Owen Murphy Rallying - On the Pace but missing gear.
Posted: February 1, 2014 8:32 PM
Owen Murphy / James o Brien in the Hankook Mitsubishi Evo 9 were right on the pace for most of the rally last Sunday at the West Limerick Mini Stage Forest Rally the opening round of the 2013 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. Third was a little disappointing for a huge effort but gear box problems killed Owens time on the last stage.
This Limerick event was a sprint event any problem and the rally and a good finish was lost so it was going to be flat but safe no mistakes.
The challenge was going to be strong as well as the usual forest regulars there were two new lads Mike O Brien in the WRC Ford Focus was going to be hard to stay with and the Irish forest had tempted out the former Mitsubishi Works driver Phillip Morrow a man with considerable pace.
Stage one and Owen with James on the notes was getting the most out of the Hankook Mitsubishi Evo 9 though well down on power on the WRC of Mike O Brien Owen was just .4 of a second off the lead.
Stage 2 and Owen was .8 of a second behind the Focus WRC of O Brien however Philip Morrow was starting to get the feel for the wood and set a third fastest time 4.4 second slower than Owen.
So as the cars headed for service the results showed Mike o Brien 1.2 seconds up on Owen with Philip Morrow a further 4.4seconds back , the top 6 cars covered by just 14 seconds its tight at the front of the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship.
Next it was into service and Owen felt the Hankook Mitsubishi was a little loose at the back so he switched to a softer compound Hankook Tyre. The car was going well so other than a change of tyres it was in and out for a re run of the first two stages.
Stage 3 Owen and James were 5th fastest on this stage Owen felt in one or two places he was not as committed as he should have been but it was still all to play for on the last stage.
Stage 4 Owen was still second where he had been all day but he was now 7.9 seconds behind Mike O Brien and half a second ahead of Philip Morrow. It was one last make or break effort and Owen felt he could give it a real go sadly half way through the stage the car started jumping out of 5th gear and then he had to hold the car in gear. Morrow set quickest time and Owen was a further 6 seconds back. So Owen and James ended the day 5.9 seconds off the winner in 3rd place in the Hankook Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Owen said after the event it was a good day we were on the pace all day and the Hankook tyres performed a dream our gear box problems cost us a few seconds there on the last one when we were having a go but let’s face it we were lucky to get here to the finish , I am happy with my day James was as always bang on with the notes the car went well till the gears started to go but that’s life .Thanks to my service crew my sponsors and the organisers of the rally for a great event it was great to see such a starters list for the first round of the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship .
Raftery/Kelly Storm to Junior Victory in Limerick
Posted: February 1, 2014 8:29 PM
Galway’s Dean Raftery took a hard fought Junior win at the opening round of the Valvoline Irish Forest Championship in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick last weekend (February 10). The 21 year old student and his co-driver Aileen Kelly overcame strong competition and challenging stages to take their first win of the season and an early championship lead.
Dean, who is the current Junior Forest Champion commented, “We are delighted with the win, we came here knowing that the competition would be extremely tough. We decided before the event that we would try and start off on the pace we finished last season with and see if the times would come, and they did!”
The event got off to a great start with the crew setting fastest time on SS1, 3.8 seconds faster than their nearest rivals. They extended this lead to 9.8 seconds at the midday service point.
During the service interval Dean’s team made some set-up changes to the car which allowed him to push his Honda Civic that bit more. This worked to great effect as the crew were 15 seconds faster in the evening loop. In the end the young crew took the win by over 50 seconds from David Carney in the Citroen C2R2 Max.
Dean added “I’d like to thank Aileen and all the team, who worked hard to get us here today. To take the victory was the perfect way for us to start our season after a long break over the Winter”.
The crew’s next outing is less than two weeks away as they head north of the border to compete in the Omagh Motor Club Spring Rally, followed by the Moonraker Rally - Round 2 of Irish Forest Championship. These events will be the perfect preparation for the crew before they cross the Irish Sea to compete in the BRC Challenge.
Morrow/Hart wins a dramatic West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally
Posted: February 1, 2014 8:22 PM
A superb time on the last stage enabled Philip Morrow win today's West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally and claim his maiden win in the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. Second was claimed by long time rally leader Mick O'Brien with 2011 Valvoline champion Owen Murphy third.
The rally was the opening round of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship, and it was based in Kantoher Business Park, near New Castle West. The stage distance was 40km based on two stages (repeated) on the foothills of the Mullaghareirk mountains.
