GSMC Baltinglass Restricted Single Stage - 17 Oct 04

Posted: January 7, 2005 11:17 AM

SURELY STAFFORDS
The Stafford cousins of Wellington Bridge, James M and James F, won today's Germaines of Baltinglass Restricted Single Stage Rally, organised by the Garda Síochána Motor Club. They were fastest on each of the three runs over the ten mile test, located near the villages of Grangecon and Stratford, and came home with a 35 second advantage over runners-up, Terence O'Shaughnessy and Ned Doherty.

The first run saw the demise of the No. 1 seeds, Andrew Purcell and Adrian Deasy. Their Nissan Sunny landed heavily off a yump and sustained damage to a halfshaft, putting them out of the event. Also in difficulty was the No.3 crew of Alan and Colm Doherty, who limped through the opening stage with mechanical problems, losing a minute and a half. Seamus Doyle and John Rafter trailed the Staffords by five seconds, and were just one second ahead of O'Shaughnessy and Doherty. Trevor Culbert and James Glynn held fourth, eight seconds off the lead, but they were then to retire on the second run with clutch problems.

On stage two, the Stafford's moved into a secure lead, while O'Shaughnessy/Doherty annexed second place from Doyle/Rafter. Jason Dooley and Eugene McGrath took over fourth position following the exit of Culbert/Glynn.

The top four remained unchanged on the final run, the Staffords taking victory in their Vauxhall Nova. Willie and John Whitty grabbed fifth place from Colin O'Toole and John McGrath over the closing stage, while Martin Lordan/Rory Hennessy, Paul Cloke/Liam O'Leary, Sean McEvoy/Chris Finnegan and Peter Rahill/Mervyn Wedlock completed the top ten.

The rally was round two of the 2004-'05 Rory Galligan Rally Irish Peugeot 205 Challenge. Niall O'Connell and Trevor Payne led after the first run, as most of the remaining 205 runners received a slower 'stage interrupted' time. On stage two Graeme Colfer/Jack Newman and William Mavitty/Martin McGarrity moved ahead of O'Connell and Payne, and this remained the order to the finish, Colfer and Newman eventually winning by 24 seconds.

Results
1: James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Wellington Bridge, Co. Wexford), Vauxhall Nova, 24mins, 48secs.
2: Terence O'Shaughnessy/Ned Doherty (Carlow), Toyota Corolla, 25:23;
3: Seamus Doyle/John Rafter (Carlow), Ford Escort, 25:29;
4: Jason Dooley/Eugene McGrath (Carlow), Ford Escort, 25:56;
5: Willie Whitty/John Whitty (New Ross, Co.Wexford), Ford Escort, 26:05;
6: Colin O'Toole/John McGrath (Kilbride, Co. Carlow), Opel Corsa, 26:15;
7: Martin Lordan/Rory Hennessy (Drimoleague, Co. Cork), Ford Escort, 26:50;
8: Paul Cloke/Liam O'Leary (Wexford), Opel Astra, 26:56;
9: Sean McEvoy/Chris Finnegan (Co. Laois), Ford Escort, 26:56;
10: Peter Rahill/Mervyn Wedlock (Cavan), Ford Escort, 26:58.

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2004-2005 Irish 205 Challenge
Second Round – Second Winner
GSMC Restricted Single Stage played host to Round 2 of the Rory Galligan Rally Irish 205 Challenge. Fourteen crews entered the event that was run near Baltinglass, Co.Wicklow.

Two crews, Michael Taylor/Colin Black and David Kidd/David McDowell were forced to withdrawal the night before the event due to insurance technicalities leaving twelve teams starting the rally.

The event started in dry conditions and everyone was really happy following the familiarisation run. Unfortunately Tommie Rafferty/Brian Purcell were the first casualties of the event with a blown head casket on the practice run.

In an exact replica of the finishing positions of the opening round Niall O’Connell/Trevor Payne were fastest on the first competitive run of the day with Adrian McBride/Dessie Dolan second and Seamus O’Grady/Oonagh Roche third. Stephen McGee/Joe Timoney were the second retirements of the day following a visit to a ditch.

The second stage saw a dramatic change in the leader board. Graeme Colfer/Jack Newman who had been given a stage interrupted time on the first run leaped into the lead with William Mavitty/Martin McGarrity promoting themselves to second place pushing Niall O’Connell/Trevor Payne into third. Seamus O’Grady/Oonagh Roche and the all lady crew of Emma Britton/Paula Nooney rounded off the top five.

The top theee position remained unchanged following the final stage off the day with Grame Colfer/Jack Newman taking their first victory of the year. William Mavitty/Martin McGarrity were second and Niall O’Connell/Trevor Payne third.
Martin Ewing/James Ewing were the third and final retirements of the day with engine problems.

Not only did the winning crew take the Irish 205 Challenge win but they also took victory in class 10.

Adrian McBride/Dessie Dolan were awarded spirit of the rally. They finished a strong fifth following an off on the second stage struggling to the end of the rally with a badly dented car.

To ensure fairness the championship organisers swapped many of the crews Ecu’s at the end of the rally.

Full results:
1. Graeme Colfer Jack Newman
2. William Mavitty Martin McGarrity
3. Niall O’Connell Trevor Payne
4. Seamus O’Grady Oonagh Roche
5. Adrian McBride Dessie Dolan
6. Fergal Driver Mark Driver
7. Emma Britton Paula Nooney
8. Brian Smullen Padraig Harnett
9. Colm Cronin Brian Doherty

• Full Results and Stagetimes in Excel fromat
• Results: rally.connect.ie

• 2004-2005 Irish 205 Challenge