Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix) - 22 Feb 15

KELLY WINS ABBEYLEIX MANOR HOTEL RALLY JENNINGS WINS POWER STAGE AND LEADS SERIES

Posted: June 1, 2015 6:41 AM

Donegal's Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan won an exciting Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Rally, the opening round of the new Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
In wet and very difficult conditions they finished 38.7 seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy with Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC) a further 25.4 seconds behind in third.
Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi) won Group N and the Triton Showers 'Drive of the Day' was won by Cavan's Chris Armstrong/James Fulton (Ford Escort), they also won Class 13.

On the opening stage, Tullacommon near Borris in Ossory, Kelly set the best time and led Boyle by 13.9 seconds with Darren Gass (Subaru WRC) 1.4 seconds further behind in third and 0.5 of a second ahead of the Subaru of Niall Maguire. Kevin Kelleher and Steve Wood completed the top six. Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) and Mark Kane/Eugene Donnelly (Escort) both crashed out on the opening stage.
Boyle topped the time sheets through the second stage but Kelly arrived at the service park with a lead of 5.9 seconds and remarked on the copious amounts of standing water on the second stage. Boyle was content enough in second and wasn't prepared to take any undue risks. A delighted Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) occupied third - 4.8 seconds further behind.
Alan Ring, who had a moment on the opening stage when his Subaru snapped, moved up to fourth place with Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC) untroubled and 1.4 seconds behind.

Sixth placed Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) lost time when the windscreen misted over. Elsewhere, Darren Gass (Subaru WRC) spun on the opening stage and had no wipers for the third stage, he was seventh with Garry Jennings one of many to suffer with a misted windscreen, down in eighth spot. The top ten was completed by the Mk. 2 Escorts of Chris Armstrong and Craig Breen.

Roy White was down in 25th position after he too struggled with a lack of vision through the misted screen of his MG ZR that completed the third stage with gearbox woes, unfortunately, he retired at the service park when it was discovered that a tooth in the crown wheel was broken.
Donegal's Declan Gallagher (Toyota GT86) had a brief tenure ? the car ground to a halt on the second stage.

Out on the repeat loop Boyle held the edge over Kelly. Closing to within a fraction of a second of his rival after the fourth stage Boyle then moved into the lead on Stage 5 and by S.S. 6, he was the 12.3 seconds in front. Boyle reckoned that the final stage of the loop was quite tricky as Kelly remarked that he was taking no chances.
Gass showed a fine turn of speed to move into third - his McKinstry prepared S14 Subaru WRC had more grip than the S11 Subaru of Niall Maguire, who was 32 seconds further behind after a fine drive through the opening loop.

Having raised the suspension of his S12B Subaru WRC Garry Jennings improved his performance and slotted into fifth some ten seconds behind Maguire. Alan Ring completed the second loop in sixth position but retired with transmission woes. On S.S. 5 he had a major moment when his Subaru WRC got out of line.

Kevin Kelleher was next on the leaderboard, the windscreen visor of his Subaru WRC came adrift and was entangled in the wiper mechanism, luckily, it blew away in the wind a few seconds later. Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) held eighth from the Mk. 2 Escorts of Craig Breen and Chris Armstrong, who completed the top ten.

A dramatic final loop brought many changes to the top ten. On S.S. 7, Boyle punctured and dropped to 25th. overall before eventually finishing 14th. Darren Gass retired his Subaru with a broken half shaft and Craig Breen's fine drive ended on the same stage - also with a broken half shaft.
Meanwhile, Kelly went on to claim victory and Jennings, who won the first ever Power Stage in Irish rallying took second - the three points gained for the Power Stage (where Boyle and Maguire were second and third respectively) - was enough to put him into the lead of the Triton Showers series - a point ahead of Kelly.

Kelleher was fourth and Kevin Barrett Subaru WRC) made up ground to secure sixth overall.
The top ten was completed by Chris Armstrong (Escort), Aidan Wray (Mitsubishi), Brendan Cumiskey (Subaru) and Brian Brogan (Escort). Wray's victory in Group N was only confirmed late in the evening.

Elsewhere, John Stone (Skoda Fabia), who stopped to change a punctured wheel on the first stage clawed his way back from 131st to 18th. Peadar Hurson (Subaru WRC) was the only non-starter amongst the top twenty.

