Circuit of Wicklow Forestry Rally - 17 Apr 05

Posted: April 18, 2005 12:29 PM

McHale/ Nagle Reign Wicklow Woods
Heavy rain was the order of the day for Round 3 of the “McCauley Trailers” National Forest Rally Championship – The Circuit of Wicklow Rally based in Laragh, Co. Wicklow. Gareth McHale/ Paul Nagle survived the toughest and most competitive event this year emerging from the final stage with an 11 sec advantage over Glen Allen/ Damien Connolly after a very close Corolla contest. McHale made it a hat trick in Wicklow; his third win in three rounds boasting a maximum score (60 points) to date, extending his Championship lead to 8 points clear of Glen Allen.

Conditions were appalling as the competing cars set out to tackle the very wet Wicklow Forests. The opening stage Sunday morning was a foggy, slippy 8 miles of “Glenmalure”. First on the road Gareth McHale set FTD - 7:32, Glen Allen was 6 secs adrift with John McCarthy only 1 sec back, making it a trio of WRC Corolla’s. Fourth fastest and leading the 2WD contingent was local ace Brian Lawlor (Escort 2.0 16v). Stephen Moore was on a charge setting fifth fastest through Glenmalure and leading Gp N. Kevin O’Kane in a WRC Subaru tied with Moore on 7:52. Seventh placed Trevor J Harding finally made it to the startline with his Gp A Impreza. Pat Norris made a cautious start to hold 8th. Local man Paul Staunton suffered a puncture but still had a notable time (8:01) to hold 9th. Johnny McKenna completed the top ten holding 2nd in Gp N.

Gareth McHale dropped time on ss2, Drumgoff with a stall on the start line. Glenn Allen set FTD (4:27) and moved into the lead at the first service. John McCarthy was up to 2nd only 3 secs off Allen. McHale slipped to third but only 7 secs separated the three Toyota’s. Fourth placed Stephen Moore had pulled his back bumper off – testament of how hard he was pushing his ex McShea N10. Holding fifth Kevin O’Kane was a second in arrears, Brian Lawlor held 6th, Trevor Harding tied with Lawlor but had damaged a suspension arm on ss2. Pat Norris maintained 8th in his active impreza, Johnny Mckenna 9th and Staunton 10th. There was a lot of attricion on Drumgoff; Paul Barrett was off the road, stuck in a bog, Pete McCullagh put his Evo off, Brian McGillin retired with a broken front diff, Seamus O’Connell broke the gearlever in his beautiful Escort BDX but was still going and Pat Price rolled his works livered Evo 8.

The event moved to “Gleneally” for ss3 and “Ballydowling Hill” for ss4, Cork man McCarthy set FTD through ss3 and briefly held the lead. McHale upped his pace on ss4 and regained the lead arriving to the lunchtime service holding a 2 sec advantage over John McCarthy. Glen Allen dropped time on ss4, when his “joystick” gearshift jammed and had to revert to the manual gearshift – yet again only 7 seconds separated the top three at the halfway point. Lying fourth Kevin O’Kane picked up his pace and got ahead of Moore, Lawlor held 6th, Norris 7th, Staunton 8th, Patrick Elliott 9th and Harding dropping to tenth losing time due to a lack of fuel pressure.

After a repeat of Glemalure and Drumgoff Gareth McHale arrived to the final service having extended his lead now holding a 13 sec advantage over Glen Allen. McCarthy tied with McHale on ss6 and was 2 secs off Allen – 15 seconds separating the top three before the final two stages.

McCarthy and McHale tied again through the penultimate stage with Allen 5 secs in arrears. McHale held an 18 sec margin going into the final stage “Ballydowling Hill” but conditions were unchanged and anything could happen. Glen Allen set a blistering time on ss8, (5:07) 7 secs up on McHale and 13 secs up on McCarthy. Gareth McHale/ Paul Nagle were crowned winners in Wicklow when they arrived at parc ferme in Laragh holding an 11 sec cushion after a day long nip and tuck battle in atrocious weather conditions. Glen Allen/ Damien Connolly took second with their new mount and John McCarthy/ Mick Morrissey completed a WRC Corolla top three.

