Galway Summer Stages Rally - 27 Aug 06

Posted: August 28, 2006 8:23 PM

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DONNELLY LEADS DUNLOP CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER VICTORY IN GALWAY SUMMER RALLY
Charlie Donnelly (Toyota Corolla WRC), co-driven by Paddy Toner, reclaimed the lead in the Dunlop National Rally Championship with a hard earned victory in the Athenry based Loughrea Plant Sales Galway Summer Rally, the eighth round of the series. Pre-event Dunlop championship leader, Patrick Elliott (Subaru WRC) and his co-driver, Paul Goodman retired on the very first stage. Michael Barrable/Mickey Joe Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) took a season’s best second place – 31 seconds behind the winners and 28 seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of Aaron MacHale/Craig Parry. The Group N category was won by Gabriel Martin/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi) and Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Toyota Corolla) won the two-wheel drive category.

There was plenty of drama on the opening stage, Coldwood, as Donnelly set the pace to eke out a four second lead over NcNulty, who overshot a junction. Barrable was a further three seconds behind and remarked that he had a few anxious moments on what transpired to be a very slippery stage. Dunlop Championship leader, Patrick Elliott bowed out with an electrical malady, meanwhile, Group N leader, Alan Ring was the first casualty – he crashed his Subaru within a mile of the stage start while a little further down the stage, Tadhg Linehan, also in a Subaru, slid too wide at a right hand junction and hit a wall that brought instant retirement.

Meanwhile, Noel Redmond slotted his Subaru into fourth followed by Martin Doherty, who got a call from the reserve list. Sixth placed Aaron MacHale admitted he was far too caution on the opening test.
Out on S.S. 2, Donnelly was again the pacesetter and when NcNulty lost a minute and 15 seconds when he hit the rear of his Subaru, Barrable moved into second – 17 seconds adrift of the leader. Doherty also moved up the order, he was third – just four seconds behind Barrable and two ahead of MacHale.
Noel McCarrick was off briefly on two separate occasions, he held fifth from Niall Maguire, who opined that he was far too cautious, particularly on the first stage. Two time-consuming spins meant that Noel Redmond’s challenge for a good result was going to be difficult. The top ten also included PJ McGrath (Subaru), Sean Gallagher (Subaru), who was competing for the first time in over a year. Group N leader, Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi) took the final top ten spot, he was six seconds in front of Gabriel Martin (Mitsubishi) with Willie Fannin (Subaru) two seconds further behind and three seconds ahead of Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) – all of whom ensured a close contest.

On the repeat of the two stages, Tim McNulty set the quickest times and moved up eight places to seventh. Rally leader, Donnelly maintained a steady pace and extended his lead margin over second placed Barrable to 23 seconds while Aaron MacHale was a similar time frame behind in third. Barrable remarked that his Focus was handling extremely well while MacHale lost time with a tyre issue. Sharing fourth were former Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire and Martin Doherty, the latter overshooting on S.S. 4. Redmond had an altercation with a chicane on S.S. 4 and lost a few seconds, he was sixth – ten seconds ahead of a charging McNulty. Sean Gallagher, David McNulty and PJ McGrath, all in a Subaru WRC’s rounded off the top ten. There was a change of lead in Group N with Gabriel Martin some 12 seconds ahead of Fannin, who had no explanation why he lost time to the category leader. Kevin Kelleher slotted his Mitsubishi into third. Ian Barrett was fourth in the category, he lost the lead with a blown turbo on S.S. 4.

Donnelly lost power steering prior to the start of S.S. 5 when a bolt connecting the unit to the chassis sheared. He lost vital seconds to his rivals, however, he was fortunate that S.S. 6 was cancelled and he lost no further time. The net result saw him share the lead with Barrable while MacHale was 27 seconds behind in third. Redmond set his sights on catching the Dubliner and had narrowed the deficit to four seconds. McNulty, who was fastest again, continued his move up the order, he was fifth from former Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire. In Group N, Martin continued to lead but Fannin moved a few seconds closer and brought the margin down to seven seconds.

McNulty had suspension and clutch difficulties and withdrew his Subaru WRC at the final service. Donnelly blasted his way through the final two stages to take victory and set up a title clincher in Clare in a few weeks time. Barrable was quite content with second and remarked that it was very satisfying to find the pace he showed a few years ago. A change to a harder compound tyre paid dividends for MacHale, who went clear of Redmond to secure third. Elsewhere, Gabriel Martin took his first Group N win in a round of the Dunlop series, he finished some twelve seconds ahead of Willie Fannin.