The Cork crew of Vincent McSweney/Michael Kearney (Honda Civic) won the Junior category and Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Talbot Sunbeam) took the laurels in the Historic section.

Photos:

Posted: June 1, 2015 6:37 AM

crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures
Peespeed Photography
James Burke Motorsport Photography

Results

Posted: June 1, 2015 6:17 AM

1 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) 60m 13s
2 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 60m 51s
3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 40s
4 Kevin Kelleher/Ray Fitzpatrick (Subaru Impreza WRC) 62m 10s
5 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 63m 34s
6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 64m 13s
7 Chris Armstrong/James Fulton (Ford Escort MkII) 64m 30s
8 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 65m 01s
9 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Subaru Impreza WRX Gp N) 65m 12s
10 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Ford Escort MkII) 65m 15s

Motorsport Safety Team Group N award:
Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath.

rally.ie Two wheel drive award:
Chris Armstrong/James Fulton.

Historics:
1 Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Sunbeam) 51m 44s.

Juniors:
1 Vincent McSweeney/Michael Kearney (Civic) 39m 08s,
2 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Civic) 39m 34s,
3 Daren O'Brien/John McCabe (Civic) 39m 46s.

Leaders After:
SS1-4 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5-6 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7-9 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC)

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

TRITON SHOWERS FORECAST FOR ABBEYLEIX MANOR HOTEL RALLY

Posted: February 20, 2015 10:49 AM

A new season and a new sponsor of the National Rally Championship unfold with the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Rally on Sunday next with a capacity entry – the envy of every other organising club in the country - bubbling with quality. It’s the first of the eight round Triton Showers series with defending national champion Donegal’s Declan Boyle heading the superb entry in his S12B Subaru WRC.

Boyle made a strong start to last season’s championship with wins in the opening two rounds, however, he missed round three and then failed to score points again until round six in Galway where he took maximum points once more. He completed the season with two more victories to finish on 100 points - a tally that proved to be enough albeit by a mere point.

He is set to begin the defence of the Vard Memorial Trophy on Sunday’s nine-stage event, indeed, Boyle is aiming to become the first ever driver to win the three national titles in a row.

In event terms and given the high quality of the entry he will face a tough encounter in Abbeyleix.
His fellow countyman Donagh Kelly in a Ford Focus WRC has shown an impressive turn of speed in the last twelve months and will be ready for the challenge. So too will Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings (S12B Subaru WRC) and Armagh’s Darren Gass also in a Subaru WRC, both drivers are former Tarmac champions and their presence in Abbeyleix is a huge boost for both the Birr Motor Club and the organisers of the Triton Showers series.

Gass has intimated that he will contest the opening half of the Triton Showers campaign and then review the situation. There’s no doubt that he will be a serious contender for success.

Clonmel’s Roy White is the only non-WRC car in the top ten, he has finished in the top three of the national series for the past two seasons. Last year he came agonisingly close to winning the championship and only lost out to Declan Boyle by a mere one point. Despite much speculation, he will continue to use his 2.4 litre engined MG ZR.

Former National champion Peadar Hurson is also on the star-studded list, the Warrenpoint driver who won the title in an Opel Ascona 400 will compete in a Subaru WRC.

Maynooth’s Kevin Barrett and managing director of Triton Showers occupies the number seven berth in his S14 Subaru WRC and will be hoping that his championship trail begins well in Abbeyleix. He had the perfect shakedown in Kirkistown last weekend and finished third in the Eurocables Rally.

The top ten is completed by overseas pair John Stone (Skoda Fabia WRC) and Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) and former triple National champion, Monaghan’s Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC). Stone continues the overseas trend within the national series; Wood was one of four drivers that led last year’s campaign and Maguire will try and secure that long awaited fourth national title.

Elsewhere, the entry features Kerry’s Alan Ring and Cork’s Kevin Kelleher in Subaru WRC’s – both drivers are intent on a full Triton Showers campaign.

Donegal’s Declan Gallagher will debut the new Toyota GT86 R3 car in Abbeyleix and that is likely to be the focus of much attention. A former winner of the two-wheel rally.ie category within the national series it will be interesting to see how he performs over the nine stages.

