Monaghan Drumlin Navigation Trial - 13-14 Nov 10

Kierans/McAdoo Master Monaghan

Posted: November 22, 2010 7:26 PM

Monaghan Motor Club hosted round 3 of this year’s National Night Navigation Championship with one of the biggest events of the year, the Drumlin Navigation Trial. COC Andrew Grennan took on a huge task and along with his team put together a mammoth 140 mile route which proved a supreme test for both driver and navigator. Over 80 checkpoints were on the cards as crews traversed the Monaghan countryside from 10pm, with the first car not due back to the finish until nearly 4 o’clock in the morning. For the 4th year in succession it was Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo who finished as event winners proving once again why they are multiple National Champions. When the going gets tough, this crew always seem able to rise to the challenge and another almost faultless performance saw them take a comfortable victory in the end, 15 penalties clear of the rest.

Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall started this event as No.1 seeds and led a full field of 50 crews out of Newbliss and to the opening ITC section. Even before the start it was evident that this event would be a challenge to even the most experienced crews with some thirty unmapped roads in use and some very challenging sections with multiple timepoints in very close proximity. The win was expected to come from one of the top four seeds, Farrell/Hall, last years COC’s Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins, Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo or Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan. All four crews live in the locality and have each run events over this terrain and all were highly motivated to win their home event.

The first ITC section proved no major trouble for the leading cars and then the event really kicked off with a half mile section through a farmer’s yard and then a one mile section which actually took crews right through a slatted house and around a farm into the timepoint. Even as early as TP4, only 7 crews were still on clean sheets! TP5-TP8 were all plot & bash timepoints and only Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall managed the clean this section, the route to TP8 actually going through Noel’s farm. Billy Coleman award hopeful, Michael Carbin navigated by Evin Hughes became the first big casualties of the night. A miss-plotted timepoint resulted in them going through TP8 while looking for TP6. Then, after overshooting their intended slot by 0.01 of a mile to TP7, they passed the wrong side of a building and arrived at the timepoint with a wrong approach. Having to skip TP8 to avoid a double visit, their hopes of victory had vanished. However their problems were minor compared to Gareth Beagan/Stephen Thornton. Clutch failure forced them into retirement.

At the TRS at TP12, the top five were: Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (0 pens), Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo (1 pen), Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (2 pens), Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (2 pens) and Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (4 pens). TP14 was through Ashley McAdoo’s family’s yard and long muddy lanes though Via1 to Via2 and into TP15 were cleaned by no-one. Kierans/McAdoo had pulled level with Farrell/Hall on 2 penalties each. More penalties were dropped into TP16 and by another TRS at TP18, it was still tied at the front between Farrell/Hall and Kierans/McAdoo now on 4 penalties each. Tynan/Tynan and Mackarel/Higgins were level for 3rd on 6 penalties. Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey were having a great run, now 5th overall on 12 penalties. A clever trick at TP20 caught out 3rd placed Tynan/Tynan. It was straightforward into the timepoint but the correct departure was around the front of the marshal’s car and an unmapped road to the left was very inviting. A wrong departure here dropped the Tynans right out of contention. They were in good company with Carbin/Hughes and Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan doing the exact same thing!

The next TRS was between TP23 and TP24. Farrell/Hall led on furthest cleanest from Kierans/McAdoo (5 penalties) with Mackarel/Higgins 3rd on 7 penalties, Keenan/Garvey (14 penalties) and Kelly/Johnston (15 penalties). TP27 featured a famous trick on a farmer’s yard catching out leading Novice crew Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey who missed the timepoint. Great driving lanes into TP28 and TP29 and a tricky loop around the back of a farm into Control B completed the first half, with crews heading for a well-needed break in Scotshouse. There was no let up at the front between Farrell/Hall and Kierans/McAdoo both on 7 penalties by the petrol halt. 3rd overall were Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (9 penalties), 4th were Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (21 penalties) and 5th, having a superb run on unfamiliar territory, Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (22 penalties).

The second half was equally if not more challenging. Farrell/Hall moved into a clear lead after cleaning TP33, where their rivals each dropped a penalty. The route to TP35 was on an un-mapped road, in through piers go right alongside a house, turn left and down to the timepoint. Via7 was around yet another mucky lane and then it was gravel tracks into TP36. There was big trouble for Farrell/Hall as they missed Via7 and headed straight into TP36. Kierans/McAdoo now held a clear lead from Mackarel/Higgins by a two penalty margin. Kelly/Johnston had climbed as high as 3rd, with Duffy/Duffy an amazing 4th overall, this being Colin’s fifth ever event as a navigator. The Tynans were fighting back and were now up to 5th overall.

TP37-TP39 were plot & bash timepoints. TP37 looked straightforward on the map but the correct route was anything but. After turning left into the lane it was around the side of a cattle-shed, in through a hole in the wall of a slatted house, into a yard, then on through another slatted house, out around the side of another building, before turning left and into the timepoint. Kierans/McAdoo moved another penalty clear of the rest. TP38 was on a clockface tulip (no distances) and took crews down on to a dismantled railway track. TP39 was in the middle of a well-known grass lane but there was a new path into it and anyone going down the old path would be docked for a wrong approach. 2nd placed Mackarel/Higgins did just that after having dropped five penalties at TP38. Kelly/Johnston missed TP38 while the Tynans had climbed back up to 2nd place after sorting the plot & bash section with only 1 penalty dropped. Mackarel/Higgins were 3rd, Farrell/Hall 4th and the Duffys 5th and still holding their own with the best of the experts.

TP40 was around a new lane along the side of a field, with TP41 a long muddy section across open ground. A well-needed TRS between TP42-TP43, allowed crews a chance for a quick bit of respite. Unbeknownst to them, Kierans/McAdoo were head and shoulders above the rest. They led on 11 penalties from Tynan/Tynan (26 pens), Farrell/Hall (34 pens) Mackarel/Higgins (34 pens) and Duffy/Duffy (36 pens).

