Carlow Stages Rally - 13 May 12

O'MAHONY/HIGGINS WIN CARLOW - Courtesy of Dunlop - proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: July 19, 2012 10:45 AM

CORK driver, Brian O'Mahony (Subaru WRC) and his Mayo co-driver, John Higgins took their first ever victory in a round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship on the Tullow based Mount Wolseley Hotel Carlow Rally, round four of the national series.

After an exciting duel with Dunlop Championship leaders, Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru WRC), the Cork/Mayo duo emerged victorious by 14 seconds. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC) were third ' just three seconds further behind. Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC) retired during the opening loop.

The Modified category was won by Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) and Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru) took a convincing victory in the Group N showroom category.

Fitzmaurice was quickest on the opening test near Rathvilly where he posted a time two seconds quicker than O'Mahony with late entry, Wesley Patterson in his Mk. 2 Escort occupying third place ' three seconds further behind and a second ahead of the Escort of Daniel McKenna.

Rally leader, Fitzmaurice reckoned there were copious amounts of gravel on the stages that made his task a little more difficult.

O'Mahony admitted he drifted wide at many junctions as he wasn't able to slow the Subaru down. Nevertheless, the Cork driver punched in the best times for stages two and three to lead Fitzmaurice at the Tullow service by four seconds. O'Mahony opined that one of the fuel pumps failed while Fitzmaurice reckoned he just couldn't get in the groove, particularly on the third test. Maguire in third had transmission woes and the launch control was also posing problems.

Wesley Patterson (Escort) retired due to an altercation with the scenery on S.S. 3, meanwhile, Kevin Barrett's Subaru failed to emerge from the third stage after a wire to the coil came adrift.

Daniel McKenna held fourth despite having to stop on the road section to replenish his Escort with oil. Frank Kelly (Escort) had an eventful opening loop ' on the first stage, he damaged the rear left rim, spun on stage two and overshot on the final stage of the loop - he was 17 seconds adrift of McKenna.

Group N leader, Colm Murphy occupied sixth with an untroubled run while Gary McPhillips had a major spin on the opening test and couldn't commit to his pacenotes, his Escort was a little wayward.

The final three places in the top ten were annexed by Declan Boyle, Roy White and Pat Donegan (Escort), who lost around forty seconds when he stopped to check on Wesley Patterson.

Elsewhere, Jonathan Pringle (Escort) had intercom issues on S.S. 3; Michael Curran (Escort) survived a monumental 360 degree spin; David Condell (Escort) also managed to survive unscathed after a brush with the scenery; Shay Power (Escort) spun on the first and third stages.

O'Mahony eked a single second from the fourth stage, the top three all beat the bogey on Stage 5 and on Stage 6, the final stage of the second loop, O'Mahony traversed the stage eight seconds faster than Fitzmaurice to stretch his lead to 13 seconds. Fitzmaurice recalled a spin on S.S. 6, meanwhile, Maguire, who was seven seconds further behind in third was still very much in the hunt.

Frank Kelly, who admitted he had several moments on S.S. 4, moved into fourth and led the Modified category, Daniel McKenna, who was four seconds behind, was concerned about the lack of power from his Escort and rather than risk any further damage, he decided to withdraw. Gary McPhillips (Ford Escort) was next, his Escort developed clutch troubles through S.S. 6.

In Group N, Colm Murphy (Subaru) had a substantial lead, he was 37 seconds ahead of Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi), who was equally untroubled. Declan Boyle (Escort) was sandwiched between the duo and Sam Smyth (Escort) completed the top ten. Roy White's MG was misfiring although occasionally, it cleared itself.

On S.S. 7, O'Mahony took another valuable four seconds, the leading trio again beat the bogey on the penultimate stage. On the final test, Maguire, who had closed to within four seconds of Fitzmaurice, was quickest, however, the Monaghan man had to be content with third.

Second placed, Fitzmaurice retains his lead of the Dunlop series as O'Mahony became the third different winner in the four rounds to date.

Kelly survived a major moment with a chicane on the final stage to take the honours in the Modified category, the Tyrone driver extending his lead in both the inaugural Dunlop National Mk. 2 Escort Champions Trophy and the rally.ie category within the Dunlop series. Kelly finished 28 seconds ahead of Gary McPhillips. Colm Murphy (Subaru) had an untroubled run to claim the Group N category.