European Rally Championship front-runner Craig Breen will compete in a Mk. 2 Ford Escort where opposition in the Modified category is also hugely impressive. Regulars such as Frank Kelly, Mike Quinn, Jonathan Pringle, Chris Armstrong, Gary Kiernan, Pat Donegan, David Condell, Brian Brogan, Sam Smyth, Benny Kennedy, Jack Newman, all in Ford Escorts and George Condell (Toyota Starlet) ensure plenty of competition.

Defending National Group N champion, Monaghan’s Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) faces strong opposition from the Mitsubishi quintet of Brendan Cumiskey, Pat Kirk, Trevor Bustard, Paul Barrett and David Guest. Maynooth’s Paul Barrett will campaign his new N14 Subaru. Cahir’s Don Keating (Subaru) begins his national campaign in Abbeyleix.

Elsewhere, former national champion Eugene Donnelly will co-drive for Borris in Ossory’s Mark Kane (Ford Escort) and another national champion Ed Colton is also on the start list, he will drive a Mitsubishi Evo VI.

Local interest is provided by Portlaoise brothers John Lynch (Ford Escort) and Thomas Lynch (Honda Civic) who are seeded at 33 and 59 respectively and Durrow’s Ollie Stanley (Ford Focus) is also on the capacity entry list.

As expected, several members of the Birr Motor Club are also competing -Cloughjordan’s Willie Cavanagh (Ford Escort) and Nenagh duo Andrew Slattery (Peugeot 208) and David Forde (Subaru) will all be aiming to impress. Club secretary Robert Nolan will co-drive for Waterford’s Mark Geraghty in a Vauxhall Nova.

Meanwhile, defending champions Galway’s Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Citroen C2 R2 Max) are the top seeded entry in the Junior category that has attracted over twenty entries. Opposition includes the Honda Civic’s of Richard Moore, Sean Brady and Philip McDonald.

Aside from its national status, the rally is also a counting round of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship and the Loughran Signs Midlands East Rally Championship.

The rally will be based at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, scrutiny takes place on Saturday afternoon at Oliver Stanley’s Service Station, Cork Road, Durrow.

SCRUTINY TIMES

Posted: February 20, 2015 10:46 AM

Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix) - 22 Feb 15 - SCRUTINY TIMES

Marshals Meeting Points

Posted: February 20, 2015 8:32 AM

SS1 Midland Tyre Services, Borris in Ossory @7.30am. Stage Commander: David Percy
SS2 Mulrooneys Service Station, Dublin Road, Roscrea @7.45am. Stage Commander: Cyril Rollins
SS3 Midland Tyre Services, Borris in Ossory @8.45am. Stage Commander: Eamon Kirwan

Chief Marshall 086 8179297 / +353 86 8179297

Final Instructions 1

Posted: February 20, 2015 8:27 AM

Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix) - 22 Feb 15 - FINAL INSTRUCTIONS 1