Group N Winners: Gabriel Martin/Paddy Robinson

Results:
1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) 48.52.0
2 Michael Barrable/M Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) 49.23.4
3 Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Ford Focus WRC) 49.41.1
4 Noel Redmond/Alan Keena (Subaru Impreza WRC) 50.00.3
5 Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza WRC) 50.15.3
6 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 50.18.6
7 David McNulty/John Kilmurray (Subaru Impreza WRC) 51.41.9
8 Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 51.46.0
9 PJ McGrath/Killian Duffy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 51.55.0
10 Gabriel Martin/Paddy Robinson (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 52.03.6

Leaders After:
SS1-4 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS5-6 Michael Barrable/MJ Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7-8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Cancelled
SS7 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Full Results:
rally.connect.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Photos:
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2006 National Rally Championship
• 2006 West Coast Rally Championship

Darragh Raftery/Sean Duggan

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Entry List
• Regulations
• Event Details

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17/08/05
No Driver/Navigator (Make/Model) [Class]
1 Elliott, Patrick/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 Donnelly, Charlie/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
3 Mc Hale, Aaron/Craig Parry (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
4 Mc Nulty, Tim/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
5 Maguire, Niall/Paul Mc Loughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
6 Barrable, Michael/Michael Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
7 Redmond, Noel/Diarmuid Falvey (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
8 Mc Carrick, Noel/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
9 Cullen , George/Jakes Kelly (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
10 Ring, Alan/Adrain Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
11 Fannin, Willie/Mickey Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
12 Kelleher, Kevin/Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
13 Linehan, Tadgh/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
14 Barrett, Ian/Eoin O Flaherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
15 Wray, Frank/Joe Mc Nulty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
16 Martin, Gabriel/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
17 Mc Grath, P.J/Killian Duffy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
18 Sleator, Jack/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
19 Doherty, Hugh Martin/Michael Mc Bride (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
20 Gallagher, Sean/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
21 Raftery, Darragh/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
22 Spain , John/Keith Sheppard (Toyota Celica GT4) [15]
23 Mc Nulty, David/John Kilmurray (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
24 Moffett, Maurice/Jason Mc Kenna (Toyota Starlet) [14]
25 Keenan, Enda/Hugh Mc Kenna (Ford Escort) [14]
26 Boyle, Paddy/Marty Serlock (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
27 Lyons , Sean/John Devine (Ford Escort Mk6) [14]
28 Daly, Eamon/John Young (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
29 O Halloran, Anthony/Larry Halloran (Opel Manta 2.0) [13]
30 Spain, Pat/Neil Pierce (Ford Escort) [13]
31 O Reilly, Ollie/Arthur Kierans (Ford Escort G3) [13]
32 Mc Philips, Gary/Mark Tierney (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
33 Quinn, Mike/Sean Enright (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
34 Hunter, Drew/ TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
35 Maloney, Mike/Marie Casey (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
36 Bird, Mike/Kevin Keane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
37 Dempsey, Paul/Des Moran (Subaru Impreza ) [4]
38 Flanagan, Sean/Brian Miller (Subaru Impreza N10) [4]
39 Costello, Fergal/ TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [4]
40 Donnaghty, Eddie/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
41 Cairns, Gary/Garry Monteith (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
42 Elliott, Paul/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
43 Burke, Richard/Frank Byrnes (Ford Fiesta Rwd) [14]
44 Mc Quaid, Mick/Victor Fields (Ford Escort) [14]
45 Mc Phillips, Ollie/Billy Collins (Toyota Celica 185) [15]
46 Brennan, Jimmy/Gerard Kenny (Ford Escort) [15]
47 Fitzmaurice, Thomas/Keith Mc Carthy (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
48 Hallinan, Enda/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic) [2]
49 Cunningham, Martin /Jonathan Cunningham (Honda Civic) [2]
50 O Toole, Colin/John McGrath (Opel Corsa) [12]
51 Hally, Michael/Ray Fitzapatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
52 Power, Keith/Jonathon Mc Grath (Ford Puma Super 1600) [6]
53 Buckley, Tadhg/Shane Buckley (Peugeot 106) [6]
54 Kelly, Pat/Martin Flynn (Subaru Impreza) [8]
55 Egan, Liam/Seanie Morierty (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
56 Carey, Christy/Richard Talbot (Subaru Impreza) [8]
57 Richardson, Doughlas/Paula Richardson (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
58 Ward, Martin/Linda Conroy (BMW M3) [14]
59 Morris, John/Declan Sylver (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
