Carrick on Suir Wm Loughman Forestry Stages - 6 Mar 05

Posted: March 8, 2005 3:36 PM

Young Guns Gareth McHale and Paul Nagle took a convincing victory on the opening round of “The McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship”; the Carrick on Suir based Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally. The Dublin/ Killarney duo showed many forest veterans a clean pair of heels as they swept the board with “The Family Corolla WRC”. This is Gareth’s first win and comes as no surprise after his notable result on the recent Galway International.

Pete Willoughby/ Greg McCarthy (Evo 8) were the early leaders after the opening stage “Ahenny”, McHale tied with Kevin O’Kane (Impreza WRC) 2 secs in arrears. Pat Norris (Impreza 555) and Glen Allen (Escort WRC) tied for fourth, while Monaghan’s Adrian McElvaney (Impreza 555) held fifth. Dermot Kelly/ Greg Shinnors never made the start line as their Escort WRC had last minute transmission troubles.

Stage 2 “Gurteen” was 16 miles long and took its toll on the leader-board. James Murphy/ Anthony Nestor were the first casualties as their Escort Cosworth’s rear suspension collapsed. Pete Willoughby’s run came to an abrupt end, when his Lancer got a wheel on grass and slid into a low bridge damaging the gearbox casing. Gareth McHale set a staggering time through Gurteen, arriving into first service holding a 36 sec lead from Adrian McElvaney. McHale damaged the sump on a heavy landing and it was Killarney’s infamous Bob Moran who saved the day with his mobile welding unit. Pat Norris held third, 8 secs back.

Fourth placed Johnny McKenna/ Paddy Robinson (Evo 6) led Gp N. Glen Allen/ Damien Connolly held fifth but their Escort WRC had throttle sensor problems. Tyrone’s Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh lost fifth gear on Gurteen, their ex McShea N10 Impreza held 6th. Patrick Elliott/ Mark Bowes up graded to an Evo 8 this season, Elliott tied with Kevin O’Kane/ Martin Hanna for 7th. Local ace Richie Curran returned to the woods after a long lay off, Curran acquired a Gp N Impreza and held 9th. John McCarthy/ Liam McLaughlin rounded off the top ten, McCarthy hampered by power steering difficulties.

The event moved to the famous “Anner and Slievenamon” stages where Norris and McElvaney set fastest times respectively. McHale kept his composure, arriving at the lunchtime service with a half-minute lead. McElvaney held second, Norris third, McKenna fourth and Glen Allen fifth. Kevin O’Kane moved into 6th, 8 secs clear of Stephen Moore followed by Patrick Elliott in eight, Curran 9th and McCarthy 10th.

The rally returned to Ahenny and Gurteen for the repeat loop of stages and yet again “Gurteen” took its toll. McHale survived unscathed, stopping the clocks a mere second down on his previous time. Glen Allen got into his stride; second fastest 2 secs off McHale and 49 secs up on his first run, elevating him into second. Adrian McElvaney’s brilliant run ended a mile into Gurteen, when his Impreza’s gearlinkage broke. Pat Elliott was another to be sidelined in Gurteen his Evo 8 suffered a broken rear suspension. Clones man; Andy Mackeral moved up to an Evo 4 and was starting to feature but he too burst a suspension on ss6 as did young Pete McCullagh (Evo 6).

At the final service with 2 stages remaining (Anner & Slievenamon) Gareth McHale held a comfortable 1 min advantage from Glenn Allen, who had to fend off a hard charging Pat Norris only 2 secs adrift in third. Kevin O’Kane climbed to fourth. Johnny McKenna held 5th, 18 secs clear of Gp N rival Moore, who kept the pressure on despite having lost fifth gear. Richie Curran/ Gerry English were a solid seventh. John McCarthy was well down in 8th as his Corolla’s steering could not be sorted on the day. Brian McGillin/ Dave Doherty (Impreza) were now just inside the top ten. Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh rounded off the top ten and led the 2WD brigade. Frank Kelly/ John Shevlin made their first trip to Carrick and were just outside the top ten, having set 10th fastest time through ss6 – 26 sec up on mk2 rival Lawlor.