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: February 13, 2015 9:37 AM

No Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
2 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
3 Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
4 Darren Gass/James McCarville (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
5 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2400) [20]
6 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
7 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
8 John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) [7]
9 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
10 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [7]
11 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
12 Kevin Kelleher/Ray Fitzpatrick (Subaru Impreza WRC S9) [7]
14 Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Toyota Sarlet) [13]
15 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
16 Craig Breen/TBA (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
17 Mike Quinn/Donal Balfe (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
18 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
19 Chris Armstrong/James Fulton (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
20 Gary Kiernan/Niall Tierney (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
21 Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
22 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Subaru Impreza STI R4) [4]
23 Pat Kirk/John McElhinney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
24 Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
25 Simon Chapman/Arthur Kierans (Proton Satria) [20]
26 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
27 David Condell/Eugene McGrath (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
28 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
29 Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
30 Benny Kennedy/John Kinahan (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
31 Jack Newman/Andrew Browne (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
32 George Condell/Michael Coady (Toyota Starlet) [13]
33 John Lynch/TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
34 Jason McSweeney/Denis O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
35 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza N14) [4]
36 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
37 Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
38 Trevor Mulligan/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
39 David Guest/Paddy Robbinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
40 Tommy Doyle/Eamon Hayes (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
41 Mark Kane/Eugene Donnelly (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
42 Graham Scallan/Tom Scallan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4) [5]
43 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
44 Don Keating/Sean Duggan (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
45 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
46 Enda O'Brien/John Butler (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
47 Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
48 Martin Donnelly/Brian Doherty (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
49 Eddie Power/Mark Wiley (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
50 Paul Manton/Paddy McCrudden (Subaru Impreza N12B) [20]
51 Maurice Greaney/Keith McHugh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
52 Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Fiesta) [20]
53 Mark Dolphin/Finbarr Quirke (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
54 Donal O'Brien/Stephen Quinn (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
55 Paraic Cummins/Graham Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [14]
56 Lloyd Hutchinson/Willie Fitzpatrick (Austin Cooper S) [9]
57 Mark Geraghty/Robert Nolan (Vauxhall Nova) [11 F]
58 Tommy Kelly/Barry Foyle (Honda Civic) [11 F]
59 Thomas Lynch/Mark Kirwan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
60 Niall O'Sullivan/Sean O'Crowley (Citroen C2) [11 F]
61 Ger Cullen/Fergal Kelly (Ford Escort G4) [13]
62 Christopher Snow/Sean Brunton (Honda Civic) [11 F]
63 Adrian Cannon/Pauric Heeney (Honda Civic) [11 F]
64 Paul Browne/Margaret Browne (Honda Civic) [11 F]
65 Jeff Case/Charles Gallagher (Honda Civic) [11 F]
66 Larry Brady/Benny Dowling (Ford Escort) [14]
