Posted: June 3, 2008 4:28 PM
2Wd Winners: Ed Synan/Denis O'Connell
Gp N Winners: GpN Winners: Eamonn Daly/Kevin Synott
Report (courtesy of Irish Dunlop – sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship)
Posted: June 3, 2008 4:19 PM
Cavan’s, Patrick Elliott (Subaru WRC), co-driven by Paul Goodman, scored a start to finish victory in the Adare based Circuit of Munster Rally, the fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
At the end of the eight-stage encounter, Elliott finished with a 38 second winning margin over current series leaders, Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru WRC).
Kevin Barett/Sean Mullally, also in a Subaru WRC, were a further five seconds behind in third. Elliott is now just two points behind Maguire at the half way mark of the ten round Dunlop series. The Group N category was won by Eamonn Daly/Kevin Synott (Mitsubishi) while Ed Synan/Denis O’Connell (Escort) were the highest placed two-wheel drive contenders.
Although he reckoned he traversed the opening stage a little conservatively, Elliott led Kevin Barrett by 14 seconds with Maguire a further second behind in third. Eamonn Daly set the pace in Group N while Paul Purtill (Ford Escort), who recorded the same time as Daly, headed the two-wheel drive contingent.
Barrett, who set his first fastest stage time on a round of the Dunlop series in Cavan last week, set a good pace to close to within nine seconds of rally leader, Elliott, who reckoned he was far too conservative yet again.
Barrett was untroubled in second while third placed Maguire, who lost more time to the leading duo, was in no doubt as to his lack of pace, “It’s definitely the wrong tyres, just too slow. I can’t make time to Patrick (Elliott) out of the junctions.” Maguire was 29 seconds off top spot. Meanwhile, Noel Redmond held fourth, he set fastest time on the third stage. Sean Gallagher in fifth spot reckoned there was something loose at the rear of his Subaru, he remarked, “I don’t know what it is, it was like I had a flat wheel.”
Sixth placed Paul Purtill also had tyre issues towards the end of the stage. The top ten also featured Eoin Doyle (Subaru WRC), Group N leader, Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi), Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) and Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi).
Group N leader, Daly said he lost a few seconds at the start of the stage while former Group N champion, Willie Fannin lost time when he spun at the start of the first stage, he was eleventh and was followed by Ed Synan (Escort) and Alan Ring (Mitsubishi).
Sean Flanagan lost time with rear differential trouble and subsequently retired at the service halt.
Elliott and Maguire traded fastest times on the repeat of the opening two stages with the former holding a 30 second lead at the service halt. Elliott declared that he just wanted to keep it steady and avoid any mishaps. Maguire admitted he had a better pace through the fourth stage. Barrett was some three seconds further behind in third. Redmond spun and dropped vital time on S.S. 3, he was fourth – a mere second ahead of Sean Gallagher (Subaru WRC).
Ed O’Callaghan continued to give a sterling performance, he was a clear leader of the two wheel drive category where Paul Purtill retired his Escort on S.S. 4. Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi) continued to lead the Group N where Willie Fannin, ninth in overall terms, was nine seconds behind. Eoin Doyle (Subaru WRC) was eighth with Alan Ring, tenth overall and third in Group N.
On stages five and six, Elliott increased his lead and at the penultimate service, he was 50 seconds ahead of Barrett, who had regained second from Maguire.
Maguire, five seconds behind, explained the situation, “We’re very lucky to be here at all. We were off the road on Stage 5 and then on Stage 6, the tyres really didn’t work, the compound was too soft.”
Elliott remarked that while the conditions suited his Subaru WRC, he found it difficult to drive in his lead role and to find the right pace.” Barrett was another driver to suffer tyre problems in the searing heat.
Meanwhile, Noel Redmond set a strong pace to maintain fourth from Sean Gallagher, also in a Subaru WRC, who had a misfire, the readout on his Subaru also failed to work.
Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) continued to set a fine pace in the modified category, a fact reflected by his sixth place position. Despite clipping a bale, Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi) led Group N from rivals, Willie Fannin and Alan Ring, who lost first and second gears and also dropped time with an overshoot.
