2018 Irish Forestry Championship finishes in Omagh
Posted: September 22, 2018 7:26 AM
The final round of the 2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship takes place this coming weekend with the Omagh based McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally taking place on Saturday 22nd September. Although the overall championship was decided in favour of Josh Moffett at the previous round on the Lakelands Rally, there are still many classes and categories down for decision. The runner up spot in the series is still up for grabs between Stephen McCann, Barry McKenna & Andrew Purcell and all three are entered in their respective Ford Fiesta R5’s. Cathan McCourt who has had a couple of very good results since switching over to a Fiesta from a Citroen mid-season will also be looking to finish the season on a high.
Turning to the homologated classes, Cal McCarthy from Clonakilty has already won class 2 in a Citroen C2 R2. In Class 4 Conor McCourt leads Stephen Dickson by three points, both drivers in Mitsubishi Lancers, with McCourt having the edge over the last three rounds. Stephen McCann leads Class 5 from Andrew Purcell after a very consistent year having finished all rounds to date and is eleven points clear.
As always most the modified classes are still up for grabs going into the final event where Class 9 has two contenders, Dean Humphrey holding eight point lead over Jonathan McAleer. Mike Garahy has already won Class 10 in his Escort, with James Dunphy in a similar situation in Class 11R. Stewart McClean leads class 11F by five points from Kieran Lynch with Ruairi Maguire nine points off the lead and relying on his two rivals to falter. Brian Little leads Class 12 in his Escort but with dropped scores to come into play Ruairi McCaffrey still has a chance. Class 13 is between Tommy O’Connell’s Escort and Damien McGauran’s BMW and the former holds an 11 point advantage, with David Crossen, Shane McGirr and John Gordon out of the running for the overall class. Mickey Conlon & Niall Turley have won class 14 and 15 respectively after strong performances during the year.
Class 16 which holds the Junior Championship contenders sees four drivers still in contention with a number of possible permutations when dropped scores come into play. Marty Gallagher is currently on 49 points in his Peugeot 208 R2, with James Wilson in a similar car only a single point behind. One further point back is Derek Mackarel in a Vauxhall Nova, but Jordan Hone in fourth place who is only six points off the lead can gain the most points when dropped scores are taken into account. It promises to be the most intense battle of the weekend and it’s anybody’s guess who will come out on top. Class 20 is also down for decision with Donall Sweeney still leading by three points despite his non finish on the Lakelands. Mark Murphy & Pauric Sheridan are second and third overall respectively and can take advantage of any slip up by Sweeney.
There are 11 stages in total and the action gets underway at 9:30am with the service area located in Aghyaran Community Centre in Castlederg. The first cars are due back at the finish ramp at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh at around 5:30pm.
Rally Programmes
Posted: September 20, 2018 3:40 PM
Culmore Service Station-Mccullagh's Centra
McCullagh's 24hr Campise
Silverbirch Hotel
Vivo Stores, Clanabogan
Vivo Drumquin
The Hamilton's SPAR Group (Castlederg)
Killeter Shop
Henry Vies to Stay in Title Hunt at the McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally! - McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship
Posted: September 18, 2018 7:00 AM
The McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship bursts back into action this Saturday when the Omagh based McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally gets underway!
Omagh Motor Club has received a stunning entry of more than 120 crews in a variety of machinery for the 11-stage event which could see Derek McGarrity and Paddy Robinson crowned as the 2018 N.I. Champions.
Only two crews can stop McGarrity in his tracks and they include number one seeds, Desi Henry and Liam Moynihan. Having won last year's event, Henry will proudly display the coveted 'number one' on the doors of his Skoda Fabia R5. However, finishing as number one in this year's title race will prove a little more difficult.
To stay in the title race, the Portglenone driver must win the event and hope that McGarrity finishes outside the top four. The same can be said for Mini WRC pilot Alan Carmichael, who starts at number 14. He also needs a victory to keep his hopes alive.
Anything less and the title will belong to McGarrity. He is seeded at number nine and the championship odds are very much in his favour. However, such is the quality of entry that even a top four position, which would be enough to secure his eighth title success, is far from certain.
Desi Henry will lead the 122-strong field away from the Silverbirch Hotel start ramp at approximately 9.30am on Saturday. Following in his wheel tracks will be a host of crews vying for the rally spoils including newly crowned Valvoline Forestry Champion Josh Moffett.
Moffett secured victory and the Irish title just a couple of weeks ago at Enniskillen's Lakeland Stages where one of his main rivals, Barry McKenna, crashed out on the opening stage. McKenna, who lives in New York, is back to make amends and starts at number three.