67 William Cavanagh/Olivia Coen (Ford Escort) [12]
68 James Cassidy/Declan Smith (Ford Escort) [12]
69 Vincent Collins/Karen Kelly (Ford Escort) [12]
70 Richard Tannahill/Aileen Kelly (Peugeot 208 R2) [2]
71 Andrew Slattery/Shaun Forde (Peugeot 208 R2) [2]
72 Paul McCann/Tómas McCann (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
73 Enda McCormack/Colin Fitzgerald (Skoda Fabia S2000) [5]
74 Pauric Sheridan/Alan Kieran (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [20]
75 Sean O'Carroll/TBA (Ford Escort) [14]
76 Shane Buckley/John Lynch (Honda Civic) [13]
77 Tadhg O'Sullivan/Owen O'Leary (Ford Escort) [13]
78 Paul Rowley/Patrick Brides (Renault Clio R3) [13]
79 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Ford Escort G3) [11 R]
80 Declan McBrearty/Trevor Graham (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
81 Marty Toner/Sharon Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [12]
82 David Forde/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [15]
83 Pat Price/Patrick Price (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
84 Kenneth Ryan/Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort) [11 R]
85 Shane O'Rourke/Alan McGovern (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
86 Ed Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
87 John McCabe/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort) [11 R]
88 Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic) [1]
89 Conor Magennis/Billy Collins (BMW M3) [14]
90 Colum Browne/Lawrence McGrath (Honda Civic EK4) [1]
91 Jason Tuthill/Ben Teggart (Ford Escort) [11 R]
92 Declan Byrne/Garry Deegan (Honda Civic) [1]
93 Anthony Masterson/Wayne Reilly (Ford Escort) [9]
94 Eoin Neville/Mark Doran (Honda Civic) [1]
95 Jamie O'Flaherty/TBA (Honda Civic) [11 F]
96 Kevin Flanagan/Emily Hassett (Austin Cooper S) [9]
97 Paul Doyle/Robert (Bob) Nolan (Ford Escort ) [12]
98 Ger O'Brien/Tommy O'Sullivan (Ford Escort) [13]
99 Fergal Keane/Mark O'Looney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [20]
100 Brendan Stone/John Kieran (Honda Civic) [11 F]
101 Alan O'Riordan/James Jordan (Subaru Impreza) [15]
102 Francis Kelly/Michael Fitzgibbon (Ford Fiesta) [2]
103 Tony Canny/Joe O'Brien (Ford Escort) [13]
104 Kevin Dalton/Neill White (Subaru Impreza) [15]
105 Patrick Delaney/Stephen Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
106 Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
107 Kenneth Treacy/Pat Knox (Peugeot 206) [9]
108 Ciaran Fitzgerald/Paul Cummins (Opel Corsa) [9]
109 Eddie Peterson/Dara Maguire (Honda Civic EK4) [11 F]
110 Simon Greene/Brendan Greene (Ford Escort) [10]
111 Sam Johnston/Nigel McCloughry (Honda Civic) [11 F]
112 Ger Kelly/Des Curtis (Peugeot 205) [10]
113 Martin Gallagher/Dean O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
114 John Browne/Seán Ó' Coilleán (Honda Civic) [11 F]
115 Michael Forde/Jim Cunningham (Talbot Sunbeam) [11 R]
116 Mark Hayden/David Hobbs (Ford Escort) [11 R]
117 Liam O'Neill/Declan O'Neill (Ford Escort) [12]
118 Donal McGrath/Liam Griffin (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
119 Kyle McGettigan/Dale McGettigan (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
120 Ned Kelly/Paul Kelly (Peugeot 106) [2]
121 Paddy Quinn/Fintan Lennon (Ford Escort MK1) [10]
122 Shane Forde/Seamus McTigue (Honda Civic) [1]
123 Martin Dunbar/Thomas Tutty (Ford Escort MK1) [10]
124 Pat O'Connor/Kieran Reid (Toyota Celica GT4) [15]
125 Kev Price/Jane Price (Honda Civic Type R) [2]
126 Stephen Healy/Enda Fallon (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
127 Martin Geraghty/Diarmuid Priest (Honda Civic EK4) [1]
128 Graham Bradley/Gary Bradley (Honda Civic ) [2]
129 Tonya Fortune/Damian Lawlor (Honda Civic Type R) [2]
130 Alison Levis/Sinead O'Donovan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
131 J.J. Furlong/Paul Furlong (Talbot Sunbeam) [11 R]
132 Jason O'Brien/Cathal Murphy (Peugeot 206) [2]
133 Albert Dalton/Brian Stanley (Peugeot 306) [3]
134 John Steele/Markus Buckley (Ford Fiesta ST) [2]
135 Brian Cooney/Warren Tighe (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
136 Wayne Keogh/Garrett Mullally (Skoda Felicia) [10]
137 Pat McDonagh/Marie McDonagh (Ford Cortina Mk 2) [10]
138 Joe Moffitt/Eddie Moffitt (Honda Civic) [1]
139 John Fogarty/John Breen (Peugeot 205) [10]
140 Richard Dalton/Ger Brett (Honda Civic ) [1]
141 David Healy/Stephen McGing (Honda Civic) [1]
142 Dermot Hassett/Niamh Power (Chevrolet Kalos) [9]