Morrow (Evo9) made a cautious start with 5th fastest on the first stage. The former Mitsubishi UK works driver improved to third through the second and third stages. At the end of stage three Morrow was 8.4 seconds behind leader O'Brien, and on the last test Morrow took fastest timeand beat O'Brien by 9.8 seconds which catapulted the Lisburn man on to the top of the podium.
O'Brien (Focus WRC) was fastest on the first three stages and Corkman looked set for his first victory of the year, but perhaps a conservative approach on the final test cost him overall victory.
Owen Murphy (Evo9) was in great form all day, second fastest on the first brace of tests, fifth on the third stage and another second fastest on the last stage. Murphy had been second to O' Brien until Morrow's last stage heroics.
Vincent Mc Aree (Evo9) and Martin Cairns (Subaru WRC) claimed fourth and fifth spots while 2010 champion Pat O'Connell (Evo9)was sixth overall. Shane McGirr (Starlet RWD)was best in the two wheel drive category and the juniors class was once again by Dean Raftery (Civic). Raftery is the current Valvoline junior champion.
Results
Posted: February 1, 2014 8:13 PM
1 Philip Morrow/Jonny Hart (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 22m 07s,
2 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) 22m 08s,
3 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 22m 12s,
4 Vincent McAree/J P McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 22m 20s,
5 Martin Cairns/Barry McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 22m 25s,
6 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 22m 37s,
7 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 22m 38s,
8 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Subaru Impreza WRX) 22m 58s,
9 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Toyota Corolla WRC) 23m 09s,
10 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206 EVO) 23m 10s.
Class winners: Joe Shinnors/Derry Healy (Nova), Mike Garahy/Niall Keane (Escort), Paul Fitzgerald/Pierce Doheny Jnr (Escort), Hugh McQuaid/Enda Gerety (Escort), Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Starlet), Stephen McCann/Breen McNamee (Lancer Evo 7), Martin Cairns/Barry McNulty, Vincent McAree/J P McAree, Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan.
Leaders After
SS1-3 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Philip Morrow/Jonny Hart (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
Stage Winners
SS1 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Philip Morrow/Jonny Hart (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
O'Brien/Shinnors head mammoth entry in Valvoline opener.
Posted: February 8, 2013 2:08 PM
Round one of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally championship kicks off on Sunday's West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally. An eighty strong field that includes a host of former champions and class winners as well as the welcome sight of new faces to the forest racing scene will ply their skills on the smooth stages in Banane and Reanahown, near New Castle West.
Top seed is claimed by MickO'Brien/Greg Shinnors in their Focus WRC. O'Brien is a London resident but a native of Churchtown ( Co.Cork) and is no stranger to the Irish forests, having won the Cork Forest rally in 2009. Shinnors from Bruff, is an experienced co-driver, a triple Irish Forest Champion and BRC champion in 2010.
Owen Murphy/James O'Brien (Evo9) are second on the road. The Cork crew claimed the Forest title in 2011, and won the Moonraker and the Cork Forest Rallies last year but they non started the first round (Donegal) and non finished the second (Carrick) . Those two retirements in a competitive championship effectively destroyed the defence of their title. Expect Murphy to be on the pipe on Sunday.
Pat O'Connell/Mark Wiley are at three in the Evo9.The Cashel/Mitchelstown crew lifted the Forest crown in 2010. Pat took took a break in 2011 to get married but he did enter and win the Cork Forest rally. Like Owen Murphy, 2012 was an a frustrating year for O'Connell largely due to retirements and he will be hoping for better things this year.
Philip Morrow drives car number 4 (Evo9) with Jonny Hart on the notes. Morrow is making a welcome return to the sport, the Lisburn man won the 2007 Mitsubishi Evo Challenge and he will be anxious to get back in the groove in the Valvoline series.
VIncent and JP Mv Aree are great supporters of the Valvoline . The brothers from Monaghan were runners up in 2011 and third last year and are all set to do better this year.
Other men-in a-hurry include the WRC's of Martin Cairns (Impreza), John Reid (Corolla) and Kevin Barrett (Impreza), and the pace of Enda Mc Nulty (Impreza) Andrew Purcell (Evo6) and the Evo9's of Josh and Sam Moffett cannot be discounted.
The 2WD section will certainly be worth a look, with the Escorts of Adrian Hethrington, Seamus O'Connell and Paul Fitzgerald trying to stay ahead of the very fleet Starlet of Shane McGirr. The front wheel drive battle will be no less competitive with 2012 Junior Champion Dean Raftery (Civic) Daniel Cronin (Civic) and Andrew Fanning (Puma) on full attack.
