Limerick Tom White Memorial Forestry Rally - 23 Mar 08

Event Report

Posted: April 3, 2008 11:01 AM

The 2008 Hankook Tyres National Forestry Championship continued its journey on Easter weekend with round 3 the "Tom White Memorial" Limerick Forest Rally. Returning to the championship after its popular revival last year with new event headquarters at the "Woodlands House Hotel" Adare. CoC Liam Ahern worked hard to provide a competitor friendly format using 8 classic forestry stages (4 done twice) in the Glenstal/ Murroe Forests. Last used in 2001 it was to be a return to old stomping ground for the Limerick forestry event.

Leading the main field away from the Woodlands Hotel was championship leader Andrew Purcell & Mick Courtney holding number 1 seed, there was pre event dramas as a cam belt failed on the Subaru WRC car prior to travelling to the rally and much effort and ingenuity was required from the S.P. Motorsport crew to get the car to the start ramp at all. Slightly apprehensive Purcell started the event hoping that the replacement cam belt would hold. Chasing them in the championship and number 2 on the road was Ray Breen and son Craig Breen co driving. This pairing had won the last round on only their second outing in the championship, therefore another win from Breen would not be a surprise despite his still novice status on the loose, however in SS1 it was number 5 seed and Motorsport Ireland-Coleman award winner Keith Cronin who made a storming return to the championship and took fastest time by 4 seconds from the cautious Purcell. Keith was an undoubted star of the 07 championship as he took his Hankook backed Evo to several fastest times, and in 08 it was normal service resumed as he held top of the timesheets. New however to Keith for 08 was an updated Mitsubishi and a new co driver. The car is now Evo 9 spec and the codriver is former Forestry champion Greg Shinnors. With both changes sure to be significant assets to Cronin the early pace was really no surprise. Breen was next to stop the clocks and was a further 6seconds down on Purcell with Kenny McKinstry another to make a fleeting visit to the championship taking 4th fastest another 3 seconds down. Kenny had local co driver Sean Mullaly calling the notes and was driving another new addition to the McKinstry stable with an S8 Subaru Impreza. Colin Britton led the GrpN charge and completed the top 5.

On SS2 Purcell was to hit highly unexpected drama, as is now normal practice on forestry events the junior and 1400cc cars are afforded the advantage of running first on the roads and on the cleaner less swept stages. Unexpectedly one of these cars pulled onto the stage in front of him after stopping for some reason and then regaining the stage just as car 1 approached. Purcell took avoiding action but there was a collision and damage was inflicted to the front corner of his 99 spec Subaru. The initial worry was for the temperature of the engine as the cooling pack had been damaged but fortunately service was next on the schedule and repairs could be made. Remarkably Purcell was still fastest despite the dramas, perhaps motivated by his desire to get the car to the finish line before the temperature of the engine became too much to survive. McKinstry was next 7 seconds in arrears and 4 seconds ahead of Breen & son. All told this left Purcell 16 seconds in the lead from McKinstry. Keith Cronin & Greg Shinnors suffered a puncture on the Evo in that stage and dropped down to 4th overall in the standings.

SS3 was cancelled due to a blockage, so the chase for the lead resumed on SS4 and it was Cronin was fastest and Purcell lost 7 seconds to him with a mid stage puncture. It was now the halfway point in the rally and as the cars returned to a service halt in Newport Mart this left Purcell & Courtney holding a lead of 15 seconds. This left Cronin & Breen tie for second place with McKinstry a further ten seconds back. Colin Britton & Arthur Kiearns continued to be the next GrpN after Cronin as they held 5th o/a just ahead of Jeremy Drislane & Sorcha Kelly in their GrpA Lancer and John Reid & Enda Shields in the WRC Corolla.

In 2wd it was another returnee to the championship as Seamus O Connell & Brian Duggan led the battle of the MK2 Escorts, they were 10th o/a 7 seconds ahead of Raymond Donnelan & Alan Keena and 8 seconds up on James Coleman & Michael Haley.

Denis Cronin was having a steady day as he played himself back onto the gravel after unlucky retirement on the last round. He held 8th o/a just ahead of Brian Lawlor who was soon to withdraw from the rally as he personally felt conditions were becoming too rough to continue.