60 Barry, Pat/Stephen O Connell (Ford Sierra Cosworth) [14]
61 Lee, Eamon/Peter Howley (Ford Escort) [13]
62 Quinn, John/Alice Quin (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
63 Roe, David/Robert Nolan (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
64 Callanan, Pat/Kenneth Sheil (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
65 Manton, Paul/John Carroll (Citroen C2 R2) [6]
67 Sweeney, Fankie/Seamus O Connor (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
68 Cahill, Tom/Des Sherlock (Honda Integra) [3]
69 Doyle, Tommy/Andy Donoghue (Honda Civic) [2]
70 Delaney, Liam/Albert Dalton (Honda Civic) [2]
71 Gormlly, Tom/Christopher Crowe (Honda Civic) [2]
72 Browne, James/Terence Mc Gee (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
73 Mc Namara, Michael F/Richard Mc Namara (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
74 Conlon, Michael/Aidan Boyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
75 Delaney, David/Mark Wiley (Ford Fiesta) [6]
76 Ryan, Pat/Derry Couins (Ford Escort) [9]
77 White, William/Peter O Toole (Citroen Saxo VTS) [6]
78 Doody, Mike /Keith Moriarty (Morris Mini) [9]
79 Hodgins, Gerard/Padraig Jnr Forde (Ford Escort) [14]
80 O Brien, Tommy/J.J O Brien (Honda Civic) [11]
81 Leahy, Peter/ TBA (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
82 Mc Hugh, Sean/Aiden Gannon (Subaru Impreza) [4]
83 Walshe, Mike/Ger Ryan (Ford Escort) [12]
84 Mulcaire, Liam/Shane Meade (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
85 Flanagan, Colin/ TBA (Ford Puma) [5]
86 Orr, Shane/Kevin Connors (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
87 Wharton, Philip/Paul O Shea (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
88 Power, James/Declan Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
89 Curley, Tom/John Burke (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
90 Melia, Brian/Doc Doherty (Honda Integra) [3]
91 Burke, Ciaran/ TBA (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
92 Conneely, Philip/Michelle Crowley (Honda Civic) [11]
93 Geraghty, Mark/ TBA (Opel Corsa) [11]
94 Farrell, Victor/Declan Corcoran (Honda Civic) [2]
95 Roche, Ian/Roche Paul (Peugeot 206 S1600) [6]
96 Leonard, Martin/Raymond Coppinger (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
97 Cavanagh, William/Dorothy Cavanagh Woods (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
98 Murphy, Matthew/Barry O Donnell (Toyota Corolla) [11]
99 Conneely, John "disco"/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
100 Flanagan, Tommy/Keith Flanagan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
101 Smyth, Sean/Gerard Maloney (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
102 Sheehan, Martin/Paddy Drake (Toyota Starlet) [9]
103 Dempsey, Stuart/ Adrain Foley (Suzuki Swift) []
104 Quigley, David/Derrick Feeney (Suzuki Swift) [1]
105 Callan, Emmet/David O Halloran (Peugeot 106) [6]
106 Laffey, Dean/Lisa Ollerenshaw (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
107 Moynihan, Sarah/Amy Moynihan (Nissan Micra) [3]
108 Mc Cafferty, Eamonn/Toney Walshe (Nissan Micra) [5]
109 Lennon, Donal/Alan White (Ford Ka) [5]
110 Monaghan, Paul/Tommy Martyn (Toyota Corolla) [11]
111 Malone, Pa/Kieran Greene (Ford Escort) [12]
112 Callanan, Padraic/Jarlath Conneely (Honda Civic) [11]
113 Murphy, Kieran/Ashling Grimes (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
114 Grealish, Brian/Sean Hession (Honda Civic) [11]
115 Duffy, John/John Egan (Opel Astra) [3]
116 Kenny, John/ TBA (Honda Civic) [11]
117 Carrigan, John/Kieran Doherty (Seat Ibeza) [7]
118 Shiel, Alan/Jason Shiel (Honda Civic) [11]
119 White, Tom/Shane Mc Auliffe (Toyota Starlet) [10]
120 Mc Hale, Kenneth/Derek Mc Carthy (Toyota Yaris) [1]
121 Power, Sharon/Oonagh Roache (Ford Ka) [5]
122 Finnerty, Martin/Ann Marie Finnerty (Subaru Impreza) [?]
123 Mc Donagh, Ger/Kenneth Lee (Honda Civic) [6]
124 Doherty, Niall/Frank Curtin (Peugeot 206) [6]
125 James, Ceiros/Patrick Kiely (Opel Manta) [13]
126 Kelly, Aidan/Ollie Briscoe (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
127 Donohue, Shane/Noel Donohue (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
128 Leonard, Thomas/Stan Page (Honda Civic) [11]
129 Mc Hugo, Kevin/Ger Fehily (Toyota Corolla) [10]
130 Dolan, Mike/Sweeney Ailish (Honda Civic) [11]
131 Naughton, Keith/Michael Curtin (Peugeot 106) [11]
132 White, Richard/Jonathan Keane (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
133 Coughlan, John/Mark Parson (Ford Escort) [12]
134 Devine, Mike/Kevin Tracey (Ford Escort Mk1) [12]
135 Mc Gaugh, Richard/Alvin Mulroe (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
136 Sheehan, John/Darren O Toole (VW Polo) [1]
137 Sheehan, Mark/Frank Dwyer (Ford Ka) [5]
138 Kinnavey, Ronan/Shane O Donnell (BMW M3) [10]
139 Murphy, Kevin/Keith Foye (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
140 Sheil, Michael/T.J Sheil (Ford Escort Mk1) [10]
141 Butler, Eugene/Lorraine Cummins (Peugeot 205) [10]
142 Callanan, Philip/Aidan Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
143 Carty, Michael/Marie Daly (Peugeot 206) [6]
144 Cremhish, John/Nick Watkins (Subaru Impreza) [4]
145 Forde, Declan/Jason Ollerenshaw (Ford Escort) [10]
146 Hession, Gabrial/Enda O Leary (Honda Civic) [2]
147 O Connor, Jane/Rachel O Connor (Honda Civic) [11]
148 O Grady, Colm/Paul Furey (Honda Civic) [2]
150 Staunton, Andrew/John Higgins (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
151 Mc Greal, James/Chris Mitchell (Subaru Impreza) [4]
152 O Connor, Nelius Snr/Nelius Jnr O Connor (Fiat Uno) [9]
153 Hillard, Richard/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [11]
154 Doherty, Martin/Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]

