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Jim Clark Memorial Rally - 7-8 Jul 06Posted: July 16, 2006 3:27 PM - 17248 Hits
Round 5 - 2006 Tarmac Rally Championship
Posted: July 16, 2006 3:27 PM
MRallying: Top Marks on Jim Clark With the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship half complete, last weekend saw the crews tackle the Jim Clark Memorial rally – the Kelso based fast asphalt event. Following a dogged and determined result on June’s Donegal rally, Colm Murphy and Ger Loughrey of the MRallying team crossed to Scotland in joint lead of the GpN category of the championship. With bone dry conditions presenting themselves on Friday afternoon for the ceremonial start, the Pirelli backed pairing pointed the Impreza north for the first of two Friday evening loops. Fastest Irish crew on the first stage, the Shell sponsored car returned to the first service trailing their direct championship rival, Seamus Leonard by just 5 seconds. But despite the Trackcare Engineering car taking the Irish points lead on the second run through the Abbey St Bathans stage, a spin on Edrom cost the Limerick pairing 20 seconds – a massive amount of time when solitary seconds are being swapped. As Saturday dawned bright and clear, and with Leonard’s Evo clearly in their sights, Murphy and Loughrey unleashed a sustained attack on Ulsterman’s overnight lead. Faster on all six of the Saturday morning stages, the Thermia Heatlink car returned to the second service of the day in eighth place overall, fourth in GpN behind the works cars of Higgins, Galligan and Champion and first in Irish Tarmac Championship GpN class. The Transplant Trailers backed car maintained the class advantage over Leonard until the first run through Little Swinton – well known for it’s often photographed jump. And a problem over the jumps was to cost the pairing – a broken weld on the Impreza’s sump guard allowed it hang loose meaning the pair had to back off, losing 10 seconds and the class lead. Following the final major service and with the bit firmly between the teeth, the Limerick duo pointed the TTEC prepared car towards the stages for one last crack at relieving Leonard of the class lead on the last loop of stages. Fate was to prove this unnecessary however as Leonard’s car failed to finish the Eccles stage, an ailing turbo the fatal blow.The drama was not over though for the Eddie Garry Car Sales backed pairing – a puncture heading into the penultimate stage of the event caused some late nerves but was not enough to deny a well deserved result. At the finish line, driver Colm was delighted – “this is the result we needed – following Donegal we were hoping for a good performance and everything was on song this weekend. It’s a pity about Seamus having turbo problems, that’s not the way I’d have had it end but we had our drama’s too! The event was superb, fair play to all involved and thanks to all the sponsors - without the them, this trip simply wouldn’t have been possible.” Colm and Ger would also like to thank all their sponsors, with out them it would not be possible to compete. Sponsors: Shell, Pirelli, Heat Link, Thermia, Track Care Engineering, Transplant Trailer Sales, MSP, Speedline Corse, Remax, The Gables Bar Athea, The Connemara Gateway Hotel, Murray Motor Sport, Eddie Garry Car Sales, Advance Surveys, Sign Lynx, Vanity Case Beauticians. McCLOSKEY OVERCOMES EARLY SCARE FOR THIRD Northern Ireland’s Connor McCloskey and Crawford Henderson took third place in the Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge on last weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally despite losing a brake caliper early in the event. The Fisher Foundation Young Driver Award winner went to the event, also the second round of the British Rally Championship, hoping to improve on his third place in 2005, but was pleased just to finish after clipping a kerb on stage five of the 21 stage rally. “We’d been taking it relatively easy,” said Connor, “but a downhill square right was more slippery than we expected and the back end slid wide. It caught the back left wheel on the kerb and the impact bent the suspension and broke the brake caliper.” The crew stopped to assess the damage but a spectator waved them on before they had chance to get out. “He shouted that the wheel was still on and it wasn’t that far from the stage finish so we carried on.” explained Crawford. “We had a chance to assess the damage at the end but Connor had already realised that the brakes had almost completely gone. We made what repairs we could and limped through the last stage before Davy Greer’s lads could fix it at service.” After losing nearly three minutes the team was dejected but with 100 miles left they sat off into Saturday’s stages with a determination to get to the finish. “The car was crabbing al over the place after the boys had replaced the rear suspension but they sorted it at first service on Saturday.” said Connor, “I just kept thinking that it could have all been over and that Saturday was a bonus.” At the second service on Saturday the mechanics were busy again changing the propshaft and brakes. The long ford in the Whiteadder stage had cooled the brake discs so they warped with the change in temperature. “The propshaft is just one of those things,” shrugged Connor, “It was just ready for changing!” By the end of Saturday the crew had climbed twenty places, finishing 24th overall and third in the Evo Challenge. The result has maintained their third place in the challenge championship standings and left them a lucky thirteenth overall in the British Rally Championship with only two rounds down. Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, Euro Components, KBB Doors, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their continuing support in 2006 Donnelly/Kiely - SECOND PLACE PROPS UP CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES Round five of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland, and Eugene Donnelly with co driver Paul Kiely, extended their championship lead with three rounds remaining. The Jim Clark is one of only two rallies in this prestigious series that the team has yet to take victory on, and they set of on the Friday July 7th start in superb form. “The first few stages really went really well for us” quipped Eugene.” We had one moment on the first test, when I was getting brake fade, I judged my braking too late and we clipped a kerb on the exit of a corner. Apart from that though the car was superb, and I particularly enjoyed the Abbey St Bathan’s stage. It’s a really demanding technical test.” Indeed Eugene and Paul very much met the demands as the Esker Corolla sped away from the opposition to open up a 34 second lead over Derek McGarrity in his S10 Subaru at the end of the first leg of just six stages. “We picked a softer compound Kumho for the last loop and it worked brilliantly. It was definitely a big help.” Day two was the big day, with sixteen stages around the Kelso area in the Scottish Borders. 