Maguire set a scintillating pace through Stage 7 to move into second – 41 seconds behind Elliott and a mere second ahead of third placed, Barrett. Maguire was also quickest through the final test to secure second as Elliott claimed an important victory that cut Maguire’s lead in the Dunlop series to two points at the half way mark of the ten round series.
Redmond put his Subaru off on the penultimate test promoting Gallagher to fourth.
Daly went on win the Group N category. Eoin Doyle (Subaru) finished sixth followed by Willie Fannin (Subaru), who dropped a place after the addition of 75 second road penalty.
Ed O’Callaghan’s fine drive ended on S.S. 7 when his Escort stopped with a broken gearbox. Ed Synan (Escort), who struggled through the early stages withy both alternator and axle trouble, went on to win the two-wheel drive category. The Mitsubishi’s of Trevor Bustard and Fergal Costello rounded off the top ten. Alan Ring retired his Mitsubishi with transmission trouble on the penultimate test.
Results / Photos
Posted: June 3, 2008 3:13 PM
Results
1 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 26s,
2 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 62m 04s,
3 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 62m 09s,
4 Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 62m 53s,
5 Eamonn Daly/Kevin Synott (Mit. Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 65m 02s,
6 Eoin Doyle/Peter Brennan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 65m 50s,
7 Willie Fannin/Paddy Robinson (Subaru Impreza N12 Gp N) 66m 22s,
8 Ed Synan/Denis O'Connell (Escort Mk II) 66m 40s,
9 Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mit. Lancer Evo 7 Gp N) 66m 44s,
10 Fergal Costello/Shane Gilhooly (Mit. Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 66m 50s.
JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Patrick Cunningham/Martin Cunningham (Honda Civic) 39m 24s,
2 John McQuaid/Laura Moffett (Ford Escort Mk II) 39m 55s,
3 Kenneth Ryan/Eamonn Howard (Honda Civic) 40m 37s.
Leaders
SS1-8 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Stage Winners:
SS1 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Noel Redmond/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Posted: May 31, 2008 10:14 PM
(Lto R) Ian Roche (Roche Group) Mary Fitzgearld (Woodlands House Hotel)
Ger Healy (Clerk of the Course) & Mike Mulchy (President Limerick Motor Club)
at the Launch of the Circuit of Munster Rally.
Photo Ray Gavin
Updates to Entry List: Noon 30/05/08 7:30am
Posted: May 30, 2008 7:41 AM
Out:
no 35
no 94
car 134
no 168
j20
next on reserve 178 main field
next on reserve j24 juniors
Updates to Entry List: 8am 29/05/08
Posted: May 29, 2008 9:19 AM
Out
no 58
no j4
no j19
no 5
next on reserve main field - 174
next on reserve juniors - j23
Updates to Entry List: Noon 28/05/08
Posted: May 28, 2008 9:26 PM
Out
4
179
180
46
79
next on reserve 172
Final Instructions for Juniors
Posted: May 28, 2008 9:00 PM
Updates to Entry List: 26/05/08
Posted: May 27, 2008 2:11 PM
Due to an oversight in seeding car no 194 was overlooked for priority.
This is now rectified and Car 194 is running in the main field.
out:
car 3
car 16
car 170
car 171
car 106
car 151
Next on Reserve 166
final instruction no 1, time and distance schedule and scrutiny time table are now available
Posted: May 23, 2008 11:32 AM
Entries Close on Tuesday 13th
Posted: May 10, 2008 5:55 PM
Entries for the Circuit of Munster 2008 close on Tuesday 13th of May
Note: Only fully paid up entries by this date will be considered.
On Line Entry Now Available
Posted: April 22, 2008 8:02 PM
Link Via Club Website:
Regulations Available
Posted: January 28, 2008 10:41 PM
Sunday 1st June sees the annual running of Woodlands House Hotel/ Roche Group Circuit of Munster Stages Rally.
Entries are online and can be accessed through the club website and open on Monday 21st April.
This years rally is Round 5 of Dunlop National Championship and Round 3 of The Top Part West Coast Championship.
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