaru WRC and won the recent Galway Summer Rally.
“I went to Galway to test the car and to see what times I could put up. I only got a couple of hours to test the car before the rally. I wasn't too far off Donagh Kelly and Thomas Fitzmaurice and beat them on some stages. Donagh went off on the last stage and I went on to win. l feel that there's a lot more in the car but it’s going to take me a few more rallies.”
Dunlop regular, Maynooth’s, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) has endured a disappointing season, yet, he remains loyal to the series despite three retirements, his best result was second in Mayo. He will want to end the season on a high note. Former Dunlop Group N champion, Kevin Kelleher is another driver to have moved to a WRC, he debuted the ex-Conor McCloskey S9 Subaru on the Circuit of Munster but spun out mid-way through the rally.
Meanwhile, Limerick’s, Colm Murphy in his Group N Subaru can clinch the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award in Ennis, having won the Circuit of Munster last June, he is only six points behind Niall Maguire in the race for third overall in the Dunlop series. Clonmel’s, Roy White (MG S2000) has secured a strong points haul in his last two outings and will be keen to maintain that form in Clare.
Top two-wheel drive exponent, Frank Kelly (Ford Escort) is seeded at number nine as he bids to bids to reel in Cavan’s, Jonathan Pringle in the race for the inaugural Dunlop Mk. 2 Champions Trophy. The popular Tyrone driver leads the rally.ie category for the top two-wheel drive in the overall standings.
The final place in the top ten is occupied by Monaghan’s, Shane Maguire in his Group N Subaru, he won the non-championship Sligo Rally earlier this year but has been out of luck in the current Dunlop campaign.
Ruane’s, Anthony O’Halloran, who will be co-driven by fellow local, Charlie McEnery, hasn’t competed since last year’s rally when he campaigned an Opel Manta. He will be intent on making a good impression on his local rally where he will drive a Mitsubishi EvoIX.
Aside from Frank Kelly, the Modified category also includes Donegal’s, Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and the Escort trio of Ed Synan, Jonathan Pringle and Frank Sweeney.
Other entries include Stephen Carey (Honda Civic), who has already clinched Class 3 of the Dunlop series; David Guest (Honda Civic), the Escort duo of Ryan Loughran and James Coleman and Neil Pierce (Honda Civic). Kerry’s, Vincent O’Shea will drive the ex-Barry Meade Ford Escort.
Aside from O’Halloran, other Clare entries are Tony Tuttle (Ford Escort), Tom Ryan (Opel Corsa), Martin Kelly (Mitsubishi), Thomas Fitzgibbon (Honda Civic), Pa Horan (Vauxhall Nova) and John O’Sullivan (Citroen C2).
In the Dunlop Junior National Rally Championship, Christopher Snow, Damien Boyle and John O’Connor are the trio in contention while the quest for honours in the Dunlop Historic Championship rests between Denis Collins (Ford Escort) and Philip McKibbin (Ford Cortina).
