Connacht Sligo Stages Rally - 12 Jul 15

SLIGO OFFERS KELLY FIRST CHANCE OF TRITON SHOWERS TITLE - Preview Courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: July 11, 2015 7:40 PM

Triton Showers National Rally Championship leader Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) has the first of three opportunities to clinch the Vard Memorial Trophy on Sunday's McCormack Opel/Sligo Park Hotel Rally, round six of the eight round campaign. Donegal driver Kelly and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan have been in sensational form in this year's national campaign where they have stormed their way through five rounds securing all but three of the 115 points that were on offer. This season's introduction of a Power Stage - akin to the World Rally Championship - allows the fastest Triton Showers registered competitor over the final stage to gain an additional three points. Kelly has won every Power Stage bar the opening round in Abbeyleix when Garry Jennings created history in becoming the first to win a Power Stage in the Triton Series.

In Sligo, eleven championship points will be sufficient for Kelly to annex the prestigious Vard Memorial Trophy for the very first time. "Yes, it will be a Sunday drive, much as we would like to have a go, we must be sensible as well. I didn't set out with any aspirations but now it would be nice to win the title. I have really enjoyed the Triton series, it's been great with the level of promotion and publicity. There is a competitive rivalry in all regards but it's also been a friendly rivalry." said Kelly.

Meanwhile, outgoing champion and fellow Donegal driver Declan Boyle, who is the top seed, will give his state of the art Ford Fiesta WRC it's debut in the national championship. Monaghan's Sam Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC), who won his home event last April, should provide some great opposition for the Donegal pair. In the last round in Waterford former triple champion Niall Maguire debuted the ex-Boyle S12B Subaru WRC and although he took some time to acclimatise the Monaghan man should be quicker in Sligo where he has won in the past. With Kelly set for Triton success and in the absence of Kerry's Alan Ring, Maguire can take a major step in securing the runner-up spot.

Having finished runner-up last year and third in 2013, Clonmel's Roy White (MG ZR) can improve his bid for a top three finish, currently, he is fourth overall 13 points adrift of third placed Alan Ring.

Also in the Sligo top ten are Tyrone's Martin Cairns (S14 Subaru WRC), John Cairns (Subaru WRC) and top two-wheel drive competitor Donegal's Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet). Gallagher could make a late bid for the rally.ie title, with points from Monaghan and the last round in Waterford, he has annexed 27 points, Cavan's Chris Armstrong has 46 points with Jonathan Pringle on 40 points.

The modified entry includes the Escorts of Jonathan Pringle, Gary Kiernan, Chris Armstrong and David Moffett (Toyota Starlet). Armstrong is four points ahead of Pringle in the battle for success in the Triton Showers Mk. 2 Champions Trophy.

In Group N, Donegal's Trevor Bustard (Mitsubishi EvoIX) faces opposition from the similar cars of Pat Kirk, Shane Maguire, Aidan Wray (Mitsubishi EvoX) and Paul Barrett (Subaru). In the Motorsport Safety Group N category Wray is six points ahead of Paul Barrett.

Other entries in Sligo are Waterford's Eddie Power (Toyota Corolla WRC) and Wexford's Graham Scallon (Mitsubishi EvoX) while the local contingent includes Paul Kiely (Mitsubishi), Dominic McLoughlin (Peugeot 205) and Colin Currid (Escort).
Roscommon's Cormac Phelan (Citroen C2R2) heads the entry in the Junior category where current leader Wexford?s James Phelan (Honda Civic) is amongst the opposition.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: July 7, 2015 11:53 AM

