Circuit of Kerry - 3 Apr 05

Posted: April 6, 2005 9:34 PM

Ferodo Bonus Scheme 2005 - Round 2 Report
Round 2 of the Ferodo Bonus Scheme took us to the far southwest for the Circuit of Kerry Stages rally. 28 Ferodo starters crossed the start ramp, meaning that almost every class had some representative. Right at the front of the rally, the ‘big boys’ were out in force, with Jim Harrsion, Charlie Donnelly and Ray Breen all hoping to add an overall result to their Bonus Scheme points haul. With 40 drivers already registered for the Bonus Scheme, it looks like 2005 will be a record year, as more and more drivers sign up to chase part of the 10000 euro prize fund.

Heading to the top of the results sheet after Kerry is last years winner Willie Fannin. Willie had a great day, winning class 4, and coming an excellent 7th overall. These 10 points, allied to his maximum score from Mayo, means he has an early 3 point advantage over Ray Breen. Ray has featured strongly in both rallies this year, in his Focus WRC. His reward in Kerry was 3rd place, although it could so nearly have been 2nd, he lost that place to Cavans Patrick Elliot by just 2 seconds! Missing from the results at the days end were Charlie Donnelly and Jim Harrison, who both had rally-ending offs, Jim retiring from the lead of the rally on the very last stage.

Behind the top 2, theres a group of drivers another 3 points back, which includes the class 6 pair of Brendan McAree and Ollie McPhillips, the class 4 pair of James O Sullivan and Alan Ring, and Welshman Melvyn Evans in the WRC Subaru. Taking maximum class 6 points in Kerry was Dominic Naughton, a Ferodo Bonus Scheme regular. The top points for class 2 went to Owain Drougt, who is a newcomer to the scheme. Enda Hallinan had taken top points in class 2 in Mayo, but e couldn’t repeat the feat in Kerry, failing to finish.

As well as the end-of-year points prizes, there is a draw for registered Ferodo competitors starting each rally. Winner of the 100euro in the Ferodo Bonus Draw for the Circuit of Kerry is Galways Martin Ward, in his BMW M3.

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LYNCH IN FINAL STAGE WIN ON CIRCUIT OF KERRY
Event Report Courtesy of Dunlop

There was a dramatic finish to the Tralee Vintners Circuit of Kerry Rally, the second round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship that was won by Derry driver, Kevin Lynch and co-driver, Gordon Noble (Subaru WRC). Entering the final stage, they trailed long time leaders, Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru WRC) by eleven seconds and when the latter crashed close to the stage end, Lynch/Noble went on to take victory.
They finished a minute and 40 seconds clear of the Subaru WRC of Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan, who fended off a strong challenge from the Dunlop Ford Focus of Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell. Elliott is the new leader of the ten round Dunlop series.

The Group N category was won by Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru) and Anthony O’Halloran/Conor Foley (Opel Manta) were the top rear wheel drive exponents.

Fastest time through the wet opening stage, Smearla River, saw Harrison sweep into an 18 second lead over Kevin Lynch with Ray Breen in his Ford Focus a slender second adrift in third. Harrison and Daniel Doherty set identical times on the second stage, Lindon’s Wood and at the first service halt at the Tralee Racecourse, Harrison led Lynch by 21 seconds followed by Breen, who remained a second adrift of Lynch.
Harrison made the best of the conditions while Breen lost a few seconds when he caught the Toyota Corolla of Charlie Donnelly, who was slowed with visibility problems. Breen was two seconds ahead of fourth placed Doherty. Patrick Elliott made a cautious start, he was fifth with reigning Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire, partnered by Paul Nagle, slotting into sixth. Maguire echoed the sentiments of most drivers when he remarked on the slippery nature of the north Kerry stages. Donnelly was seventh – a further 25 seconds behind Maguire.

In Group N, Willie Fannin set a strong pace, he also held seventh overall – eighth seconds ahead of fellow Group N contender, Peter Clifford. The top ten was completed by Noel Redmond (Subaru WRC), who shared the spot with the impressive Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi).
Meanwhile, Mel Evans was down in sixteenth place, he admitted his confidence in the braking ability of his Subaru was pretty low. Tommy Graham (Subaru) had electrical woes and dropped to twenty-seventh place. Anthony O’Halloran (Opel Manta) led the rear wheel drive contingent.

