Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14

Barry Motorsport Photo Competition

Posted: February 25, 2014 10:55 AM

Barry Motorsport are giving away a BMS Hoodie to the best photo of Daniel & Gordon, Car 7 on the Birr Rally.
You have to post the photos on the BMS facebook page, or email them to info@teamcoordin8.com before Saturday 1st of March, you cannot be a professional, and it can be of the car on stage or in service, or the team

www.facebook.com/barrymotorsport

In Car

Posted: February 25, 2014 10:42 AM

Donal O'Brien & Stephan Quinn (Ford Escort G3) SS2


David Forde & T J O'Brien (Subaru Impreza)

Report: Hunter Hunts for his win in Birr

Posted: February 25, 2014 10:36 AM

The Welsh crew of Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank in a Subaru Imprezza were the overall winners of the 2014 Abbeyleix Manor Hotel stages rally after a magnificent drive throughout the day. The pair battled hard with Wexford man James Strafford in the Darrion T90,and also the Subaru Imprezza of Paddy Mc Veigh.

Last Sunday seen the return of the Birr & District Motor Clubs annual tarmac stages rally to county Laois.This event was the first round of the ever so popular Top Part West Coast and Loughran Signs.com Midlands East rally championships.Clerk of the course Bill Ryan and his team had put months of hard work into the organising of the event and it all paid off on the day. Rally HQ and main event sponsors was the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel while Laois Tourism and Midland Service Station in Borris-in-ossorry were co sponsors for this eight stage event and we thank them all for their kind support.

It was a damp start to the morning with the rain leaving surface water and mucky conditions on the first loop of stages. The event kicked off at 9.30am with a total 94 cars starting the first stage, Shanahoe just outside the town of Abbeyleix.

Clonmels Roy White in his Rover MG S2000 was quickest through the first test with Welsh driver Hugh Hunter in the ex Donagh Kelly Subaru Imprezza 11 seconds off the lead followed closely by third fastest James Stafford.

After a short service the crews headed for stage two Molljoys Hill which started just outside Borris-in-ossorry. Unfortunately for Roy Whyte who had a great start by leading the first stage, it just wasn't meant to be after an excursion with a bale a couple of miles into stage two. This gave Hugh Hunter the lead after he set a fastest time on stage this stage. Some twelve seconds behind were Stafford, followed by Mc Veigh who was a further twenty one seconds in third.

Next up was the spectacular Glendine drive, the third stage of the day. This stage proved very popular with the competitors and spectators alike with them taking in the spectacular views of the area and the entertainment from the drivers, with the stage being described by some as a "mini Monte Carlo". Hugh Hunter was yet again quickest through this stage by 28 seconds to Stafford, while Mc Veigh was just point one of a second slower in third position. Daniel Barry was fourth and first group N with Ed Murphy in his class thirteen mk2 escort fifth after the first loop.

Stages four and five were completed again and Hunter increased his lead to a minute and nine seconds from Stafford who was driving steady all day in the tricky conditions, while Paddy Mc Veigh was a further 33 seconds a drift.

The rain cleared off after the final service of the day and the roads started to dry out as the crews were about to tackle stages 6,7 and 8 respectively. James Stafford started to pull back a bit of time on the dry stages as he took fifteen seconds out of Hunter on stage six, while Mc Veigh took eleven seconds,just four seconds slower than Stafford and was still in third position. Stage seven brought the crews back over the mountain again with Hunter 15 seconds quicker than Stafford on this test while Paddy Mc Veigh held onto third with Daniel Barry in the Mitsubishi Evo10 still leading group N in fourth and Ed Murphy still in fifth.

Stage 8 was going to be the major test of the day for the crews as this stage would be the reverse of stage one, the first stage earlier that morning. Stafford set another fastest time of the day ,17 seconds quicker than Hunter through stage eight but Hunter still held onto clinch the win by an incredible fifty seconds.