Glenn Allen set FTD through Anner, 1 sec up on McHale, who simply turned up the heat again on the final stage with another FTD, 11 secs faster than his first run. Fourth fastest Stephen Moore set a blistering time through Anner – 18 secs up on class rival McKenna, leaving them tied in fifth going into the final stage. Frank Kelly was really getting on the pace – 6th fastest, 3 secs up on 2WD leader Lawlor.

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Gareth MacHale Carrick-on Suir 2005 PR
24-year-old Gareth McHale in his Kumho shod Corolla emerged from the final stage with a very convincing winning margin of 1 minute and 2 seconds on his first day in a 4WD WRC in the Forests. Glenn Allen secured runner-up spot from Pat Norris, 8 secs in arrears. Kevin O’Kane took 4th, Johnny McKenna 5th and Gp N honours having edged 4 secs ahead of Stephen Moore on the final stage. Richie Curran held seventh, setting very competitive times along the way. John McCarthy finished 8th after a frustrating day, although the Cork man set quick times towards the end. Brian McGillin held 9th only 1 sec clear of best 2WD, Brian Lawlor rounding off the top ten.

The event was a good success and a great start to the 2005 “McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship” it is very encouraging to see new names come to the fore in all categories. Well done to CoC, Terence Kearney and his team at Carrick on Suir Motor Club. The event went well, on time, no blocked stages and the weather was perfect, but Terence did tell me that he had it all arranged - even the weather!!

Gareth MacHale produced a very mature performance to claim a comfortable victory on the opening round of the 2005 Forestry Championship. Moving into the lead on the second stage his only problem was a damaged sump on the way to a one-minute plus victory. The Tom Hogan Motors/Garryaron Homes Toyota Corolla WRC performed faultlessly all day and Gareth’s experience in the British forests over the last number of seasons paid dividends.

“The Willie Loughman Forestry was one of my favourite events from 2003 where I finished tenth in the Peugeot 206. I was really looking forward to the stages and to achieve my first ever rally win here was fantastic”.

A full report and photographs are available on

www.garethmachale.com

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Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh - First 2WD Home Photo: RE raggededge.net

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Results: 
1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) 55:35
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Ford Escort WRC) 56:52
3 Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza 555) 57:00
4 Kevin O’Kane/Martin Hanna (Subaru Impreza WRC) 57:58
5 Johnny McKenna/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo Gp N 58:22
6 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) Gp N 58:26
7 Richie Curran/Gerry English (Subaru Impreza WRX) Gp N 59:28
8 John McCarthy/Liam McLaughlin (Toyota Corolla WRC) 59:58
9 Brian McGillin/Dave Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRX) Gp N 1:00:21
10 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Escort 2.0) 1:00:22
 
Class winners: 
Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Nova)
Alan Cummins/Declan Norris (Escort)
Paul Mulcahy/Karl Baumann (Starlet)
Jason Roche/Patrick Roche (Escort)
Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh
Pat O’Connell/Paul Martin (Peugeot 206)
Johnny McKenna/Paddy Robinson. 
 
Juniors: 
Ashley McAdoo/Adam Murray (Nova). 

Fastest Times:
SS1 Pete Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Mit. Lancer Evo 
8)
SS2 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza 555)
SS4 Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza 555)
SS5 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Ford Escort WRC)
SS8 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Leaders after:
SS1 Pete Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Mit. Lancer Evo 8)
SS2-8 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)

• Full Results and Stage Times in Excel format

Photos:
Ger Leahy
Peespeed Photography
RE raggededge.net Photos and Video Clip

• 2005 National Forestry Championship
• 2005 South East Stages Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

Event Preview
by Greg Shinnors
The 2005 McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship begins this Sunday March 6th with the Carrick on Suir based Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally. COC, Terence Kearney has formulated a very challenging event: 8 stages, 4 done twice, 60 stage miles including a 16 mile version of the vast Gurteen Forest complex.

The first car leaves parc ferme at 9:30 Sunday morning for the opening stage close to Carrick, a short 3-mile tyre warmer. Then moving onto the mammoth ss2, 16 miles of Gurteen forest, followed by first service along the main Waterford road outside Clonmel (11:00).