On SS5 Purcells lead his rally and his championship lead were to evaporate as the cambelt which he harboured doubts over then expired. This left Breen take a fastest time by 8seconds and move into an 8 second lead over Cronin & Shinnors. Kenny McKinstry continued in 3rd o/a but was now 30seconds down on Keith Cronin and 4 seconds up on Britton. Jeremy Drislane continued in 5th o/a as he and Cork co driver Sorcha Kelly set 3rd fastest time over SS5.

On SS6 it was Keith Cronins turn to claim fastest by 2seconds from Breen. Such was the battle that this pair were engaged in they were a further 13 seconds faster than the chasing McKinstry as he and Mullaly stayed conservative and kept the new Subaru on the straight and narrow. Britton continued to be next best GrpN in 4th o/a and James Coleman moved into the 2wd lead as O Connell was blighted by a puncture.

Stage 7 was the penultimate stage and it was to see the demise of Britton as a fuel pump failed him. McKinstry was to suffer a puncture but he still had just over a minute to spare on Denis Cronin & Helen O Sullivan who were now holding 4th. Breen took 5 more seconds from Keith Cronin & Greg Shinnors thus leaving Breen 11 seconds to the good as they headed for the last stage. In 2wd it was Colemans turn to be slowed by a puncture and this allowed O Connell back into the 2wd lead, and he was to retain this lead right to the finish ramp and claim 7th o/a and Coleman had to be content with 10th o/a as he fought back from the puncture.

On SS8 the final test it was once more the Breen’s who claimed fastest and took 4 more seconds from Cronin & Shinnors to win the event by 15 seconds, perhaps without Cronins SS2 puncture it would have been a closer result. Never the less it was another impressive performance and another victory Breen who by now can surely no longer be classed as a beginner to the Hankook National Forestry series. He leads the series now as we head for round 4 in Middleton and his son & co driver will be absent for the next round due to a clashing commitment with his karting championship in the U.K. However Breen is still expected to make the start and defend his championship lead with a locum co driver in Martin Brady. This will hopefully allow Breen to continue on the path to possibly becoming only the second competitor after Eugene Donnelly to win both the National tarmac and forestry titles.

Kenny McKinstry ended a good day in the office as he rounded off the podium in his new car, undoubtedly a good result on home ground for local codriver Sean Mullaly. Denis Cronin was 4th as he and Helen O Sullivan bagged more points in their first season in the woods. Meath garage proprietor John Reid & Enda Shields yet again rounded off the top 5, a model of consistency in their Toyota WRC. Another McKinstry was to complete the top 6 as Emma McKinstry & Kenny Hull performed well all day in their Hankook backed Impreza WRC and were to snatch 6th in the closing stages of the rally despite a late puncture causing them trouble and time loss.

In the classes it was Michael O Connor & Sinnead O Keefe who powered their RWD Peugeot to a class 1 victory. Class 2 was yet again the domain of Mick Nevin & Des Moran in the trusty MK2. Class 3 was a very competitive field with 8 finishers and was won by Paul Fitzgerald & Alan Naughton in another Escort Mk2. Class 4 was won by Ray Benskin & Peader Walsh. Class 6 was eventually won out by Connie Smith & Breen McNamee after a days battle with Jeremy Drislane. Connie Delaney & Richie Long won the Grp N class as Cronin took an overall award.

The championship now moves on to the Munster Car club Moonraker forestry on 13th April next. This event always promises classic stages such as the mighty Vee, certainly an experience not to be missed.

EMMA GETS HER SEASON OFF THE GROUND

Posted: April 1, 2008 10:36 AM

After a disappointing start to the 2008 season, forced into retirement on rounds one and two of the Hankook Tyres Southern Forestry Championship due to mechanical problems. Emma Mckinstry and co-driver Kenny Hull desperately needed a good points finish in Limerick over the Easter weekend.

With Emma’s father Kenny entering the fray, the pressure was on Emma to perform, and thankfully on this occasion she delivered. The car ran faultlessly over the whole event, Emma found the stages rough in places, and was finding herself not quite match fit, due to a lack of seat time so far this season.