Reserve List:
143 John Walsh/Philip Walsh (Honda Civic) [1]
144 Damien Toner/Damien Fleming (Ford Escort) [14]
145 Tom Scott/Kate Scott (Citroen Saxo) [11 F]
146 Neil Phelan/Joe Hearns (Ford Escort) [9]
147 Liam Howlett/John McGrath (Ford Escort) [13]
148 Pauric McGee/Shane Barry (Honda Civic) [1]
149 Declan Ford/Chris King (Ford Escort) [10]
150 Jason O'Mahony/Jonathan O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [11 F]
151 Brendan Furlong/Majella Wickham (Peugeot 205) [10]
152 David Keane/Owen Gibbons (Peugeot 205) [10]
153 Pauric Keeney/Alan Moore (Honda Civic) [1]
154 Steven O'Donovan/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [20]
155 Donal O'Connor/TBA (Ford Escort) [18]
156 Tom Relihan/Maurice McElligot (Ford Escort) [13]
157 Thomas Walton/Billy Shealy (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [15]
158 Stephen Brennan/Sean Rooney (Honda Civic) [11F]

Juniors
1 Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Citroen C2 R2 Max) [16]
2 Richard Moore/Brian Halligan (Honda Civic) [16]
3 Sean Brady/Pauric Murtagh (Honda Civic) [16]
4 Philip McDonald/Seamus Curran (Honda Civic) [16]
5 Brian Brady/Leonard Tuite (Honda Integra) [16]
6 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [16]
7 Colin Roche/Alan Lane (Toyota Starlet) [16]
8 Leon Galvin/Ger Foley (Ford Escort) [16]
9 Richie O'Mahony/Nicole Drought (Ford Escort) [16]
10 Andrew Sheehan/Cian Corbett (Honda Civic EG6) [16]
11 Gary McNamee/Breen McNamee (Honda Civic) [16]
12 Sean McGrath/Darren Walsh (Honda Civic) [16]
14 Tom Holton/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
15 Pauric Deasy/Edel McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
16 Aaron O'Brien/Gavin Sheehan (Honda Civic) [16]
17 David Carmody/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
18 Jenna McCann/James McCann (Peugeot 106) [16]
19 Shane Norris/Charlie Boland (Honda Civic) [16]
20 Darren O'Regan/John McCabe (Honda Civic) [16]
21 Cathal Keane/Cathal Kelly (Honda Civic) [16]

