Birr & District Motor Club 2017 Abbey Court Hotel "Nenagh" Stages Rally - 26 February
Round 1 - 2017 National Rally Championship Round 1 - 2017 West Coast Rally Championship
Round 1 - 2017 Midlands East Rally Championship
Oliver Stanley Motors & Texaco Rally Programme Draw Results
Posted: March 15, 2017 9:46 AM
Results of the Rally Programme Draw
Sponsored by: Oliver Stanley Motors Durrow & Texaco
1st Prize Eur250 - David Keane, Tynagh, Co Galway
2nd Prize Eur150 - Gavin Woods, Rossmore, Grangefertagh, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny.
3rd Prize Eur100 - Pat Corcoran, Chesterfield Close, Birr, Co Offaly.
Special Prize Meal Voucher for the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel - Clodagh Henehan, Barrymore, Athlone, Co Roscommon.
In Car
Posted: March 1, 2017 6:21 AM
Brian Brady & Leonard Tuite (Honda Civic) SS3
Photos
Posted: March 1, 2017 6:19 AM
Video Clips
Posted: March 1, 2017 6:17 AM
MOFFETT WINS ABBEY COURT HOTEL NENAGH RALLY - Report courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship.
Posted: March 1, 2017 6:09 AM
Leading from the start Monaghan's Sam Moffett in a Ford Fiesta WRC and co-driven by Cavan's James Fulton won the Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh Rally, the opening round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. They finished 59.1 seconds ahead of the similar car of Donegal cousins, Declan and Brian Boyle.
Another Donegal driver, Donagh Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver Conor Foley in a Ford Focus WRC were 36.1 seconds further behind in third, they claimed an extra championship point for setting the fastest time on the Power Stage.
Cork's David Guest and his Monaghan co-driver Emmet Sherry (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category and Cavan's Gary McPhillips/James McNulty (Escort) took the laurels in the two-wheel drive section. Victory in the Junior category went to Donegal's Michael Boyle and his co-driver Dermot McCafferty (Honda Civic).
On the opening stage Moffett, despite stalling his Ford Fiesta WRC on the start line, was quickest and led Kelly by 10.1 seconds. Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) was a second further behind followed by Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC), who was 10.5 seconds further adrift and had to contend with a misted windscreen. Declan Boyle was next in a top six that was completed by the Escort of Adrian Hetherington.
On the second stage Moffett pushed on and arrived at the Nenagh service park with a 19.3 second lead over Boyle, who was slightly dubious about his time - he was shown as having posted the fastest stage time. The Donegal driver reckoned there was an error as Moffett arrived at the stage finish hot on his heels. ? (Boyle's time was subsequently amended after the finish). White admitted he took a cautious approach and wasn't taking any chances, he occupied third ? 12. 3 seconds further adrift and 3.2 seconds ahead of Kelly, who spun his Focus WRC half way through the stage.
Maguire struggled through the stage due to a heavily misted over windscreen. Mark Donnelly (Fiesta WRC) rounded off the top six as he took a steady approach on what was his debut outing in the car and his first tarmac rally in four years. Adrian Hetherington, who was next in classification continued to lead the two-wheel drive category and was trouble free. The top ten was completed by Stephen McCann, who reckoned his Fiesta S2000 lacked top speed on the opening stage. Gary McPhillips (Escort) was ninth with Daniel Cronin in tenth losing time with transmission woes as his Mitsubishi stuck in third gear, he withdrew at the service halt.
Meanwhile, in the Motorsport Safety Group N category David Guest (Mitsubishi) led the similar car of Neil Tohill by 14.3 seconds with Paul Barrett (Subaru) a fraction of a second further behind.
On the repeat of both stages Moffett was in control and duly extended his lead to 30.4 seconds, the rally leader was happy with his pace and remarked that he just needed to stay out of trouble. Second placed Boyle had a few moments when his car aquaplaned in the wet conditions. Meanwhile, White retained third as he admitted his tyre choice ? "a cut slick" - was a little too brave. Kelly closed to within 1.9 seconds but he reckoned that his lack of seat time and the conditions were costing him time. An untroubled Mark Donnelly (Fiesta WRC) and Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) rounded out the top six, the latter having sorted the issue with the windscreen.
Top two wheel drive exponents Adrian Hetherington and Gary McPhillips, both in Escorts, were next on the leaderboard, the margin between them stood at 7.2 seconds. Stephen McCann (Fiesta S2000) and Ed Murphy (Escort) completed the top ten.
In Group N, David Guest continued to control proceedings, he was 29.3 seconds ahead of the Mitsubishi of Shane Maguire with Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi) seven seconds further adrift in third followed by an untroubled Paul Barrett (Subaru).