The top ten was completed by Declan Boyle (Ford Escort), Sam Smyth (Ford Escort), Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi EvoIX) and Tom Cave (Citroen DS3).

The 'Dunlop Drive of the Day' was won by Galway's, Eamonn Dervan/Keith Gardiner (Ford Escort).

Photos

Posted: July 19, 2012 10:19 AM

M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)
LINK REMOVED - Sideway Shot Motor Sport Photography
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures
Linda Benson Motorsport Photography

Video Reports

Posted: July 19, 2012 10:17 AM

Ultimate Rally News

Results

Posted: July 19, 2012 10:17 AM

1 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC) 67m 38s,
2 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC) 67m 52s,
3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 67m 55s,
4 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MkII) 69m 00s,
5 Gary McPhillips/Donal Barrett (Ford Escort MkII) 69m 28s,
6 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12 Gp N) 69m 55s,
7 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort MkII) 70m 05s,
8 Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Ford Escort MkII) 70m 57s,
9 Josh Moffett/Domhnall Lennon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 71m 01s,
10 Tom Cave/Craig Parry (Citroen DS3 R3T) 71m 23s.

Motorsport Safety Team Group N Production class:
1 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery,
2 Josh Moffett/Domhnall Lennon,
3 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O’Hanlon (Impreza) 73m 59s.

rally.ie Two wheel drive class:
1 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan,
2 Gary McPhillips/Donal Barrett,
3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle.

Historics:
1 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort) 55m 21s,
2 Dick Mauger/Steve McNulty (Escort) 57m 07s,
3 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Cortina) 58m 23s.

Juniors:
1 Chris Snow/Sean Brunton (Civic) 49m 15s,
2 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Civic) 50m 20s,
3 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Civic) 50m 21s.

Full Results: results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

CARLOW CALLS DUNLOP HALF WAY MARK - Courtesy of Dunlop - proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: May 12, 2012 8:00 AM

DUNLOP National Rally Championship leader, Thomas Fitzmaurice in his Subaru WRC tops the entry for the Tullow based Mount Wolseley Hotel Carlow Rally on Sunday next. The nine stage event promoted by the Carlow Car Club, marks the halfway mark of the popular Dunlop series as Kerry driver, Fitzmaurice battles to fend off the triple challenge of rivals, Niall Maguire (Monaghan), Brian O’Mahony (Cork) and Kevin Barrett (Maynooth), all in similar S11 Subaru WRC’s.

It’s one of the most fascinating title tussles in recent times of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. Fitzmaurice, who won the opening round in Abbeyleix on his first national outing in a WRC, also won the last round in Kerry but was pushed all the way by Brian O’Mahony, who was edged out on a tie-break.

With the 2012 series consisting of eight rounds with the best six to count, there is little room for error. Triple Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire, who won the Mayo Rally and was also very much in contention in Kerry until a puncture ended his hopes of victory, has shown a good turn of speed in 2012. Currently the Monaghan driver is just two points behind series leader, Fitzmaurice.

Having come so close to taking his inaugural victory in the Kerry round of the Dunlop series, Cork’s, Brian O’Mahony (Subaru WRC), will be keen to redress the situation in the Tullow based event. With one non-finish to his credit (he was forced to retire from the Mayo Rally when his Subaru caught fire) the Carrigaline ace knows it will be important to keep Fitzmaurice at bay.

The final driver in the title chasing quartet, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), fresh from his win in the recent Maze Long Kesh Festival of Speed event, is another driver to have failed to finish one of the three events to date and bearing that in mind, a top finish on the roads of County Carlow is vital to his Dunlop bid.

Limerick’s, Colm Murphy (Subaru) is the top seeded Group N driver as he chases the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award. Opposition in Carlow includes Monaghan pair, Shane Maguire (Subaru) and Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi Evo IX). Maguire bids to atone for non-finish in Kerry and Moffett, who actually picked up his first points of the Dunlop campaign in Kerry, will be expected to improve his points tally in County Carlow.

The top ten also features Clonmel’s, Roy White (MG S2000) and British driver, Tom Cave (Citroen DS3 R3), who led the British Rally Championship prior to the last round in the Kielder Forests a few weeks ago.