Out on stage three, Lerrig, Lynch cut Harrison’s lead to 15 seconds when he posted a strong time through the stage, however, Harrison gained eight seconds on the fourth stage, Kilflynn to return to the service area at Tralee Racecourse with a 23 second lead. Donnelly crashed out on the fourth stage, just four cars traversed the stage and the stage-interrupted time was applied to the rest of the crews.
Breen held third – 16 seconds adrift of Lynch with Doherty fourth, however, the Donegal driver was concerned about a vibration onboard his Subaru. Elliott and Maguire completed the top six as Redmond moved into seventh, he was very fortunate as he had an excursion, but it was prior to the Donnelly incident. Fannin retained control of Group N and Mel Evans speeded up and slotted into ninth with Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) tenth.

At the final service halt, Harrison had a 20 second lead as Lynch held the upper hand out on stages 5 and 6, albeit by a few seconds. Harrison decided to opt for an intermediate tyre for the final stages while Lynch’s preference was for slicks for the roads that were drying rapidly. Daniel Doherty departed the fray out on stage five and Breen’s third place was well secure, he was 27 seconds ahead of Elliott, who still reckoned he was being far too cautious. Maguire tried his best but couldn’t make any inroads to fourth place.

Redmond and Evans were sixth and seventh respectively and Fannin controlled proceedings in Group N where Michael Curran and Gabriel Martin were both 22 seconds behind the reigning showroom champion.
Kevin Barrett (Subaru) and Andrew Stewart (Mitsubishi) were just outside the top ten. A few overshoots relegated Peter Clifford (Mitsubishi) to thirteenth place.

On the penultimate stage, Lynch cut the deficit to eleven seconds and then, just towards the finish of the final stage, it all went wrong for Harrison, who crashed and although he made it to the stage finish, albeit well down on time, his Subaru failed to get any further. Lynch was a clear winner and Elliott’s second place was secured by a two second margin from Breen, who lost time on the penultimate stage when he went off the road and got stuck in a filed dropping precious second as Elliott passed. A brave effort by the Kilkenny driver just failed.

Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) finished fourth with fellow Subaru drivers, Noel Redmond and Mel Evans rounding off the top six.


Photo: www.crspics.com

Willie Fannin (Subaru) won the Group N category where the opposition featured some 30 competitors. Fannin had a 33 second winning margin over the Subaru of Gabriel Martin. Fannin was seventh overall in a top ten that also included Kevin Barrett (Subaru), Gabriel Martin (Subaru) and Andrew Stewart (Mitsubishi).

Dunlop Championship Positions (Provisional after Round 2): 1. P. Elliott 31 points; 2. R. Breen 30 points; 3. N. Redmond 25 points; 4. M. Evans 23 points; =5. J. Harrison & K. Lynch 20 Points.

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Disappointment For McElvaney In Kerry
The Circuit of Kerry played host to round 2 of the Dunlop National Championship this weekend. Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award winner, Eamon McElvaney, was hoping for a good result to follow his 3rd in class on the opening round, the Mayo Stages Rally.

Despite the best preparations for the event it all came to an end on the opening stage when Eamon and co-driver Alan Keena crashed out.

"I am really disappointed about the event," commented Eamon "We spent three weeks getting ready for the rally and now we have to start all over again but the team will battle through and we're already looking forward to the next rally"

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Results
1 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC) 56.50
2 Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 58.30
3 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 58.32
4 Niall Maguire/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza WRC) 58.45
5 Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59.30
6 Melvyn Evans/Aled Davies (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59.51
7 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N9) GpN 1.00.26
8 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1.00.48
9 Gabriel Martin/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza N11) GpN 1.00.59
10 Andrew Stewart/Damien Connolly (Mit. Lancer Evo 8.5) GpN 1.01.00

Leaders after:
SS1-7 Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Fastest Times:
SS1 Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC)
 & Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
 & Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4 Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Results: rally.connect.ie
Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Photos:
crspisc.com, Counihan Rallysport Pictures
James Burke Photography
Ger Leahy

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

Also withdrawn are West Cork winners Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan

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Time and Distance Schedule on Club website

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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28/03/05
McElvaney Prepares For Round 2
Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award Winner, Eamon McElvaney will compete in Round 2 of the Dunlop National Championship, the Circuit of Kerry on 3rd April.

The young Monaghan driver is hoping for a good result to follow his 2nd in class on the opening round of the championship, the Mayo Stages Rally. The event is based in Tralee with eight stages run in North Kerry.

With the Peugeot 106 now serviced and ready to go Eamon is really looking forward to this event. "I am really excited, I've never competed in Kerry before so I am looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I can go one better than Mayo and take the class win,"

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27/03/05
Full Preview
by Sean Moriarty
Kerry Motor Club has attracted a top class entry for Sundays Circuit of Kerry rally with over 200 competitors entered for the 150 places available. The organising committee faced the arduous task over the last number of days selecting who will start the 30th edition of the rally and who unfortunately had to be placed on the reserve list.
The rally is a counting round of both the Dunlop National rally championship and the Top Part West Coast championship and all leading drivers in both championships are on the entry list. There is a very high quality entry for the first of five rallies in the Kingdom in 2005 with over 30 crews representing both clubs in the county competing in this 80 stage mile event.

