Finale in the Forests! - Moffett or O'Brien for the Valvoline Title?
Posted: November 3, 2015 5:49 AM
The seventh and final round of the 2015 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forestry
Championship, the Mid-Antrim Motor Club's Glens of Antrim Rally, provides a fitting finale
to what has been an epic twenty-fifth Irish forestry championship season. Indeed plans are
underway to reunite the winners since the series inception for the prize-giving at the end of
the month.
This Saturday, the legendary Cam and Springwell forest stages will host thirty-eight stage
miles, thirty-eight miles that will decide the 2015 Valvoline Championship. In the overall
points table Mick O'Brien holds the advantage in his Tom Gahan run 2008 Ford Focus WRC,
but when dropped scored come into play it's less clear cut. For the first time this season,
regular co-driver James O'Brien cannot make it due to Alan Ring's wedding, so Cork's Liam
Brennan has stepped in to see if he can guide the London based Irish man to his second
forestry title. "I haven't thought much about it "said Mick. "It could be more luck than
judgement, what happens on Saturday. I think Josh is ahead of me on dropped scores, with
his two wins to my one, but it's all to play for. I haven't done this rally before, but the stages
look excellent on the DVD, so we will just have to go for it. Josh is a good competitor and is
very committed on the fast gravel. No matter who wins the series, I've really enjoyed the
championship. It's been great craic, good competition and the TV coverage to watch it all
back has all added to it" said the 2013 champion.
Mayo winner Josh Moffett, in his Gerry McGarrity developed Mitsubishi Evo 9. "It's
important on Saturday that we finish, and anything can happen in rallying" said Josh. "As far
as we can work out, first or second in the points would be enough to clinch the series when
dropped scores are taken into account. We are looking forward to the event, they are good
stages. The Irish Forestry series is a very good one to do, and it takes very little time to do,
there is no recce, just watching the DVD during the week, so you can balance your work,
which is quite something. To win it would be quite special, there's no doubt, but it's too
early to think about that."
Adding spice to the entry are local lads- the Henry Brother's- Desi in his Super 2000 Skoda,
and Niall the Impreza S9 WRC, and these registered crews positions could be critical in the
title race. The rally itself boasts some interesting entries such as Kenny McKinstry, Martin
Cairns and Mark Donnelly in WRC Impreza's and Marty McCormack in another S2000 Skoda
Fabia.
Another championship to be decided is the Valvoline Junior between Alan Moran in his 206
Cup Car, Patrick O'Brien in his C2 R2, and Derek Mackarel in his Opel Corsa. Not only are two
Kumho tyres from Ears Motorsport Ireland up for grabs on the event, but the championship
winner receives an automatic nomination for the prestigious Motorsport Ireland Billy
Coleman Award. There is no doubting just how important Saturday's race in the Antrim
forests is to these young hot-shots.
With other important class positions to be finalised, the championship, unlike many has
been kept alive right until the final round, in what has been an exciting year, and even more
interest for 2016.
RiverRidge Recycling Gears Up for Glens of Antrim Rally
Posted: October 22, 2015 5:38 AM
THE RiverRidge Recycling Rally Team has fastened their seat belts and is getting ready to take part in the high adrenaline Glens Of Antrim Rally for the second year in a row. Mid Antrim Motor Club will host the final round of the Valvoline Irish Forest rally championship, which will see a return to the fantastic Cam and Springwell forests.
Following the success of the last three years, RiverRidge Recycling for the fourth year in a row, has announced that they will be the Glens of Antrim Rally headline sponsor. Competition is stronger than ever of this exciting and bold race, which will cover 38 stage miles and 65 road miles of racing and a large number of entries.
Taking place on Saturday 7th November 2015, this year's event promises to be an action filled day with the finest in rallying taking part in the six special stages totaling forty competitive miles at the classic forest rally.
Clerk of the Course William Carey said, "We are extremely delighted to welcome back RiverRidge Recycling as headline sponsor, the support provided by the company plays a very significant part in the event. Without them we couldn't provide such an excellent event and this year as before we will be using their Ringsend premises as our Rally HQ.
"I am extremely impressed by their professional facility. With a large hard standing area and use of their offices it makes an ideal location for our centralised services so close to Cam and Springwell.
"The scrutiny, start, service and finish of the event will take place at RiverRidge Recycling and from here drivers will be challenged to overcome the obstacles of three blasts through the two forests, it is sure to appeal to all competitors wanting to get a run out in the forests before the end of the season."
RiverRidge Recycling's Financial Director, Eamon Doherty, a keen motorsport fan and rally driver will be jumping into the hot seat this year again for the final loop of the 2015 Championship.
"It's fantastic that RiverRidge is involved in the Glens of Antrim Rally again this year. It is a great opportunity for us, at RiverRidge Recycling we pride ourselves in supporting local events and being headline sponsor provides us with the opportunity to not only show our support for this superb local event but get to play a part in providing local rally competitors and fans with such an attractive day's racing.
"This year we will be running three cars in the event, and we are prepared for the highly competitive race, and of course we are hopeful that we can build on our results from last year."
He added: "Each year we have really enjoyed the rally for many reasons, from a competitive point of view we are racing against some of the best rally drivers in the country and the atmosphere is always electric which creates such a major buzz for both competitors and fans alike.
Mr Carey concluded; "If you want to experience the thrill of the race, registration is still open. Following the success of last year's event I would certainly advise that entries are submitted as soon as possible. Entry fee remains the same as last year at ?295 and road risk insurance has been reduced to ?18, making this rally excellent value per mile."
Mid Antrim Motor Club will host the final round of the Valvoline Irish Forest rally championship which will see a return to the fantastic Cam and Springwell forests.
RiverRidge Recycling once again return as the event sponsor and have provided their excellent facilities for scrutiny and service during the day.
With a simple format of two stages run three times totalling 40 miles, central service and scrutiny on the morning of the event, it is sure to appeal to all competitors wanting to get a run out in the forests before the end of the season.
Regulations and entry form are now available - Link below.
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