The race for the inaugural Dunlop National Mark 2 Escort Champions Trophy and the rally.ie category will be intense with the talented Daniel McKenna the leading entry. The Monaghan man, already nominated for the 2012 Billy Coleman award, is astonishingly quick. With Gary McPhillips,Wesley Patterson Frank Kelly, Declan Boyle, Camillus Bradley, Pat Donegan, Jonathan Pringle, Sam Smyth, Michael Curran, Neil Williams, Shay Power, Gareth Lloyd, Ian Davies, Wayne Evans, Trevor Culbert and James Coleman, all on the entry, the battle for supremacy should be intriguing.

Currently, Frank Kelly leads the category, the Tyrone driver is just three points ahead of Donegal’s, Declan Boyle.

Elsewhere, the entry also includes John Hendy (Toyota Corolla), Gwyn Thomas (Ford Puma), Lloyd Hutchinson (Mini) and Joe Connolly (Ford Escort).

In the Historic section, Denis Collins (Ford Escort) is the number one seed while the top four drivers in the Junior section are Christopher Snow, Bernard Foley, Damien Boyle and Padraig McCarthy, all in Honda Civics.

Rally Programmes

Posted: May 12, 2012 7:52 AM

OTOOLES TOPAZ FILLING STATION, Bunclody Road Tullow, County Carlow
MAXOL FILLING STATION, O'Brian road Carlow,
DEVOY OIL, Tullow Road, Carlow,
FRASER OIL, Carlow Road Tullow, County Carlow
FLYNNS FILLING STATION, Rathvilly Road, Tullow, County Carlow
ABBEY STORES Tullow, County Carlow
TOPAZ HILLVIEW FILLING STATION, Hacketstown, County Carlow,

Will be on sale at scrutiny on Saturday evening 12 May,
Outside service Sunday 13 May.

Entry List Update: (9/5/12)

Posted: May 12, 2012 7:46 AM

Withdrawals to date:
No.23 John McQuaid/Seamus O'Connor Ford Escort Mk2(14)
No.34 Keith Power/Des Moran Renault Clio (6)
No.75 Paul Doyle/Philip Doyle Ford Escort Mk2(12)
No.93 John Bonner/Rory Kennedy Ford Escort Mk2(11)
No.129 Dario Tempesta/Killian O'Sullivan Vauxhaul Nova(1)

Reserves now in:
No.142 Dan Gorman/Luke McRedmond (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
No.143 Pat Delaney/Paddy Brady (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
No.144 Kieran Guinan/Alan Higgins (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
No.145 Adrian Cannon/ Paraic Keeney(Honda Civic) [2] 
No.146 Jonathan Greer/TBA(Citroen DS3 R3) [7]
No.147 Wesley Patterson/Alan White(Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
J19 Dario Tempesta/Killian O'Sullivan Vauxhaul Nova(16A)

Remaining Reserves:
No.148 Ian Chadwick/Stephen Quinn (Honda Civic([11]
No.149 Brendan Dunne/Mark Parsons (Honda Civic EK4)[2]
No.150 Gemma Curley/TBA (Subaru Impreza)[15]
No.151 Noel Coogan/Mick Coady (Peugeot 306 GTI6)[7]
No.152 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Citroen C2 R2 Maxi)[2]