Leading Entries:
Leading driver in this years Circuit Of Kerry is last years National rally champion , Niall Maguire . The Monaghan man , driving a Subaru Impreza S9 ,is a regular visitor to the Kingdom and has won here in the past , justifying his number one seeding. At two is another regular visitor to the county , Macclesfield's Jim Harrison in a near identical car to Maguire. The Englishman is currently on roll having won the seasons opener in Mayo , last month , and last seasons final round in Skibereen , has come agaonsily close to winning the Circuit of Kerry in the past. In 2002 he suffered defeat to Niall Maguire by just one second and last year finished third . H e will come to Kerry with a firm eye on that elusive podium spot that eludes him. Donie O Sullivan and Paul Nagle are seeded three in this years event driving their Ford Focus WRC that took them to victory on this event last year . This will be O Sullivan's first outing since finishing a splendid 17th overall on the World Championship Catalonia rally last October , but codriver Nagle has already seen some competitive action in the forests , winning the opening 2 rounds with Gareth McHale. The Doherty brothers Daniel and Michael make the long trek from Caradonagh , Donegal to compete in their older version Subaru Impreza. Despite the fact that the Donegal brothers don't have the latest spec car at their disposal , they should not be under rated, their second overall in Mayo is testament to this Dungivens Kevin Lynch completes the Subaru line up for the time being , another driver well capable of extracting a victory on the fast Kerry roads , he comes to the Circuit of Kerry for the second time. Toyota is the chosen mount for Magherafelts Charlie Donnelly who returned to National championship action last month after a number of years away. The Derry driver losing none of his flair in the intervening years , he finished third in Mayo. Ray Breen is another driver in a Ford Focus , using a 2003 version of the World Rally Car. The Kilkenny driver is well capable of victory , his win in Portlaoise last February against such opposition as Niall Maguire proof of this .Cavan's Patrick Elliott occupies number eight in his Subaru Impreza and even though the Building Contractor has never won a round of the Dunlop National series , before he has come very, very close, twice runner up in the National Championship , he cannot be discounted for victory in Kerry. Wexfords Noel Redmond and his Beaufort Co. Kerry codriver Diarmuid Falvey are at number nine in yet another Subaru Impreza. The Wexford/Kerry pairing are currently leading The West Coast Rally championship out right and are another crew seeking their first win .Galway's John Joe Fleming completes the top ten driving another Ford Focus WRC .
Other drivers seeded outside the top ten driving Subaru Impreza WRC include Welsh visitor Melvyn Evans , Sean Gallagher (winner of the Kerry Winter rally last November) , Kevin Barrett and Tommy Graham .

Group N Entries:
The Group N section of the rally promises to be as hectic as the main event with all of the top Group N drivers in country entered in Kerry Motor Clubs flagship event. Seeded at seventeen is reigning Group N national champion Willie Fannin driving a Subaru N9. The Dubliner got his season off the an excellent start by finishing second in Mayo last month. Andrew Stewart makes the long journey from Donegal, in a new Mitsubishi Lancer. The Donegal driver hasn't seen much comptive action in recent months but he did win Group N on this rally in the past. Michael Curran from Greyabbey, County Down is also Mitsubishi mounted , is making his first appearance in the Kingdom but judging by the times he set in Mayo he wont be far away at the end of the eight stage event. Local teams in the Group N rally include Castlislands Alan Ring/Sean Moriarty in Subaru N11 and Peter Clifford /John Young(Tralee) in a. Mitsubishi. This Tralee team are the current West Coast rally champions are will be keen to follow on their success of last year. Last years championship was very much a watershed for the Tralee driver and he really should be the beachmark for other Mitsubishi drivers.

Lat years circuit of Kerry Group N winners Gabriel Martin / Mark Kane are back again, this time in a similar Subaru to Alan Rings while Cork driver James o Sullivan faces a race against time to a have his car ready for the Circuit following a crash on the recent West Cork rally. Ray Hilliard in another Mitsubishi will be another strong contender for this class as will Boherbue driver Tadgh Lenihan in his Subaru N9 with Brian Duggan on the notes.