Former N.I. Champion, Connor McCloskey, has entered in an Impreza WRC. It will be his second foray into the series this year and he starts at number four ahead of the Impreza belonging to former Scottish champion, Jock Armstrong.
Irish forestry series regulars Adrian Hetherington (Corolla WRC), Andrew Purcell (Mitsubishi) and Cathan McCourt (Fiesta R5) complete the top eight crews with Derek McGarrity at nine in a Focus WRC ahead of Vivian Hamill's Fiesta R5. There are many more notable names outside the top 10 including former N.I. champion, Kenny McKinstry, as well as Martin Cairns in his Fiesta WRC.
The two-wheel drive battle will be intense with David Crossen going up against newly crowned British Historic Champion, Paul Barrett. Others in the mix include Paul's brother, Ryan Barrett, as well as Shane McGirr, Mickey Conlon, David Condell, Oran Donnelly and John Gordon, who is back out in his Escort after it landed on its roof during the Lakeland Stages Rally.
The rally gets underway around 9.30am. Crews will tackle 11 stages and the service area will be based at Aghyaran Community Centre in Castlederg. The champagne spraying finish will take place at the Silverbirch Hotel around 5.25pm. Log on to www.nirallychampionship.com and fb.com/nirallying for more details.
Seeded Entry List
Posted: September 14, 2018 7:52 AM
1 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) [10]
2 Josh Moffett/Stephen Thornton (Ford Fiesta R5+) [8]
3 Barry McKenna/Leon Jordan (Ford Fiesta R5+) [9]
4 Connor McCloskey/John Rowan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
5 Jock Armstrong/Graham Henderson (Subaru Impreza N11) [9]
6 Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O'Neill (Toyota Corolla WRC) [9]
7 Andrew Purcell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
8 Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta R5) [10]
9 Derek McGarrity/Paddy Robinson (Ford Focus WRC) [9]
10 Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan (Ford Fiesta R5+) [9]
11 Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru Impreza WRC S14 ) [9]
12 Martin Cairns/Peter Ward (Ford Fiesta WRC) [9]
14 Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont (Mini WRC) [9]
15 Alan Smyth/MacKierans (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [8]
16 Patrick O'Brien/Stephen O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [8]
17 Stephen McCann/Kaine Treanor (Ford Fiesta R5) [9]
18 Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [2]
19 Niall Devine/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
20 Conor McCourt/Caolan McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
21 Donall Sweeney/Stephen O Hanlon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
22 Darren McKelvey/Aaron Johnston (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
23 Gareth Sayers/Gareth Gilchrist (Subaru Impreza WRC S9) [9]
24 Niall Henry/Danien Duffin (Citroen DS3 R5) [8]
25 Paul Britton/George Tinsley (Subaru Impreza STI N16) [2]
26 David Crossen/Aileen Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
27 Paul Barrett/Gordon Noble (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
28 Ryan Barrett/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
29 Shane McGirr/Liam McIntyre (Ford Escort Mk2) [7]
30 Liam Regan/David McElroy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [2]
31 Ashley Dickson/James Lowry (Mitsibushi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
32 Robert McKelvey/Jordon Murphy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [2]
33 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort Mk2) [7]
34 David Condell/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [7]
35 Oran Donnelly/Mo Downey (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
36 John Gordon/Thomas Wedlock (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
37 Thomas O Connell/Denver Rafferty (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
38 Owen McMackin/Barry Ferris (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
39 Stephen Dickson/Tommy Hayes (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
40 Austin Snow/John Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
41 Enda McCormack/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Fiesta R5) [10]
42 Martin Donnelly/Brian Doherty (Ford Fiesta R5) [10]
43 Eamon Mimnagh/Barney McCarney (Mitusbishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
44 Paul McCann/Paddy Plunkett (Skoda Fabia S2500) [8]
45 Mark Courtney/Ciaran Marron (Subaru Impreza WRC S8) [9]
46 Declan McCrory/Paddy McCrudden (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
47 Joe Hegarty/David Turkington (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