Final Instructions

Posted: May 12, 2012 7:44 AM

Carlow Stages Rally

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: May 8, 2012 6:17 AM

Carlow Stages Rally

Seeded Entry List

Posted: May 3, 2012 10:26 PM

Car Driver/Navigator (Car)
1 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
2 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
3 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
4 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
5 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
6 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
7 Josh Moffett/Domhnall Lennon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
8 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR) [15]
9 Tom Cave/Craig Parry (Citroen DS3 R3) [7]
10 Daniel McKenna/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
11 Gary McPhilips/Donal Barrett (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
12 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
14 Declan Boyle/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
15 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
16 Pat Donegan/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
17 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Mark 2) [13]
18 John Hendy/ TBA (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [13]
19 Gwyn Thomas/Anthony O'Conaill (Ford Puma Cosworth 4x4) [15]
20 Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
21 Michael Curran/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
22 Jim McKenna/Treanor Thomas (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
23 John McQuaid/Seamus O'Connor (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
24 Neil Williams/Eurig Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
25 Shay Power/John Rafter (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
26 Gareth Lloyd/Jim Crowe (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
27 Ian Davies/Ryland James (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
28 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford MK 2) [13]
29 Trevor Culbert/Ray Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
30 James Coleman/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
31 Mark Nangle/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRX) [4]
32 Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O'Hanlon (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
33 Lloyd Hutchinson/Kevin Flanagan (Austin Mini Cooper S) [9]
34 Keith Power/ TBA (Renault Clio) [6]
35 Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
36 Enda McCormack/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [15]
37 Eamon Dervan/Keith Gardiner (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
38 John Nolan/John Smithwick (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
39 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
40 Ian Gunning/Fred Holmes (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
41 Joe Connolly/John J Connolly (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [14]
42 John Hade/Sharon Nolan (Ford Escort) [13]
43 David Condell/Eamonn Hayes (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
44 Graham Kelly/Fergal Kelly (Ford Escort Mk4) [13]
45 Johnny Curran/Mikey Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
46 Ryan Loughran/James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
47 Neil Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11]
48 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [11]
49 Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Citroen C2 R2) [6]
50 Joey Carroll/Mark Kirwan (Citroen C2) [11]
51 Pat Price/Stephen Price (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
52 Eoin Woods/Cathal McGrath (Ford MK11) [13]
53 Alan Commins/James Commins (Peugeot 205 RWD) [12]
54 Vincent Collins/Fintan Kilroe (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
55 Johnny Murphy/Martin Nolan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
56 Wyn Thomas/ TBA (Ford Escort) [12]
57 Russell Dagge/Bruce Burges (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
58 Niall Fortune/Brian Kirwan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
59 Mark Kane/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
60 Liam Bowhan/Damien Connolly (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
61 Martin McLaughlin/Danny McLaughlin (Ford Escort) [11]
62 James Dunphy/Tommy Slattery (Honda Civic) [2]
63 William Hamilton/Peter Curran (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
64 Billy Hayes/Pat Knox (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
65 Sean O'Carroll/Ian Stanley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
66 Jonathan O'Callaghan/Ella Ryan (Peugeot 106 GTi) [11]
67 Paddy Kiernan/Darren O'Brien (Ford Escort) [10]
68 Michael Carbin/ TBA (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
69 PA Bellew/Andres Reid (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
70 Shane Googan/John Hennessey (Ford Escort Mk3 G3) [13]
71 Moss Fitzgerald/Alistair Wyllie (Toyota Corolla GT) [11]
72 Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Puma S1600) [6]
73 Roger Donnan/Pierce Doheny (Ford Puma) [6]
74 Timmy Ahern/Tim Leahy (Honda EG6) [11]
75 Paul Doyle/Philip Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
76 William Walsh/Brian O'Keeffe (Toyota Corolla) [11]
77 Leo Doyle/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [12]
78 Larry Brady/Anthony Brady (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
79 Ciaran Cloke/David Crean (Peugeot 306) [7]
80 Hugh Jones/Llion Williams (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
81 Trevor Hutton/Clint Hutton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [15]
82 Sean Moran/Keith Moriarty (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
83 Stephen Rushe/Conor Hagan (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
84 John O'Donnell/Philip McDonald (Peugeot 205 RWD) [10]
85 Michael Dowling/David Dowling (Ford Escort) [12]
86 Ken Treacy/Martin Comerford (Peugeot 206 GTi) [9]
87 Eamonn Dowling/Sarah Dowling (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
88 Kenneth Corrigan/Michael Connolly (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
89 Allen Buckley/John Masterson (Suzuki Swift GTI) [9]
90 Maurice Greaney/ TBA (Honda Civic) [6]
91 Gareth Owens/Gethin Sollis (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
92 David Geraghty/Lisa O'Dowd (Ford Escort G3) [11]
93 John Bonner/Rory Kennedy (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
94 Thomas Lynch/Stephen Delaney (Honda Civic EK4) [6]
95 Enda Gerety/Jeff Case (Honda EG6) [11]
96 Edward McNamara/Padraig Raggett (Honda Integra) [7]
97 Paul Woods/Philip Woods (Honda Civic) [3]
98 John Lynch/Brian Kirwan (Citroen C2) [6]
99 Brendan Curran/Shane Curry (Ford Cosworth 4x4) [15]
100 John Kelly/ TBA (Peugeot 106 GTi) [6]
101 Edward Kelly/Paul Kelly (Peugeot 106 GTi) [6]
102 Paul Lacey/Arthur Walshe (Ford Escort Mk3 G3) [13]
103 Andrew Leacy/Niall Whitty (Toyota Corolla) [11]
104 Steven McCabe/Moroney Carrie (Ford Fieata rwd) [11]
105 John Kenny/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
106 Chris Cullen/Derek Byrne (Ford Puma) [5]
107 Andy Nash/ TBA (Honda Civic EK4) [2]
108 Michael Nevin/David Forde (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
109 Colin Davies/Katie Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
110 Oliver Stanley/Michael Hennessey (Ford Focus) [13]
111 Tony Canny/David O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
112 P O'Shea/R Hennessy (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
113 Bobby Hennessy/Sarah Jane Stamp (Honda Civic) [11]
114 Richard Dalton/Alex Wilsdon (Honda Civic) [2]
115 Simon Monaghan/John Moran (Honda Civic) [11]
116 Eoin Neville/ TBA (Honda Civic) [2]
117 Joe Moffitt/Fint Byrne (Honda Civic) [3]
118 Paudie Casey/Tony McCarthy (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
119 ED Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Chrysler Avenger) [10]
120 Stephen Brennan/John Rooney (Honda Civic Vtec) [11]
121 Cyril Kerr/Peter Keohane (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
122 Michael Conroy/Patrick Duffy (Peugeot 106 GTi) [2]
123 Billy Watchorn/James Clynch (Peugeot 106 GTi) [2]
124 Pat Delaney/Willie Fitzpatrick (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
125 Pierce Doheny/Damien Lawlor (Opel Corsa) [10]
126 Michael Ormond/Declan Grogan (Honda Civic) [3]
127 John Murphy/Niall Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
128 Michael McNamara/Graham Amond (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
129 Dario Tempesta/Aidan (axe) O'Dwyer (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
130 Brendan Furlong/Brendan Kearns (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
131 Darragh O'Brien/Niall O'Brien (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
132 Steven Scallon/Tadhg Doyle (Honda Civic Type R) [11]
133 Seamus Flynn/Ian Munnelly (Ford Focus) [11]
134 Liam O'Neill/Declan O'Neill (Ford Mark 2) [10]
135 Martin Hendrick/ TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
136 Kieran O'Sullivan/Patrick O'Gorman (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
137 Jimmy Doyle/Andrew Griffin (Toyota Starlet RWD) [10]
138 James Furlong/Mark Furlong (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
139 William Tutty/Thomas Tutty (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
140 John Barry/David Busher (Austin Mini Cooper) [9]
141 Thomas Abbey/Lee Kavanagh (Opel Corsa) [9]
142 Dan Gorman/Luke McRedmond (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
143 Pat Delaney/Paddy Brady (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
144 Kieran Guinan/Alan Higgins (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
145 Adrian Cannon/ TBA (Honda Civic) [2]