West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally is a great start to the 2013 Valvoline season and it promises to be another year of great racing for the overall trophy and the many classes that adorn this prestigious series. The remaining events of the six round series (four to count) are:
Round 2 March 3 Munster Moonraker Rally (Lismore)
Round 3 April 14 Carrick on Suir William Loughman Rally (Waterford)
Round 4 June 16 Tipperary Sean Conlon Forest Rally (Mitchelstown)
Round 5 August 18 Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally (Mallow)
Round 6 September 28th Bushwhacker Rally (Omagh)
Marshals Meeting Points
Posted: February 8, 2013 1:17 PM
Stage 1 meeting at Centra Shop Dromcollogher at 10am
Stage Commander 087 7696823
Note:
SCRUTINY is now available on Saturday Evening
- see FINAL INSTRUCTIONS for more details
Preview
Posted: February 6, 2013 11:43 AM
The event is based in Kantoher Business Park, near New Castle West and it marks the
opening round of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship. It is
being organised and promoted jointly by the Forestry Committee and Limerick Motor Club.
Clerk of the Course Barry Duggan has picked two classic stages at Banane and Reanahown.
These stages are used twice and they will yield a total stage distance of 40km. Scrutiny,
service and administration all take place in rally headquarters in Kantoher Business park.
Scrutiny takes Sunday morning and the first car is away at 12 midday, returning at 1600.
The entry list is a marvellous mix of former champions and class winners and other forest
regulars. In addition the organising committee have been very successful in attracting a lot of
entrants who are new to rallying and forest racing in particular.
Former champs like Pat O' Connell and Owen Murphy return to do battle in their Mitsubishi
Evo's and they will be challenged by the WRC cars of Mick O' Brien (Escort), Kevin Barrett
(Subaru) and John Reid (Toyota). Fans of rear wheel drive are promised plenty of oversteer
from the Escorts of Adraian Hethrington and Paul Fitzgerald as well as Shane McGIrr in the
Starlet RWD.
The list of local entrants is dominated by the Ford Escorts of Ray Benskin Jnr (Ballycotton)
Jimmy Deane (Mallow), Sean Benskin (Rathcormack), Michael O' Sullivan (Charleville).
The Civic brigade is headed by Dan Cronin (Bantry), John Byrnes (Murroe) and Sean Alan
(Rockchapel). Their front wheel drive opposition will emerge from Joe Allen (Mallow), Joe
Dowling (New Castle West), Tim Holland (Mallow) and the Peugeot 306 of Con O' Riordan
(Killarney). Local 4X4 drivers include the Evo 8's of Ger Lucey (Ballyvourney) and Mark
Murphy and the Subaru of Danny Creedon (Milstreet).
Clerk of the Course Barry Duggan is thrilled with the strong entry. "I think it is a vote of
confidence in the quality of the special stages. And the entry fee of E350 offers serious value
for money. We must acknowledge all the help from the organising committee and thank the
Kantoher Development Group, Tara Cladding and Mc Mahon's Eco-Fuels for wonderful
help. Thanks also to the Cork MC who will be operating the results system and the rally
updates will be available on www.irishforestrally.com".
Events Secretary John Quill said "the entry fee of E350 is only sustainable because it is
heavily subsidised by the Forest Rally sub- committee. I would like to remind competitors
that the stages were repaired after the pace note suppliers were through the stages. In the
seeding order, all 2WDs will be first through the stages in reverse seeding order and they will
be followed by the 4X4's in regular seeding order".
O’Connor Motorsport Gear up for an exciting 2013..!!
Posted: February 6, 2013 11:39 AM
Looking ahead to the 2013 season, Askeaton Brothers, Johnny and Kevin are excited to kick off the
year with the running of the first ever West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally this weekend, it is
round 1 of the Motorsport Ireland National Forest Championship. The woods of West Limerick are
set to resonate to the revs of racing engines when the Rally takes place on Sunday February
10th.The rally is based in Kantoher Business Park, near Newcastle West and it marks the opening
round of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship. Johnny competing in his
Citroen C2R2 Rallycar commented “We are really excited about the Rally now. It’s our first time
taking these cars into the forest and with everyone talking about this new event its exciting, it has
the formula to be a great rally and it is only around the corner so I just can’t wait now.” Brother
Kevin competing in his recently rebuilt Citroen C2 MAX added “ The Gravel conditions are so tough
and you are always only a few inches away from slipping off the road at any moment. When it goes
well it’s a great feeling but it’s a tough mental game, a small mistake and you will find yourself stuck
in a bank!". With plans of competing abroad this year looking very likely both brothers will be
aiming to finish and get mileage under their belt on Gravel and we will hopefully have a couple of
exciting announcements in the coming weeks..!!