No Driver/Co-driver (Car) [Class]
1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
2 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
3 Sam Moffett/tba tba (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
4 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza S12B) [7]
5 Kenny McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
7 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2400) [20]
8 Martin Cairns/Gary McElhinney (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
9 John Cairns/James Cairns (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
10 Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Toyota Starlet) [13R]
11 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort) [14]
12 Gary Kiernan/NIall Tierney (Ford Escort MkII) [13R]
14 Chris Armstrong/James Fulton (Ford Escort MkII) [13R]
15 David Moffett/Fintan Sherry (Toyota Starlet) [13R]
16 Trevor Bustard/John McCafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
17 Pat Kirk/John McElhinney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
18 Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
19 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [4]
20 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza N14) [4]
21 Eddie Power/John Rafter (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
22 Graham Scallan/Tom Scallan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 R4) [5]
23 Sean Gallagher/Barry McNulty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
24 Paul Kiely/Patrick Corcoran (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
25 Raymond Conlon/Mark Sheridan (Toyota Corolla) [13R]
26 Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee (Ford Escort) [13R]
27 Damian Toner/Damien Fleming (Ford Escort) [14]
28 Marty Toner/Sharon Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [12]
29 Brian Armstrong/Mark Tierney (Ford Escort) [12]
30 John Bonner/Leon Jordan (Ford Escort) [13R]
31 Jonny Leonard/Niall Burns (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
32 Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [20]
33 Anthony Cairns/Mark Preston (Subaru Impreza ) [20]
34 Eamonn Daly/Brian Doherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
35 Anthony O'Brien/Stephen O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
36 Colin Flanagan/Barry McLoughlin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [15]
37 Gary Cairns/Justin Coyle (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
38 Seamus Hegarty/James Doherty (Ford Escort) [14]
39 Shane O'Rourke/Alan McGovern (Mitsubishi Evo) [4]
40 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet) [13R]
41 Lloyd Hutchinson/Willie Fitzpatrick (BMW Mini) [9]
42 PJ Bonner/Vicki Kane (Ford Escort) [14]
43 Dominic McLoughlin/Brian McLoughlin (Peugeot 205) [13R]
44 Callum Devine/Brian Hoy (Opel Adam) [2]
45 Richard Tannahill/Aileen Kelly (Peugeot 208) [2]
46 Enda McLoughlin/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort) [13R]
47 Sean Liston/Katrina Walsh Liston (BMW E30) [13R]
48 Colin Currid/Paul Gallagher (Ford Escort) [12]
49 Colin O'Rourke/Pat McSharry (Ford Escort) [13R]
50 Vincent Collins/Karen Kelly (Ford Escort) [12]
51 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCudden (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
52 Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan (Ford Escort) [11R]
53 Declan Hall/Chris Corr (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
54 Cartha Boyle/Johnny Rooney (Ford Escort) [11R]
55 Justin Smyth/Alan Keena (Ford Escort) [9]
56 Philip Harte/Stephen Brady (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
57 Paraic Cummins/Graham Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [14]
58 Brendan O'Reilly/Mark Hamill (Ford Escort) [9]
59 Gene McDonald/Paul O'Hare (Ford Escort) [9]
60 Gavin Gallagher/Fintan Monaghan (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [20]
61 Alan Atcheson/Thomas Wedlock (Ford Escort) [12]
62 Declan McBrearty/tba tba (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
63 Steven Corey/Vinnie Boyd (Ford Escort) [13R]
64 Sam Johnston/Nigel McGloughrey (Honda Civic) [11F]
65 Eddie Peterson/Daire Maguire (Honda Civic) [11F]