TP45 was a plot & bash timepoint near Stonebridge using a number of grassy lanes and bit of an old dismantled railway. TP47 was around the side of a field before slotting right between two trees and then between two chicken houses for a correct approach. Another time-relaxed section lay between TP51 and TP51A. Top five were: Kierans/McAdoo (14 pens), Tynan/Tynan (27 pens), Farrell/Hall (37 pens), Mackarel/Higgins (39 pens) and Carbin/Hughes (70 pens). The Duffys had dropped back as pushing maximum lateness, they skipped TP46 & TP47.

The final section proved very difficult for the majority of crews. The onset of thick fog didn’t help and with no let-up in the challenging sections to be negotiated, many crews ran over maximum lateness and were forced to skip timepoints. The top five would fare better than most. A new lane into TP52 caught out some, but the fog was the biggest challenge, forcing drivers to err on the side of caution over the last few timepoints. Kierans/McAdoo and Carbin/Hughes dropped just six penalties each here as Mackarel/Higgins fell away, having to skip two timepoints.

Following the final SRS section, it was Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo who secured a thoroughly deserved win, finishing on a total of 20 penalties. Runners-up were Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan on 35 penalties with Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall 3rd on 45 penalties. 4th overall after an excellent second half were Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes, showing the benefits of perseverance, with Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins finishing in 5th place.

Expert Class:

Four of the top five overall were expert crews. The remaining class finishers began with Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (140 penalties). This was Paul’s first National outing this season. They missed a few timepoints, with maximum lateness the cause of two of them. They finished 8th overall. Paul Doherty/Donny Riney were drafted in from the reserves at the last minute and endured a difficult night, but came home 6th expert. Martin Tynan/Sean McCaffrey were next home with Ray O’Neill/Stephen O’Neill (on their first event in a year) completing the class finishers.

Semi-Expert Class:

This class was expected to feature a big battle between Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes and Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston once again. Kelly/Johnston had a great first half and were well ahead by the petrol halt, but the second half was quite the reverse.
Kelly/Johnston missed eight timepoints due to various reasons and dropped down to 3rd in class by the finish. Darren Babington/Francis Keenan recovered from a shaky start to climb up to 2nd in class by the finish. 4th in class was secured by Gerry McGivney/Brian Ruth, with Rodney Adams/Sean Craig and Damien Treanor/Jonathan McGovern rounding off the top six. Meanwhile James Logue/Paddy Robinson unfortunately were OTL at the final control and failed to finish.

Novice Class:
Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey returned to top of the class after a very strong showing which left their class rivals for dead. Their exploits also secured 6th overall to boot. Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy were one of the stars of the night holding a top five place overall until top TP46. They had difficulties on the last section which dropped them to 2nd in class at the finish. Despite their late problems, they were still 9th overall which showed just how well they were going up to that point. Cathal McGlone/Ciaran Geaney completed the top three finishing on 355 penalties, with Damien Ward/Laurence Keenan taking 4th place on 368 penalties. Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly finished in 5th place while in 6th place was Martin McGuigan/Brendan Treanor. 7th in class went to Donal McArdle/Raymond Conlon with Warren Carleton/John Hetherington, Janice Mackarel/Brian Sharkey and Stephen Wright/Martin Connolly completing the top 10.

Beginners Class:
Damien Hagan/Macartan Kierans put in a superb performance to take a convincing win in the Beginners class. They missed just one timepoint in the first half and despite missing a few timepoints towards the end, they were still well clear of their class rivals. 2nd in class went to Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry. A surprise starter was 2009 Intercontinental Rally Champion Kris Meeke who competed in a Subaru Forrester with Derek Brannigan navigating. Meeke, who is set to compete in a Mini in the WRC next year, was back to the roots of the sport, competing for the sheer enjoyment of it. The pair finished 3rd in class, with Fintan Keenan/Mark Slowey not far away in 4th place. Brendan Ward/Sean Kelly finished in 5th, with Patrick Connolly/Stephen McElroy 6th and Austin Hamill/Jason McKenna 7th in the class.

In two weeks time, it’s on to the next round in Drumlish, Co. Longford, hosted by Midland Motor Club. Semi-Expert navigator Sam Johnston is COC and he is planning a 140 mile route, which is sure to provide another strong test for drivers and navigators. This year’s National Championship is certainly hotting up. Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo have extended their lead to seven points, but it’s extremely close between Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall, Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan and Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes in the race for 2nd place. All of them will have their eyes firmly set on catching the reigning champions over the forthcoming rounds.

Results

Posted: November 15, 2010 4:10 PM

1 Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo (Subaru Impreza) 20 marks,
2 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 35m,
3 Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall (Subaru Impreza) 45m,
4 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Legacy) 76m,
5 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 83m,
6 Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey (Subaru Impreza) 107m,
7 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 140m,
8 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 140m,
9 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 229m,
10 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 238m,
11 Damien Hagan/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 295m,
12 Paul Doherty/Donny Riney (Subaru Impreza) 313m.

Semi-experts:
1 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes,
2 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan,
3 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston.

Novices:
1 Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey,
2 Cathal McGlone/Ciaran Geaney (Subaru Impreza) 355m,
3 Damien Ward/Laurence Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 368m.

Beginners:
1 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy,
2 Damien Hagan/Macartan Kierans,
3 Martin McGuigan/Brendan Treanor (Vauxhall Cavalier) 410m.

Monaghan Drumlin Navigation Trial - 13-14 Nov 10 - RESULTS

Regulations / Details

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

• Monaghan Motor Club