The pair were never outside the top ten all day, and as the the day went on; Emma began to regain her confidence in the Mckinstry Motorsport Impreza. An elated and somewhat relieved Emma arrived at the finish in sixth place overall and third in class, just three places behind Kenny Mckinstry, after fending off a late charge from Seamus O’Connell, who ended up a mere seven seconds behind the Triton Showers team.

“I’m just so happy to have finally got a finish, and some points on the board” commented Emma, “the cars been great all day, and I’m starting to get my confidence back”.

Emma and Kenny would again like to thank Triton Showers, Hankook Tyres, Mcgaffin Contracts and Sunoco Race Fuels for their continued support.

National Junior Rally Championship: Cunningham Wins exciting Limerick Rally

Posted: March 25, 2008 4:40 PM

Round two of the Motorsport Ireland National Junior rally Championship (NJRC) took place on the Tom White Memorial Limerick Forestry Rally Sunday march 23rd. The rally was based in Adare and it consisted of four stages (repeated) in the Glenstal/Murroe forestry complex. Service was held at the cattle mart in Newport, Co Tipperary.

After a very exciting rally that had three different leaders, Patrick Cunningham from Claregalway claimed victory in his Honda Civic. Cunningham judged his pace to perfection. The Galway driver was in the top three all day, and was second overall starting the last stage. Rally leader Peter Wilson retired on that stage and Cunningham emerged the winner of the Junior section and a remarkable twelfth overall in the main rally.

In second place was Conor Kelly just three second behind. It was the Kilmallock man’s first event with his new 16V Opel Corsa having missed the first round in Mitchelstown. Kelly played himself into the rally intelligently. Competitive at all times despite intercom failure and a few spins but stepped up the pace to win the last pair of stages.

Longford driver Bernard Mulvihill was third in another Honda Civic. He was 8th at half way, sixth after stage six and he climbed to third in the last few stages. In fourth place was Vincent Mc Aree (Monaghan) in a Peugeot 106 Cup car, ahead of Eamon Power (Wexford) in a Peugeot 106.

Peter Wilson in a Civic lead the rally after the first stage. The Kells man was delayed by an blockage on the second and he regained the lead on six and seven only to retire on the last with a broken gearbox. Wilson was fastest driver on four special stages. Equally unfortunate was John Byrnes. The local driver shot into the lead on stage 2 and held that position until the end of stage 5. After a gearbox problem on stage 6, he retired at next service. Byrnes was fastest on stage two and second fastest (to Wilson) on stages four five and six.

After the first round in Mitchelstown, the NJRC had joint leaders in Jason Ryan (who won that rally) and Mark Sheahan. In Limerick, Ryan was quick on stage one but he too was delayed on the second stage. The Youghal driver retired with mechanical problems at first service. Limerick driver Mark Sheahan (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) finished sixth and now leads the championship on 18 points. Eamon Power (Peugeot 106 Cup Car is two points in arrears. Limerick winner Patrick Cunningham is a further 2 points adrift in third.

A total of twenty six cars started this event, with eleven finishers.

Leaders after:
Stage 1: 1 Peter Wilson,
Stage 2 to 5: John Byrnes,
Stages 6 & 7: Peter Wilson
Stage 8: Patrick Cunningham.


The next round of the NJRC will be held in Roscommon on April 6th. Organised by the Midlands MC, it will be the first tarmac event in the series.

In Car with Ray & Craig Breen

Posted: March 24, 2008 12:05 PM

A GOOD DAY IN THE WOODS FOR CRONIN & SHINNORS

Posted: March 24, 2008 9:36 AM

2008 Billy Coleman award winner,Bantrys Keith Cronin, had an excellent day at the office in the Tom White Memorial Limerick forest rally over the weekend of the 23rd of March.

The rally was round three of the Hankook Tyres National Forest Rally Championship and there was some stiff opposition to contend with. The decision to enter the rally was taken after a disappointing start to the UK EVO challenge where Keith was plagued with niggly problems in the new EVO 9 which culminated in a less than satisfactory outcome to the event.Coupled with this he had less than an hour to get settled in to the car before going in to competition.