But rallying can be very unpredictable, and Eugene was about to experience a mechanical malady that is just a fact of life in rallying. “I let the clutch out on the start line of the first day two stage, and there was a bang in the car. I knew straight away when the car was only engaging front wheel drive that it was either the centre differential or the prop shaft. It’s one of those things that can just happen any time, even if it was a new part, you can’t predict a breakage like that.” With three stages to drive before service, a 34 second lead turned into a 40 second deficit, and when hurried repairs were carried out by the McGeehan team, Eugene and Paul took the next three tests with a little more caution to make sure the car was back on full song. In a way the driver needed to get back on full song, as Eugene had a heady mixture of a heavy cold, hay fever and a troublesome back injury to contend with! The team dropped back a little on the second loop of tests, another five seconds to rally leader Derek McGarrity, with third place Eamon Boland dropping back because of a puncture. “When I knew the car was fine, I decided to have a go to try on the loop of fresh stages and catch Derek. We took eight seconds on one stage, but Derek replied back. We got it down to 25 seconds, but it wasn’t enough. Derek was going well and his win means that he is now not right out of the championship hunt.” Second place extends Eugene’s championship lead over Eamon Boland who finished third to eleven points. “I have to admit I would have loved to have won the event, but we were more than happy to have bagged more points in the championship going into the Manx Rally in August.” August sees the next round of the series in the Isle of Man, the only other Irish Tarmac Rally that the team has yet to win. “Yes we would like to win it, but we have the championship to think about. Being consistent is important, and maybe that’s were we have scored this season, finishing in the points.” Three rounds of the Irish Tarmac Series remain with the Manx International- 3rd-5th August, Ulster International 1st-2nd September and Cork “20” 30th September- 1st October. Owen Murphy Back on the Podium The Jim Clark Rally was all about finishing and Owen Murphy knew he had to get the car home one way or another this time. For the first loop of stages the team opted for a soft compound tyre while the pace setter George Thomas went for a harder compound Owen felt the tyres were going off and every second was vital so after the first loop of 3 Owen was a mere 6 seconds off the pace and felt if the tyre choice had been better he could be leading. On the next stage (BLACKADDER 2) 9.8 miles the brake pedal started to go very soft and gave us a few little moments Owen said.By the time it came to (Eccles 1)Owen was in a strong second a mere 16 seconds off the lead it was all to play for including having a bunch of lads behind waiting to pounce. (FoGo) is a strange name for a stage and about 4 miles in going hard into a square right at high speed the brake pedal went to the floor Owen said we were fairly committed there was nothing to do but keep going I threw it into the corner and caught a grass verge then saw an open gate and shot into a field but the car stalled and it took time to get reverse it cost us 20 or 25 seconds as we were going for a right cut on that stage. This trip to the scenery was to cost dearly as Owen went from second to fifth the pressure was now on ,it was no help to find the prop mount was broke. Owen had not come to the Jim Clark for fifth so it was Flat out for the last two brake problems or not the pedal was now just softish a lot of the time but Owen ably assisted by Paul Williams on the notes were quick on the second last stage and joint quickest on the last stage (LITTLE SWINTON 1) to take a memorable third place by .7 of a second. After the event a delighted Owen said its my first time here the lads in front are veterans of 4 of 5 of these rallys that Swinton stage was serious we hit a jump flat I thought I was a pilot there for a while this event is super fast I have never been on such a fast rally 4th and 5th gear flat out most of the time and once again I had the flu or a heavy cold but it did little to slow us up. Thanks to everyone this weekend our championship is back on track we drove the Fiesta ST hard this weekend and it went very well. Owen Murphy is supported by Mac Tyres Ireland ,O Flynn Construction ,O Brien Crowley Accountants , Wolfrace Wheels, Permafrost, Brooklyn Ford, Carnet.ie and the car is Prepaired by West Midlands Motorsport. It doesn't get any closer! Unbelievably, after 150 miles of competitive driving, Mitsubishi Motors UK driver Rory Galligan crossed the finish line of this weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally, round two of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, on exactly the same time as Mark Higgins (Subaru) – to the tenth of a second! 
This incredible result sees the first time ever that the tie-break rule has had to be invoked for first place and unfortunately for Galligan, he was relegated to second because Higgins was faster on the first stage.