Kevin O’Kane/ Martin Hanna got it together in the afternoon bringing home their WRC Subaru fourth. Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh (N10 Impreza) had a clean sweep leading Gp N from the opening stage to take 5th overall and class honours. Sixth placed Pat Norris/ Declan Tumilty (Impreza) were a little off the pace but maintain 3th in the Championship standings. Local crew Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh (Escort 2.0 16v) came through un-scathed, 7th overall, best 2WD and class five honours having had serious competition. Patrick Elliott/ Mark Bowens (Evo 8) finished 8th and second in Gp N. Gleneally man Paul Staunton with Bruce Burgess alongside finished 9th and had hoped for the 2WD spoils but suffered punctures on the first and final stages. Andy Mackeral/ Richard Cassidy completed the top ten, Mackeral broke a shaft on ss4 but got it sorted at service.

The event had a good quality entry with numbers up on previous years. There was an influx of welcome Northern crews with powerful Escorts, looking to do battle with the locals and a handful of new entries in Evo’s, lets hope they come again. Class winners on the day included; Class 1, Martin Kirwan/ Olive Costello (Nova). Class 2; Joe McDonald/ Barry Hamilton (Escort). Class 3; James Flynn/ Jonathan McGrath (Civic). Class 4; Raymond Donnelly/ Alan Keena (Escort). Class 7; Pat O’Connell/ Paul Manton (206) and Class 9; Conor Kelly/ John Quill (Nova).

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HATRICK HERO - Gareth MacHale Rallying
Winning the opening two rounds of the championship left young Gareth MacHale in a very good position entering the Wicklow Forestry rally. Torrential rain and fog would greet the crews as they headed to the opening loop, leaving a lot of standing water on the stages.
A wrong tyre choice on the opening couple of stages would see the championship leader in third after two stages. Second fastest time on the third and fastest on the fourth would restore the Tom Hogan Corolla to the lead. Finding a narrower Kumho tyre more to his liking Gareth extended his lead on the fifth and he was able to hold that lead till the end.
More details and photos can be found on

www.garethmachale.com

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1 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) 52:48
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 52:59
3 John McCarthy/MJ Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC) 53:09
4 Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Subaru Impreza WRC) 55:42
5 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) GpN 56:11
6 Pat Norris/Declan Tumulty (Subaru Impreza 555) 56:28
7 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Escort 2.0) 56:47
8 Partick Elliott/Mark Bowens (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) GpN 57:34
9 Paul Staunton/Brian Burgess (Escort 2.0) 57:39
10 Andy Mackarel/Richard Cassidy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) GpN 58:44 

Class winners: 
Martin Kirwan/Olive Costello (Corsa)
Joe McDonald/Barry Hamilton (Escort) 
James Flynn/Jonathan McGrath (Civic) 
Jason Roche/Patrick Roche (Escort)
Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh 
Kevin O’Kane/Martin Hanna
Pat O’Connell/Paul Martin (Peugeot 206)
Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh

Juniors: 
Conor Kelly/John Quill (Nova).

Leaders After
SS1 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 John McCarthy/MJ Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4-8 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Fastest Times
SS1 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 John McCarthy/MJ Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS5 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
& John McCarthy/MJ Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC)
& John McCarthy/MJ Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS8 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)

• Download Full Results and Stage Times in Excel

Glenn Allen finished a close 2nd in his newly acquired Corolla WRC
Photo: NG Motorsport Images

Photos:
raggededge.net
NG Motorsport Images
Ger Leahy

• 2005 National Forestry Championship
• 2005 South East Stages Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Event Preview
• Revised Entry List on line.
• Accommodation Details
• Regulations and Entry Form on line

The Circuit of Wicklow based in Laragh near Glendalough Co. Wicklow Sunday April 17th is the 3rd Round of the 2004 “McCauley Trailers” National Forest Rally Championship. Hosted by the MEC (Motor Enthusiasts’ Club) the event will run 8 stages approx 50 stage miles over a loop of 4 locations repeated with centralised service in the grounds of Avondale House, Rathdrum after stages 2, 4 and 6. The event is also the 3rd Round of the Triton Showers South East Stages Championship.