Seeded Entry Lists
Posted: September 11, 2012 1:29 PM
Car Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [ 8]
2 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [ 8]
3 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [ 8]
4 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [ 8]
5 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [ 8]
6 Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Conway (Subaru Impreza WRC S9) [ 8]
7 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [ 4]
8 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR) [15]
9 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
10 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Subaru Impreza N11) [ 4]
11 Anthony O'Halloran/Charlie McEnery (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [ 4]
12 Declan Gallagher/ TBA (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
14 ED Synan/Denis O'Connell (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
15 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
16 Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
17 Stephen Carey/Breda O'Driscoll (Honda Civic) [ 3]
18 David Guest/ TBA (Honda Civic) [13]
19 Ryan Loughran/James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
20 James Coleman/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
21 Neil Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11]
22 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
23 Patrick Boyle Butcher/Donal McCole (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11]
24 Jonathan Folan/Ger Myers (Subaru Impreza STI) [ 8]
25 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
26 Aidan Walsh/Jim Casey (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
27 Liam Bowhan/Damien Connolly (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
28 Tohill Neil/Tohill Gerrard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [ 4]
29 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [11]
30 Paul McDevitt/Ray Fitzpatrick (Toyota Corolla) [11]
31 Tony Tuttle/Sean Kiernan (Ford Escort) [13]
32 Declan Gannon/Alan Leonard (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
33 William Cavanagh/Olivia Coen (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
34 Stephen Greaney/Agne Audiejaityte (Citroen C2 R2 MAX) [ 6]
35 Ken Lyons/Paddy McDonnell (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
36 Jason McSweeney/Denis O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [11]
37 Michael Carbin/James O'Reilly (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
38 Patrick Haughey/TBA TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
39 Tom Ryan/David Ryan (Opel Corsa) [11]
40 Martin Kelly/ TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [ 8]
41 Michael Fitzgibbon/PA Baker (Honda Civic) [11]
42 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O'Hanlon (Subaru Impreza N12B) [ 4]
43 PA Horan/Lisa O'Dowd (Vauxhall Nova) [11]
44 Pat Price/ TBA (Subaru Impreza N12B) [ 4]
45 Adrian Cannon/Pauric Keeney (Honda Civic) [ 2]
46 John O'Sullivan/ TBA (Citroen C2) [15]
47 Enda McCormack/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [15]
48 Adrian Foley/Con Mulcahy (Opel Corsa) [10]
49 John O'Donnell/Philip McDonald (Peugeot 205 RWD) [10]
50 Niall O'Sullivan/Ciara O'Connell (Citroen C2) [ 9]
51 Roland Doherty/June Fitzgibon (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
52 Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
53 Brendan Dunne/Brendan Murphy (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
54 John Collins/Cathal McGrath (Honda Civic Type R) [ 3]
55 Matt Behan/O Brian David (Peugeot 205) [10]
56 George Whelan/Noel McMahon (Honda Civic) [11]
57 Mike Walsh/Ger Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
58 Vincent Collins/Fintan Kilroe (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
59 Mike Costello/Paddy Costello (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
60 Benny Kennedy/Brendan Ryan (Honda Civic) [11]
61 John Bonner/Brian Monagle (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
62 Michael Nolan/Jimmy Kiely (Honda Civic VTi) [11]
63 Byrnes Frank/Ray Dave (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [11]
64 PA Malone/Gareth Quin (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
65 Patrick Kelly/ TBA (Honda Civic) [11]
66 Paul Horan/Ross Forde (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [ 6]
67 Edward Cogan/John Treacy (Peugeot 205 RWD) [12]
68 Keith Naughton/Brendan Behan (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
69 Maurice Greaney/Keith McHugh (Citroen C2) [ 6]
70 Gerard Hodgins/Keith Flanagan (Opel Manta) [ 1]
71 Tommy Flanagan/Patrick Curley (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
72 John Kenny/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
73 Mark Boyle/Margaret McCafferty (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