Entries Received (6/2/15)

Posted: February 7, 2015 8:14 PM

Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
Joe Moffitt/Eddie Moffitt (Honda Civic) [1]
Martin Geraghty/Diarmuid Priest (Honda Civic EK4) [1]
Richard Dalton/Ger Brett (Honda Civic ) [1]
Richard Tannahill/Aileen Kelly (Peugeot 208) [2]
Francis Kelly/TBA (Ford Fiesta) [2]
John Steele/Markus Buckley (Ford Fiesta ST) [2]
Graham Bradley/Gary Bradley (Honda Civic ) [2]
Declan Byrne/Garry Deegan (Honda Civic) [2]
David Healy/Stephen McGing (Honda Civic) [2]
Shane Forde/Seamus McTigue (Honda Civic) [2]
Eoin Neville/Mark Doran (Honda Civic) [2]
Kev Price/Jane Price (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
Tonya Fortune/Damian Lawlor (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Maurice Greaney/Keith McHugh (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza N14) [4]
Don Keating/Sean Duggan (Subaru Impreza) [4]
Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
David Guest/TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Subaru Impreza S11) [4]
Shane O'Rourke/Alan McGovern (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Graham Scallan/Tom Scallan (Mitsubishi Evo E10 R4) [5]
Enda McCormack/Colin Fitzgerald (Skoda S2000) [5]
Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza S14) [7]
Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza S11) [7]
Darren Gass/James McCarville (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) [7]
Kevin Kelleher/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza S12B) [7]
Albert Dalton/Brian Stanley (Peugeot 306) [7]
Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
Ciaran Fitzgerald/Paul Cummins (Opel Corsa) [9]
Lloyd Hutchinson/Willie Fitzpatrick (Austin Cooper S) [9]
Anthony Masterson/Wayne Reilly (Ford Escort) [9]
Dermot Hassett/Niamh Power (Chevrolet Kalos) [9]
Kevin Flanagan/Emily Hassett (Austin Cooper S) [9]
Kenneth Treacy/Pat Knox (Peugeot 206) [9]
Anthony Keating/Kevin Enright (Ford Escort G4) [9]
Wayne Keogh/Garrett Mullally (Skoda Felicia) [10]
Simon Greene/Brendan Greene (Ford Escort) [10]
Brian Cooney/Warren Tighe (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
Martin Dunbar/Thomas Tutty (Ford Escort MK1) [10]
Paddy Quinn/Fintan Lennon (Ford Escort MK1) [10]
Patrick Delaney/Stephen Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
John Fogarty/John Breen (Peugeot 205) [10]
Eddie Peterson/Dara Maguire (Honda Civic EK4) [11 F]
John Browne/Seán Ó' Coilleán (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Jeff Case/Charles Gallagher (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Paul Browne/Margaret Browne (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Jamie O'Flaherty/TBA (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Mark Geraghty/TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [11 F]
Sam Johnston/Nigel McCloughry (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Alison Levis/Sinead O'Donovan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Martin Gallagher/Dean O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Brendan Stone/John Kieran (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Thomas Lynch/Mark Kirwan (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Niall O'Sullivan/Sean O'Crowley (Citroen C2) [11 F]
Adrian Cannon/Pauric Heeney (Honda Civic) [11 F]
Mark Hayden/David Hobbs (Ford Escort) [11 R]
Declan McBrearty/Trevor Graham (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
Kenneth Ryan/Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort) [11 R]
John McCabe/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort) [11 R]
Michael Forde/Jim Cunningham (Talbot Sunbeam) [11 R]
J.J. Furlong/Paul Furlong (Talbot Sunbeam) [11 R]
Donal McGrath/Liam Griffin (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
Kyle McGettigan/Dale McGettigan (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
Stephen Healy/Enda Fallon (Toyota Corolla) [11 R]
Jason Tuthill/Ben Teggart (Ford Escort) [11 R]
Marty Toner/Sharon Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [12]
Paul Doyle/Robert (Bob) Nolan (Ford Escort ) [12]
Vincent Collins/Karen Kelly (Ford Escort) [12]
James Cassidy/Declan Smith (Ford Escort) [12]
William Cavanagh/Olivia Coen (Ford Escort) [12]
Liam O'Neill/Declan O'Neill (Ford Escort) [12]
Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Ford Escort) [13]
Ger O'Brien/Tommy O'Sullivan (Ford Escort) [13]
Chris Armstrong/James Fulton (Ford Escort) [13]
Benny Kennedy/John Kinahan (Ford Escort) [13]
Tony Canny/Joe O'Brien (Ford Escort) [13]
Jack Newman/Andrew Browne (Ford Escort) [13]
George Condell/Michael Coady (Toyota Starlet) [13]
Gary Kiernan/Niall Tierney (Ford Escort) [13]
Paul Rowley/Patrick Brides (Renault Clio R3) [13]
Shane Buckley/John Lynch (Honda Civic) [13]
John Lynch/TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
Sam Smyth/Alan Smyth (Ford Escort) [13]
Ger Cullen/Fergal Kelly (Ford Escort G4) [13]
Tadhg O'Sullivan/Owen O'Leary (Ford Escort) [13]
Mark Kane/Eugene Donnelly (Ford Escort) [13]
Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort) [14]
Donal O'Brien/Stephen Quinn (Ford Escort) [14]
Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort) [14]
Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort) [14]
Paraic Cummins/Graham Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [14]
Trevor Mulligan/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort) [14]
Enda O'Brien/John Butler (Ford Escort) [14]
Conor Magennis/Billy Collins (BMW M3) [14]
Tommy Doyle/Eamon Hayes (Ford Escort) [14]
David Condell/Eugene McGrath (Ford Escort) [14]
Mike Quinn/Donal Balfe (Ford Escort) [14]
Larry Brady/Benny Dowling (Ford Escort) [14]
Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort) [14]
Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) [14]
Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort) [14]
Mark Dolphin/Finbarr Quirke (Ford Escort) [14]
Paul McCann/Tómas McCann (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
Kevin Dalton/Neill White (Subaru Impreza) [15]
Alan O'Riordan/James Jordan (Subaru Impreza) [15]
Pat O'Connor/Kieran Reid (Toyota Celica GT4) [15]
Martin Donnelly/Brian Doherty (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
Eddie Power/Mark Wiley (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
David Forde/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [15]
James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [16]
Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Citroen C2 R2 Max) [16]
Jenna McCann/James McCann (Peugeot 106) [16]
Tom Holton/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
Andrew Sheehan/Cian Corbett (Honda Civic EG6) [16]
Sean Brady/Pauric Murtagh (Honda Civic) [16]
Brian Brady/Leonard Tuite (Honda Integra) [16]
Richie O'Mahony/Nicole Drought (Ford Escort) [16]
Philip McDonald/Seamus Curran (Honda Civic) [16]
Gary McNamee/Breen McNamee (Honda Civic) [16]
Cathal Keane/Cathal Kelly (Honda Civic) [16]
Colin Roche/Alan Lane (Toyota Starlet) [16]
Aaron O'Regan/Gavin Sheehan (Honda Civic) [16]
Shane Norris/Charlie Boland (Honda Civic) [16]
Darren O'Regan/John McCabe (Honda Civic) [16]
Sean McGrath/Darren Walsh (Honda Civic) [16]
Richard Moore/Brian Halligan (Honda Civic) [16]
David Carmody/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Talbot Sunbeam) [18]
Paul Manton/Paddy McCrudden (Subaru Impreza N12B) [20]
Pat Price/Patrick Price (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [20]
Jason McSweeney/Denis O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [20]
Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2400) [20]
Pauric Sheridan/Alan Kieran (Ford Escort Cosworth) [20]
Ed Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [20]
Simon Chapman/Arthur Kierans (Proton Satria) [20]