Modified Entries:
The drivers of the rally cars in the modified section of the rally always offer the greatest spectacle to the spectators and this years line up in no exception . The first rear wheel drive car on the entry is Monaghans Maurice Moffat driving a 2.4 Toyota Starlet . The spectacular driving style of the Monaghanman is bound to go down a treat with the spectaors.Another flamboyant driver is Clare man Anthony O Halloran in a Manta 400 . the Clare driver is consistently one the fastest two wheel drive exponents in the country. Both Mick McQuaide and Aidan Walsh are regular visitors to the circuit of Kerry and bring with them two well prepared Mk2 Ford Escorts for battle of the fast and flowing North Kerry stages There is a strong local entry for the modified classes and fleet of well driven and well prepared Escorts will take to stages on Sunday next . Leading local modified driver is Mick Quinn , who finished a fine third overall in the Single Stage last November . John Kearney from Ardfert makes a welcome return to rally driving and his class 13 Escort will be pitched against such notable local drivers as Adrian Randles , Pat Barry , and Charlie Hickey. All driving self prepared Class13 Ford Escorts.

Kerry Motor Club Members
One of the most eagerly contested awards in every Circuit of Kerry rally is the battle for supremacy amongst Kerry Motor Club members. The highest place Kerry Motor Club crew at the end of the days eight special stages will be presented with the James O Rourke trophy , presented in memory of one of the clubs more popular members , who died tragically in 2001 . Previous winners of this prestigious award include Pat Barry , Peter Clifford and Ray Hilliard. This year the contestants include Peter Clifford/John Young, Mitsubishi ,Ray Hillard /Edward Walsh . Mitsubishi ,Mike Quinn /Sean Enright , Escort , John Kearney /Dennis o Connell , Escort , Pat Barry / Stephen O Connell , Escort and Paddy o Rourke / Billy Roach , Escort.
Paudie Casey/Keith McCarthy compete in a Toyota Corolla while Mike Kenny /Gene Stack are Escort mounted. Husband and wife team Tommy Sullivan and Mags Costello make their first appearance in 2005. Ger O Brien , Abbeydorney, and his Tralee codriver Donal Lynch are in action in the Toyota powered Sunbeam .Mark Dickinson and Maurice Mc Elligott are another local crew in an Escort. Ray Stack from Tralee codrives for Wexford driver Ian Laracy.

Other Local Crews
Other local crews include the Kilgarvin's Tommy Randles in a Toyota Celica and Killarney's Kevin o Donoghue in a Mitsubishi Lancer. Both drivers enjoyed good runs in West Cork over St. Patrick's weekend.Genflesks Bob Moran will be hoping to repeat the class win he secured in both Cork and Galway already this year , while Killarney's Dave Randles will be a strong contender for class seven honours. Cyril Wharton from Firies is the reigning West Coast class 12 champion and he comes to Tralee in defence of his title. Sean Duggan from Lauragh codrives for Pat Price in a Lancer Evo 7

Junior Rally
A new innovation for 2005 is the addition of a junior rally . The junior section of the rally will compete over the final four stages giving younger drivers an opportunity to compete at National level with reduced costs and entry fees. Top three drivers in this section are Colin O Toole from Carlow , Keith Power from Waterford and Barry Meade from Kanturk . Only one local crew opted for the Junior section , namely Raymond Lynch and Jack O Shea from Glenbeigh in a Austin Mini .

Timetable and Programme
The weekends action kicks off in the Abbeygate Hotel Tralee at 8.30 am on Saturday 2nd April when the 151 crews sign on for the official reconnaissance of the route . Mechanical scrutiny takes place in The NCT Centre in Tralee from 3pm until 8pm Saturday afternoon , after which the cars are placed in overnight parc ferme at the multi story car park in Maine St.
The first car leaves the ceremonial ramp in the tow Square at 9.40a.m Sunday morning , flagged away by town Mayor Johnny Wall. The crews the tackle eight special stages in the North Kerry area before returning to the Town Square at 5.20 pm .

Official Programme
Full details of the route and entry list are available in the Official Programme .This 40 page full colour souvenir programme is priced at Eu10 and Kerry Motor Club will donate a percentage of all sales to the Kerry Parents and Friends of the Mentally Handicaped.The book will will make an ideal souvenir of this top class event as well as supporting a very worthy local charity.. It is available from the following locations:

DILLON'S SUPERMARKET, Tralee.
MORIARTYS LONDIS, Farranfore.
KELLIHERS GARAGE, Rathass, Tralee
BYRNES Spar Oakpark , Tralee
N.C.T. CENTRE, Caherslee.
HORGANS TEXACO, Ardfert.
KELLYS TOPSHOP, Six-crosses, Listowel Road.
MOLONEY'S, Listowel.
HEGARTY'S, Lisselton.
DILLANES SUPERMARKET, Abbeydorney
McGALEY'S STATOIL, Castelisland.
O'CONNORS, Duagh.
Abbeygate Hotel , Tralee

Rose of Tralee
The winning driver will be greeted at the finish ramp in the town square , Tralee by current Rose of Tralee Orla Tobin at 17.30 on Sunday evening . This area will provide an excellent opportunity for the general public to meet the rally drivers after the though event and to view the cars at close quarters. The atmosphere in the square will be electric as the winning driver is presented to the crowds , complete with champagne spraying and , the winning laurels to be presented by The Rose of Tralee , Orla Tobin .Come early!