However, Galligan (from Oldcastle, Southern Ireland), together with his co-driver Greg Shinnors (from Limerick, Southern Ireland), set more fastest stage times than any other driver and therefore had led the event from the fourth of the rally’s 21 stages. Team-mates and round-one winners Ryan Champion (from Castleton, North Yorkshire) and Craig Thorley (from Pocklington, East Yorkshire) also delivered an excellent performance and did their Championship hopes no harm at all by finishing in a determined third place. Starting from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, the rally began on Friday afternoon with six stages on closed public roads north of the town. With the two works Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IXs having just had the latest specification brakes fitted, both Galligan and Champion spent the first loop of three stages getting the feel of their new found stopping power – an issue which was later to prove decisive! It was on SS4 when Galligan edged into the lead - but it was close, as he had Guy Wilks (Suzuki) and Higgins both just three seconds behind. Galligan was now flying and took another four seconds off his rivals on SS5. But he nearly lost his advantage on the very next stage, when he half-spun on the wet roads after Langton Ford and suddenly the gap between him and Higgins dropped to less than a second. Champion also lost time when negotiating the water splash, by going straight-on and briefly mounting the bank on exiting the water during the first run through this popular spectator stage. Still getting used to his brakes he then had a spectacular lock-up and overshoot on SS4, plus a spin on SS5 and thereby ended the day in fourth. Saturday saw a further 15 stages in the Berwickshire countryside and the start of an epic battle between Galligan and Higgins. Throughout the day it was nip-and-tuck between the two drivers, both showing outstanding commitment in an effort to push their production specification machinery faster and faster. Bit-by-bit Galligan increased his lead, pulling away by 10 seconds by SS15, but then chose to ease back a little for the infamous jump across Swinton crossroads on SS16, so as not to risk an incident like so many drivers have done in the past. But Higgins didn't lift and suddenly the gap was back to three seconds. With the final loop if five stages left Galligan had it all to do again and with his head down he increased his lead to 7.1 seconds by the end of SS18. But Higgins didn’t give up and he clawed back 1.5 seconds on SS19 and on SS20, plus a further 4.1 on the final stage to make it a dead heat for first place. Whilst all this frantic activity was going on ahead of him, Champion was getting on with the job. He overhauled Wilks on SS10 to take third place and was then 17 seconds behind the leaders. Although posting a fastest overall time and hardly putting a foot wrong during Saturday, Champion could not close-up the gap between him and the battling duo ahead, although he swapped stage times with them throughout the day. Driving a third works Mitsubishi, this time entered privately, David Higgins (from Trefeglwys, North Wales) and co-driver Ieuan Thomas (from Ammanford, South Wales), had a contrasting event. They initially found their car not handling how they would have wished on Friday. It then suffered electrical problems and required a differential change on Saturday morning, all of which put the former British Champion out of contention. Then, when trying to make up for lost time, Higgins went off the road on SS12 damaging the car’s suspension and a few other significant components in the process and although making it back to the service area, he decided to retire from the event. The Cirencester-based Mitsubishi Motors UK team is supported by: Pirelli, Rampage Performance Motorparts, Shell Helix, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Corporate Fleet Care and Performance Friction Brakes. The team’s Lancer Evolution IXs are built by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield, who are also responsible for running the cars on events. Quotes Rory Galligan – Driver “I can’t believe it. To finish on exactly the same time, down to a tenth of a second, is just incredible. Greg and I can look back over the past 24 hours and recall so many places where we could have gained a tenth of a second, but there’s no point in that of course. At least we’ve now got a good haul of points and have proved that we can be quicker than anybody. So as far as I’m concerned the Championship is far from over.” Ryan Champion – Driver “I’m pleased with third place, especially on this event. It’s another good score of points towards the Championship, but having won on the Pirelli I’ve got a taste for coming first. I was pleased to be setting comparable times with both Mark and Rory and I learnt a great deal about the car this weekend, so I’m really looking forward to the next event on Isle of Man.” Paul Brigden – General Manager, Ralliart “What an event! Both Rory and Ryan drove superbly and I’m delighted we were able to take two places on the podium. It was frustrating not to win - especially when the result was decided by implementing the tie-break rule, but it just goes to show how close the competition is this year. I must also complement the rest of the Mitsubishi team, as both cars ran 100% throughout the rally.” Evo Challenge - Jones back to his winning ways Stuart Jones wins and takes series lead. 2nd place sees Neil McCance score best ever Evo Challenge result. Persistence pays off for Conor McCloskey in 3rd. Stuart Jones, together with his co-driver Craig Parry, won this weekend’s round two of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the Jim Clark International Rally. He now leads the Championship by two points. Jones is no stranger to winning the one-make series for production specification Lancer Evolutions. Having won five rounds in 2005 he again proved his pace this weekend with his first victory since the series has moved to the highly competitive arena of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. 
The rally started from Kelso in the Scottish Borders and featured a competitive route of 150 miles on closed public roads around Berwickshire, the event split into six timed special stages on Friday and a further 15 on Saturday. As well as the Evolution Challenge, the rally also hosted round two of the British Championship and round five of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship.
