Munster Moonraker Forestry Rally - 13 Apr 14
Posted: May 24, 2014 2:58 PM - 11946 Hits
Round 3 - 2014 Irish Forest Rally Championship
In Car
Posted: May 24, 2014 2:58 PM
Andrew Purcell & John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) - SS1
Ray Benskin Jnr & Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort MkII) SS2
Douglas Stewart & Billy Ryan (Peugeot 206) - SS6
Video Clips
Posted: May 24, 2014 2:54 PM
Murphy/ O’Brien take Moonraker Laurels
Posted: May 24, 2014 2:51 PM
The second round of the 2014 Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship took place in Ballyvourney Sunday April 13th. A crisp dry morning greeted the 58 strong field as they embarked on the completely new format to the Moonraker rally. The Munster Car Club hosted event featured 6 stages (3 repeated) on the Cork/ Kerry county bounds in the Mullaghanish Mountain landscape.
Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Evo 6) set the pace on the short opening stage “Gleanndave” 6 secs faster than top seeds Owen Murphy/ James O’Brien (Evo 9) who tied with round one winners Desi Henry/ Liam Moynihan in their new Evo 9. One sec adrift Pat O’Connell/ Mark Wiley (Evo 9) tied with Josh Moffett/ Jason McKenna (Evo 9) in fourth. Brendan Comiskey/ Ronan O’Kane held sixth a further second behind, they too had upgraded to an Evo 9.
Murphy/O’Brien were fastest on ss2 “Caherdowney” albeit 1 sec up on Purcell/ Rafter who suffered burst oil cooler pipe. Many drivers found the long 16 km stage very technical and struggled to get a rhythm, several reported brake problems due to the unrelenting terrain. Murphy/ O’Brien were fastest again on ss3 “Derrenaing” where Andrew Purcell dropped 5 secs due to concerns about his engine. At service in Ballyvourney Owen Murphy tied with Andrew Purcell for the lead with Desi Henry 9 secs back in third. Josh Moffett held 4th, Pat O’Connell 5th, Brendan Comiskey 6th with local brothers Ger/ James Lucey up to 7th despite an overheating engine. Shane McGirr/ Jackie Elliott (Starlet) led the 2WD category but needed to a replacement steering rack.
The top drivers set a scintillating pace on ss4; Murphy was fastest on 2.41, Purcell second on 2.42 with Henry on 2.43. Stage 5 (the repeat of the mammoth “Caherdowney”) saw Owen Murphy set another FTD to hold a 12 sec lead going into the final stage. Desi Henry moved into second as Purcell dropped to third having lost 14 secs to the leaders. Moffett held 4th, O’Connell 5th, Comiskey maintained 6th a mere second up on Martin Cairns/ Ray Fitzpatrick in their state of the art Impreza S14 WRC.
Owen Murphy/ James O’Brien (Evo 9) emerged from the final stage un-scathed to claim a 15 sec victory. The Cork pairing have made a late but faultless start to their 2014 championship having missed the opening round. Desi Henry/ Liam Moynihan took second which keeps them top of the Valvoline points table. Andrew Purcell/ John Rafter had to settle for third as they lost time on the afternoon stages. Josh Moffett/ Jason McKenna were 4th, Pat O’Connell/ Mark Wiley 5th, Brendan Comiskey/ Ronan O’Kane 6th, Niall Henry/ John Rowan (Evo 9) 7th, Ger/ James Lucey (Evo 8) slipped to 8th due to overheating and clutch problems. Monaghan’s Michael Carbin/ Stephen Thornton had did well to take 9th in their Evo 4 while Daniel O’Brien/ Mark Glennerster (Focus WRC) completed the top ten.
Daniel Cronin/ Shane Buckley finished 11th on their first event in the BRC winning Evo 9, Marty McKenna/ Damien Fleming were 12th in a Mckinstry Motorsport Impreza WRC. 13th overall (Lucky for some!) went to Shane McGirr/ Jackie Elliott (Starlet) who took a start to finish 2WD victory to strengthen their resolve at the top of the “Valvoline” 2WD points. Runner up in the 2WD category; Dean Raftery/ Aileen Kelly (Fiesta) used the event as a shakedown for their up-coming BRC campaign. They increased their pace on the repeat loop closing to within 11 secs of MCGirr/ Elliott having set a blistering time on the final stage. West Cork’s Conor McCarthy/ Dan O’Donovan (Civic) made it two in a row as they claimed the Junior spoils again to consolidate their Junior Championship lead.