After service the event heads north for the Anner and Slievenamon forests. Stage 3, Anner famous for the fast jumps at the end is being run identical to last year, while stage 4 is a new version of Slievenamon. After Slievenamon the cars return to service at lunchtime before the repeat run of the opening 2 stages. Final service, at 15:20 is followed by the last loop of stages, Anner and Slievenamon with the first competing cars due back at Rally HQ, The Carrick Hotel at 17:30.

Top seed Tyrone's Kevin O'Kane/ Martin Hanna plan a full championship assault with their '99 spec Impreza WRC. O'Kane is a very loyal supporter of the series winning the title twice as well as being runner-up in '03 and '04. At number 2, Glenn Allen/ Damien Connolly (Escort WRC) make their first trip to the Suir Valley but are sure to be on the pace. Pat Norris/ Declan Timulty are at 3. Having finished third last year setting some FTD's along the way Norris will be a hard charger. At number 4, Cork man John McCarthy returns to the woods. McCarthy plans a full campaign now with his Corolla WRC in RHD and Liam McLoughlin on the notes the agri sales man will be hard to beat.

Former Champions Dermot Kelly/ Greg Shinnors (Escort WRC) are at 5 followed by James Murphy/ Anthony Nestor also in an Escort WRC. Number 7, Gareth McHale/ Paul Nagle turned in a stunning drive on the Galway International and now switch to gravel. McHale finished 10th overall here in '03 with a 206 Cup car so he too will be a serious contender. Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh are the first GpN at 8, Moore has acquired the ex McShea Impreza N10. Pete Willoughby/ Greg McCarthy at 9 will use a Derek Jobb hired Evo 8. Rounding off the top ten, Monaghan's Adrian McElvaney (Impreza 555) switched to gravel last year, setting very impressive times, really enjoying it and plans to tackle the full championship this season.

The event has a capacity entry with a serious line up in every category. Group N has become the strongest class with almost 20 entries, including Moore, Willoughby, Patrick Elliott, Richie Curran, Johnny McKenna, Andy Mackeral, Pete McCullagh and Donie Keating jnr to mention a few. Trevor Harding is just outside the top ten in a Gp A Impreza, followed by a foray of high-powered 2WD Escorts. Brian Lawlor, Paul Barrett, Paul Staunton, John Reid and Frank Kelly are some of the 2WD front-runners. Local crew Paul Mulcahy/ Karl Baumann are at 18 having finished 6th overall last year with their rapid 1600 Starlet. The new junior class looks good with young Owen Murphy out in a LHD mini, Billy O'Keeffe (Corsa), Johnny Kenneally (mk2), Richard Nugent (CRX), James John Wall (106), Conor Kelly (Corsa) and Gemma Kerley (Nova).

HQ: The Carrick Hotel, main street, Carrick on Suir.

Scrutiny/ Parc Ferme: Suirway Forklifts, Mill River Business Park, Carrick, Scrutiny from 17:00 - 21:00 Saturday 5th.

Service: After ss2, 4 & 6 @ 11:00, 13:00 & 15:20. Killheffernan, outside Clonmel, along main Waterford rd (N24).

Maps: Discovery Series: 67 & 75, A3 Colour maps will be available.