Carrying on from where he left off, round one winner Gwyndaf Evans immediately went into the lead, ahead of the seven other Evolution Challenge competitors entered and, after the first loop of three stages on Saturday, Evans pulled out an advantage of just over 10 seconds ahead of Phillip Morrow and Jonny Milner. At this point Jones was out of the running, his car was not handling as he had expected. Others reported similar issues - including Evans, but it was Shaun Gallagher who was the first Evo Challenge runner to pull-out, when his car’s fuel pump stopped working on the way out of the service area. After a repeat of the first three stages, competitors returned to the service park for the overnight halt. Evans was still in the Evo Challenge lead, now 21 seconds ahead of Morrow, who’s car had lost third gear. Milner was next, a further four seconds behind and surprised he wasn’t further up the field, with Jones now fourth and getting quicker, having adjusted his Mitsubishi’s suspension. Young Ulsterman Connor McCloskey was determined to have a good run, but his intentions were spoilt when he clipped a kerb bending his car’s rear suspension and smashing a brake caliper, requiring him to drive Friday’s final three stages with little or no brakes! Evans continued to set the Evo Challenge pace for the first five of Saturday’s 15 stages and looked in-line to take his second series win in a row. But on SS12 the experienced Welshman was given no choice but to retire, when his car’s rear differential cried enough. Armed with a new gearbox Morrow was back on the pace but had collected a 50 second penalty after leaving the service area late when the repairs over-ran the allotted time. This allowed Milner to take the lead when Evans retired, with Jones now second and just 30 seconds behind the leader. Unfortunately for Morrow his charge back up the field was short-lived. He clipped the wall of the bridge on the approach to Langton Ford, removing the nearside front wheel in the process and although making it to the end of the stage, his car would go no further. Then, on stage 16, it was Milner’s turn for misfortune. Just after the start he collected a puncture and opted to stop and change the wheel. He then landed heavily after the jump at Swinton crossroads, breaking his car’s rear suspension, the sum total of which cost him three minutes and dropped him to third behind Neil McCance, who was in contrast enjoying a trouble-free run. Milner’s woes subsequently increased when the repairs took longer than expected and he collected a 2.5 minute penalty for being late out of service. Having discovered a blown fuse, Shaun Gallagher had re-joined the hunt on Saturday under ‘Super-Rally’ regulations, but a sticking throttle on SS16 forced him off the road, into a tree and out of the event. Also enduring a frustrating rally was Stephen Petch. After encountering a few handling issues on Friday, his car’s centre differential was not as active as it should have been on Saturday afternoon and his progress slowed considerably as an effect. All this drama saw Jones elevated to the front, a position he maintained for the remainder of the rally. McCance recorded his highest ever Evolution Challenge finish with a fine second place and McCloskey’s perseverance was rewarded with a well-deserved third. “After a slow start on Friday I have to admit I’m a little surprised to have won this weekend.” said Jones at the finish. “However, I’m delighted to take my first Evo Challenge victory of the season – it’s just like old times. I’m also pleased that we’re now leading the championship.” The Evolution Challenge offers driver the best prize in British motorsport – the chance to become a Mitsubishi works driver in the British Rally Championship. The series is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex. 2006 Evolution Challenge Round Two Jim Clark Intnerantional Rally – Results 1st Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) – 2:12:43.2 2nd Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Moriarty (Kerry) – 2:15:48.1 3rd Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Crawford Henderson (Portrush) – 2:24:59.4 4th Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor) – 2:38:03.3 5th Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law) – 2:54:03.9 6th Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) – 3:22:02.4 7th Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny) – 4:02:20.0 Retirements SS12 Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) – Transmission Philip Morrow - A bridge too fast! After setting a string of impressive stage times Lisburn driver Phillip Morrow, together with his co-driver Daniel Barritt from Burnley, did not achieve the result they had hoped for on this weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally, round two of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. 
Even after overcoming gearbox problems and quickly learning how his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX would perform on an asphalt surface, the car clipped a bridge parapet on the 15th of the event’s 21 stages, removing the nearside front wheel in the process.