Results
Posted: May 24, 2014 2:49 PM
1 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 33m 55s,
2 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 34m 10s,
3 Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 34m 26s,
4 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 34m 28s,
5 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 34m 44s,
6 Martin Cairns/Ray Fitzpatrick (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) 35m 21s,
7 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 35m 26s,
8 Niall Henry/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 35m 30s,
9 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 35m 40s,
10 Mickey Carbin/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) 35m 49s.
Class Winners
Class 1 (1400cc): Johnny Kenneally/ Grace O’Brien (Escort).
Class 2 (1600 8v): Mike Garahy/ Paul Sheehan (Escort).
Class 3 (1600 16v): Dean Raftery/ Aileen Kelly (Fiesta R2).
Class 4 (2000 8v): Ray Benskin Jnr/ Nicky Hegarty (Escort).
Class 5A (2000 16v): Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Starlet).
Class 5B (2100): Ollie Williams/ Mark Bowens (Escort).
Class 7 (WRC's): Daniel O’Brien/Mark Glennerster (Focus WRC).
Class 8 (Gp N): Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Evo 9).
Class 9 (Junior's): Conor McCarthy/Dan O’Donovan (Civic).
Class 20 (4WD): Brendan Comiskey/ Ronan O’Kane (Evo 9).
Leaders After:
SS1-2 Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
SS3 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
& Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
SS4-6 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
Stage Winners
SS1 Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
SS2 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS3 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS4 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS5 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS6 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
Valvoline Forest Rally Championship, Round 2 Moonraker Preview.
Posted: April 11, 2014 10:07 AM
The second round of the 2014 Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship takes place in Ballyvourney this Sunday April 13th. The “Munster Car Club” has moved the event to a new Headquarters “The Abbey Hotel” Ballyvourney on the Cork/ Kerry county bounds offering 6 stages (3 repeated) in the Mullaghanish Mountain landscape. These forests have not been rallied in 7 years so like the first round it’s virtually new territory for everyone setting the scene for a very exciting rally.
CoC Jim Murphy & his team have devised a compact route of 52 stage kms & only 57 road kms. The opening stage “Gleanndave” is a short tyre warmer ahead of the mammoth ss2 “Caherdowney” - boasting a thrilling 16 kms of fast, technical road which will surely impact on the leaderboard. The third stage is a 5km sprint through “Derrinauling”. The first car starts from Parc Ferme (Scoil Ghobnatan) at 10:15. After the first 3 stages there is the lunchtime service at Ballyvourney Business Park before repeating the 3 stage loop. The first cars are due back at the finish ramp outside rally HQ at 15:45.
Top seed Owen Murphy (Evo 9) will face stiff opposition from the likes of Pat O’Connell, Desi Henry, Brendan Comiskey, Josh Moffett, Andrew Purcell and Peter McCullagh in various Evo’s. Martin Cairns is entered in his latest spec Impreza S14 WRC and could cause quite a stir. Daniel O’Brien is up grading to a ’05 spec Focus WRC, Marty McKenna is listed in his Impreza S8 WRC, Liam Regan is coming with his unusual yet very competitive Peugeot 206 4x4. Some local entries include Daniel Cronin (Evo 9) and Ger Lucey (Evo 8). Tarmac ace Darragh O’Riordan has entered his first forest rally and hopes to hire something for fun. The 2WD category should also be exciting with Shane McGirr in his rapid Starlet set to do battle yet again with the Escorts of Mickey Conlon, James Coleman and Ollie Williams to name but a few.
Please note; The “Willie Loughman Memorial” was scheduled to be round 2 on March 2nd based in Waterford City. However due to the damage caused by “Storm Darwin” the event had to be postponed & hopefully will be rescheduled to run at a later date to be confirmed.
Time and Distance (Rev 2)
Posted: April 11, 2014 10:05 AM
Press Release 2
Posted: April 9, 2014 9:04 PM
The countdown begins to Sunday the 13th of April 2014 when the woods of Ballyvourney will be transformed into top quality stages of the Moonraker Forestry stages. This year’s event sees a new location, sponsor and stages never before used by the Munster Car Club.
The move to Ballyvourney seems to have sparked a lot of interest with just over 60 entries being received for the event and a few more hoping to go should they be able to source cars. There is a big rally contingent from the Ballyvourney area and we see a few of those competing in the event which can be seen on the seeded entry list.