74 Francis Kelly/ TBA (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
75 John Walsh/Philip Walsh (Honda Civic EK4) [ 6]
76 Dan Kellaher/Aileen Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
77 Sean O'Carroll/Ian Stanley (Ford Escort) [13]
78 Liddy Brian/Conor Oneill (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
79 Martin O'Halloran/Declan O'Regan (Ford Escort) [11]
81 Joe Baker/Murray Eric (Honda SIR Vtec) [11]
82 Gerard Dineen/Anthony Madigan (Toyota Starlet RWD) [12]
84 David O'Connell/Stephen Clohessy (Suzuki Swift GTI) [ 9]
85 Anthony Breen/James Kelly (Subaru Impreza STI) [ 8]
86 Pat Canny/Eoin Canny (Ford Fiesta ST) [ 3]
87 Tom Relihan/Maurice McElligott (Ford Fiesta Mark 1) [10]
88 Denis Dineen/Donal Dineen (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
89 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Vauxhall Corsa B) [11]
90 Adrian Hynes/Dermot Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
91 Micheal Rodgers/Christopher Crowe (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
92 Martin Greenwood/Aiden Connolly (Honda Civic Vtec) [11]
93 Pat McDonagh/Marie McDonagh (Ford Cortina) [10]
94 Aylward Ray/Aylward Adrian (Honda Civic EK4) [11]
95 Edward Kennedy/Maurice O'Connor (Peugeot 106 GTi) [11]
96 Fergal Keane/Mark O'Looney (Toyota Corolla GTi) [11]
H1 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort) [18]
H2 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Ford Cortina) [18]
H3 James O'Mahony/Kerrie Barry (Volvo 144 s) [17]
J1 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Honda Civic) [16]
J2 John O'Connor/Keith Moriarty (Citroen C2 R2) [16]
J3 Padraig McCarthy/Goghan McCarthy (Honda Civic 1.6VTI) [16]
J4 Glenn Alcorn/Alvin Alcorn (Toyota Corolla RWD) [16]
J5 Derek Butler/Aaron O'Regan (Honda SIR Vtec) [16]
J6 Colin Roche/Donal Balfe (Toyota Starlet RWD) [16]
J7 Richard Moore/Thomas White (Honda Civic eg6) [16]
J8 Martin Casey/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
J9 Ryan Moore/ TBA (Ford Escort G3) [16]
J10 Andrew Ryan/Tommy Hayes (Peugeot 106 Cup Car) [16]
J11 Brian Hassett/Egan Padraig(tyson) (Toyota Corolla GTi) [16]
J12 John O'Flaherty/Brian Slattery (Toyota Starlet RWD) [16]
J13 Patrick Lawlor/Cian Dineen (Honda Civic Type R) [16]
J14 Brian Quigley/ TBA (Honda EK 4) [16]
Late Entries will be taken for all classes
Clare Stages Marshall meeting points and times
Posted: September 6, 2012 10:39 AM
SS 1-4-7
Meeting at Lynchs Centra, Gort Road Ennis at 07.15am.
GPS: 52.853053, -8.983389
or
52deg 51min 10.9sec, -8deg 59min 0.2sec.
SS 2-5-8
Meeting at Lyons/Donlon Supervalu, Main St, Tulla at 08.00am.
GPS: 52.867504, -8.757438
or
52deg 52min 3.0sec, -8deg 45min 26.8sec.
SS3-6-9
Meeting at Clarkes, Crusheen at 08.30am.
GPS: 52.939008, -8.896651
or
52deg 56min 20.4sec, -8deg 53min 47.9sec.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN MARSHALLING AND SETTING UP, PLEASE CONTACT 086-2766267 / +353 86-2766267
YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THE AUBURN LODGE HOTEL CLARE STAGES RALLY 2012
Posted: August 17, 2012 1:16 PM
Clare Motor Club are delighted to announce The Auburn Lodge Hotel, gort road, ennis as the title sponsor of the 2012 Clare Stages Rally ,
Clerk of the Course Dermot Kelleher said
“The Clare Motor Club are delighted with the continued support of The Auburn Lodge Hotel, for a fourth consecutive year. The Club would also like to thank the Special Stage Sponsors, Limerick Motor Centre (Hyundai), Charlie McEnery Motor Services Ennis, Cummins Car Centre (Toyota) and Christy Carey (CCS Race & Rally) the Service Area Sponsor and the programme advertisers for their support. The event will bring a vital boost to the local economy and this would not be possible without their support”.?
The rally takes place on the weekend of September 15th and 16th. and is the penultimate rounds of “The Dunlop National Rally Championship” , “The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship” and Ireland's first National Mk2 Championship the “Dunlop National Mk2 Champions Trophy” which will see some of the top Irish & UK WRC and Two Wheel Drive cars and drivers in action on the stages on roads around Ennis.
The organising team is offering competitors a very compact event featuring three very competitive stages on good tarmac which will be repeated three times. The overall length of the event is 190km of which 141km are stages. Together with the service park and a new Scrutiny area at Cummins Car Centre (Toyota) in Ballymaley Industrial Estate, all within walking distance of the hotel the event should prove to be as successful as last years rally. The first car will leave the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Sunday morning at 9.15am. and will return to the Hotel for the finish at 4.38pm. on sunday evening.
Event regulations and entry forms are now available.
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