Wexford Hillclimb - 24-25 May 03

Posted: May 27, 2003 9:28 PM

A bright but showery Saturday morning greeted the competitors taking part in round three of the Dunlop Hillclimb Championship in Fethard, Co. Wexford. The Hotel Naomh Seosamh sponsored event was run by Liam Cudihy and his Wexford MC crew. A number of changes and new cars were to be seen throughout the paddock. Michael A. Roche decided to double drive with John McNamara in the Coogar. Katie Hogan had a new engine in her Honda Civic and Edwin Ryanheart made his hillclimb debut in his Formula Ford 1600. Peter Dwyer also showed up with a new car, a Delta T85 1600.

In run one it was Michael A. Roche who posted the fastest time. Karl Cleary in the Metro 6R4 followed and Frank Byrnes was in third. On the Second timed run however Michael BE. Roche in the Delta put in a very quick run to put himself on top of the time sheets.Michael A. was demoted to second but Byrnes over took Cleary's Metro and held third. Throughout the classes battles were taking place also. In class three Simon McKinley and Seamus Morris fought hard through out the day with Morris eventually taking the class win by five tenths of a second. In class six Darryl Ramsey and Patrick Roche had a two way battle for the class lead. Roche put in a spectacular final run to take the win by one and a half seconds. In class five John Naylor took the win. With Edwin Ryanhart on his first run out in his car and Peter Dwyer in the same situation, Naylor had little opposition. Class four was won by Frank Nuthall in his infamous Graham. Class two honours went to James Doherty in a Starlet. In class one Ian Quinn in a Mini took the win. He had a good battle with Richard Dunphy in the Nova all day who took second in class. Katie Hogan took the best Ladies award and Alan Doherty in a RWD Corsa won class eight. In the overalls it was Michael B. Roche who took the win. He was followed by Michael A. Roche in the Coogar and Frank Byrnes in the Reynard. Karl Cleary brought his Metro home in fourth and Patrick Roche in the OMS was fifth.

The promise of a good sunny day proved to be true on the Sunday. What a day it turned out to be. Frank Byrnes set the pace in the first timed run. He was followed by Michael A. Roche and Michael B. Roche. On run two it was Michael B. Roche in the Delta that set the fastest time and did so again in the third. In class one it was Richard Dunphy in the Nova that took the win after Ian Quinn put his Mini out of action on the first run. In class two James Doherty once again took the class win. In class three Seamus Morris in the Darrian T90 was plagued by problems all day but a brilliant final run allowed him to take the win from Simon McKinley. Frank Nuthall took the win in class four and Keith Naylor took the win in class five. The final run of the day was full of drama. Frank Byrnes set a fantastic time of 49.82secs to put himself on top off the list. Michael B. Roche broke second gear leaving the line a shattered his chances of a win. Michael A. Roche who had to swap into his Marsh after damaging the Coogar set a great time of 49.87secs to put him second. However no one expected what happened next. Patrick Roche driving an OMS set a blistering time of 49.07secs to put him top of the timesheets. A brilliant result for Patrick who is still learning a relatively new car in his first season on the hills.

Saturday
Top 10
 
Michael B. Roche - Delta - 49.82 
Michael A. Roche - Coogar - 50.18    
Frank Byrnes - Reynard - 51.64 
Karl Cleary - Metro 6R4 - 51.75 
Patrick Roche - OMS - 51.79 
Darryl Ramsey - OMS - 53.55 
John McNamara - Coogar - 54.82 
John Mahon - Sheane - 55.46 
Seamus Morris - Darrian T90 - 56.29 
Simon McKinley - Escort MKII - 56.79
Class Winners
 
Class 1 - Ian Quinn - Mini - 64.70
Class 2 - James Doherty - Starlet - 59.08
Class 3 - Seamus Morris - Darrian T90 - 56.29
Class 4 - Frank Nuthall - Graham - 75.38
Class 5 - John Naylor - Reynard - 57.77
Class 6 - Patrick Roche - OMS - 51.79
Class 7 - Michael B. Roche - Delta - 49.82
Class 8 - Alan Doherty - Corsa - 58.56

Sunday
Top 10:

Patrick Roche - OMS - 49.07 
Frank Byrnes - Reynard - 49.82 
Michael A. Roche - Marsh - 49.87 
Michael B. Roche - Delta - 50.13 
Karl Cleary - Metro 6R4 - 51.47 
Darryl Ramsey - OMS - 51.81 
John McNamara - Coogar - 53.28 
Peter Dunne - Opel Lotus - 54.08 
Seamus Morris - Darrian T90 - 54.88 
John Mahon - Sheane - 55.18

Class Winners
Class 1: Richard Dunphy - Nova
Class 2: James Doherty - Starlet
Class 3: Seamus Morris - Darrian T90
Class 4: Frank Nuthall - Graham
Class 5: Keith Naylor - Ray FF87
Class 6: Patrick Roche - OMS
Class 7: Frank Byrnes - Reynard
Class 8a: James Stafford - Nova
Class 8b: James Ryan - Civic
Class 8c: Tom Kiely - Escort
Class 8d: Willie O'Dwyer - Metro 6R4