Historics
H1 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort) [18]
H2 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Ford Cortina) [18]
H3 PJ O'Dowd/ TBA (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
H4 Dick Mauger/Steve McNulty (Ford Escort Mk2) [18]

Juniors
J1 Christopher Snow/Sean Brunton (Honda Civic) [16A]
J2 Bernard Foley/Paul Twomey (Honda Civic) [16A]
J3 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Honda ) [16A]
J4 Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16A]
J5 John O'Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2 R2) [16A]
J6 David Roche/Thomas Roche (Honda Civic) [16A]
J7 Andy Hayes/Billy Collins (Citroen Saxo VTS) [16A]
J8 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [16A]
J9 David Carmody/ TBA (Honda Civic) [16A]
J10 Andrew Ryan/ TBA (Peugeot 106 Cup Car) [16A]
J11 Shane Hade/Luke Hade (Toyota Corolla RWD) [16A]
J12 Shay Delaney/Alan Maloney (Vauxhall Nova) [16A]
J14 Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Honda Civic eg6) [16A]
J15 Padraig Deasy/Edel McCarthy (Nissan Sunny) [16]
J16 Seamus Heaney/Michael Culleton (Honda Civic) [16]
J17 Eamonn Bates/Jason Stafford (Suzuki Swift GTI) [16]
J18 Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Honda Civic EK4) [16]