"Attention competitors entering the West Limerick Mini Stage Forest Rally,
Credit Card payments will only be accepted on entries forms received on or
before Friday 1st Feb.
All entries after this date must be paid by Cheque (made payable to
Motorsport Ireland) or by cash.
Remember to have competition licence and IRDS/BRDS arranged prior to event."
Entries Received (31 Jan)
Posted: February 1, 2013 10:17 AM
PAT O'CONNELL/MARK WILEY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [8]
PAUL FITZGERALD/PIERCE DOHENY JNR (FORD ESCORT MK 2) [3]
MICHAEL RYAN/JAMES LOWRY (HONDA CIVIC) [9]
BRIAN O'DONNELL/ALAN QUINN (CORSA) [1]
DECLAN O REGAN/TBA (PEUGEOT 205) [3]
KYLE ORR/DONOVAN GARVEY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 8) [8]
GEAROID O'REGAN/DARA MAGUIRE (FORD ESCORT MK 2) [2]
JOSEPH ALLEN/MARTHA ANGLAND (CORSA) [9]
ENDA MCNULTY/PAUL SHERIDAN (SUBARU IMPREZA) [6B]
RAY BENSKIN JNR/TBA (FORD ESCORT MK 2) [4]
JIMMY DEANE/PETER MURPHY (FORD ESCORT MK 2) [3]
SHANE MCGIRR/JACKIE ELLIOTT (TOYOTA STARLET) [5]
THOMAS O CONNELL/BRIAN DUGGAN (FORD ESCORT) [5]
JER CONNORS/TBA (SUBARU IMPREZA) [6]
GERARD LUCEY/JAMES LUCEY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 8) [8]
DANNY CREEDON/TOM FOLEY (SUBARU IMPREZA) [6]
LIAM O'REGAN/DANIEN DUFFIN (PEUGEOT 206) [6B]
MICHAEL O'BRIEN/GREG SHINNORS (FORD FOCUS WRC) [7]
DANIEL CRONIN/SEAN DUGGAN (HONDA CIVIC) [9]
SIMON REID/BILLY RYAN (HONDA CIVIC) [9]
IAN CHADWICK/STEPHEN QUINN (SUBARU IMPREZA) [6]
ANDREW FANNING/DEREK GIBBS (FORD PUMA) [3]
ANDREW PURCELL/KEITH MORIARTY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO6) [6]
KEVIN EVES/TBA (TOYOTA COROLLA) [3]
JOE DOWLING/CON MULCAHY (OPEL CORSA) [1]
SEAN W BENSKIN/JOE FITZGIBBON (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [4]
JOHN BYRNES/CATHAL QUILL (HONDA CIVIC) [3]
NIALL HENRY/JOHN ROWAN (SUBARU IMPREZA) [6]
DESI HENRY/TBA (CITROEN DS3R3) [5]
ED COLTON/CLAIRE O'MAHONY (PEUGEOT 306) [5]
MARTIN DONNELLY/BRIAN DOHERTY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 8) [8]
BRENDAN CUNNINGHAM/TBA (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [8]
ADRIAN HETHERINGTON/GARY NOLAN (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [5]
MIKE O'CONNOR/GERARD LYNCH (MITSUBISHI EVO 2) [6]
JAMES WILSON/TBA (PEUGEOT 106) [3]
MICHAEL CONLON/CIARAN MCPHILLIPS (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [5]
NIALL MORLEY/CORMAC LYONS (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [2]
MICHAEL CARBIN/STEPHEN THORNTON (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 4) [6B]
DEAN RAFTERY/AILEEN KELLY (HONDA CIVIC) [9]
BRIAN LAWLOR/PETER KAVANAGH (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [5]
MICHAEL O'SULLIAN /EOIN O'LEARY (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [4]
JAMES COLEMAN/KAYE SHANAHAN (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [5]
PHILLIP MORROW/JONNY HART (MITSUBISHI EVO 9) [8]
ANDREW MULHOLLAND/TBA (FORD FORD ESCORT MK2) [3]
OWEN MURPHY/JAMES O'BRIEN (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [8]
TIM HOLLAND/DJ HOLLAND (OPEL CORSA) [2]
JJ CARROLL/DIARMUID KEANE (VAUXHALL ASTRA) [5]
MATT BEHAN/THOMAS HASSETT (PEUGEOT 205) [2]
DAVID CARNEY/RAY FITZPATRICK (CITREON C2R2 MAX) [5]
CON O'RIORDAN/PADRAID DEASEY (PEUGEOT 306) [9]
STEPHEN MCCANN/TBA (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 7) [6]
TONY O'DRISCOLL/ANTHONY O'DRISCOLL (PEUGEOT 106) [1]
JON ARMSTRONG/MARTIN BRADY (FORD FIESTA R2) [3]