James Stafford and local co-driver Frank Dwyer finished second overall after a superb days driving. Paddy Mc Veigh/Gary Mc Elhinney finished third overall while Daniel Barry/Gordon Noble won group N finishing fourth overall. Drive of the day had to go to Ed Murphy who brought his class thirteen Ford Escort MK2 home to fifth overall position.

Club member and Borris-in-ossory migrant Frank Dwyer won the John Finnegan memorial trophy for the highest placed club navigator. The newly paired driver of Eoin Woods and co-driver of James Lowery were the highest placed club crew finishing sixteenth overall, closely followed by William Cavanagh and Olivia Coen who battled hard all day to over come the pair while finishing seventeenth overall.

The Historic category was won by Philip and Lynn Mc Kibbon in a Ford escort MK1 while Sean Brady and Pauric Murtagh in their Honda Civic dominated the Junior category all day by winning it by over three minutes.

If you missed any of today's action you can listen back to the brilliant end of stage interviews and results which were brought to you by rallytrader.ie. Just download the sound cloud app and search for rallytrader and listen back to the drivers throughout the day. Finally the club would like to thank all the marshal's who braved the conditions from early morning in assisting in the running of the event. One further group of people this event would not be possible without is the residents and landowners along the route. We thank them for their patience and co-operation, and also both Laois and Offaly county councils for their help .

Photos

Posted: February 25, 2014 10:29 AM

crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures
M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)

Results

Posted: February 25, 2014 10:07 AM

1 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC) 78m 07s,
2 James Stafford/Frank Dwyer (Darrian T90 GTR) 78m 58s,
3 Paddy McVeigh/Gary McElhinney (Subaru Impreza WRC) 79m 45s,
4 Daniel Barry/Gordon Noble (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 Gp N) 81m 05s,
5 Edward Murphy/John McCarthy (Ford Escort) 83m 03s,
6 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 83m 16s,
7 Mike Quinn/Donal Balfe (Ford Escort) 83m 48s,
8 Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 84m 10s,
9 Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort) 84m 12s,
10 Rodney White/Sean Hayde (Talbot Sunbeam) 84m 24s.

Juniors:
1 Sean Brady/Pauric Murtagh (Civic) 53m 36s,
2 Kenneth Quirke/Cian Dineen (Civic) 57m 02s,
3 Andrew Sheehan/Cian Corbett (Civic) 58m 19s.

Leaders After
SS1 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2000)
SS2-8 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2000)
SS2 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 James Stafford/Frank Dwyer (Darrian T90 GTR)
SS7 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 James Stafford/Frank Dwyer (Darrian T90 GTR)

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

Final Instructions

Posted: February 21, 2014 6:29 PM

Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14 - FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Programme Outlets

Posted: February 20, 2014 11:51 AM

• TOPAZ ABBEYLEIX (beside rally hq)
• ABBEYLEIX MANOR HOTEL (RALLY HQ)
• MIDLAND SERVICE STATION BORRIS-ON-OSSORY
  (This is where you will get a programme Sunday as its in the middle of all the stages)
• OLIVER STANLEYS TEXACO DURROW(Scrutiny Saturday)
• KEANES SERVICE STATION RATHDOWNEY (For those travelling from south)
• HAYSES SHOP BALLACOLLA
• MOUNTHRATH SERVICE STATION

Seeded Entry List

Posted: February 20, 2014 11:00 AM

Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST

Marshals Meeting Points

Posted: February 18, 2014 11:46 AM

SS1-Hayes shop/pub Ballacolla Co Laois a cross roads on the R434/R433 @7.15am. Leave the motorway at Junction 3 if travelling from the South.

SS2,4,6-Midland Service Station Borris-in-ossorry old N7 Dublin Limerick rd 8.00am

SS3,5,7-Breretons Pub Ballybritt Roscrea @8.30am approx 4 miles from Roscrea on the R421 Roscrea to Kinnitty.(Please note there will be no food or beverages on sale at this meeting point.

