On the Finish Ramp with the Overall winners are Ronan Marren (Herron Auto Sligo), Paddy McVeigh, Mayor Marie Casserly, Joe Corcoran (COC Sligo Stages Rally), Gary McElhinney and Graeme Semple (Sligo Park Hotel)
Photo: James Burke
Stephen Wright & Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta R5) SS6
Marty Toner & Sharon Clarke (Sunbeam) SS2
Video Clips
Posted: September 12, 2016 6:59 AM
Mc Veigh and Mc Elhinney capture Sligo Stages 2016
Posted: September 12, 2016 6:57 AM
On a morning that a heavy mist blinded the view of beautiful Knocknarae mountain from parc ferme, many of the crews had reservations of what stage one would throw at them and the challenge of the Gulf /HotRods sponsored first stage. And indeed it was borne out, when only four cars recorded times and following an incident, the entire remaining field were put on alternative towards stage two. Stephen Wright was among the early runners but was also off early on in the stage loosing valuable time due to his own misfortune.
The next stage ,Kerrigans sponsored Rathgran stage became interesting as Frank Wrays and ,Paddy Mc Veigh leadership were toppled by a surprise attach by the emerging Enda Mc Cormack , also in a Wrc Impreza. Frank Wray, fastest man out of the blocks retired before entering stage three encountering mechanical issues.
The Connacht Print Brae stage was one for the brave as conditions remained quite wet. The brave one was to be that of Damien Toner in a two wheel drive Escort as he set fastest on this stage, giving him a lead of 4.4 entering service.
As they returned to Carrickbannagher stage for the final run over it, was Paddy Mc Veigh who was to recover his lead being the fastest by far on this one .The Tyrone man increased his lead further on Rathgran second time over, now to a margin of sixteen seconds on the emerging Damien Toner, and only seven tenths parting him and Enda Mc Cormack.This second and third spot still remained extremily tight following the second run over the Brae.
With only two stages to go after the final service, the crews made their way to stage seven for the last time, Damien Toner made gains to hold second overall in the Escort. On the final stage of the day, Ladies Brae, with the rain returning the Mk 2 had what was probably the drive of the day, setting 10.10.5, Mc Veigh has a 10.23.5, on the nineteen kilometre stage. Stephen Wright had a 9.58.8. This put Toner within 4.4 seconds of the outright winners Paddy Mc Veigh and Adrian Mc Elhinney who crossed the finish ramp with a total time of 1.10.46.1 as the Sligo Park Hotel / Herron Auto - Sligo Stages 2016 winners. Group N winners were Pat Kirk and John Mc Elhinney in the EVO X.
Results
Posted: September 12, 2016 6:42 AM
1 Paddy McVeigh/Gary McElhinney (Subaru Impreza WRC) 70m 46s,
2 Damian Toner/Denver Rafferty (Ford Escort MkII) 70m 51s,
3 Enda McCormack/Colin Fitzgerald (Subaru Impreza WRC) 71m 12s,
4 Pat Kirk/John McElhinney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) 72m 46s,
5 Russell Woods/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort MkII) 72m 46s,
6 Cathan McCourt/Brian Hoy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 73m 39s,
7 Gary Cairns/Justin Coyle (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 74m 02s,
8 Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 74m 08s,
9 Johnny Jordan/Paddy McCrudden (Toyota Starlet) 74m 17s,
10 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla) 74m 32s.
The Sligo Stages committee are delighted that Donegal town main dealer with a second outlet in Sligo, Herron Auto .ie has come to the rescue to join forces with Sligo Park Hotel as title sponsors. Having had a close working relationship with the Kia dealer for a number of years as stage sponsor, an opportunity presented itself to build further the association with the Kia / Opel dealership. The Sligo forecourt is located on the old Dublin Road, across from the NCT centre at Carraroe and provides customers with the full Kia and Opel range.
The event is still receiving entries and will continue to accept right up to the point of seeding, but is stressed the importance of submitting early enabling smooth administration.
Event Poster
Posted: June 29, 2016 10:06 AM
Update
Posted: June 20, 2016 4:20 PM
With less than three weeks to go , Sligo Stages Rally are still accepting entries . While being optimistic with the level of interest so far , it is expected that , post Donegal International , focus in the North West will turn to the neighbouring club derby. Great enthusiasm and support have been received by the stage teams in the areas being touched by the 2016 stages , having been in North Leitrim for a few years.
Earlier this week the club experienced an untimely situation regarding one of the events loyal sponsors who unfortunately encountered a difficult trading juncture. The rally committee are sympathetic to the many staff and their families affected.
Connacht Motor Club are fortunate to have the continued support from title Sponsors , Sligo Park Hotel , Stage Sponsors Heron Kia , Gulf HotRods and Kerrigan Quarries and sponsoring the fastest Club crew home is Mc Gowan Landscapes. The committee are currently working tirelessly to bring a further positive announcement in coming days.
Entries Now Open
Posted: June 6, 2016 5:00 PM
Sligo Stages Rally 2016 is now open to accepting entries right up to the closing date . A round of the popular Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship in its 25th year, it has capacity for 131 maximum plus 20 juniors. The event format consists of two stages run three times and one stage run twice , which equates to approximately 120 killometre of special stages. A central service area right in the heart of the stages provides for a very compact loop of three very clean sealed surface classics. Joe Corcoran Clerk of the course is very confident his selection will reach out to the infrequent competitor as well as the stalwarts of rallying out regularly.
The Sligo Stages Rally committee are delighted to team up with North West Hospice, in conjunction with both main sponsors Mc Cormack Opel and Sligo Park Hotel ,to provide a platform over the weekend to raise awareness and funds for a very worthy cause . A contribution from each rally programme will go to the fund and spectators are asked to be supportive around scrutiny and service where other forms of fundraising will take place. North West Hospice now in their 25th year, provide palliative care for people living with life limiting illness and support to their families.
Constant updates will be available at connachtmotorclub.com , follow Connacht Motor Club on Twitter and Facebook.
Entries Open / Regulations Published
Posted: May 26, 2016 4:07 PM
With preparation advancing well for the July 10th Sligo Stages event, regulations have now been published and are available to download at Connacht Motor Club website.
Entries open on June 1st and competitors who are considering competing are asked to submit their entry as early as possible in order to plan for prospective starting field. Cheques received will not be lodged before Friday July 1st.
The compact loop of three stages of approximately 120 kilometres in total, offers a practical special stage to road section ratio .The format of the stages are, two stages run three times with one stage run twice. Joe Corcoran Clerk of the Course is confident that his selected loop of stages has something to satisfy every class contender.
Connacht Motor Club is actively progressing plans for the mid-summer rally scheduled for Sunday July 10th this year. Sligo Stages Rally in its 37th year will again present a diverse loop of stages containing some real classics. While Sligo Rally is a dropped national round, it is round 4 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship which celebrates 25 years of success.
Joe Corcoran takes on the role as Clerk of the Course, having last led the team back in 2005. In the interim he has held the prestigious national role of Motorsport Ireland President and currently holds a delegate position on the FIA Commission. Joe brings his vast experience gained among many facets of motorsport both in Ireland and throughout Europe, over the past number of years, to our local event .
The club are delighted that all of the loyal stage sponsors have returned to support the event, including Herron Auto Kia, Kerrigan Quarries, Gulf Hot Rods and Mc Gowan Landscapes. And of course following tradition, Sligo Park Hotel will accommodate rally headquarters for the July weekend.
It is intended to bring some innovative payment methods to the competitor in an effort to assist prospective crews. Early publication of regulations will allow those planning to compete, to focus preparation on the mid-summer west of Ireland event.
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