Entry List

Car No: Driver  /Navigator   (Car) [Class]
1 Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Ford Escort WRC) [6]
3 Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza 555) [4]
4 John McCarthy/Liam McLaughlin (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
5 Dermot Kelly/Greg Shinnors (Ford Escort WRC) [6]
6 James Murphy/Anthony  Nestor (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [6]
7 Gareth McHale/Paul  Nagle (Ford Escort WRC) [6]
8 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) [8]
9 Pete  Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [8]
10 Adrian McElvaney/Paul  Goodman (Subaru Impreza 555) [6]
11 Patrick Elliott/Mark Bones (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
12 Trevor J Harding/Martin Brady (Subaru Impreza) [6]
13 Brian T Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
14 Paul Barrett/Dermot Colgan (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
15 John Reid/Enda Shields (Escort) [5]
16 Paul Staunton/Bruce Burgess (Escort Mk2) [5]
17 Richie Curran/Gerry  English (Subaru Impreza ) [8]
18 Paul Mulcahy/Karl Baumann (Toyota Starlet) [3]
19 Johnny McKenna/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
20 Andrew Mackarel/Richard Cassidy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [8]
21 Noel Driver/Joe  Shinnors (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
22 James  Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
23 David James/Jim Crowe (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
24 Donie Keating/John Carroll (Subaru Impreza) [8]
25 Bob Scanlon/Graham Lewis (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
26 Eddie Garry/Francis Regan (Subaru Impreza) [8]
27 PJ O'Connor/Liam O'Connor (Subaru Impreza) [8]
28 Brian   McGillin/David Doherty (Subaru Impreza ) [8]
29 Peter McCullagh/Alan  Dolan (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
30 Donal Bownes/Mike  Wilks (Mitsubishi Evo 3) [8]
31 Patrick Keenan/Finian Hannigan (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [8]
32 Pat  Price/TBA  (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [8]
33 John O'Leary/Michael Coleman (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
34 Michael Murray/Tommy  Doyle (Subaru Impreza WRX) [6]
35 Denis Heaney/Sean Devlin (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
36 Brecan McBreen/Ronan Kelly (Subaru Impreza) [8]
37 Michael O'Connor/Denis Collins (Opel Manta) [5]
38 Jimmy Devane/Mike  Buckley (Nissan Sunny) [5]
39 Michael Tynan/Colin Brady (Vauxhall Astra) [5]
40 Michael Nevin/John Kinahan (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
41 Frank Kelly/John Shelvin (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
42 Trevor  Farrell/Janice Mackarel (Ford Escort ) [2]
43 Keith  Power/Fergal Talbot (Ford Puma Super 1600) [3]
44 Malachy Donnelly/TBA  (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
45 James Fagan/Ray  Greene (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
46 Alan Commins/Declan Norris (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
47 Seamus Anderson/Alan  Kinsella (Ford Escort Mk 2) [4]
48 Ray Benskin/Peader Walsh (Ford Escort Mk 2) [4]
49 Tom Kenneally/Brian Corbett (Peugeot 205 RWD) [4]
50 Sean W Benskin/Tom  O'Regan (Ford Escort Mk 2) [4]
51 Jason  Roche/Patrick Roche (Ford Escort Mk 2) [4]
52 Damien Quinn/Martin Donnelly (Subaru Legacy) [6]
53 John Meade/Kevin  Kearney (Peugeot 205) [2]
54 Damien Morrissey/Ronald  Mackey (Ford Escort Mk 2) [5]
55 John Bagge/Damien Walsh (Toyota Starlet ) [3]
56 Michael Lenihan/Dan  Maguire (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
57 Andrew Kearney/Eoin O'Neill (Peugeot) [7]
58 Graham Quinn/Martin Costello (Peugeot 106 GT) [7]
59 Kevin Corcoran/Michael Haley (Opel Corsa) [1]
60 Pat O'Connell/Paul  Manton (Peugeot 206 XSI) [7]
61 Leslie Allen/David Long (Opel Corsa) [3]
62 Paul Elliott/Adrian Foley (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
63 Patrick Shanahan Jnr/Joey Irwin (Toyota Starlet RWD) [1]
64 Owen Murphy/TBA  (Rover Mini) [9]
65 Clement Lonergan/Martin Luddy (Honda Civic) [3]
66 John O'Donnell/TBA  (Suzuki Swift GTI) [1]
67 Keith  Cronin/Colm Cronin (Peugeot 106) [7]
68 Martin  Kirwan/Olive Costello (Opel Corsa) [1]
69 Michael McGillin/Alan  Kenna (Ford Escort G3) [5]
70 Joe Conway/TBA  (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
71 Ger Gowen/Pat  Gowen (Peugeot 205 ) [2]
72 Jeremy Drislane/Barry  Goodman (Peugeot 206XS) [3]
73 Sidney Bourke/Robert Hughes (Peugeot 106 S16) [7]
74 Mervyn Galbraith/Chris O'Connor (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
75 Colman Kirby/Jemima Ottman (Nissan Sunny) [1]
76 Noel Wade/David O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
77 Mark  Andrew/Aled Richards (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
78 Donal Keane Jnr/Foxy Ger McCarthy (Toyota Starlet) [4]
79 Eddie Grinsell/TBA  (Ford Escort) [5]
80 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
81 Padraig Purcell/Gerry  Purcell (Vauxhall Astra) [5]
82 Billy O'Keeffe/Derrick O'Neill (Opel Corsa) [9]
83 Ivan Bryan/Alaistair  Wyllie (Toyota Corolla) [3]
84 Nicholas Doherty/Philip Doherty (Peugeot 205) [2]
85 Thomas Brennan/Aidan Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort G3) [4]
86 Moss Fitzgerald/Vincent  McCarthy (Toyota Corolla GT) [3]
87 Brian Hennessy/Laura Brennan (Peugeot 205 GTI) [2]
88 Andres Reid/William Fitzpatrick (Austin Mini) [1]
89 Darren Donnelly/Barry  McGillin (Toyota Corolla GP N) [3]
90 Michael Piggott/Declan Piggott (Honda Civic ) [2]
91 Kieran Crawley/Colin Fitzgerald (Peugeot 106 GTI) [3]
92 Pat Curran/Kevin  Barry (Ford Escort Mk 2) [3]
93 Hans Matthia/Sinead O'Keeffe (Suzuki Swift GTI) [1]
94 Joseph McDonald/Tom  Snell (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
95 Ashley McAdoo/Adam Murray (Opel Corsa) [1]
96 Johnny Kenneally/Ken  Carmody (Ford Escort Mk 2) [9]
97 Richard  Nugent/Robert Nugent (Honda Civic CRX) [9]
98 Brian Connolly/TBA  (Peugeot 106) [1]
99 James John Wall/Enda Delaney (Peugeot 106 ) [9]
100 Michael Cuddihy/Donal Mc Andrew (Ford Escort Mk 2) [2]
101 James  Cunningham/Joseph Fitzgibbon (Toyota Corolla) [3]
102 Conor Kelly/Walter Dick (Opel Corsa) [9]
103 Mark  Kinirons/Pat  Conlon (Skoda Felicia) [2]
104 Gemma  Kerley/Edel  Mackey (Vauxhall Nova) [9]