SS8-Hayses shop/pub Ballacolla a cross roads on the R434/R433@1.00pm.Leave the motorway at Junction 3 if travelling from the south.

Entries Received - 14/2/14

Posted: February 14, 2014 11:42 PM

Adam Faulkner Cavan Shauna Hill 16 Honda Civic
Alan Gibbons Roscommon David Gibbons 9 Honda Civic
Alan O'Riordan Cork TBA 20 Subaru Impreza
Alan Ring Kerry Adrian Deasy TBA TBA
Andrew McCormick Downpatrick Chris McSherry 13 Vauxhall Chevette
Andrew Sheehan Tipperary Cian Corbett 2 Honda Civic
Andrew Slattery Tipperay Shaun Forde 6 Peugeot 208 R2
Andy Hayes Wexford John Hayes 3 Honda Civic
Andy Johnson Down TBA 18 Chevette
Anthony Masterson Meath Tommy Clinton 10 Ford Escort RS
Barry Mahon Dublin Ultan McGowan 15 Mitsubishi Evo
Bobby Hennessy Wexford Sarah Jane Stamp 11 R Ford Escort
Brenda Furlong Wexford Richie Codd 10 Peugeot 205 GTI
Brendan O'Reilly Cavan Damien McCabe 9 Ford Escort
Brian Slattery Kerry Eoin Doyle 16 Ford Escort MkII
Colin Byrne Cork Brian Quinlan 6 Citroen C2R2 Max
Colin Roche Cork TBA 16 Toyota Starlet RWD
Conor Moore Wexford Lorraine Cleary 11 F Honda Civic
Damien Toner Armagh TBA 12 Talbot Sunbeam
Daniel Barry Wicklow Gordon Noble 4 Mitsubishi Evo 10
David Forde Tipperary T.J. O'Brien 15 Subaru Impreza
Derek Walker Wexford Shane Walker 11 R Toyota Corolla
Dermot O'Riordan Cork Jill White 11 F Honda Civic
Donal O'Brien Cork Stephen Quiin 13 Ford Escort G3
Eamonn Barrett Limerick Ken Kenneally 9 Ford Escort MkII
Edward Kelly Kilkenny Pat Lowbridge 6 Peugeot 106 GTI
Eoin Woods Tipperary James Lowry 13 Ford Escort MKII
Fergus O'Meara Kerry Mikie Galvin 14 Ford Escort MKII
Gavin Kelly Doengal Eamonn Gillespie 3 Honda Civic
Hugh Hunter Wales Andy Marchbank 8 Subaru WRC
J.J. Wall Laois Willie Fitzpatrick 11 F Citreon C1
Jack Shealy Tipperary Billy Shealy 16 Toyota Corolla
Jacko Newman Meath JP McAree 13 Ford Escort
James Bradley Wexford Maria Kehoe 16 Ford Escort MkII
James Cassidy Meath Declan Smith 12 Ford Escort MkII
James Hall Cork Anthony Roche 9 Honda Civic
Jarlath Conneely Galway Michael Hynes 11 F Honda Civic
Jason O'Brien Cork Eamon Creeden 6 Peugeot 206
Jason Roche Wicklow Damien Fleming 13 Ford Escort MKII
Jim McKenna Monaghan Thomas Treanor 14 Ford Escort MKII
John Lynch Laois Luke McRedmond 12 Ford Escort MKII
John Pettit Wexford Billy Collins 2 Honda Civic
JT Warnock Down Sharon Darroch 12 Ford Escort MkII
Karl Simmons Wales Guy Simmons 8 Subaru Impreza WRC
Kenneth Ryan Limerick Keith McCarthy 9 Ford Escort MkII
Kevin Cleere Monaghan Michael Donnellan 11 R Toyota Corolla
Liam O'Neill Wexford Declan O'Neill 12 Ford Escort MkII
Mark Hayden Wexford Paul Furlong 11 R Ford Escort MkII
Mark Hurley Cork Shane Keneally 16 Honda Civic
Michael Curran Meath Sean Hayde 14 Ford Escort MkII
Michael Fitzgibbon Clare Pa Horan 11 F Honda Civic
Mike Costello Kerry Paddy Costello 11 R Ford Escort MkII
Mike Quinn Kerry Donal Balfe 14 Ford Escort MkII
Neil Tohill Dublin Gerard Tohill 4 Mitsubishi Evo
Niall Keane Galway Conor Keane 18 Hillman Avenger
Oliver Stanley Laois Ambrose Dunne 13 Ford Focus
Paddy McVeigh Tyrone Gary McElhinney 8 Subaru Impreza WRC
Pádraig Deasy Cork Edel McCarthy 16 Honda Civic
Pat O'Connor Laois Padraig Gorman 15 Toyota Celica GT4
Pat Shortall Laois Clifford Perse 10 Ford Escort MKII
Paul Browne Cork Margaret Browne 11 Honda Civic
Paul Considine Cork Kevin McDonnell 16 Honda Civic
Paul Curley Galway Jason Ollerenshaw 20 Subaru Impreza
Paul Doyle Carlow Robert Nolan 12 Ford Escort MkII
Paul Fitzgerald Cork Pierce Doheny Jnr. 11 R Ford Escort MkII
Paul Meredith Laois Eoin Galvin 11 R Talbot Sunbeam
Paul O'Connell Cork Jenna Browne 11 F Honda Civic
Philip McDonald Carlow Seamus Curran 2 Honda Civic
Philip McKibbin Louth Lynn McKibbin 18 Ford Escort MkI
PJ O'Dowd Kerry John Young 17 Talbot Sunbeam
Richie Dalton Kilkenny John Rafter 2 Honda Civic
Roy White Tipperary James O'Brien 20 MG ZR 52400
Sean Moran Limerick Mark O'Sullivan 13 Toyota Corolla
Shane Maguire Monaghan Martin McGarrity 4 Mitsubishi Evo 9
Stephen Healy Longford Enda Fallon 11 R Toyota Corolla
Steve Wood Wales Keith Moriarty 8 Subaru Impreza WRC
Thomas Scott Laois TBA 6 Citreon Saxo
Tommy Doyle Longford Liam Moynihan 13 Renault Clio R3
Tony Canny Kilkenny Joe O'Brien 13 Ford Escort MkII
Vincent O'Shea Kerry Brian Hickey 14 Ford Escort
Wayne Keogh Kildare Garrett Mullally 10 Skoda Felicia
William Cavanagh Tipperary Olivia Coen 12 Ford Escort MkII
William Tutty Wexford Thomas Tutty 10 Peugeot 205 GTI