Entries Received

Posted: April 27, 2012 2:29 PM

Driver/Navigator (Make/Model) [Class]
Thomas Abbey/Lee Kavanagh (Opel Corsa) [1]
Dario Tempesta/Aidan (axe) O'Dwyer (Vauxhall Nova) [1]
Michael Conroy/Patrick Duffy (Peugeot 106 GTi) [2]
Richard Dalton/Alex Wilsdon (Honda Civic) [2]
James Dunphy/Tommy Slattery (Honda Civic) [2]
Eoin Neville/ TBA (Honda Civic) [2]
Michael Ormond/Declan Grogan (Honda Civic) [3]
Paul Woods/Philip Woods (Honda Civic) [3]
Billy Hayes/Pat Knox (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
Paddy McVeigh/Stephen O'Hanlon (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
Pat Price/Stephen Price (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Chris Cullen/Derek Byrne (Ford Puma) [5]
Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Honda Civic) [6]
Alan Fair/Parsons Mark (Honda Civic EK4) [6]
Roger Donnan/Pierce Doheny (Ford Puma) [6]
Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Puma S1600) [6]
Keith Power/ TBA (Renault Clio) [6]
Ciaran Cloke/David Crean (Peugeot 306) [7]
Edward McNamara/Padraig Raggett (Honda Integra) [7]
Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
PA Bellew/Andres Reid (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
Ken Treacy/Martin Comerford (Peugeot 206 GTi) [9]
Martin Hendrick/ TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
John Barry/David Busher (Austin Mini Cooper) [9]
Lloyd Hutchinson/Kevin Flanagan (Austin Mini Cooper S) [9]
Allen Buckley/John Masterson (Suzuki Swift GTI) [9]
ED Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Chrysler Avenger) [10]
Pat Delaney/Willie Fitzpatrick (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
Kieran O'Sullivan/Patrick O'Gorman (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
Brendan Furlong/Brendan Kearns (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
James Furlong/Mark Furlong (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
P O'Shea/R Hennessy (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
Darragh O'Brien/Niall O'Brien (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
Pierce Doheny/Damien Lawlor (Opel Corsa) [10]
John O'Donnell/Philip McDonald (Peugeot 205 RWD) [10]
William Tutty/Thomas Tutty (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
Ryan Loughran/James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
Joey Carroll/Mark Kirwan (Citroen C2) [11]
Bobby Hennessy/Sarah Jane Stamp (Honda Civic) [11]
Steven Scallon/Tadhg Doyle (Honda Civic Type R) [11]
Michael McNamara/Graham Amond (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
William Walsh/Brian O'Keeffe (Toyota Corolla) [11]
Shane Kelly/Ger Comerford (Toyota Corolla RWD) [11]
John Bonner/Rory Kennedy (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
Jonathan O'Callaghan/Ella Ryan (Peugeot 106 GTi) [11]
Kenneth Corrigan/Michael Connolly (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
Andrew Leacy/Niall Whitty (Toyota Corolla) [11]
Martin McLaughlin/Danny McLaughlin (Ford Escort) [11]
Neil Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11]
David Geraghty/Lisa O'Dowd (Ford Escort G3) [11]
Enda Gerety/Jeff Case (Honda EG6) [11]
Moss Fitzgerald/Alistair Wyllie (Toyota Corolla GT) [11]
Stephen Brennan/John Rooney (Honda Civic Vtec) [11]
Billy Watchorn/ TBA (Peugeot 106 GTi) [11]
Vincent Collins/Fintan Kilroe (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
Wyn Thomas/ TBA (Ford Escort) [12]
Leo Doyle/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [12]
Gareth Owens/Gethin Sollis (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
Eamonn Dowling/Sarah Dowling (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
Neil Williams/Eurig Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Paul Lacey/Arthur Walshe (Ford Escort Mk3 G3) [13]
Sean O'Carroll/Ian Stanley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Eamon Dervan/Keith Gardiner (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Johnny Murphy/Martin Nolan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Johnny Curran/Mikey Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford MK 2) [13]
James Coleman/Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Trevor Culbert/Ray Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Niall Fortune/Brian Kirwan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Gareth Lloyd/Jim Crowe (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Ian Davies/Ryland James (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Tony Canny/David O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Larry Brady/Anthony Brady (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Mark Kane/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Sean Moran/Keith Moriarty (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Shay Power/John Rafter (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Paudie Casey/Tony McCarthy (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
Hade John/Sharon Nolan (Ford Escort) [13]
Shane Googan/John Hennessey (Ford Escort Mk3 G3) [13]
John Hendy/ TBA (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [13]
Hugh Jones/Llion Williams (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Pat Donegan/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Joe Connolly/John J Connolly (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [14]
Michael Curran/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Gary McPhilips/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Daniel McKenna/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Declan Boyle/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Frank Kelly/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Trevor Hutton/Clint Hutton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [15]
Gwyn Thomas/Anthony O'Conaill (Ford Puma Cosworth 4x) [15]
Eamonn Bates/Jason Stafford (Suzuki Swift GTI) [16]
Seamus Heaney/Michael Culleton (Honda Civic) [16]
Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Honda Civic eg6) [16A]
John O'Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2 R2) [16A]
Andy Hayes/Billy Collins (Citroen Saxo VTS) [16A]
James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [16A]
Bernard Foley/Paul Twomey (Honda Civic) [16A]
Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16A]
David Roche/Thomas Roche (Honda Civic) [16A]
Christopher Snow/Sean Brunton (Honda Civic) [16A]
Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Ford Cortina) [18]
Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort) [18]
PJ O'Dowd/ TBA (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
Dick Mauger /Steve McNulty (Ford Escort Mk2) [18]