Juniors
J1 Ryan, Jason/Tadgh O Sullivan (Honda Civic) [16]
J2 Meade, Barry/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J3 Cunnigham, Patrick/Shane O Brien (Honda Civic) [16]
J4 O Donnell, John/Kevin McCafferty (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J5 Brett, James/Partick Crotty (Honda Civic) [16]
J6 Gallagher, Eamonn/Paul Brogan (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J7 Melia, Patrick/ TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
J8 Lane, Mark/Kerin Kearney (Peugeot 106 GTi) [16]
J9 Horgan, Martin/Thomas J Flahive (Honda CRX) [16]
J10 Gallagher, Kevin/Gavin Gallagher (Vauxhall Corsa) [16]
J11 Hegarty, Johnny/Kevin Mc FAdden (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J12 Mc Menamin, Gavin/Kieran Mc Mc Alaney (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J14 Ledwith, Brian/Martin Feeney (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J15 Mc Daid, Grainne/Adrain Mc Elhinney (Peugeot 206) [16]
J16 Whelan , Richard/Pat O Neill (Honda Civic VTi) [16]
J17 Mc Nally, Brian/Tom Hoban (Honda Civic) [16]
J18 Walsh, Ciaran/David Crishel (Talbot Sunbeam) [16]
J19 Cooney, Aidan/Paddy Mc Donagh (Vauxhall Nova) [16]
J20 Finnerty, Darren/Shawn Mac Mahon (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [16]
J21 Higgins, Allen/Peter Conroy (Ford Escort) [16]

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2006 National Rally Championship
• 2006 West Coast Rally Championship

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19/07/06
Loughrea Plant Sales are the main sponsors for the third year in a row.

Headquarters will be The Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, Co. Galway.(091)875888

Centralised servicing, with stages run in a 4x2 format.

Clerk of the Course is Ross Forde

Dep COC is John O Connell

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Regulations on:

Galway Motor Club Home Page

• 2006 National Rally Championship
• 2006 West Coast Rally Championship