The car was brought home and with all the teething problems sorted Limerick was seen as an ideal test to see how the car would perform. As well as the new car Keith also had a new navigator in the very experienced forest championship winner Greg Shinnors so it was indeed a learning curve from every aspect.

Any worries were quickly put to bed though when Keith and Greg posted fastest overall time on the first stage to take the stage win by 4 seconds from Andrew Purcells Impreza WRC with Ray Breens Focus a further 6 seconds back. A puncture on stage two undid all the good work and knocked the crew back to fourth overall behind Purcell,Breen and Kenny McKinstry.

With stage three cancelled Keith was again fastest on stage four and second fastest on stages five,six,seven and eight which saw him finish an excellent second overall to the Focus WRC of Ray Breen/Craig Breen and ahead of third placed Kenny McKinstry/Sean Mullaly(Impreza WRC) and his uncle Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan(Impreza WRC). Cronin finished just 15 seconds behind Breen in spite of the second stage puncture and a spin on stage five so all the signs are good for the future.

Speaking after the event a delighted Keith Cronin said "The car never missed a beat and it's great to know all the problems have been ironed out.The partnership with Greg Shinnors worked very well and his knowledge and experience will be a very valuable asset heading back to the UK for the remainder of the EVO challenge,this whole weekend has been a huge boost to my confidence and the whole team are looking forward to the rest of the season."

Keith and Greg's next event will be the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally in the UK on April 5th.

Results / Photos

Posted: March 24, 2008 9:32 AM

Results
1 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC) 50m 07s,
2 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 50m 22s,
3 Kenny McKinstry/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 51m 31s,
4 Denis Cronin/Helen O’Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 52m 43s,
5 John Reid/Enda Shields (Corolla WRC) 53m 11s,
6 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) 54m 11s,
7 Seamus O’Connell/Brian Duggan (Escort Mk II) 54m 17s,
8 Connie Smith/Breen McNamee (Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4) 54m 32s,
9 Jeremy Drislane/Sorcha Kelly (Mit. Lancer Evo 6) 54m 54s,
10 James Coleman/Michael Haley (Escort Mk II) 55m 33s.

Juniors
1 Patrick Cunningham/Martin Cunningham (Civic) 56m 50s,
2 Conor Kelly/Denis Ryan (Corsa) 56m 53s,
3 Damien McCarthy/Eamonn Hayes (Civic) 57m 03s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN
SS2-4 Andrew Purcell/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
S5-8 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN
SS2 Andrew Purcell/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Peter Wilson/John Kilmurray (Honda Civic) Stage Cancelled for Main Field
SS4 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN
SS5 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN
SS7 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC)

Full Results
results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

Photos
Joe Lane Photos
GER LEAHY PHOTOGRAPHY & PR
John Bayly (www.rallyfile.com)

Limerick Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship

Pre Event News

Posted: March 24, 2008 9:30 AM

Pre Event News

Billy Coleman Award winner to tackle Limerick

Posted: March 19, 2008 5:23 PM

Billy Coleman award winner Keith Cronin will take part in the Tom White Memorial Limerick Forest Rally in the new EVO 9 looking to build up some extra mileage on the car after a number of problems impeded this progress on the Sunseeker Rally in the UK last month.

Brake and clutch problems plagued the car all through the event and as well as that he had less than an hour in the car before taking on the EVO competition in Bournemouth.

Speaking last night Keith said "The problems seem to have been ironed out now and we just need to get as much time in the car as we can to get the feel of it before heading for tround two of the U.K. EVO challenge."

Round two is the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally which takes place on the 5th of April and Keith will have Greg Shinnors navigating for him for the remainder of the challenge.

The Cronin Motorsport Team also have an entry in Limerick for Denis Cronin and Helen O Sullivan who will be out again in the Impreza WRC and will be hoping for a bit more luck than they had on the last round in Carrick-on Suir when they decided to retire with a damaged selector rather than risk more damage to the gearbox.They are both looking forward to the event after a fourth overall finish in the first round in Tipperary,in spite of the fact that neither had been in the forest for a number of years.