There is a strong top 10 entry that includes a couple of previous winners from the last few years including Pat O’Connell - winner in 2010, Owen Murphy – winner in 2012. Can either of them secure another win or will we see a new winner of the Moonraker Forestry? The rally entry sees a nice mix of cars competing in the event. There are 2 WRC’s and a large number of Mitsubishi Evos and Ford Escorts which are always going to create some sideways action for the spectators over the day.
Last minute entries are still being taken through the entries secretary or by downloading an entry form from the club website. The event route comprises of 3 stages being ran twice, and a total of 54km of stages and with low road mileage to keep the route nice and compact it is great value at €480. Make sure to check out the Munster Car Club website to watch our video sample of the stages that are being used.
Ensure to check the club website for Time & Distance schedules, Final Instructions (on Monday 7th April), Marshall meeting points and any other information that you may require for the weekend.
Seeded Entry List / Final Instrctions
Posted: April 8, 2014 9:47 AM
No Driver /Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
2 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
3 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
4 Brendan Cummiskey/Ronan O’Kane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
5 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
6 Martin Cairns/TBA TBA (Subaru S14 WRC) []
7 Peter McCullough/Tommy Cuddihy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
8 Andrew Purcell/John Rafter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
9 Darragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (TBA) []
10 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206 Evo) [20]
11 Niall Henry/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
12 Daniel O’Brien/Mark Glennerster (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
14 Daniel Cronin/Shane Buckley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
15 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
16 Marty McKenna/Damien Flemming (Subaru Impreza S8 WRC) [7]
17 Mike O’Connor/Gerry Lynch (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 2) [20]
18 Ian Chadwick/TBA (TBA) []
19 Mark Murphy/Alistar Wyliey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
20 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
21 Michael Carbin/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [20]
22 Patsy Kennean/Liam McLaughlin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) []
23 Danny Creedon/Derry Healy (Subaru Impreza) [6]
24 Gabriel Martin/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [6]
25 Joe Brady/Finbar Smith (Subaru Impreza) [6]
26 Mick Cremin/Derek Tobin (Mitsubisi Lancer Evo 5) []
201 Shane McGurr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet) [5A]
202 James Coleman/TBA (Ford Escort Mk II) [5]
203 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort Mk II) [5A]
204 Damien McGauran/Thomas McGauran (Toyota Corrolla RWD) [5A]
205 Oliver Williams/Mark Bowens (Ford Escort Mk II) [5B]
206 Mick O’Sullivan/Carol O’Keeffe (Ford Escort Mk II) [4]
207 Ray Benskin Jr/Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort Mk II) [4]
208 Allen Treacy/Brian O’Keeffe (Toyota Corrolla RWD) [3]
209 Alan Atchisson/Martin Swinburne (Ford Escort) [4]
210 Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Ka) [1]
211 Sean W Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon (Ford Escort Mk II) [4]
212 Ray Benskin Snr/TBA (Ford Escort Mk II) []
214 John Taggart/TBA (Ford Escort Mk II) [5A]
215 Douglas Stewart/Billy Ryan (Peugeot 206) [3]
216 Conor McCarthy/Dan O’Donovan (Honda Civic EK4) [9]
217 Shane Kenneally/Jer Connors (Ford Escort Mk II) [9]
218 Mike Garahy/TBA (Ford Escort Mk II) []
219 Diarmuid Lynch/John Falvey (Ford Escort Mk II) [4]
220 Noel Wade/Eamon Tuohy (Escort) []
221 Johnny Kenneally/Grace O’Brien (Ford Escort Mk II) [1]
222 Tim Howard/DJ Howard (Vauxhaull Nova) [2]
223 Brian Little/TBA (Ford Escort) [2]
224 Pierce Doheny Snr/Tommy Hayes (Peugeot 106) [1]
225 Tom Murphy/Colin Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk II) [2]
226 Colm O’Mahony/Ken Carmody (Ford Ka) [1]
227 Ian McCarthy/Vince Goggin (Honda Civic) [3]
228 Adrian Beattie/Declan Ryan (Honda Civic) [3]
229 Francis Kelly/Charlotte Egan (Vauxhall Nova) [2]
230 Jamie O’Flaherty/Daniel Hanratty (Peugeot 205) [2]
231 David Beamish/Muireann Hayes (Opel Corsa) [9]
232 Calvin Kirby/Breeda Ryan (Honda Civic) [3]
233 Andy Nash/ () [1]
234 Richie Dalton/Gary Yeats (Honda Civic EK 4) [3]
235 Christy McCarthy/Cliodhna Murphy (Peugeot 205) [9]
236 Emmett Lyons/Kevin Porsten (Honda Integra) []
237 Gabriel McCarthy/TBA (TBA) []
Late Entries will be taken