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship
• 2005 Ford Focus Championship

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Main Field
NO DRIVER/NAVIGATOR (CAR) [CLASS]
1 Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 James Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
4 Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
5 Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
6 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
7 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
8 Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
9 Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
10 Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
11 John Joe Fleming/Robbie Ward (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
12 Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
14 Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
15 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
16 Tommy Graham/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
17 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N9) [4]
18 Andrew Stewart/Damien Connolly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
19 Mike Curran/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
20 James O'Sullivan/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [4]
21 Alan Ring/Sean Moriarty (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
22 Gabriel Martin/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
23 Peter Clifford/John Young (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [4]
24 Thomas G Randles/Diarmuid Lynch (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD) [8]
25 Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Toyota Starlet RWD) [14]
26 Anthony O'Halloran/Conor Foley (Opel Manta 2.0) [13]
27 Adrian Quinn/Alan Moran (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [4]
28 Daragh Raftery/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
29 David McNulty/Martin McGarritty (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
30 Tadgh Linehan/Brian Duggan (Subaru Impreza N9) [4]
31 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
32 Joe Mac Hugh/Dermot Mac Hugh (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
33 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [4]
34 Mick McQuaid/Victor Fields (Ford Escort) [14]
35 Ian Barrett/Eoin O'Flaherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
36 Aidan Walsh/TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
37 Gerry McKiernan/Raymond Knox (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
38 Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (BMW) [14]
39 Jack Sleator/Timmy England (Impreza) [4]
40 Ray Hillard/Edward Walsh (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
41 Eddie Garry/Francis Regan (Impreza) [4]
42 Eamon Daly/Ger Healy (Mitsubishi EVO8) [4]
43 Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Ford Escort) [14]
44 John Kearney/Denis O'Connell (Escort MK2) [13]
45 Adrian Randles/Aileen Randles (Ford Escort) [13]
46 Charlie Hickey/Johhny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [13]
47 Pat Barry/Stephen O'Connell (Ford Escort) [13]
48 Pat Bolger/Denis Foley (Escort MK2) [14]
49 Tomas O'Rourke/TBA (Opel Astra) [7]
50 John David Murphy/Gerard Murphy (Impreza) [4]
51 Sean Lyons/John Devine (Escort MK6) [14]
52 Pat Price/Sean Duggan (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
53 Brendan Dennehy/Willie Buchednew (Sunbeam) [13]
54 Gerard O'Connell/Denis O'Donovan (Ford Escort) [12]
55 Frank Sweeney/John O'Connor Jnr (Ford Escort) [13]
56 William Kenneally/Seamus Hickey (Ford Escort) [11]
57 Seamus Murphy/Graham Kelly (Escort Mk2) [11]
58 Eamon McElvaney/Alan Keena (Peugeot 106) [6]
59 Robert Moran/Ronald Riordan (Ford Escort) [11]
60 John Danaher/Patrick Naughton (Ford Escort) [14]
61 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Ford Puma) [6]
62 Eddie Power/Damien Morrissey (Clio S1600) [6]
63 Ken O'Neill Jnr/Conor O'Neill (Ford Puma) [6]
64 Mike Bird/Ken Flanagan (Mitsubishi EVO 8) [4]
65 Shane McCarthy/TBA (Peugeot 206) [6]
66 John Culleton/Marie Culleton (Toyota Celica) [12]
67 Ollie McPhillips/Billy Collins (Ford Puma) [6]