66 Pauric McGee/Shane Barry (Honda Civic) [1]
67 Alan Lawson/Sean Harte (Honda Civic) [11F]
68 Kieran Carroll/John Conway (Honda Civic) [11F]
69 Mark Geraghty/Robert Nolan (Vauxhall Nova) [11F]
70 Barry Cuffe/Aiden Gannon (Ford Escort) [11R]
71 Alan Quinn/Gary Quinn (Opel Manta 400) [13R]
72 Kenneth Ryan/Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort) [11R]
73 Jason Tuthill/Ben Teggart (Ford Escort) [11R]
74 JF Shovelin/Terence Furey (Subaru Impreza) [15]
75 Derek Bolton/Trevor O'Connell (Subaru Impreza) [15]
76 Martin O'Donnell/tba tba (Honda Civic) [2]
77 Martin Freestone/Misha Freestone (Toyota Starlet) [11R]
78 Martin Ewing/James Ewing (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
79 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Honda Civic) [3]
80 Roger Kennedy/Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot 306) [3]
81 Eddie Donaghy/Emily Donaghy (Honda Civic) [3]
82 Eoin Neville/Billy Collins (Honda Civic) [3]
83 Kev Price/Eileen Murphy (Honda Civic) [3]
84 John Duffy/John Egan (Honda Integra) [3]
85 Shane Forde/Seamus McTigue (Honda Civic) [2]
86 David Quinn/Enda McGonigle (BMW) [14]
87 Declan Gannon/John Collins (BMW M3) [14]
88 Michael Loughney/Fergal Loughney (Ford Escort) [9]
89 David Healy/Stephen McGing (Honda Civic) [1]
90 Stephen Reynolds/Jimmy Gillespie (Ford Escort) [13R]
91 Declan Flannery/tba tba (Peugeot 106) [11F]
92 David Kelly/James Connwell (Peugeot 205) [10]
93 William Carey/Jimmy Graham (Ford Escort) [13R]
94 Simon Michael/Connor Dunlop (Ford Escort) [12]
95 William Vance/Billy Vance (Ford Escort) [12]
96 Paul Curran/Gareth Johnston (Toyota Starlet) [9]
97 Damien Scanlon/tba tba (Honda Civic) [1]
98 Declan McShane/Emmet Brosnan (Honda Civic) [1]
99 Johnny Orr/Bernard Gallagher (Honda Civic) [1]
100 Shane Henry/David Henry (Suzuki Swift) [9]
101 Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes (Honda Civic) [9]
102 Marty Gallagher/Dean O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11F]
103 Ferlin Taylor/Deirdre Benson (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
104 Gary Meehan/Patrick McCrudden (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
105 John McCabe/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort) [11R]
106 George Baskin/Dillon Baskin (VW Golf) [14]
107 Conor McCrossan/Chris Melly (Honda Civic) [11F]
108 Fergal Callaghan/tba tba (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
109 Ronan Keys/Paddy Nash (Peugeot 106) [9]
110 Christy Gallagher/Conal McNulty (Toyota Starlet) [11R]
111 Ruari McCaffrey/Aaron Johnston (Honda Civic) [1]
112 Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
113 Iarla Carty/tba tba (BMW Mini) [18]
114 Quentin Park/tba tba (Ford Escort) [12]
115 Collette Rooney/Sinead McCafferty (Vauxhall Nova) [12]
116 Eamonn McCafferty/Michael Donnelan (Ford) [9]
117 Ciaran Phelan/Tony O'Brien (Honda Civic) [11F]
118 Paddy Quinn/Fintan Lennon (Ford Escort) [10]
119 Shane Carr/Ciaran Carr (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
120 Mark Boyle/Charles Gallagher (Honda Civic) [1]
121 Stephen Peoples/Kieran Burke (Ford Escort) [11R]
122 Charlie Heraghty/Barry McBride (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
123 Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin (Ford Escort) [11R]
124 Ernest Browne/Nicholas Harron (Rover Mini) [9]
125 Raymond Gileece/tba tba (Honda Civic) [3]
126 Art McCarrick/John McCay (Peugeot 106) [2]
127 Ivan Warwick/Evelyn Warwick (Audi Coupe) [20]
128 Daniel Kelly/Liam McEntyre (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
129 Joe Moffitt/Eddie Moffitt (Honda Civic) [1]
130 Karl Fallis/Steven Monaghan (Honda Civic) [2]
131 Tonya Fortune/Damian Lawlor (Honda Civic) [3]
132 John McGuire/Cormac McGuire (Ford Escort) [12]
133 Ronan Moore/Lorcan Moore (Ford Escort) [3]
134 Aubrey Carson/Mary McAndrew (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
135 Kieran McGinley/James Heraghty (Honda Civic) [1]
136 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Ford Escort) [14]
137 Conn Mulcahy/John Nugent (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
138 Rory Carroll/Patrick Herity (Ford Escort) [14]
139 Willie McFadden/tba tba (Ford Escort) [13R]