Switching to a pair of stages closer to Nenagh for the afternoon, Moffett continued to blaze the trial and consolidated his lead to 58.8 seconds by the completion of S.S. 6. At the Nenagh service the Monaghan man recalled a major moment on the sixth stage when his Fiesta almost got away from him. Boyle was second and Kelly moved into third at the expense of White. Donnelly and Maguire both got through the pair of stages safely to hold fifth and sixth respectively.
McCann in seventh thought he had punctured when he clipped a bridge and he backed off for a few kilometres.
Gary McPhillips (Escort) took over the lead of the two-wheel drive category but Adrian Hetherington was only three tenths of a second behind in a top ten that was completed by the Mitsubishi of Group N leader David Guest, who took a steady pace as Shane Maguire cut the deficit to 17.2 seconds, Paul Barrett (Subaru) was third.
Moffett backed off on the final pair of stages to claim the spoils with Boyle second. Kelly punched in the best time on the Power Stage to claim the additional bonus point.
In the two-wheel drive category, McPhillips held off the challenge of Hetherington. Ian Barrett (Darian T90) was third in the category. Guest, Shane Maguire and Paul Barrett were the top three in Group N.
In the Junior category, winner Michael Boyle (Honda Civic) had to secure his side window that popped out on the way to the opening stage. The young Donegal driver found the final pair of stages very slippery, indeed, he endured a moment on the final stage when his Honda Civic slid in the conditions.
The Triton Showers "Drive of the Day" was won by Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta WRC).
TRITON SHOWERS SERIES BEGINS IN NENAGH - Preview courtesy of Triton Showers Proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship.
Posted: February 24, 2017 4:01 AM
The Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh Rally kicks starts the Triton Showers National Rally Championship season on Sunday next with former champion Donegal's Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) heading a competitive entry for eight-stage event in north Tipperary.
Commenting ahead of the new season, M.D. of Triton Showers Kevin Barrett said, "This is our third season of involvement with the national series. Irish rallying is in a difficult place right now with competitors finding it extremely hard to find the budget for a full season. An entry of 90 crews is now seen as a good entry compared to over 130 we had a number of years ago. It is very different times. That said, it is great to see a good start to the series in Nenagh and we in Triton Showers are looking forward to our involvement with the series as it winds its was around Ireland between now and the end of October when it concludes in Bantry in west Cork."
Top seed Kelly, who is chasing his third straight win in the Birr Motor Club promoted event has signalled his intentions to compete in the series that he last won in 2015. Although he only had sporadic outings last season he will still be expected to set a strong pace and a hat-trick of wins is a strong possibility. "It's been a while since I have been in the car (Donegal International Rally, June 2016). I'm a bit apprehensive but that said I don't see why I won't be competitive. The plan is to compete in the Triton series, we will take it event by event and see how it goes."
Reigning champion Clonmel's Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) begins the defence of his title and the Vard Memorial Trophy in his native county. "It looks like a very competitive top ten. Donagh's car (Ford Focus WRC) is the ultimate and he will go hard as will Declan, no matter what, he is always very quick and then there is Sam Moffett, another very quick driver while Niall (Maguire) can never be discounted. I can't wait to get stuck in, I'm really chomping at the bit for this season."
Former double National champion Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) has set his sights on a third title, despite winning five of last year's events, the Lettermacaward native missed out on the title and had to be content with runner-up spot. He will be hoping that the early season glitches in his Ford Fiesta WRC have all been sorted as he ventures into another Triton season.
With three titles already under his belt, the last in 2004, Monaghan's Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) has been seeking that elusive fourth crown but with such a strong level of competition this time around, his task will be even more difficult.
An entry from fellow Monaghan man Sam Moffett has spiced up proceedings, he will drive a Ford Fiesta WRC as opposed to his usual Ford Fiesta R5 and outright victory is well within his compass. The top six is completed by Omagh's Mark Donnelly in his Ford Fiesta WRC, who has stated his intention to contest the Triton Showers series.
West Cork driver Daniel Cronin competes in a Mitsubishi EvoIX, on his last outing on tarmac surface he won the Kerry Winter Rally in Banna where he beat Cavan's Stephen McCann, who debuted a Ford Fiesta S2000 on the same event, the latter is seeded behind Cronin as they renew rivalry in County Tipperary.
Meanwhile, another Cavan driver Gary McPhillips (Ford Escort) is also amongst the top ten, he heads the two-wheel drive entry and will be the barometer for Kildare's Ian Barrett in his Darrian T90, the low projectile will certainly be exciting to watch around the Nenagh roads.
Meath's Trevor Mulligan, the defending rally.ie champion (top two-wheel drive in overall standings) and the Triton Showers Mk. 2 Ford Escort Challenge champion will start from the number eleven berth. Others in the two-wheel drive category are Tyrone pair Adrian Hetherington and Viv Hamill, Killarney's Ed Murphy and Donegal's Mark Alcorn (Toyota Corolla).