They will again have the backing of Hankook tyres for the rally.

Final Instructions & Scrutiny Timetable

Posted: March 19, 2008 5:21 PM

Final Instructions & Scrutiny timetable on the club website:

• Download Regulations

Limerick Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship

Event Preview

Posted: March 19, 2008 9:42 AM

The Hankook Tyres National Forestry Championship returns this Easter weekend with round 3 "Tom White Memorial" Limerick Forest Rally. Returning to the championship after its popular revival last year with new event headquarters at the "Woodlands House Hotel" Adare. CoC; Liam Ahern has worked hard to provide a competitor friendly format using 8 classic forestry stages (4 done twice) in the Glenstal/ Murroe Forests. The rally will visit a service halt in Newport Mart after stages 2, 4 & 6. The stages are a revival of old classic and were last used in 2001 so it will be a welcome return to old stomping ground for the Limerick forestry event.

Once again the championship is embellished by the welcome addition of the National Junior Championship. The junior competitors will as regular format in the woods run first on the road, and it gives the young drivers an advantage of competing as the first cars to compete on fresh roads ahead of the WRC's/ main field. Jason Ryan and local ace Mark Sheahan ties for the lead of the junior championship. Expect them to fight tooth and nail for victory honours.

In the main field it is championship leader Andrew Purcell & Mick Courtney who holds number 1 seed they have a win and a second under their belt but expect them to be hungry to add another win to the total in Limerick. Chasing them in the championship and number 2 on the road is Ray Breen and son Craig Breen co driving. This pairing won the last round on only their second outing in the championship, therefore another win from Breen would not be a surprise despite his still novice status on the loose, perhaps such a result could see him leave Limerick leading the championship overall.

Another novice on the loose is Denis Cronin seeded number 3, he had a splendid top 5 result on his debut in round one but a minor slip off the road on round 2 stopped his progress. Together with long time navigator Helen Sullivan this pairing in their Hankook liveried Subaru Impreza WRC will be ones to keep an eye on as they continue to adapt to the forestry way of rallying. An exciting late entry is Kenny McKinstry, he will team up with local navigator Sean Mullally and drive a newly acquired 2003 spec Subaru Impreza WRC, Kenny needs no introduction and as a rally winner in all corners of the Island he must surely be a dark horse for victory. Running with no50 on the door he is expected to be re seeded into the top few cars.

Not a novice to the series but certainly one who has taken a leap forward in pace this season is no 4 Colin Britton, together with Arthur Kiearns in the GrpN lancer they have been placing more and more front running times, Limerick is sure to be the venue for more of the same. Keith Cronin was the GrpN sensation of last years series as he took his Hankook backed Evo 7 to the top of the timesheets on manys a stage, he returns to the championship for this event in an effort to get miles in his newer GrpN car, the Evo 9. New to Keith also but not by any means new to rallying is former series champion Greg Shinnors, a man that has many forestry miles under his belt and be sure to expect blistering times once Keith, Greg and new car get into tune together.

John Reid & Enda Shields are next up at 6 in their Toyota Corolla WRC. The Clonee pairing are relatively new to WRC power but are showing good performances in the ex McHale machine. They are followed at number 7 Brian Lawlor & Peter Kavanagh in the next GrpN car on the agenda. Lawlor had unlucky minor mechanical woes end his last rally so he will be keen to bounce back in fighting form. No 8 is Seamus O Connell & Brian Duggan in their MK2 Escort of epic proportions, a fine machine that encompasses the latest technology such a paddle shift gears and matches them with all that’s classic about a rear wheel drive Escort and it is in the hands of a truly capable pilot who can and does get the best out of the package.
9th car will be Emma McKinstry & Kenny Hull in their Impreza WRC, the pace of Emma is now a regular feature on the time sheets but she has been notably absent from some timesheets on the opening rounds of the series with frustrating breakdowns, this pair are due a clean run and if this goes their way then expect them to be up amongst the leaders. Finally to round out the top ten are Cork & Wexford pairing of Brendan Murphy & Pat Condon, this crew are in a Group A spec Mitsubishi so with capable machinery at their disposal then they should be set to move right up the top ten leader board.