Rally Launched

Posted: February 4, 2015 7:47 PM

Photo: Pat Farell

The launch of the 2015 Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Stage rally took place last Wednesday night the 4th of February. The launch took place at the Hotel in Abbeyleix where a crowd of about 50 people had gathered. There was a small display of rally cars on show outside the hotel and photographs were taken with sponsors, and the three different rally championship representatives and the organising committee.

Once again this year Clerk of the course Bill Ryan and his team from the Birr & District Motor Club are the event organisers. This will be the clubs fifth consecutive year in a row running their biggest event of the year out of Abbeyleix. The club would like to extend a special thank you to the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel who are the main event sponsors, along with co sponsors Laois Tourism and Midland Service Station Borris in ossorry, and also to all sponsors and programme advertiser as this event would not be possible without all your generosity and contribution. Events like this cannot be run without the help and support of so many people especially the residents, landowners and the local people along the rally route and we thank them for their patience and cooperation each year.

The rally takes place on Sunday 22nd of February which is two weeks way now. It will be the opening round of the Triton Showers National rally championship and also the Top Part West Coast and Loughran Signs Midlands East rally championships. One hundred and forty entries have so far been received and the closing date for entries is this coming Wednesday the 11th of February.

Some of the leading entries include Darren Gass (Subaru Imprezza WRC), John Stone (Fabia WRC), Alan Ring (Subaru Imprezza WRC), and Kevin Barret in his Triton Showers backed Subaru Imprezza S14 WRC .Some of the leading modified entrants include Frank Kelly (MK 2 Escort), Mike Quinn (MK2 Escort) Johanatan Pringle (MK2 Escort) and club member Benny Kennedy in his newly built class 13 MK2 Escort.
Seeding will take place on Thursday night with a full seeded entry list due for release on Friday night.

The next club meeting takes place on Monday night 9th of February at 8pm in the Racket Hall Roscrea and all are welcome. The final press relese for this event will also be issued next weekend. For more information and to keep upto date with the Birr Motorclub you can follow our activity by logging onto www.Birrmotorclub.com or www.facebook/birrmotorclub or follow us on twitter @Birrstagesrally.

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: February 1, 2015 11:18 PM

Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix) - 22 Feb 15 - TIME AND DISTANCE

Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Stages Rally 2015

Posted: January 24, 2015 10:11 AM

With just under five weeks to go until the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel stages rally preparations are in full swing. Birr & District Motor Club organise and promote this event and they are pleased to announce details of the upcoming tarmac stages rally which takes place on the weekend of the 21st/ 22nd of February.

Once again this year we are thrilled to have the Manor Hotel in Abbeyleix back on board as main event sponsors, and also rally headquarters for the weekend. They have been extremely generous to us since we moved the rally there in 2011 and we are very grateful to them. We are also delighted to announce that Midland Service station Borris-on-ossory will co sponsor the rally for the second year in a row. Longstanding Clerk of the course Bill Ryan and his hard working team are putting the finishing touches to months of preparations into this ever so popular event.

This year we are privileged to be hosting the first round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Triton showers are the new championship sponsors and we are excited to be hosting the first round of the newly titled event. Commenting about the new sponsorship arrangement Richard Talbot, Chairperson of the National Rally Championship Sub-Committee said, “We are extremely pleased to have secured Triton Showers as the new title sponsor for the National Rally Championship. It continues the high profile support of the championship with a brand that is already well known within motorsport. I have no doubt that the synergy between Triton Showers and the National Rally Championship will stimulate even greater interest in the sport. 

The rally will also be round one of the ever so popular Loughran Signs.comMidlands East and Top Part West Coast Rally championships

Mechanical scrutiny will be held on Saturday 21st of February in Durrow at Oliver Stanley’s garage on the Cork rd, with trailer park across the road. Parc ferme will be behind rally HQ in Abbeyleix. Service halt is the same location as last year which is just outside Borris-on-ossory in Campions yard. The crews will leave Abbeyleix on Sunday morning and head to service before they contest the first stage of this 9 stage event. Entry fee for the main field is €499(9 stages), Juniors+Historics €260(6) stages.

Regulations / Entry Form

Posted: January 17, 2015 9:51 AM

HQ: Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Cork Road, Abbeyleix, Co Laois

Event Secretary Contact No: (087) 9117707 / +353 87-9117707

Chief Marshalls: (086) 817929 & (087) 6931369 / +353 86 817929 & +353 87 6931369

No. of Stages: 9 (3x3)

Service: Campion Concrete, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois.

Scrutiny: Oliver Stanleys Service Station, Cork Road, Durrow Co Laois.

Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix)- 22 Feb 15 - REGULATIONS
Birr MC Stages Rally (Abbeyleix)- 22 Feb 15 - ENTRY FORM

Club Website

Posted: January 17, 2015 9:48 AM

Birr Motor Club
National Rally Championship Website