In Group N, reigning Motorsport Safety Triton Showers champion Tyrone's Aidan Wray (Mitsubishi EvoX) heads a strong contingent in the showroom category as he seeks a hat-trick of titles. Dunmanway's David Guest (Mitsubishi EvoIX) will certainly pose a threat while Monaghan's Shane Maguire in a similar car and Maynooth's Paul Barrett (Subaru) will also be aiming to put the pressure on Wray. Barrett's car will again carry the Vado (a sister company of Triton Showers) livery, Vado are underpinning the television coverage of the Triton series that will be captured by On the Limit Sports and beamed to over 50 countries around the world.
Elsewhere, the entry also features Cahir's Andrew Fanning (Ford Fiesta), overseas driver Washington James in the ex-Roy White MG ZR, Limerick's Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi), New York based Martin Donnelly (Toyota Corolla WRC), Galwegian Richard Whelan (BMW 1M), Wexford's Richard Moore (Ford Escort), Limerick's Sean Moran (Ford Escort), Kerry's Tim Enright (Ford Escort), Clare's Alan O'Callaghan (Subaru) and another New York based driver, Paul Rowley (Citroen DS3R5).
In the Junior category, Donegal's Michael Boyle (Honda Civic) is the leading entry with opposition emanating from Cavan's Darren O'Brien, Meath duo Brian Brady and Tom Holton and Kerry's Kieran Reen, all in Honda Civics.
From a local (north Tipperary) perspective the entry features Nenagh's Andrew Slattery (Peugeot 208 R2), Templemore's Paul O'Brien (Honda Civic) and brothers David and Shaun Forde from Nenagh. David competes in a Subaru and while Shaun (Vauxhall Nova) will be making his first competitive outing on a tarmac surface rally.
Slattery's Garage, Puckane with support from Peugeot Ireland are co-sponsors of the rally.
Due to business commitments former National champion Peadar Hurson (Ford Fiesta WRC) is not competing in Nenagh but will be amongst the entry for the second round, the Midland Rally in Longford at the end of March where Donegal's Manus Kelly (Subaru WRC) will also begin his tilt for the Triton title.
Entries are still open and remain open indefinitely.
Birr MC "Nenagh" Stages Rally Entries Open
Posted: February 6, 2017 3:11 PM
Competitors the Entries are open for the 2017 Nenagh Stages Rally. This event is the 1st round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, Top Part West Coast Rally Championship & Midlands East Rally Championship. Having been 1 of the many Motor Clubs that have committed to running stage rallies for 2017 we need the support of You the Competitor to enter our event and help do your part to ensure we keep rallying alive for the future.
The event consists of 4 Brand New stages, extremely low road mileage, very centralised service area on Tarmac surface.
Details on Entry forms below:
So don't delay, get your entry in for what is going to be a brilliant competitor friendly event.
RAE Autofactor FWD Award
Posted: February 3, 2017 7:19 AM
We are delighted to have RAE Autofactor LTD on board again this year to sponsor the Front Wheel Drive Award for this years Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh Stages Rally.
The first placed F.W.D car home will receive their Entry Fee refunded, so get your Hondas, Peugeots, Citroens, Fords and Renaults ready for Sunday February 26th.
RAE Autofactors are owned by well known Father & Son Rally Men Mick & Eoghan Fogarty and have branches in Roscrea, Templemore & Borrisokane.
Rally Launch - (Sat) 28 Jan 17
Posted: January 27, 2017 3:59 AM
This Saturday 28th January at 4pm Birr & District Motor Club launch the 2017 Abbey Court Hotel "Nenagh" Stages rally. The rally is round 1 of Triton Showers National Rally Championship, Top Part West Coast Rally Championship & Midlands East Rally Championship.
The event co-sponsor "Slattery's of Puckane Peugeot" will have some of the new Peugeot Range in attendance on the day including the recently launched 308 GTi. They will also have their Peugeot 208 R2 Rally car on display.
Why not call in to the Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh this Saturday 28th at 4pm to get the 2017 Rally season off the ground. All are welcome.
Regulations / Entry Form / Details
Posted: January 26, 2017 3:49 AM
Regulations & Entry Form are now available for the forthcoming Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Tarmac Stages Rally taking place on Sunday 26th February.
Entries are now open.
EVENT FORMAT
Compact Route (Low Road Mileage).
Service after every 2 Stages.
4 Excellent Stages repeated Twice.
Juniors compete on 6 Stages.
Scrutiny, Parc Ferme, & Trailer beside HQ.
Service Area 5 Minute Drive from HQ.
On the M7.
Special Rally Accomodation Deals in the Hotel.
Start: 8.40am
Finish: 16.41pm
Opening round of the Triton Showers National, Top Part West Coast & Midlands East Rally Championships.
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