Junior
Car Driver/Co-driver (Make) [Class]
J1 Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Citroen C2R2 Max) [16]
J2 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [16]
J3 Gary McNamee/Ella Ryan (Honda Civic) [16]
J4 Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J5 Tom Holton/tba tba (Honda Civic) [16]
J6 Justin Ryan/Andy Walsh (Honda Civic) [16]
J7 Stephen Reynolds/Derek McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
J8 Noel Murphy/Stephen Monaghan (Honda Civic) [16]
J9 Keelan Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Honda Civic) [16]
J10 Philip McDonald/David Gibbins (Honda Civic) [16]
J11 Brian Moore/Stephen Gallagher (Honda Civic) [16]
J12 Richard Moore/tba tba (Honda Civic) [16]

McCormack OPEL - Sligo Park Hotel - Sligo Stages Rally 2015 Launched

Posted: July 1, 2015 9:13 AM

On Wednesday night last, the official launch of the 2015 Stages Rally took place in Sligo Park Hotel, previewed by a photoshoot on the grounds of the hotel and earlier at the Showroom of Mc Cormack Opel in Carraroe.

Present were sponsor representatives, dignitaries and members of the motorsport community locally and nationally.

Speaking at the formal launch, Robert Lyttle Clerk of the Course revealed detail of the forthcoming event, elaborating on the efforts to maximise stage mileage proportionally to the length of road sections. A particular amount of thought would also have gone into the accessibility and photographic nature of the stages for enthusiasts this year. The scrutiny area also, located in Stephen Street Car Park in the heart of Sligo, is an opportunity to bring the rally atmosphere to a wider audience who may never travel to a competitive stage but appreciate the efforts and time taken in the preparation of a rally car.

Robert thanked the sponsors of the rally, those loyal for many years, the Sligo Park Hotel, home of Sligo rally for over thirty years and recognised for its welcome and hospitality over the rally weekend. In voicing his appreciation to the new joint title sponsor for 2015 sponsor, Mc Cormack Opel, Robert said he was particularly delighted to see the involvement from the motortrade in Motorsport.

The Clerk of the Course also thanked, stage sponsors,
Stage 1 - Gulf / Hot Rods, Stage 2 - Kerrigan Quarries and Stage 3 - Herron KIA and Local crew award sponsor Mc Gowan Landscapes.

In referring to entries , Robert said he was encouraged with the level of entries so far , up on last year at this time , but was hopeful would fill out in the coming weeks.

Entries open for Sligo Stages Rally 2015

Posted: June 5, 2015 9:36 AM

With less than six weeks till the Mc Cormack Opel-Sligo Park Hotel / Stages Rally 2015, regulations have been published and entries are currently open.

The event consists of three special stages, repeated three times, totalling approximately 118 kilometres with total road section 112 kilometres and a very accommodating central service. Robert Lyttle, Clerk of the Course is confident the selection of stages, all of clean sealed surface, will have something for every class. Once again mechanical scrutiny will take place in the heart of Sligo town, Stephen Street car park, when enthusiasts, young and old will get the opportunity to get up close with all the rally cars and get a taste of the atmosphere prior to the serious competition on Sunday.

The rally in its 34th year has entered a new era, with the re-emergence of title sponsorship from the Dealership motor trade .The welcome support from Mc Cormack Opel is encouraging, particularly as the Opel has begun focusing on the R5 category with the Adam with suggestions to introduce the next series Corsa. Maintaining tradition, Rally headquarters will once again be based at the four star Sligo Park Hotel, which has provided a welcoming environment for Competitors, Spectators and Official alike throughout the history of Sligo Stages.

Constant updates will be available at connachtmotorclub.com as well as twitter and Facebook

Sligo Stages Rally 2015 C.O.C. appointed.

Posted: June 5, 2015 9:30 AM

Connacht Motor Club are delighted that Robert Lyttle has accepted the role as Clerk of the Course for Sligo Stages Rally 2015. This is his third consecutive year in this period of reign having led the team on two previous terms.

The first taste for the C.O.C. role for Robert was back in the millennium year, having brought his expertise to the timing area of events previous. It?s ironic that , 2015 a year that turns a new chapter in the National Rally Championship , with the new sponsor, Triton Showers being unveiled , mirrors somewhat Roberts Millennium 2000 event which was the inaugural year of the Dunlop sponsorship of the series . Interestingly that same year, the stages ran later in the month of July, due to a Connacht Football Final fixture clashing with the local rally date, and to alleviate traffic flow pressures approaching the town, it was accommodated by moving the rally date by two weeks. The following year, Sligo Stages 2001 was also impacted by external influences, when the Foot and Mouth hit the country, forcing the cancellation of numerous sporting events. In the interim Robert, with the support of a dedicated committee, has brought the many events to the highest level, which saw last year?s stages, a dropped National round, start 111 on the day. Also in both 2008 and 2009 Robert led the team, during the period which Rally Ireland was hosted in the region, a time which demanded much commitment from all motorsport volunteers on the ground but particularly many Connacht Motor Club Members who were actively involved.

This year also, Sligo Stages 2015 will mark a particular milestone in the club event history as Robert will be the first C.O.C. to rein over eight events, the late Fintan Newport having pioneered over seven.

Both, as a counting round of the newly restructured Triton Showers National Championship and the, now six round, Sligo Pallets Border Championship it is expected to surpass last year?s entry numbers.

Regulations / Club Website

Posted: June 5, 2015 9:27 AM

Connacht Motor Club