48 Marty McKenna/Alan Redstone (Ford Fiesta WRC) [9]
49 Peter McCullagh/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
50 Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Opel Adam R2) [4]
51 Marty Gallagher/Dean O Sullivan (Peugeot 208 R2) [4]
52 Ruairi Maguire/Grace O'Brien (Vauxhall Corsa) [4]
53 Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes (Vauxhall Nova) [4]
54 Stewart McClean/Jonny Holdsworth (Vauxhall Nova) [4]
55 James Wilson/Gavin Doherty (Peugeot 208 R2) [4]
56 William Creighton/TBA (Peugeot 208) [4]
57 Andrew Bustard/TBA (Ford Escort) [5]
58 James Kennedy/Heather Kennedy (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
59 Bob Riddles/Alistair Cochrane (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
60 Barry Morris/Declan Campbell (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
61 Eamon Doherty/Damian McAuley (Ford Escort) [5]
62 Hugh McQuaid/Liam McQuaid (Ford Escort Mk2) [5]
63 David Dennison/Gareth Lewthwaite (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [2]
64 Pauric Sheridan/Sean Brunton (Ford Fiesta) [8]
65 Mark Murphy/Anthony O'Sullivan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
66 Marty Teggart/Dessie Wilson (Ford Escort) [6]
67 Bryan Jardine/TBA (Ford Escort) [5]
68 Andy Magee/Michael Johnston (Ford Escort) [5]
69 Viorel Dobasu/Kevin Purcell (Ford Fiesta) [8]
70 Steven Corey/Vinnie Boyd (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [8]
71 Damien McGauran/Michaela McGinn (BMW 320) [6]
72 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) [8]
73 Daryl McCanny/Cathain Colten (Vauxhall Corsa) [4]
74 David Kerr/Matthew Kerr (Peugeot 106) [4]
75 Nigel Simpson/Michael Gilmore (BMW 325) [7]
76 Jason Dickson/Alastair Wylie (Ford Fiesta R2) [4]
77 Ruari McCaffrey/Lauren Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [5]
78 Colm McFall/Matthew McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
79 Fraser Mulholland/Geoff Patterson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
80 Kevin McBride/Conor Duffy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
81 Ian Dickson/Dara Mullan (Ford Fiesta R2) [4]
82 Colum McBride/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [8]
83 Dominic Leonard/Martin Baxter (Honda Civic) [4]
84 Dean Humphrey/Nigel Brennan (Vauxhall Corsa) [3]
85 Travis Humphrey/Ashley White (Peugeot 205) [3]
86 Mervyn Wilson/Darren Flanagan (Ford Escort) [3]
87 Darren Connelly/TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
88 Leroy Mills/Steven Stafford (Peugeot 206) [4]
89 Glen Irwin/Martin Gallogey (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
90 Damien Conlin/Paul Mimnagh (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
91 Michael McGarrity/Damien Garvey (Ford Fiesta R2T) [4]
92 Karl Fallis/Ben Fallis (Ford Fiesta R2) [4]
93 Seamus Goodfellow/Christopher McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza) [8]
94 Jenna McCann/John McCabe (Ford Fiesta R2) [4]
95 Johnnie Muholland/Jeff Case (Ford Fiesta R2) [4]
96 James Convery/Joey Walls (Subaru Impreza) [8]
97 Chris McGurk/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [2]
98 Danny Meenagh/John Meenagh (Subaru) [8]
99 Paul McErlean/Niall McKenna (Ford Escort Mk2) [6]
100 Raymond Doyle/Jarlath Kelly (Toyota Corolla) [4]
101 Geoffrey Nevin/Paul Nevin (Ford Escort Mk2) [5]
102 Gareth Deazley/Darren Curran (Honda Civic) [1]
103 Martin Collins/Mikaela Woods (Peugeot 106) [1]
104 Gerard Neeson/Michael Murray (Peugeot 106) [1]
105 Darren McGrath/Tony McGovern (Honda Civic) [1]
106 Jonny McAleer/Mark McAleer (Vauxhall Corsa) [3]
107 Ryan O'Kane/James Duffin (Honda Civic) [1]
108 Darren Collins/Ben Thompson (Peugeot 205 Gti) [3]
109 Keelan Maguire/Steven Monaghan (Honda Civic) [4]
110 Brian Little/Paul Sexton (Ford Escort G3) [5]
111 Aaron Cunningham/TBA (Ford Escort) [6]
112 Drew Chambers/Wendy Blackledge (Talbot Samba) [3]
113 Patricia Denning/Joe Downey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
114 John Crossle/Francie Devine (Ford Escort RS2000) [5]
115 Paul McMahon/Padraigh Deasy (Honda Civic) [4]
116 Conor Gillespie/Martin Harte (Ford Escort Mk2) [7]
117 William Graham/Darragh Sheridan (Vauxhall Corsa) [3]
118 Mark Faulkner/Stephen Jess (Nissan Micra) [3]
119 Peter Curran/Willie Hamilton (Ford Escort) [6]
120 Seamus Bogle/Terry Houston (Peugeot 205) [3]
121 Shane McCanney/Ryan McCanney (Toyota Twincam) [4]
122 Albert McClenaghan/Caleb McClenaghan (Subaru Impreza) [8]
123 Stephen Caldwell/Steven McCrossan (Vauxhall Corsa) [3]
Entries Received
Posted: August 31, 2018 9:05 AM
On Line Entry / Regulations
Posted: August 31, 2018 9:05 AM
Regulations available
Posted: August 23, 2018 7:22 AM
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