Top seed Gareth McHale/ Paul Nagle (Corolla WRC) leave the start ramp at 10 o’clock Sunday Morning from the Broacagh Centre, Laragh before the opening stage at Glenmalure. McHale currently leads the “McCauley Trailers” series having won the opening two rounds and is all set to make it a hatrick in Wicklow. Second on the road and Wicklow winner in ’03, John McCarthy has Francis Regan on board his Corolla WRC. McCarthy came very close to victory on round two will push hard. At 3, Kevin O’Kane/ Martin Hanna (Impreza WRC) need a result after a disappointing retirement in Mitchelstown.

Number 4 seed Glenn Allen/ Damien Connolly launch their newly acquired Corolla WRC in the Southern Forests. Glenn trails McHale by 6-points in the Championship standings and should be quick in his new mount, after his second overall in Fivemiletown. Pat Norris/ Declan Tumillty (Impreza 555) are at 5. Norris holds joint second in the Championship and has shown a lot of speed this season with the occasional FTD, finishing a consistent 3rd on both events to date. At six, Johnny McKenna/ Paddy Robinson (Evo 6) are top Gp N seed. Number 7 seed Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh (N10 Impreza) lead the Gp N class 2-points up on McKenna. Trevor J Harding/ Charlie Boland are at 8 with a Gp A Impreza just landed from Canada.

Local crew Paul Staunton/ Bruce Burges are first 2WD at 9 in their 2.0 16v Escort. Staunton will be spectacular as he slides his way through his home forests. Patrick Elliott/ Mark Bowens round off the top ten in an Evo 8. At 11, Brian McGillin/ David Doherty (Impreza), 12 Pete McCullagh/ Alan Dolan (Evo 6). Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh have 14 on their door and will do battle with Staunton for local honours/ pride! Lawlor has been best 2WD and inside the top ten on the opening two rounds with his 2.0 16v Escort. Frank Kelly is right behind Lawlor and is another of the 2WD front-runners with very impressive results to date – Kelly may even rattle the locals. James Coleman/ Eoin O’Neill (Escort 16v) are at 16 followed by Dublin’s John Reid/ Enda Shields also in a high-powered Escort.

After Glenmalure (ss1) the event heads to Drumgoff (ss2) followed by service in Avondale house at 11:25. Next up is Ballydowling Hill (ss3) followed by the famous “Glenealy” (ss4) with lunchtime service - again in Avondale House. Back to Glenmalure and Drumgoff before a final service in Avondale House (15:30) and the sting in the tail a final run through Ballydowling Hill and Glenealy. The first competing cars are due back in Parc Ferme, Laragh (Broacagh Centre), at 5:30 pm Sunday evening followed by results/ prizegiving at The Lynham’s Hotel Laragh at 7 pm.

HQ:
Saturday 16th: Broacagh Centre, Laragh, Co. Wicklow.
Sunday 17th: Lynham’s Hotel, Laragh, Co. Wicklow.

Scrutiny & Documentation: Broacagh Centre, Laragh, Saturday 16th 16:00 – 21:00 hrs.

Service: Grounds of Avondale House, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
After ss2, 4 & 6.

Results/ Prizegiving: 19:00 Sunday 17th: Lynham’s Hotel, Laragh.

Maps: Discovery series 56 & 62.