MARK MURPHY/AOIFE MURPHY (MITSUBISIHI LANCER EVO 8) [6]
VINCENT MCAREE/JP MCAREE (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [8]
SEAN ALAN/TREVOR PAYNE (HONDA CIVIC) [1]
PAT CONDON/MARK GORDON (PEUGEOT 205) [2]
EAMON DALY/TBA (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [8]
JOHN O CONNOR/JOHNNY CURRAN (HONDA CIVIC) [3]
CONOR MCCARTHY/JONATHAN O MAHONY (HONDA CIVIC) [9]
KEVIN O CONOR/GERARD CONWAY (CITREON C2R2 MAX) [9]
RICHARD DALTON/JOHN CARROLL (HONDA CIVIC) [2]
EMMET CRONIN/JOE O'BRIEN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [1]
KEVIN BARRETT /SEAN MULLALLY (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC S11) [7]
PAUL BARRETT/DAMIEN TUMILTY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 6) [6B]
Video: Sample of the Stages
Posted: January 24, 2013 10:21 PM
Competitor Notice:
Posted: January 23, 2013 12:22 PM
Reminder to all competitors intending on competing on round 1 of the Valvoline / Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship, The West Limerick Mini Stage Forest Rally.
Please send entries in ASAP as we are having scrutiny and documentation on the morning of the rally so there will be less time than usual.
Don’t forget to renew you licence and IRDS / BRDS in advance. Be award that delays may occur.
Entries Received (17 Jan)
Posted: January 19, 2013 5:10 PM
Pat O'Connell/Mark Wiley Evo 9 (Cashel)
Michael Ryan/James Lowry Honda Civic (Cashel)
Paul Fitzgerald/Pierce Doheny Escort Mk2 (Charleville)
Brian O'Donnell/TBA (Tubbercurry), class 1
Declan O Regan/TBA (Ennis) class3
Kyle Orr/TBA (Dromore Co.Down) Evo 8
Gearoid O' Regan/TBA (Banagher) Offaly class 1
Joseph Allen/TBA (Rockchapel) class 9
Edna McNulty & Paul Sheridan Impreza (Co.Tyrone)
Bobbie Benskin & Nicky Hegarty Escort Mk2
Danny Creedon & Tom Foley class 6 (Milstreet)
Ger & James Lucey Evo 8 (Ballyvourney)
Jer Connors TBA Subaru (Ballinamult Co.Waterford)
Jimmy Deane/Peter Murphy (Lombardstown) Escort class 3
Tommy O'Connell/Brian Duggan (Derry) Escort Mk2
Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott Starlet RWD (Five mile town)
Mick O'Brien/Greg Shinnors (London) Ford Focus WRC.
WEST LIMERICK MINI STAGE FOREST RALLY
Posted: January 19, 2013 5:09 PM
The woods of West Limerick are set to resonate to the revs of racing engines when the West Limerick Forest Rally takes place on Sunday February 10th.The rally is based in Kantoher Business Park, near New Castle West and it marks the opening round of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship. The event is being organised and promoted jointly by the Forestry Committee and Limerick Motor Club.
Experienced rallyist Barry Duggan is the clerk of the course and he has picked 2 classic stages that will run twice with a total stage distance of 40km. Duggan said "the stages are fast and smooth and they are in a forest complex that found favour when last used in 2007. I expect the cars and drivers will be tested to the limit. The whole ethos of the rally is value for money. The entry fee is E350 and the route with a total distance of 50km is very compact. It is an excellent rally for newcomers to the woods and I am glad there is a lot of interest from our forest regulars and some new faces".
Scrutiny, service and administration all take place in rally headquarters in Kantoher Business park. First car is away at 12 midday, returning at 1600.
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