The Jim Clark Rally is a unique event, as it is the only stage rally to take place on closed public roads on the UK mainland. Starting and finishing in Kelso, the event covered 150 competitive miles in Berwickshire, with six stages on Friday evening, plus a further 15 on Saturday. After debuting in his new car on the Pirelli Rally in May, plus an appearance in an Irish Tarmac Championship round on last month’s Donegal Rally, Phillip was all set to get amongst the leading British Rally Championship competitors and secure a good haul of points in the Evolution Challenge. The first loop of three stages on Friday went well, Phillip reaching the first service halt 6th in the BRC standings and 2nd in the Evolution Challenge, behind the highly experienced former British Champion Gwyndaf Evans. Then, on the second run through the same three tests, the young Ulsterman found he had no third gear, but his ability to drive round issues such as this saw him maintain position as the cars returned to the service park for the overnight halt. The team succeeded in changing the gearbox during the final service interval of the day, but the selector mechanism required adjustment first thing on Saturday morning, the subsequent delay seeing Phillip collect a 50-second penalty for leaving the service area late. With 15 stages ahead of him, Phillip set off to make up for lost time. After a determined effort and following Evans’ retirement on stage 12, the 23-year-old found himself back up to 7th in the British Championship standings and 3rd in the Evolution Challenge, behind Stuart Jones in 2nd and Jonny Milner in 1st. With the pace increasing and the opportunity to improve his position now a tough call, the team decided to consolidate. An then, on SS15, the infamous Langton spectator stage, it all went wrong, the car clipping a wall when crossing a narrow bridge at high-speed, ripping off the front wheel and causing damage to the suspension. Although able to complete the stage, Phillip had no choice but to retire. However, because the event was run to International rules, the team were able present the car at the finish and therefore Philip was classified in the results, thus scoring all important points in both the British Championship and Evolution Challenge. “When we clipped the wall I just couldn’t believe it.” Said a rather disgruntled Phillip at the finish. “I didn't think we were going that fast, but sometimes these things catch you out. However, I was really pleased with our stage times when everything was going well and without the team’s efforts changing the gearbox I wouldn't have got that far. I’ve learnt a lot about driving the car on tarmac and I was very happy with my pace-notes this weekend, so I’m looking forward to the next event on the Isle of Man.” Even though there were no trophies for Phillip and Daniel on this occasion, the team won the Evolution Challenge Walon UK award for the best presented car. Phillip will be rallying again on the 3rd, 4th & 5th of August, when the 3rd round of the British Rally Championship and the Evolution Challenge takes place on the Isle of Man. Phillip’s 2006 campaign is supported by Pirelli, Morrow Fuels, Fitzsamuel Insurance, Lyons European Haulage, Lagan Motor Factors, DGM Motorsport, Kelly’s Toyota, Proflex, PIAA, Speedline Corse, AMS gear kits, BADMC and RPM Promotions. GASS TAKES THIRD ON JIM CLARK Darren Gass and Neil Shanks took a hard earned third place in the Super 1600 class on this weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally, round two of the British rally Championship. The compact event saw the pair cover 150 miles in just a day and a half but the stages were all tricky and contained jumps, bumps and water hazards along with the now traditional fast lanes of the Scottish Borders. The experienced Crozier Motorsport team knew that the Langton stage could potentially cause difficulties, as the Fiesta air intake is positioned low down and the stage contains a deep ford to traverse. They made an attempt to deflect any water from the engine intake before the start but the car still stalled at the water-splash on the first attempt. “The modification has helped keep water out but it has meant hot air is being drawn into the engine and we’re down on power.” explained Darren at service. “I took it really easy but it bogged down and we lost about 15 seconds.” The team opted to keep the modification until the final service of the day when they reverted to the original position for the Saturday stages. There was a definite possibility of rain on Saturday as the clouds only broke occasionally over the countryside around Duns. Darren and Neil opted for Kumho slicks nevertheless and the decision was to prove correct all day. Just less than one hundred miles of competitive miles over fourteen stages stood between the teams and the finish in Kelso and the Castrol backed car had four visits to the centralised service area. “We haven’t changed too much all day,” remarked Darren at the lunchtime halt. “We’re still on the older specification dampers and I think we’re dropping time as a result. We’ve taken it really easy through the long ford in the Whiteadder stage on both runs but its hellish slippery all the way to the finish. The brakes, tyres and everything is cold so you’ve got to tip-toe to the flying finish.” The final two loops of stages included the very tricky Little Swinton crossroads as Neil explained, “I can’t remember the last time it was used with a downhill approach and we took it flat. The back end kicked up on the bump and we landed at an angle to the road.” Mercifully for the pair there was a big straw bale protecting the end of the adjacent house, but the impact with it deranged the rear suspension and broke the rear wheel arch and window. With just a couple of miles of the stage remaining, Darren hung on to the wayward car and made it to service where repairs were carried out. “It was a big moment,” said Darren, “We were really lucky the bale was there or the damage would have been much worse, I think I’ll back off next time through!” On the final loop of stages there was nothing to gain by pushing as they held a solid third in class with little chance of catching the crew in front. But the crew had one further scare before he finish. On the penultimate stage Darren noticed a vibration and noise from the front left of the car. He checked the wheel nuts but could see nothing wrong, “We opted to potter through the last stage just in case,” he said, “and it was a good job as it turned out to be a collapsed front hub. I presume it was as a result of the landing we had at the crossroads.” The relieved crew took their third place in Kelso with the promise of further improvements to come. “It was a tough event,” commented Darren, “but I definitely enjoyed it and we’re looking forward to the Isle of Man in August.” The next round of the British and Irish Rally Championships is based in Douglas IOM on the first weekend in August and the team will be there to continue the Super 1600 battle. Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill, EMC Autopax, PIAA, AC Vehicle Components, Sligo Pallets, Alpha Cam, Crozier Motorsport Engineering and ID Graphics for their continuing support in 2006. Results 1 DEREK MCGARRITY/DIARMUID FALVEY (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) 02:04:33 2 EUGENE DONNELLY/PAUL KIELY (TOYOTA COROLLA WRC) 02:04:59 3 EAMONN BOLAND/FRANCIS REGAN (FORD FOCUS WRC) 02:06:50 4 MARK HIGGINS/RORY KENNEDY (SUBARU IMPREZA N12) GpN 02:09:27 5 RORY GALLIGAN/GREG SHINNORS (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) GpN 02:09:27 6 RYAN CHAMPION/CRAIG THORLEY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) GpN 02:10:12 7 GUY WILKS/PHIL PUGH (SUZUKI IGNIS S1600) 02:10:24 8 COLM MURPHEY/GER LOUGHREY (SUBARU IMPREZA N12) GpN 02:12:00 9 STUART JONES/CRAIG PARRY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) GpN 02:12:43 10 CONRAD RAUTENBACH/DAVID SENIOR (SUBARU IMPREZA N12) GpN 02:14:19 Leaders After: SS1-7 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS8-21 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) Stage Winners: SS1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS2 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS3 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS4 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS6 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS7 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS8 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) SS9 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS10 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS11 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) SS12 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) & Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS13 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS14 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS15 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS16 Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS17 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS18 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) SS19 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS20 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) SS21 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures British Rally Championship Roy Dempster Photos rallypics.org
PRE EVENT NEWS
05/07/06 Diarmuid Falvey is to co-drive for Derek McGarrity on this weekend's Jim Clark Rally McCLOSKEY TAKES TO THE LANES After a successful outing with Damien Connolly on the opening round of the British Rally Championship, Connor McCloskey returns for the second round in Kelso this weekend partnered by his usual co-driver, the equally experienced Crawford Henderson. The Egger backed team took the decision to use their older Mitsubishi Evolution 8 on the Pirelli International Rally which was also the first round of the UK’s Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge. “As it was our first gravel BRC event, we decided to use the Evo 8 and save the Evo 9 for the asphalt events.” Said Connor, “But when we saw the entry list and arrived to see the competition in their later cars, I wished I could pop back to Ireland and get ours!” True to his word the 20 year-old from Kilrea in Northern Ireland will be out in the later specification Mitsubishi for the all-asphalt Jim Clark Rally and after an Evo Challenge podium place in 2005, will be looking to improve on the third place. “We’re realistic about our chances against all the former BRC champions at the front,” he said, “this is only my second full season rallying so it will be good to gauge ourselves on tarmac.” The team successfully tested on Monday with Mountune Engines following the Donegal International Rally in mid June. “We are swapping back and forth between the BRC control fuel and our usual Shell Racing fuel and even though we didn’t do many miles in Donegal we still have to check the engine is running fine for the Jim Clark.” He continued, “The test was also a chance to build my confidence after Donegal when we slid off with no damage so early on.” The classic event is based in the Scottish Borders around Kelso, south of Edinburgh, with 150 stage miles held over one and a half days commencing Friday afternoon in the nearby Lammermuir Hills. The bulk of the stage mileage is on Saturday with centralised service at Charterhall airfield to the north of Kelso, the rally finishing in the town square at around 6pm. Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, Euro Components, KBB Doors, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their continuing support in 2006 GASS’S DEBUT JIM CLARK RALLY Darren Gass and reigning BRC production champion co-driver Neil Shanks will contest this weekend’s Jim Clark Rally with renewed vigour following their position as highest placed Super 1600 privateers on the opening round of the British Rally Championship in Carlisle back in May. The team decided to miss June’s Donegal International Rally so the car was fresh for the Kelso based event, but it will be Darren’s first attempt at the all asphalt rally. “Neil has plenty of experience,” explains the seventeen year-old, “he’s done the rally every time since it began as a closed-road event so he should know where he’s going. I’m really looking forward to the extra experience and I think it will suit the Fiesta.” “The roads are smoother than in Ireland but I’m under no illusion that they are equally tricky.” said Darren, “There are seven in the class so we’ll have to watch the times carefully, but I hope we can improve on the good start we made in May.” Amongst the Super 1600 category cars competing on the 150 stage mile even, are JWRC drivers Roman Kresta and Guy Wilks and reigning S1600 Champion driver Brian O’Mahoney but Darren is not fazed, “I’ll be disappointed If the guys at the front disappear off into the distance but the main aim is to get to the finish and get another new event under my belt.” The rally gets underway on Friday afternoon with the cars leaving Kelso Square after an autograph session for fans at 15.00. The cars then tackle a challenging diversity of tarmac stages before finishing back in Kelso Square on Saturday afternoon with the first cars expected to finish at 17.30. Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill, EMC Autopax, PIAA, AC Vehicle Components, Sligo Pallets, Alpha Cam, Crozier Motorsport Engineering and ID Graphics for their continuing support in 2006. You can check on the team’s progress at Edinburgh No Laughing Matter for MRallying Team Following an action packed June in which Colm Murphy’s MRallying team took a second class victory on their home Circuit of Munster event and a hard earned fourth in class on the legendary Shell Donegal rally, July sees the team in their TTEC prepared car head for the fast asphalt stages around Kelso to take on the best the Irish and British rally championships have to offer. The Thermia Heatlink backed car started the month with a GpN victory on Colm and co-driver Ger Loughrey’s home event – the Adare based Circuit of Munster. Delighted to get back on the podium after a disappointing result on the Rally of the Lakes, the result put the pairing in buoyant mood for the mid June Shell Donegal International rally. The event also provided an ideal opportunity to repay the faith shown in the MRallying team by their local sponsors – Trackcare Engineering, Transplant Trailers, The Gables Bar Athea, Vanity Case Beauticians, Sign Lynx and Ger’s concern, Advance Surveys. Donegal turned out to be a severe test for the Pirelli sponsored outfit – a power steering pump failure, a puncture and a high speed coming together with a bale couldn’t prevent a dogged performance rewarding the crew with fourth overall. Disappointing considering the times the Eddie Garry backed car had shown over the weekend, swapping time with local experts Gallagher and Leonard. Following the north western event, July sees the Irish crews cross the Irish Sea to Kelso to compete with the best the British Championship has to offer. Half way through the season, the Shell supported MRallying outfit lie in the lead of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship GpN class – level on points with Seamus Leonard but with the advantage of having won the opening round. Colm, Ger and the crew will be hoping to build on the positives from Donegal - the pace and determination and to take advantage of the experience of competing on the event last year (although mechanical failure robbed the team of the full Jim Clark rally experience). Colm and Ger would also like to thank all their sponsors, with out them it would not be possible to compete. Sponsors: Shell, Pirelli, Heat Link, Thermia, Track Care, Transplant, MSP, Speedline Corse, Remax, The Gables Bar Athea, The Connemara Gateway Hotel, Murray Motor Sport for Lico, Eddie Garry Car Sales, Advance Surveys, Sign Lynx, Vanity Case Beauticians. 03/07/06 Mitsubishi team targets two in a row Champion plans repeat performance Galligan determined for top result Team spurred-on after round one victory The Mitsubishi Motors UK rally team heads to this weekend’s Jim Clark Rally, round two of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, as series leaders following Ryan Champion’s impressive round one victory on the Pirelli Rally in May. It goes without saying that Champion (from Castleton, North Yorkshire), together with his co-driver Craig Thorley (from Pocklington, East Yorkshire), will be out to repeat their first round performance, when they beat seven former British Rally Champions and gave the Mitsubishi UK works team its first ever outright win. “Having competed on the Jim Clark Rally five times before and after winning the Evolution Challenge on this event last year, familiarity with the route shouldn’t be an issue.” said Champion. “However, after winning round one I will now be driving with a target on my back, so the pressure will be on. I’m therefore planning to use the same tactics as I did on the Pirelli Rally – especially as this event can be so unpredictable.” In contrast, Rory Galligan (from Oldcastle, Southern Ireland) and co-driver Greg Shinnors (from Limerick, Southern Ireland), could not believe their misfortune on the Pirelli Rally when a random stone punctured the oil filter just a few miles into the first stage. But Galligan has great resolve and is approaching the Jim Clark Rally with just one thing on his mind: “We have to get to the end of this rally. It’s now important for us to score as many points as possible to ensure we can keep our title hopes intact. I won the Production Class on this rally last year and set a series of fastest times in the Evo Challenge the year before that, so I’m comfortable with the event. Plus, we have the new Lancer Evolution IX this year, so I am really hopeful of a top result.” Following their fourth place finish on the Pirelli Rally, David Higgins (from Trefeglwys, North Wales) and Ieuan Thomas (from Ammanford, South Wales) will again use one of the Mitsubishi team’s Lancer Evolution IXs this weekend. However, this time the entry is funded by the driver, Higgins keen to continue in the BRC for the remainder of the season. With his team going to the Jim Clark Rally as Championship leaders, General Manager for Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart, Paul Brigden, is quietly confident, but well aware of the unpredictable nature of this event: “The Jim Clark Rally is a fast event, so any mistake can be severely punished. The weather can also play a big part in the outcome, as conditions can change so rapidly and the roads become extremely slippery when they’re wet. We gathered a great deal of data having competed on this rally last year, so we hope our cars will be on the BRC pace from the start.” The Jim Clark Rally starts and finishes in Kelso and features 150 competitive miles split into six stages on Saturday, plus a further 15 on Sunday. Held in Berwickshire, the event is unique as it is the only stage rally to use closed public roads on the UK mainland. The Cirencester-based Mitsubishi Motors UK team is supported by: Pirelli, Rampage Performance Motorparts, Shell Helix, PIAA, Speedline Corse and Performance Friction Brakes. The team’s Lancer Evolution IXs are built by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield, who are also responsible for running the cars on events. There's no predicting a winner for the second round of the Evolution Challenge The second round of the 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge takes place this weekend, when the series heads north of the Border for the Jim Clark International Rally on 7th & 8th July. The event is also the second round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and the fifth round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship. Eight Evolution Challenge crews, a figure which represents 23% of the British Rally Championship entry, will line-up to start the first of three consecutive asphalt rallies. With the caliber of the teams so high, it would take a brave person to predict who is likely to come out on top of the series standings by the end of the rally. Winner of round one, Gwyndaf Evans, is the highest seeded Evolution Challenge driver. Although having contested the Jim Clark Rally before, this will be the experienced Welshman’s first time on this event driving a Mitsubishi and, having retired on his last visit in 2003, has said that changes in the weather can make all the difference to the result. Next in line and fresh from his Group N victory in the Donegal Rally, is Shaun Gallagher. Now more confident with his Evo IX than he was first time out on the Pirelli Rally, Gallagher is going to be a driver to watch this weekend. Having also competed in Donegal, in order to set up his new Evo IX for the Jim Clark Rally, Phillip Morrow will be looking to repeat his performance from last year, when he led the Evo Challenge field for most of the rally until his car’s engine over-heated