Final Instructions available at:
Entries Received - 25/3/14
Posted: March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Michael Carbin/Stephen Thornton
Joe Brady/Finbar Smith
Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna
Pierce Doheny/Tommy Hayes
Emmett Lyons/Kevin Porsten
Diarmuid Lynch/John Falvey
Ray Benskin Jr/Nicky Hegarty
Ian Chadwick/TBA
Darragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid
Jamie O’Flaherty/Daniel Hanratty
Damien McGauran/Thomas McGauran
Peter McCullough/Tommy Cuddihy
Liam Regan/Damien Duffin
Francis Kelly/Charlotte Egan
Sean Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon
Gerard Lucey/James Lucey
Alan Atchinson/Martin Swineburne
Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhilips
Richie Dalton/Gary Yeats
Alan Treacy/Brian O’Keeffe
Conor McCarthy/Dan O’Donovan
Pierce Doheny Snr/Tommy Hayes
Marty McKenna/Damien Fleming
Andrew Purcell/John Rafter
Andy Nash/TBA
Mike O’Connor/Gerry Lynch
Ollie Williams/Mark Bowes
Gabriel Martin/TBA
Niall Henry/John Rowan
Brian Little/TBA
Shane Mc Guirr/TBA
James Coleman/TBA
Ray Benskin Snr/TBA
Press Release 1
Posted: March 10, 2014 4:39 PM
With only 5 weeks to go to the April 13th Moonraker Forestry rally plans are at an advanced stage. This year’s event sees a new location, new sponsors, new headquarters and stages that have not previously been used by the Munster Car Club.
The new location sees the event being moved to Ballyvourney with the Abbey Hotel as the Headquarters and one of our main sponsors. The press launch took place on the 28th of February in the Abbey Hotel, with a crowd of approximately 100 people attending which shows that there is a good interest in this year’s event and the new location. There is a big rally contingent in this area which was also shown by the first entry received being from locals Gerard and James Lucey in their Mitsubishi Evo 8.
The route comprises of 3 stages that are being ran twice. With a total of 54km of stages and with low road mileage to keep the route nice and compact. Make sure you check out the Munster Car Club website to watch our video sample of the stages that are being used. The entry fee for the event is €480 and entries can be made through either EVO online entries or by downloading the Regs from the club website and posting to the entries secretary.
We are delighted to have Ace Signs come on board as a new associate sponsor for this year’s event along with the Abbey Hotel and we look forward to dealing with them hopefully for years to come. If you have any queries regarding booking accommodation for the rally this can all be made through the Abbey Hotel.
With the postponing of the Carrick on Suir Forestry in February due to severe weather conditions this will see the Moonraker being the second round that competitors can take part in for the 2014 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Championship. This means that all competitors entered in the Championship have already used one drop round. With only 5 rounds left in this year’s championship we should hopefully see a strong entry for the event.
We have the great pleasure of announcing that Darragh O’Riordan, our own club member and triple winner of the Cork 20 International rally, has confirmed to us that he is hiring a car to compete in this year’s Moonraker Forestry event. It is not confirmed yet what car he is hiring but he is sure to be entertaining to watch out on the stages for spectators.
Ensure to keep an eye out on our website for Time & Distance schedules, Final Instructions, Programme sales locations, Marshall meeting points and any other information that you may need over the coming weeks. In the meantime should you have any questions regarding entries please contact our entry secretary on 087-9038175 +353 87-9038175
We look forward to a great event and we look forward to seeing you in April
Rally Launch - (Fri) 28 Feb 14
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:21 AM
The Press launch of the 2014 Moonraker Forestry Rally will take place in the Abbey Hotel, Ballyvourney, on Friday 28th February at 8PM. All are very welcome to attend.
Regulations / Entry Form
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:07 AM
Poster / Details
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:06 AM
Video: Sample of the Stages
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:04 AM
New base for Moonraker Forestry
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:02 AM
The 2014 Moonraker forestry Rally will have a new location up near Ballyvourney on the Cork-Kerry border. 54km of good quality, technical stages, and 53km of compact road section. New stages : Format of 3×2.
Club / Championship Websites
Posted: February 25, 2014 11:01 AM
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