The rally begins on Easter Sunday with first car leaving the HQ Woodlands hotel Adare at 09:00 with the long run out to ss1, "Kyle" which in the foothills of the Slieve Felim mountains near the village of Murroe, first car due here 10:00. Stage 2 "Glenstal" is 11kms then the crews visit first service in Newport Mart. After service the rally moves to ss3 "Mother Mountain" and ss4 "Keeper Hill" for two stages and hen a return to Newport for lunchtime service. The rally returns to Murroe for stages 5 and 6 - a repeat of Kyle and Glenstal, then to final service. The final stages ss7 & ss8 which draw the rally to a close are again visits to Mother Mountain and Keeper Hill and by now crews should be well tested in the heat of competition and more than ready for the return to rally HQ Woodlands hotel with first cars due back to Rally HQ at 5:00 pm where a champagne reception will await the victor.

Late entries are still available for this event so don’t be afraid to follow Mc Kinstrys example! telephone enquiries to: 087 7414727 or 087 8221067

Event Summary

Posted: March 18, 2008 11:07 PM

HQ: The Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.

Scrutiny: NCT, Eastway Business Park, Limerick City, 16:30 – 19:00.

Documentation: @ HQ, 15:00 – 19:00, Saturday 22nd.

Parc Ferme: @ Rally HQ.

Driver’s Briefing:
Juniors: Saturday night @ HQ.
All Competitors: 08:30 Sunday @ HQ.

First Car Away: 09:00 Sunday 23rd from HQ.

Service: Newport Mart after ss2, 4 & 6.

First Car Finish: 17:00 Sunday 23rd @ HQ.

Results & Awards: @ Rally HQ.

Maps:
Discovery Series 59 & 66,
A3 Colour maps will be available @ Documentation.

NJRC (National Junior Rally Championship) - Event Preview

Posted: March 18, 2008 11:06 PM

Round 2 of the “Motorsport Ireland National Junior Rally Championship” takes place this Sunday 23rd March on the “Tom White Memorial” Limerick Forest Rally. Event Headquarters is the “Woodlands House Hotel” Adare. CoC; Liam Ahern has devised a competitor friendly format consisting of 8 challenging gravel stages (4 done twice) in the Glenstal/ Murroe Forests with service in Newport Mart after ss 2, 4 & 6. This promises to be an epic battle as these stages have not been used in over seven years hence no individual driver will have any advantage.

There is a formidable entry with 27 juniors heading the field on this event which is also the 3rd round of the “Hankook Tyres” National Forest Rally Championship. Junior competitors running first on the road is a milestone for Irish Rallying and the Forest Committee must be commended for this innovative step forward showcasing young drivers ahead of the WRC’s/ mainfield.

After round 1; The “Sean Conlon” Memorial Forest Rally Youghal’s Jason Ryan (Civic) ties for the lead with Limerick’s Mark Sheahan (206 Cup Car) on 10 points. Both drivers will be out to endorse their championship lead but will have serious competition to fend off. Jack Newman (Civic), Sarah Moynihan (206 Cup Car) and Eamon Power (106 Cup Car) tie on 8 points. While Peter Wilson (Civic) ties with Mark Lane (106 Cup Car) on 6 points. Basically there’s just four points separating the top seven, so a thrilling day’s action awaits us in the Limerick Forests this Easter Sunday.

Local man John Byrnes (Civic) is determined to make amends having led round 1 by 30 secs but retired with electrical failure. Byrnes was runner up in the ’07 Junior Forest Championship and is well up to speed on the loose. Clonakilty’s Damien McCarthy (Civic) was another in contention in Tipp but dropped out and needs to score. Carlow’s Colin O’Toole (Civic) retired on stage 1 in Tipp so he too will be trying to reel in the leaders; however the former West Coast Junior Champion needs to learn the loose surface technique. Conor Kelly failed to start in Tipp and should be a major player on this round. The Charleville man was crowned Junior Forest Champion in ’06 and will be out in force with his new Corsa.