• Entry List in Excel format

• GARETH MacHALE LAUNCHES 2005 CAMPAIGN
• Forestry Championship Preview - New Additional Round Safety DVD available - New Junior/Novice Class

• 2005 National Forestry Championship
• 2005 South East Stages Championship

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22/02/05
The opening round of the 2005 National Forestry Championship based in Carrick on Suir on Sunday March 6th is sure to be a thrilling curtain raiser. Clerk of the Course; Terence Kearney has devised an exciting new format incorporating a 16 mile stage in the vast Gurteen forest complex. The event will consist of 8 stages (4 done twice) approx 60 stage miles in the Gurteen, Anner and Slievenamon forests including a new short stage close to Carrick

Carrick on Suir report a lot of interest to date, Kevin O'Kane (Impreza WRC), Dermot Kelly (Escort WRC), Pat Norris (Impreza 555), James Murphy (Escort WRC) and Patrick Elliott (Evo 8) are among the early entries. John McCarthy (Corolla WRC), Gareth McHale (Corolla WRC), Glenn Allen (Escort WRC), Adrian McElvaney (Impreza 555), Stephen Moore (N10 Impreza), Johny McKenna (Evo) and Pete Willoughby (Evo 7) are some more front-runners planning a full championship assault. Many of last season's regulars have up graded their machines; James Cribben has moved up to an Evo 8, Andy Mackeral Evo 4 and Pete McCullough Evo 6. The 2WD category will be fought tooth and nail as always with a foray high- powered Escorts in the hands of Brian Lawlor, Paul Staunton, John Reid, Noel Driver, Jason Roche, James Coleman and many more.

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02/05/01

• Regulations in Adobe PDF format
• Entry Form in Adobe PDF format

Adobe Acrobat Reader to View PDF files

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• GARETH MacHALE LAUNCHES 2005 CAMPAIGN
• Forestry Championship Preview - New Additional Round Safety DVD available - New Junior/Novice Class

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• 2005 National Forestry Championship
• 2005 South East Stages Championship