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No. Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
2 John McCarthy/Francis  Regan (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
3 Kevin  O Kane/Martin Hanna (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
4 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
5 Pat  Norris/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza 555) [6]
6 Johnny McKenna/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
7 Stephen  Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) [8]
8 Trevor J Harding/Charlie Boland (Subaru Impreza Gp A) [6]
9 Paul Staunton/Bruce Burgess (Ford Escort) [5]
10 Patrick Elliott/Mark Bowens (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8) [8]
11 Brian McGillin/David Doherty (Subaru Impreza) [8]
12 Peter McCullagh/Alan  Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
14 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
15 Frank Kelly/T.B.A.  (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
16 James Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
17 John Reid/Enda Shields (Ford Escort) [5]
18 Andrew  Mackarel/Richard Cassidy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [6]
19 Seamus O'Connell/TBA  (TBA) [5]
20 Graham Quinn/Martin Costello (Peugeot 106 GTI) [7]
21 Mickey McGillin/Alan  Keena (Ford Escort G3) [5]
22 Patrick Keenan/Finian Hannigan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [8]
23 Noel Driver/Joe Shinnors (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
24 James Flynn/Jonathon McGrath (Honda Civic) [3]
25 Pat O'Connell/Paul Manton (Peugeot 206) [7]
26 John O'Leary/Michael Coleman (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [8]
27 Michael  Nevin/John Kinahan (Ford Escort) [2]
28 Gordon Coleman/Paul  Kelly (Nissan Almera) [5]
29 Pat Price/T.B.A.  (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
30 Graham McClintock/Mark Sheehan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) [8]
31 Jason Roche/Patrick Roche (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
32 James Fagan/Raymond Greene (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
33 Ian Cochrane/TBA  (TBA) [2]
34 Donal Bowens/Mike Wilkes (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) [8]
35 Martin Elliott/TBA  (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo ) [8]
36 Ivan Bryan/Alistair Wyllie (Toyota Corolla) [3]
37 Michael Murray/Tommy Doyle (Subaru Impreza WRX) [6]
38 Justin Dunne/Eoin O'Flaherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
39 Ray  Benskin/Peadar Walsh (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
40 Eoin McErlean/TBA  () [8]
41 Alan Commins/Declan Norris (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
42 Patrick Jnr Shanaghan/Joey Irwin (Toyota Starlet) [1]
43 Adrian Hetherington/Vivian Hamill (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
44 Michael Tynan/Colin Brady (Vauxhall Astra) [5]
45 Noel Wade/David O'Brien (Ford Escort) [2]
46 Clement Lonergan/Martin Luddy (Honda Civic) [3]
47 Billy O'Connell/Kevin Hickey (Toyota Corolla) [4]
48 Joe McDonald/Barry Hamilton (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
49 Seamus Anderson/Eddie Tynan (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
50 Sean William Benskin/TBA  (Ford Escort) [4]
51 Ted Duggan/TBA  (TBA) [5]
52 Denis Heaney/Martin Brady (Toyota Corolla WRC) [6]
53 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
54 Martin Kirwan/Olive Costello (Opel Corsa) [1]
55 Kevin Corcoran/Michael Haley (Opel Corsa) [1]
56 Connor Kelly/John Quill (Opel Corsa) [9]
57 Ashley McAdoo/Adam Murray (Opel Corsa) [9]
58 Joe Conway/T.B.A.  (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
59 Paul Doyle/TBA (TBA) [4]
60 Nicholas Doherty/Philip Doherty (Peugeot 205 GTI) [2]
61 Ben  Doran/TBA (TBA) [2]
62 Ciaran McCullagh/TBA (TBA) [2]
63 Andrew Fanning/Alan  McCormack (Ford Ka) [1]
64 James Cunningham/Joe Fitzgibbon (Toyota Corolla) [3]
65 Patrick Curran/Kevin Barry (Ford Escort MK 2) [3]
66 Damien Quinn/Peter Conlon (Subaru Legacy) [6]
67    / () [ ]
68 Ger Gowen/James Mullins (Peugeot 205   ) [2]
69 Richard Nugent/Robert Nugent (Honda CRX) [9]
70 Patrick Moran/Lester Hutchinson (Peugeot 205 GTI) [2]
71 John  O'Donnell/TBA (TBA) [1]
72 Sidney Bourke/T.B.A.  (Peugeot 106 S16) [7]
73 Willie Windsor/Michael Healy (Peugeot 205 GTI) [2]
74 Brian Connolly/T.B.A.  (Peugeot 106) [1]
75 David  Power/Kevin Power (Peugeot 205) [9]

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The Rally is a qualifying round of the Motorsport Ireland McCauley Trailers National Forest Rally Championship and the Triton Showers South East Stages Rally Championship and will take place over a route of approximately 50 stage miles.
This year Rally Headquarters has moved to Lynham’s Hotel in Laragh.

For this years event a considerable effort has gone into cleaning up the roads to make them as smooth as possible.

Ordnance survey/Discovery maps no. 56 + 62 will be used for the event.

• Download Accomadation Details in Word Format

• Regulations in Word Format
• Entry Form in Word Format

• 2005 National Forestry Championship
• 2005 South East Stages Championship