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: February 14, 2014 10:48 PM

Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14 - TIME AND DISTANCE SCHEDULE

Rally Sponsors

Posted: January 29, 2014 8:25 AM

Midland Service Station Borris on Ossory & Laois Tourism have come on board as co sponsors for thr 2014 Birr MC Stages Rally

Regulations / Entry Form

Posted: January 17, 2014 8:21 AM

Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14 - REGULATIONS
Birr Stages Rally - 23 Feb 14 - ENTRY FORM

Preliminary Details

Posted: January 9, 2014 12:05 PM

HQ and Parc Ferme will be the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, and scrutiny and trailer park will be at Oliver Stanleys service station on the Cork rd Durrow same place as last year.
Service area will be Campions yard outside Borris-on-ossory also same venue as last year.

This years format will be an 8 stage event with stage 1 starting just outside Abbeyleix and finishing near Borris-on-ossory. This stage will then be reversed in the evening time and ran as the last stage 8 which will be on route back to the HQ.
This format is keeping road section mileage to a minimum while competitors get value for money with more competitive stage miles.

Also this year the famous Glendine drive, an old circuit of Ireland stage is being used and has not been used in a good few years.

Regulations for this event will be available shortly.

Club Website

Posted: January 9, 2014 11:56 AM

Birr Motor Club