with the finish in sight. Jonny Milner was another driver who used the Irish event as a pre-curser to this weekend’s rally, having contested the first round of the BRC in a brand new car. In contrast, Stuart Jones admits that he has not sat in his car since the Pirelli Rally, but hopes that he can find the pace he showed first time out on asphalt this year when he finished fourth in Group N amongst the PWRC runners on the Catalunia Rally. Connor McCloskey and Neil McCance were also seen competing in Donegal, both drivers contesting as many rounds of the Irish Tarmac Championship as possible, as well as the British series and the Evolution Challenge. McCloskey will be looking for a repeat of his 2005 Jim Clark Rally podium position, whilst McCance will be hoping for better fortunes having had to retire from last year’s event. Stephen Petch has taken a different route to increase seat time in his new car. Since the Pirelli Rally he has been to Belgium to compete in the Ypres event and is also contesting this year’s Evolution Cup, Mitsubishi’s series which follows all seven rounds of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship. The Jim Clark Rally is a unique event, as it is the only stage rally to take place on closed public roads on the UK mainland. Starting and finishing in Kelso, the event covers 150 competitive miles in Berwickshire, with six stages on Friday afternoon and evening, plus a further 15 on Saturday. The Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex. Jim Clark International Rally Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge entries (in start number order) 17. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) 22. Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny) 25. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) (J) 26. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor) 30. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) (J) 32. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan) (J) 38. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law) (J) 39. Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Moriarty (Tralee) (J) = Junior driver. Gareth seeded at 5 in a 300 strong entry Gareth Jones will be seeded at number 5 when he starts his next rally – which considering there are 300 entries on the 2006 Jim Clark Rally, makes the 26-year old Welsh driver one of the favourites for victory. The massive entry is because the event hosts a round of both the 2006 Pirelli Irish Tarmac and MSA British Rally Championships. They're two of the best supported rally championships in the world, and when you also add a round of the Scottish National series and two more regional championships into the equation, there is little wonder you can't get a hotel room within 50 miles of the host town of Kelso for the rally nights of July 7-8. Following his accident on Donegal, Gareth's JCB Finance- backed Subaru Impreza WRC2004 has been completely repaired. It only needed two doors and a wing after its excursion, and the ex-Petter Solberg car, which is also supported by Kumho and Shell Donegal Oils, is now ready to go. Gareth has started the Jim Clark Rally once before, but his experience of the fast and flowing Berwickshire asphalt roads are brief to say the least. He made his one and only appearance in 2004, but on the last corner of the opening stage he went off the road and crashed into a telegraph poll. It cut the wooden poll clean in half and his car was too badly damaged to continue. The situation is a lot different two years later. After outstanding runs in Galway, on the Circuit of Ireland, in Killarney and on the most recent Donegal Rally – where he ran as high as 2nd at one point – Gareth is considered a potential winner of every event his starts. Together with co -driver David Moynihan, the Jim Clark Rally is no exception, regardless of his only previous brief encounter. Whilst a driver's skill and ability is vital for success, rallying is still very much a team sport and Gareth will be taking advice from Dom Buckley Motorsport. Not only does it prepare his Subaru, the team is based in Kelso – and its knowledge of the local conditions could help Gareth win the biggest rally of his career. Gareth will once again face stiff competition from his main rivals in the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Championship – namely Eugene Donnelly, Austin MacHale, Derek McGarrity, Tim McNulty and Eamonn Boland. He'll also be up against former British Rally Champions Mark Higgins, Jonny Milner, David Higgins and fellow Welshman Gwyndaf Evans. ''To say I haven't got a great record on the Jim Clark Rally would be an understatement, but hopefully different this year,'' says Gareth. ''This year's event has got a fantastic entry and I'm happy to be seeded at number five. At least we should have a clear run through the stages early on – and I'm sure there will be a few holes in hedges when the stages are repeated. ''In Donegal everyone seemed to step up a gear and the pace was incredible, but I was pleased that I could keep on the pace and challenge for the lead. We were unlucky to slide off the road the way we did. I feel I'm driving well and the moment and I'll travell to the Scottish borders confident that we can have another very good run.'' The Jim Clark Rally starts from Kelso's town square at 1 5.30 on Friday 7th July and finishes 26 hours later after 161 miles of flat-out competition at 17.30 on Saturday 8th July. 28/06/06 Entry List Top 20 No Drivers Name/Co-Drivers Name (Car ) [Class] 1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) [A8] 2 Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8] 3 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8] 4 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) [A8] 5 Gareth Jones/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8] 6 Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8] 7 John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8] 8 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) [A8] 9 Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop (Ford Focus WRC) [A8] 10 William Stobart/Andrew Richardson (Ford Focus WRC) [A8] 11 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N12) [N4] 12 Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] 14 Roman Cresta/Petr Gros (Ford Fiesta S1600) [A6] 15 Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] 16 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Suzuki Ignis S1600) [A6] 17 Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] 18 David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] 20 Garry Jennings/Damien Connolly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] 21 Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4] Full Entry List on: 31/05/06 Eamonn Boland, Tim McNulty and Seamus Leonard amoung the early Tamac Championship entries. 22/05/06 Regulations and Entry form on:
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Jim Clark Memorial Rally
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