68 Neil Pearse/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [6]
69 Sean Flanagan/Brian Miller (Impreza) [4]
70 Damien Finneran/Martin Brady (Hyundai Accent WRC) [8]
71 Alan Kane/Kevin Walsh (Escort G4) [11]
72 Patrick Kelly/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort) [12]
73 Pat Kelly/Martin Flynn (Impreza) [4]
74 Dominic Naughton/TBA (Peugeot 106) [6]
75 Ian Roche/Paul Roche (Citreon Saxo) [6]
76 Cyril Wharton/Paul O'Shea (Ford Escort) [10]
77 John Paul Ruth/Pierce Doheny (Peugeot 306) [7]
78 David Randles/Con Duggan (Almera Kit Car) [7]
79 Enda Hallinan/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic) [2]
80 John Quin/Shaun Quin (Chevette) [13]
81 David Delaney/TBA (Ford Focus) [7]
82 Oliver Slanley/Eoghan Fogarty (Ford Focus) [7]
83 Keith Lyons/Karen Lyons (Ford Focus) [7]
84 Kieran Daly/Marie Daly (Ford Focus) [7]
85 Michael Hally/Ray Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
86 Patrick Corcoran/Amanda Giles (Toyota Starlet) [11]
87 Emmet Callan/Jason O'Mahony (Peugeot 106) [6]
88 Pat Ryan/Derry Collins (Ford Escort) [9]
89 David Percy/TBA (Escort Maxi) [7]
90 Peter Cummins/Sean Dillon (Darrian T90) [9]
91 Fergal Costelloe/Shane Gilhooly (Impreza) [15]
92 Mike Walsh/Ger Ryan (Ford Escort) [14]
93 Paul Ahern/Kieran Murphy (Honda Civic) [6]
94 Shane Managan/Karl Quane (Escort Mk2) [12]
95 Colm McNamara/Brian Clarke (Ford Escort) [12]
96 Mike Kenny/Gene Stack (Ford Escort) [12]
97 Jason Ollerenshaw/Paul Ollerenshaw (Peugeot 205) [10]
98 Paudie Casey/Keith McCarthy (Toyota Corolla) [13]
99 Paddy O'Rourke/Billy Roche (Escort MK2) [14]
100 Stephen McGrath/Kevin Joyce (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
101 Graham Scallan/Brian Kirwan (Escort MK2) [13]
102 Owain Drought/Padraig Ryan (Honda Civic) [2]
103 Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty (Ford Puma) [5]
104 Philip Johnston/Ger Healy (Mitsubishi) [4]
105 Ian Laracey/Raymond Stack (Escort) [13]
106 John Folan/Jonathan Folan (Impreza) [8]
107 William White/Denis Barnett (Citreon Saxo) [6]
108 John Corrigan/John S. Quill (Ford Escort) [7]
109 Des McKenna/TBA (Toyota Corolla) [11]
110 Mark Dickenson/Maurice McElliogott (Ford Escort) [11]
111 Tommy O'Sullivan/Mags Costelloe (Escort G4) [12]
112 John Murphy/Matthew Murphy (Impreza) [4]
113 Tom White/Shane McAuliffe (Toyota Starlet) [10]
114 Denis Dowling/Liam Diggins (Ford Escort) [14]
115 Jason Clifford/Michael O'Sullivan (Peugeot 205) [13]
116 Ger Neeson/Cormac Casey (Ford Escort) [9]
117 Ger O'Brien/Donal Lynch (Sunbeam) [11]
118 Paul Elliott/TBA (Peugeot 206) [6]
119 George Wiley/Brian McLoughlin (Peugeot 205) [10]
120 Liam Delaney/Kevin Nolan (Honda Civic) [9]
121 Martin Sheehan/Dave McCarthy (Toyota Starlet) [9]
122 Paul Doody/Chris Doody (Escort Mk2) [10]
123 Raymond Gilleece/Margaret O'Boyle (Civic Type R) [3]
124 Aidan Neville/Joe Crowley (Honda Civic) [2]
125 Ian Chadwick/PJ Dowd (Subaru) [4]
126 Ian Pericho/Colum Browne (Ford Escort) [13]
127 Niall O'Connell/TBA (Impreza) [4]
128 Laura Keenan/TBA (Peugeot 206) [6]
129 Ian Liston/Kennett Mertarty (Ford KA) [5]
130 John Caplis/Liam Caplis (Suzuki Swift) [1]
131 Martin Kelly/Patricia Fitzpatrick (Toyota Corolla) [11]
132 Liam Lynch/Kieran Madden (Ford Escort) [11]
133 Michael Kelleher/Norma Lucey (Ford Escort) [9]
134 Jerome Hennessy/John Nugent (Ford Escort) [10]
135 Paddy O'Connor/Diarmuid O'Mahony (Ford Fiesta) [9]
136 Eamonn Lee/Peter Howley (Ford Escort) [12]
137 John Murphy/Martin O'Connor (Toyota Corolla) [11]
138 Tomas Scallan/Joe Kenny (Astra GSI) [3]
139 Colm Cronin/Trevor Payne (Peugeot 106) [6]
140 Declan Treacy/Elaine Doak (Opel Kadett) [11]
141 Richard White/Jonathan Keane (Peugeot 205GTI) [10]
142 Liam Mulcaire/Shane Meade (Escort MK1) [9]
143 Pat Callanan/Kenneth Shiel (Civic Type R) [3]
144 Tom Curley/Padraic Callanan (Honda Civic) [2]
145 Sheena O'Brien/Jane O'Connor (Opel Kadett) [12]
146 Bernie Roche/Christina Shanahan (Opel Corsa) [9]
147 Martin Horgan/TJ Flahive (Honda CRX) [11]
148 Maurice Browne/James Browne (Escort MK2) [10]
149 Paul Kennedy/Kathleen  Kennedy (Suzuki Swift) [1]
150 Michael Dennehy/Travis Slattery (Ford Sierra) [10]
151 Philip Conneely/Michelle Crowley (Peugeot 205) [10]
152 Tadgh O'Connaill/Mossie O'Connaill (Peugeot 205) [10]