The first competing car leaves the Woodlands, Adare at 09:00 with ss1, “Kyle” scheduled for 10:00 near Murroe. Stage 2 “Glenstal” offers 11kms of fast flowing terrain before first service in Newport Mart. After service the rally heads north to ss3 “Mother Mountain” and ss4 “Keeper Hill” for two thrilling stages followed by the main lunchtime service. The rally returns to Murroe for stages 5 and 6 - a repeat of Kyle and Glenstal, then to final service. The closing stages ss7 Mother Mountain and ss8 Keeper Hill offer a spectacular end to what promises be a great event. The first competing cars due back to Rally HQ at 5:00 pm.

Late Entries Accepted

Posted: March 18, 2008 9:52 AM

Tel 087 822 1067

Entry Lists

Posted: March 18, 2008 9:49 AM

Junior
201 Richard Price/Sean Duggan (Honda Civic) [9]
202 Shane Maguire/TBA (Peugeot 205 GTi) [9]
203 Anthony Cullinane/Murphy Dj (Toyota Starlet RWD) [9]
204 Aidan Mulcahy/Des Flynn (Honda Civic Vtec) [9]
205 Mark Lane/Ross Fuller (Peugeot 106 GTi) [9]
206 Ross Forde/Forde Arron (Suzuki Swift) [9]
207 Sean Moran/Tommy O'Connor (Toyota Corolla) [9]
208 Ciaran O'Connor/TBA (Honda Eg6) [9]
209 Patrick Cunningham/Martin Cunningham (Honda Civic) [9]
210 Sean Liston/Daniel Browne (Toyota Corolla GTi) [9]
211 Dermot Ryan/TBA (Suzuki Swift GTI) [9]
212 Bernard Mulvihill/Enda Gerety (Honda Civic) [9]
213 Vincent McAree/John Paul McAree (Peugeot 106 Cup Car) [9]
214 Adrian Levis/Eric Deane (Suzuki Swift) [9]
215 Stephen Hernon/Ivan Hernon (Toyota Corolla GTi) [9]
216 Michael McKennedy/Andrew Mahon (Toyota Corolla) [9]
217 Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) [9]
218 Kevin O'Connor/Denis Collins (Peugeot 106) [9]
219 Mark Sheahan/Anthony O Connell (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [9]
220 Colin O'Toole/Charlotte Egan (Opel Corsa) [9]
221 Colm Cronin/TBA (Peugeot Peugeot 206 cup) [9]
222 Conor Kelly/Denis Ryan (Opel Corsa) [9]
223 Jack Newman/David Coyle (Honda Civic) [9]
224 Peter Wilson/John Kilmurray (Honda Civic) [9]
225 Ruth John Paul/Sorcha Kelly (Honda Civic EK4) [9]
226 John Byrnes/Kenneth Sheil (Honda Civic) [9]
227 Jason Ryan/Tadgh O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [9]

Class 1
101 Shane Timony/TBA (Ford Ka) [1]
102 Tristan Horan/TBA (Ford Ka) [1]
103 Joe Dowling/TBA (Opel Corsa) [1]
104 Davie Hallinan/Denis Greaney (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
105 Colman Kirby/Jemima Ottman (Nissan Sunny) [1]
106 Michael O Connor Snr/Sinead O'Keeffe (Peugeot 205 RWD) [1]
107 Kevin Donnelly/TBA (Toyota Starlet) [1]
108 Seamus Cooke/Gerard Hyland (Ford Escort) [1]