Marshal Meeting Points

Posted: April 27, 2012 2:24 PM

Stage 1/4/7
Doyle Nevins Service Station, Bough, Rathvilly. This is located at the junction of the N81- R726 on the Baltinglass side of Rathvilly.
GPS Co-Ordinates:- N520 53.217’ W60 42.310’
Time: - 07:00hrs

Stage 2/5/8
Flynn’s Service Station (Texaco), Dublin Road, Tullow.
GPS Co – Ordinates: - N520 48.258’ W60 43.992’
Time: - 07:15hrs

Stage 3/6/9
O’Tooles Service Station (Topaz), Bunclody Road, Tullow.
GPS Co- Ordinates: - N520 47.890 W60 44.618’
Time: - 07:30hrs

3 Weeks to go...

Posted: April 18, 2012 11:49 AM

With just over 3 weeks to go Clerk of the Course Aidan Kelly and his team are finalising arrangements for Carlow Stages Rally 2012. Remember these are 3 all new stages consisting of over 150 competitive stage kilometres based in the Carlow/Wicklow area and with centralised service area in Tullow. With entries coming steadily in this will provide a fantastic challenge for all the leading WRC, Group N & Mark II crews to go up against the best in the country with the added interest from visiting competitors from Wales, Scotland and the UK. Carlow Stages Rally 2012 is Round 4 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the ever popular Triton Showers South East Stages Rally Championship. Not forgetting the level of interest the Mark II Challenge brings in every year. The question in everyone’s mind is – Who will be the 2012 winner of the Mark II Challenge?

The Rally launch took place in the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club on 5 April last with over 200 hundred people in attendance to see and hear the stories of Michael Lyster and rally great Gwyndaf Evans. Many thanks to all those who attended the event with special thanks to those who displayed their cars on the night which included the design skills of Evan Walsh (Clonmel) winner of the GRT Hire Mark II Challenge colouring competition. And the distinctive Blue GRT Hire Mark II will be on display over the weekend of the rally.

A reminder for all those coming to compete and spectate at this years rally - Rally headquarters Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club have again offered special rates to all those wishing to stay over the weekend. Details on the event/club website.

Carlow Car Club

Regulations / Entry Form / On Line Entry

Posted: April 2, 2012 8:55 PM

Carlow Stages Rally - 13 May 12 - REGULATIONS
Carlow Stages Rally - 13 May 12 - ENTRY FORM

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Pre Rally Launch Update

Posted: March 31, 2012 10:11 AM

Carlow Car Club is all set for the official launch of the 2012 Carlow Car Club Stage Rally and The GRT Hire Ford Escort Mark II Challenge. The launch date is set for Thursday 5th April in Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club in the centre of Tullow from 8pm with GRT Hire unveiling their new graphic designed Escort Mark II, which was from a competition recently run in the Carlow Nationalist. As is now tradition Michael Lester is Masters Of Ceremonies on the night along with a surprise guest speaker and if previous years guest speakers are anything to go by, having had Phil Mills last year and Kris Meeke & Nicky Grist in previous years we will be in for a great evening..

This years rally is a counting round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the ever popular Triton Showers South East Stages Rally Championship along with the Carlow Car Club Members Championship, so a lot of points are on offer to competing crews both nationally and locally. At a recent meeting of the Rally committee it was said that the feedback received directly to the club committee, along with interest from various social media sources is as high as ever so a full entry is expected this year.