Junior
NO DRIVER/NAVIGATOR (CAR) [CLASS]
201 Colin O'Toole/John McGrath (Opel Corsa) [16]
202 Keith Power/Des Moran (Ford Puma) [16]
203 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Escort MK2) [16]
204 David Lyons/Christina Shanahan (Ford Escort) [16]
205 Mike Deane Jnr/Kenneth Deane (Escort MK2) [16]
206 Seamus O'Grady/Oonagh Roche (Peugeot 205) [16]
207 Eamon O'Brien Jnr/Eamonn O'Brien Snr (Toyota Corolla) [16]
208 William Kiely/TBA (Peugeot 106) [16]
209 Barry Ryan/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort) [16]
210 Martin Leonard/Raymond Coppinger (Toyota Starlet) [16]
211 Mark Furlong/Leo Tector (Suzuki Swift) [16]
212 Tim Radford/Jonathan McGrath (Peugeot 106) [16]
213 Liam Ryan/Jim Ryan (Honda Civic) [16]
214 Kenneth Hogan/Shawn McMahon (Sunbeam) [16]
215 John F. O'Mahony/Donal Falvey (Opel Corsa) [16]
216 Paul Foote/Olivia Coen (Escort MK2) [16]
217 Neil Hickey/Ned Doherty (Escort MK2) [16]
218 Raymond Lynch/Jack O'Shea (Austin Mini) [16]
219 Tim Foley/Conor Collins (Honda Civic) [16]
220 Brian McSweeney/Gerry Myres (Escort MK2) [16]

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship

The Ladies of Kerry Motor Club at the Launch night
Photo: Robert O'Mahony

08/03/05
Circuit of Kerry Launched
Its all systems go for the Kerry Motor Club and their forthcoming Tralee Vintners Circuit of Kerry Rally scheduled Sunday April 3rd. The club formally launched the rally in Fabric Night Club, Tralee on Friday night at a function attended by local politicians, dignitaries and celebrities. The organisers outlined details of this top class motorsport event that is to bring thousands of rally competitors, officials and enthusiasts into the county at this very early stage of the tourist season. The event follows back to back weekends in Tralee that will start with the traditional St Patrick’s weekend celebrations, followed by the International Pan Celtic Festival over the Easter Holiday and culminating with an all action motorsport weekend in the county capital. Traders in Tralee are ensured of a very hectic start to the tourist season. This event alone is estimated to worth in the region 2 million euros to the local economy and plays a vital role in attracting new visitors to the locality.

The rally itself is round two of both the Dunlop National rally championship and The Top Part West Coast Rally championship. It is also a counting round of the Focus Owners one make rally championship. All the leading driver in the three championships are expected in Tralee in pursuit of the all important points at this early juncture of the Rally season. Confirmed entrants include last years National Rally Champion, Monaghans Niall Maquire and runner up Cavan man Patrick Elliott. Both drivers bringing state of the art Subaru Impreza S9 to the event. There is a strong local interest in the event, with last years Circuit winner Donie O Sullivan (Killarney) returning with his impressive Ford Focus, that he last used in the world rally championships in Spain last November. Tralee Peter Clifford is also a strong contender for success in his home rally; the local man is the reigning West Coast Rally champion.

The club has received entries from two prominent oversees drivers, namely Macclesfield businessman James Harrison and Welsh star Melvyn Evans, both in similar Subaru’s to Maguire and Elliott. Harrison and Evans are no strangers to the county the former finished third here last April while Evans will be hoping for better luck, having retired on the opening test on last years rally.

Even with ten days to go to the official closing of entries the club has received 125 entries for the 150 available, thus ensuring a full house on April 3rd.