Main Field
1 Andrew Purcell/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
2 Ray Breen/Craig Breen (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
3 Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
4 Colin Britton/Kiearns Arthur (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
5 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
6 John Reid/Enda Shilds (Toyota Corolla WRC) [7]
7 Brian T Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
8 Seamus O'Connell/Brian Duggan (Escort Mk2 BDA) [5]
9 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza S9) [7]
10 Brendan Murphy/Pat Condon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [6]
11 Pat O Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [8]
12 James Coleman/Michael Haley (Ford Escort Mk2) [5]
14 Jason Roche/Raymond Greene (Ford Escort Mk2) [5]
15 Jeremy Drislane/Sorcha Kelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 GpA) [6]
16 Sean Heaney/Liam McLaughlin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [8]
17 Patrick Keenan/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
18 John Reddington/Stephen Quin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
19 Pj O'Connor/Con Mulcahy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) [6]
20 Connie Smith/Breen McNamee (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth) [6]
21 Ollie Williams/Micheal Walsh (Ford MK 2) [5]
22 Bob Scanlon/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
23 Connie Delaney/Richie Long (Subaru Impreza) [8]
24 Mark Murphy/Carol O'Keeffe (Subaru Impreza) [6]
25 Paul Fitzgerald/Alan Naughton (Ford Escort Mk2) [3]
26 Declan Cuddy/Nigel Moody (Subaru Impreza) [6]
27 Michael O'Donoghue/Dan Murphy (Subaru Impreza wrx est) [6]
28 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Toyota St165) [6]
29 Jimmy Devane/Con Lucey (Nissan Sunny) [5]
30 Stephen Cullen/Aidan Kent (TBA TBA) [6]
31 Tom Kenneally/Karl Baumann (Toyota Starlet RWD) [4]
32 John (jnr) O'Connor/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort Mk2) [4]
33 Martin Sheahan/Barry Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [4]
34 Ray Benskin/Peadar Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [4]
35 Daragh Raftery/Dean Raftery (Honda Civic) [3]
36 Michael Nevin/Des Moran (Ford Escort Mk2) [2]
37 Jim Fagan/Rachael Fagan (Ford Escort Mk2) [2]
38 Alan Dineen/Tony Dineen (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
39 Emmet Cronin/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [2]
40 Marc Butler/Michael Kelleher (Honda Civic) [3]
41 Hans Matthia/Tom McGuire (Subaru Impreza) [6]
42 John Bagg/Alan Darcy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [6]
43 Alan Sheridan/TBA (Escort Mk2 ) [5]
44 Clement Lonergan/TBA (Honda Civic) [3]
45 Liam Lynch/Kieran Madden (Ford Escort) [3]
46 Anthony Masterson/Andrew Browne (Honda Integra Type R) [5]
47 Mark Dolphin/Pat O'Mahony (Ford Escort mk 2) [3]
48 Niall Shorten/TBA (TBA TBA) [2]
49 Richard Scallan/TBA (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [3]

Late Entry
50 Kenny McKinstry/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
51 Martin Cullinane/TBA (Escort Mk 2) [4]

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: March 17, 2008 11:55 PM

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Purcell and Courtney head for Limerick

Posted: March 17, 2008 11:53 PM

Waterford driver Andrew Purcell with his Meath co driver Mick Courtney are ready for round 3 of the Irish National Forestry Championship the Tom White Memorial Forestry Rally,

Andrew 25 from Ferrybank Waterford has always been regarded as one of the quickest young drivers in Ireland and this year he is proving it by leading the National Forestry Championship in a 99 spec car.

The team had a test session last week and were very happy with the results a few small changes were made to the Sleator Auto/Kumho SP MOTORSPORT run car its hoped that these changes will be worth a few seconds in Limerick.Andrew said we were happy with the test we are looking for a few seconds the car is good but we really lack grunt to pull us out of the corners. Once you keep the foot in we are ok but it lacks power up throught the gears.

Last year we went to Limerick and were mixing it with Kenny Mckinstry and Kevin Lynch but a gear box problem put us out after 3 stages .The Limerick stages last year were brilliant flat out very fast stuff it was all about keeping it in the middle of the track and going for it, This year its a change of location so we have to wait and see.

For Mick Courtney (co driver) and myself its the championship that is the important thing we have to keep it calm and see where we are after a few stages then maybe we can give it a go.The Kumho tyres this year are very good we tested some different tyres and now should have a better idea where and when to use the different compounds.

Andrew is supported by Sleator Auto, Ardcourt Builders, Extreme45, Sentinel Security Systems, Pat Kerley Windows, Kumho Tyres (www.ears.ie)

Regulations available

Posted: February 29, 2008 3:54 PM

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Limerick Motor Club

• 2008 Forestry Championship