Speculation as to who the ‘in-form’ crew are this year grows and with the number of WRC cars and the ever popular Ford Escort Mark II cars competing, it is sure to be a thrilling event. This years rally takes place over the weekend of the 12th & 13th of May with Clerk of the course Aidan Kelly commented that ‘with the mixture of surfaces over the three stages the weather conditions will play a major factor, and spectators are in for a real treat’. The action is no doubt going to be viral by Monday once the in-car footage is posted and will also be broadcast in the following weeks by “On the Limit Sports” on TG4.

Carlow Car Club in association with their RSA representative recently held an information stand at the Tullow St Patricks Day Parade to promote ‘Keep the race in its place’ message. The event was a big success partly due to the great support of GRT Hire who we’re on hand to promote this year’s Carlow GRT Hire Ford Escort Mark II Challenge and stage sponsors J&J Services, CodeRed Fire Protection and O’Toole Topaz Tullow were also active to help out with the event. Club committee members were present and met with local business owners and politicians to explain the mandatory safety regulations and ‘rigorous scrutiny’ that all cars undergo prior to competition. Many club members and directors were also present as was the Clerk of the Course Aidan Kelly who reported great interest from the crowd for this years rally. Many older people had not seen a Ford Escort Mark II in such fine condition in a long time, probably never seen a Mark II with such power output before either!!!

A number of competition cars will also be on display on the night of the launch and a great night is expected with many stories to be told (some more true than others!!).

Rally Launch - (Thu) 5 Apr 12

Posted: March 7, 2012 9:58 PM

The official launch night is Thursday 5th April in Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and County Club with a special surprise guest and the annual visit of TV presenter and compare for the night Michael Lester.
As always there will be a draw on the night of the official launch for an entry to the rally, tickets will be sold on the night and all proceeds will go to a local charity.
Every year Carlow Car Club offers the first competitor home and the winning Mark II a free entry to the rally the following year to defend their crown and this year is no exception.
The entry this year is €495 for the main field and €250 for Juniors which represents fantastic value.

2012 Carlow Stages Rally

Posted: March 7, 2012 9:56 PM

The 2012 Carlow stages rally is fast approaching and Clerk of the Course Aidan Kelly and his crew have been very busy over the winter months in preparation for what is sure to be another exciting Carlow Stages Rally. The rally will be a 3x3 stage format this year with 3 all new stages consisting of over 150 competitive stage kilometres in the heart of Carlow.

The rally returns to Tullow with the main sponsor being Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club along with GRT Hire sponsoring the ever popular Carlow Mark II Challenge. The Carlow Stages Rally is the 4th round of the 2012 Dunlop National Rally Championship and the 3rd Round of the Dunlop National Junior Rally Championship. Aidan Kelly and his deputy Martin Delaney are confident of a great entry as the rally is a counting round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and with Tim McNulty and Daniel McKenna anxious to defend their crowns. This will provide a true testing ground for all the leading WRC, Group N & Mark II crews to go up against the best in the country as well as the many annual visitors from Northern Ireland and the UK.

Our main sponsor Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club and have again offered special rates to all those wishing to stay at the Hotel or in one of their beautiful holiday homes on the hotel grounds, 1 night B&B for 2 is €100 1 night single B&B is €80 and a house which accommodates 6 people is €325 for 2 nights or €200 for 1 night and prompt booking is advised to avoid missing out.

The rally is again based in the Tullow area and it is estimated that the rally brings in excess of €2 million to the local economy. Scrutiny, Service and Parc Ferme are all centrally located with a secure trailer park also within close proximity.
One of the special aspects of the Carlow Stages Rally is the unique Ford Escort Mark II Challenge which has been sponsored for the past 2 years by JA Boland Carlow and this year sees a new sponsor in the form of GRT Hire. The name GRT Hire is well known throughout the rallying community across Ireland and this year again sees a local company take the lead in Carlow Mark II Challenge.

With such a high profile entry expected and as a round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship the ever present and professional OnTheLimitSports will be on hand to capture the action which will be broadcast on Irish TV channel TG4 and across Europe over the weeks and months after the event.

For further information feel free to contact the event secretary at charlotteegan710@hotmail.com or visit the website or facebook pages of the Carlow Car Club or any of the sponsors.

Club Website

Posted: March 7, 2012 9:55 PM

Carlow Car Club