Some of the local dignitaries that attended Friday nights function included Tralee Mayor Johnny Wall and Tralee Vintners P.R.O Danny Leane. The Vintners are putting their weight behind this popular and well-organised event in an effort to bring more visitors to Tralee and North Kerry. Already local hotels and guesthouses are reported to very in busy with accommodation enquires and bookings. The rally Headquarters is once again The Abbeygate Hotel after a very successful association in 2003.The facilities afforded to Kerry Motor Club for this event make The Abbey Gate one of the better rally Headquarters in all of the national championship a further enhances the reputation of this event.

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21/02/05
Regulations and entry Form available from the Kerry Motorclub website.

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• Rally Launch - (Fri) 4 Mar 05

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship

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19/02/05
CIRCUIT OF KERRY RETURNS TO TRALEE:
COUNTY TOWN TO PLAY HOST TO MAJOR CAR RALLY
Kerry Motor Clubs flagship event The Circuit of Kerry returns to the county capital on Sunday April 3rd after a two year absence. The Tralee Vintners sponsored event will be once again be headquartered in The Abbey Gate Hotel after a very successful association in 2003. The rally comes to town at a very early stage of the tourist season therefore guaranteeing the business’s, pubs and restaurants an ideal way to kick start the season.

The club are expecting a bumper entry for this the second round of both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the Top Part West Coast rally championship and all the top competitors in both championships are expected in Tralee for their 2005 campaigns. Last years winner’s Donie O Sullivan and Paul Nagle are already confirmed entrants as is reigning Top Part Champions, local crew Peter Clifford and John Young. Thousand of rally supporters are expected to converge on Tralee for this very popular event and already local guesthouse and hotel owners are reporting large interest in accommodation availability for this very prestigious event.

The rally is once again sponsored by the Tralee Vintners who are putting their weight behind the event in an effort to encourage more people to visit this vibrant and lively town. They recognize the importance of such an event and are looking forward to hosting the thousands of rally fans in town for the weekend. Danny Leane, P.R.O. of Tralee Vintners said “ We are delighted to be associated with such an event and sporting occasion that brings large numbers of people into the area. Its good for the town and indeed the whole of North Kerry. Not only do the hoteliers and publicans benefit out of a large scale event like this but shop keepers, petrol stations are set to reap a large rewards from this event and I praise the efforts of the Motor Club for their high level of professionalism”

The Abbey Gate Hotel will once again serve as headquarters for the rally and for their part General Manager Kieran Murphy welcomed the rally back to Tralee-“ This is our second time being associated with this prestigious event and our involvement not only raises the profile of our hotel but puts Tralee in a very positive light nationally “

The organising committee are currently engaged in a comprehensive route survey in North Kerry and the event hopes to use some new territory, never before rallied as well as some of the favourite classic stages in the North Kerry hinterland .The club, over the next few weeks will work in close liaison with Kerry County Council and will choose a route that not only offers a challenge to the top class drivers competing but will also have safety as number one priority. Road closing to times will be decided so as to cause the minimum of disruption to local people. Kerry Motor club will visit every resident affected by the road closure and inform them of times and emergency contact numbers over the next few weeks. Clerk of The Course Noel o Connor said, “Our teams talk to all residents and discuss and problems they may have with the event. Already we have visited most of the planned route and have received a very warm welcome from the local people of North Kerry”

Some new ideas introduced for 2005 include a junior rally that will allow rally drivers under the age of 27 join the event at the half waypoint. This gives newcomers to rally sport an opportunity to compete at national level with reduced entry fees and costs. The rally will use Tralee Race Course as its centralised service park for the duration of the event and the club are grateful to race course committee for providing them with a safe service location without causing any traffic problems around Tralee on the Sunday.Ths facility is open to the public and offers a great opportunity to watch cars being refitted at close range.

The Circuit of Kerry rally will be officially launched at Fabric Nite Club on Friday March 4th at 8pm.The function will be attended by local Councillors, politicians and celebrities and members of the organising committee and Tralee Vintners will be on hand to discuss this very important and exciting development for North Kerry. A number of top local rally drivers will also attend the launch and they will have on display some of the finest rally cars in the country.

Regulations and entry forms will be available from next week and can be obtained by contacting Anne Talbot on 086-2680732 after 7.30pm.
They will also be available to download from the recently updated club website - Details will be posted here

Entries close on March 15th so intending competitors are urged to get their entry in as soon as possible. Kerry Motor Club meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome.

• Rally Launch - (Fri) 4 Mar 05

www.kerrymotorclub.com

• 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship
• 2005 West Coast Rally Championship