2000 Cavan MC Breffni Night Nav - 4 Mar '00

Posted: March 6, 2000 1:09 PM

On the Co Cavan MC "Breffini" event Ger Gowen deputised for his regular partner "Bones" O'Connor (who was suffering from a bout of flu). Fourth o/a for the Starlet crew was enough to give Paul his record 18th Championship crown. Paul was delighted to retain the title (the first time this feat has been achieved since 1992/'93) although there is still serious work to be done if Bones is to retain the drivers title.

The event was won by Andy Mackarel / Liam Higgins (Ascona). Their clean sheet over the 120 miles which brought crews through Coothill, Stradone and Bailieborough once again proved that they are almost unbeatable on Sheet 8. Second place went to Expert Crew Mervyn Wedlock / Philip Smith (Peugeot 205) who dropped just one minute in the second half. Third spot went to Monaghan crew Derek Coleman / Conor Maguire (Astra) who dropped two minutes on the first half "plot and bash".

There is keen competition for the Semi Expert Championship title. However none of the challengers had a good night. Class leader Damien Connolly retired late in the event. Third in class was enough to establish Donie Daly / Ger Fahy (Nova) at the head of the tables. Class honours on the night went to Kevin Lunt / Eoin Longworth making one of their rare appearances on the National Championship this season.

In the Novice Class victory went to Richard Cassidy / Warren Carleton (R19). Second place for Pat Moran / Thomas Byrne (Peugeot 205 GTi) gives them the Class lead in the Championship.

In the Beginners section victory went to Paddy Boyle / Brendan McCabe (Megane).

On the retirements list were Mervyn Dunn / Vincent Fagan (Micra) who got stuck in a field after TP 3. Although they eventually regained the road far too much time had been lost and they pulled out. Joint leaders at half way Trevor Farrell / Noel Hall (Vectra) were another to fall foul of the mud and their challenge ended near TP 22. John Carroll / Vincent Coughlan (Escort) had dirt in the fuel lines and pulled out at half way.

With so many tussles to be decided the competition is bound to be keen on the final round in Munster on 8/9th April.

		
Position/Driver/Navigator/Car				 Class	Total	
			
1st Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Opel Ascona 2.0) 	 Expert	0	
2nd Mervyn Wedlock/Philip Smith (Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6) 	 Expert	1  1st Expert
3rd Derek Coleman/Conor Maguire (Vauxhall Astra 1.8) 	 Expert	2  2nd Expert
4th Ger Gowen/Paul Phelan (Toyota Starlet 1.3) 		 Expert	3  3rd Expert
5th Ray O'Neill/Stephen O'Neill (VW Golf GTi 1.8) 	 Expert	3	
6th David Dixon/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort Mexico) 	 Expert	5	
7th Pete Willoughby/Greg Shinnors (Opel Kadett 1.8) 	 Expert	5	
8th Kevin Lunt/Eoin Longworth (VW Golf 1.1) 	    Semi Expert	8  1st Semi
9th Pakie Duffy/Harry Bleakley (VW Golf GTi 1.8) 	 Expert	10	
10th Noel Lappin/Sandy Mills (Vauxhall Nova 1.3 GTE) 	 Expert	15	
11th Richard Cassidy/Warren Carleton (Renault 19 1.4) 	 Novice	18 1st Novice
12th Pat Moran/Thomas Byrne (Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9) 	 Novice	32 2nd Novice
13th Gerard O'Connell/Adrian Deasy (Toyota Celica 2.0) 	 Expert	38	
14th Damien Courtney/Ashley McAdoo (Fiat Uno Turbo 1.3)  Novice	46 3rd Novice
15th Gerry Kelly/Richard Howard (Peugeot 205 GTi)   Semi Expert	74  2nd Semi
16th Donie Daly/Ger Fahy (Vauxhall Nova 1.3 GTE)    Semi Expert	104 3rd Semi
17th Doug Corrie/Jonathan Corrie (Toyota Starlet 1.3) 	 Novice	110	
18th Colin Deering/Rodney Adams (Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9)  Novice	114	
19th Pauric McCarra/Dominic McArdle (Toyota Corolla 1.5) Novice	150	
20th Arthur Kierans/Gareth Beagan (Volvo 340 2.0)   Semi Expert	150	
21st Paddy Connolly/Enda McMahon (Subaru Legacy 1.8) 	 Novice	192	
22nd Paul Doherty/Ciaran Coyle (Toyota Corolla 1.6) 	 Novice	229	
23rd John Kelly/James O'Reilly (Toyota Corolla 1.3) 	 Novice	284	
24th Dwyane O'Sullivan/Andrew Lockhart (Peugeot 205 GTi) Novice	370	
25th Brendan Treanor/Kieran Carey (Toyota Carina 1.6) 	 Novice	448	
26th John Comiskey/James Comiskey (Peugeot 104 1.1) 	 Novice	466	
27th Adrian Fox/Eddie McGlone (BMW 318i) 	         Novice	506	

Beginners
1st Paddy Boyle/Brendan McCabe (Renault Megane 1.4) 	Beginner 266	

Retirements
 Mervyn Dunn/Vincent Fagan (Nissan Micra 1.3) 		Expert
 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Vauxhall Cavileer 2.0) 	Expert
 John Carroll/Vincent Coughlin (Ford Escort 1.6) 	Expert
 Raymond Conlon/Damien Connolly (Vauxhall Astra)   Semi Expert
 Noel Smith/David Bryan (Ford Sierra 2.0) 	   Semi Expert
 Martin McGuigan/Gary Hall (Opel Kadett 1.2) 		Novice
 Joseph Shinnors/David Swanton (Opel Kadett 1.3) 	Novice
 Mark Slowey/Jason McKenna (Toyota Corolla 1.3) 	Beginner
 Adrian Farrelly/Gerry Buckley (Vauxhall Nova 1.3) 	Beginner
 Martin Murray/Alacogue O'Reilly (Opel Manta GTE 2.0) 	Beginner
 Keith Lord/Pat Roche (Opel Kadett 2.0) 		Novice