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Monaghan Forestry Stages Rally - 3 Jul 05

Posted: July 7, 2005 4:11 PM - 8823 Hits

Keelagh Homes - Monaghan Forestry Rally

Round 5 - 2005 National Forestry Championship

  • MacHale/ Nagle Score With Subaru - Full Report
  • Full Results and Stagetimes
  • Gareth MacHale PR
  • McHale/Nagle use Brian Murphy's Impreza and win again!
  • More Photos

Photo: Joe Lane - Action Photos.ie

Posted: July 7, 2005 4:11 PM

MacHale/ Nagle Score With Subaru
Gareth MacHale/ Paul Nagle netted their fourth win of the season on the Three Mile House based Monaghan Forest Rally. The Dublin/ Killarney duo used Brian Murphy's Subaru on the day as their Corolla was not repaired and have edged further ahead in the "McCauley Trailers" National Forest Rally Championship; 18 points clear of John McCarthy. MacHale/ McCarthy tied on the slippy opening stage "Dartry" both on 6.38 setting the scene for a nip and tuck battle. Sponsored by "Keelagh Homes"- Property Developers from Ballyhaise the event had an outstanding line up with a record 97 starters, over 40 4WD's, including state of the art WRC machines, over 20 Gp N contenders and a foray of high-powered 2WD Mk2's.

There was plenty of drama on ss1, local ace Adrian McElvaney punctured his Impreza 555 and Clones crew Andy Mackeral/ Richard Cassidy retired when their Evo 4 clipped a rock, pulling a wheel off - approx 2 miles in. Gp N front-runners Johnny McKenna/ Conor Maguire lost time with engine troubles and retired their Evo 6 at service. Richie Curran/ Gerry English also pulled out at service after a very soft roll on Dartry, their Subaru sustained little damage but they felt it safer to withdraw. John McGlaughlin/ Dave Moynihan held the Gp N lead along with 3rd overall on a 6.48, 5 secs up on the WRC's of joint fourth placed Pat Norris/ Declan Timulty and Glen Allen/ Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) the latter losing time with a soft rear tyre. A host of the Gp N contendors completed the top ten; Rodney Wilton, Terry McGonigle and Eddie Quinn tied in 6th all in Evo's. Brian McGillin (Subaru) and Patrick Elliott (Evo 8) tied for 9th a further second back. Seamus O'Connell/ Sean Magee (BDA) were best 2WD and just outside the top ten with Frank Kelly/ Liam Brennan one second adrift in their Mountune powered mk2.

Heavy rain fell as the competitors left service for the second stage near Emyvale which was a little slippy, stage 3 close to Knockatallan was fast and flowing with a loose surface. After 3 stages the status quo remained as MacHale/ McCarthy arrived to Service in the GAA grounds still tying for the lead. McCarthy edged 5 secs ahead on ss2 "Esh". MacHale returned the compliment through ss3 where he took 5 secs off his rival and was impressed with the Gp A Impreza on the tight twisty sections. Glen Allen set the pace through ss3, Knockatallon maintaining third - now only 6 secs in arrears.

Frank Kelly continued to set the 2WD pace holding a staggering fourth place. John McGlaughlin held the Gp N lead and fifth overall - 10 secs clear of Rodney Wilton's hired Evo 7. Patrick Elliott tied with Eddie Quinn in seventh 2 secs off Wilton. Late entries Raymond Johnston/ Enda Sherry held 9th with their Impreza WRC. Brian McGillin/ Dave Doherty completed the top ten but retired in service with centre diff failure. Pat Norris rolled heavily on ss2 - both crew were ok. Adrian McElvaney disappeared off the leader-board due to a burst intercooler pipe on ss3.

Stage 4 was a repeat of Dartry MacHale set FTD a slender 3 secs up on McCarthy. Glen Allen was only a sec off McCarthy. Rodney Wilton was best of the Gp N's and 4th fastest. Raymond Johnston was getting the hang of things setting fifth fastest. Seamus O'Connell (BDA) was well in the 2WD hunt but rolled out, Pete McCullagh jnr had a slight off road excursion damaging the intercooler and Noel Driver retired due to bad fuel. Many of the Evo's arrived in service with flailing bodywork and more were sidelined in Darty. The class battles were intense across the board everyone pushing hard for the honours on the day. Cork pairing Ivan Bryan/ Alistair Wyllie had a bad day; having broken both throttle cables they resorted to a hand held cable, as they approached service in control co driver Wyllie had to change gear - but the Corolla jammed between first and third forcing them to retire.. to the famous "Squealing Pig" bar for a session!

After a repeat of Esh and Knockatallon Gareth MacHale held a 9 sec advantage over John McCarthy at final service before stage 7. The pace was hot as MacHale/ McCarthy tied on Esh and MacHale/ Allen tied on Knockatallon both stages were faster on the second run. Allen held third six secs down on McCarthy's similar Corolla. McElvaney had climbed back to fourth after his earlier troubles, McGlaughlin/ Wilton to for fifth and the Gp N lead, Johnston held 7th, Elliott 8th, Stephen Moore 9th, Frank Kelly rounded off the top ten and was on target for the 2WD honours holding a 30 sec advantage over Brian Lawlor.

The final stage was a revised version of the Dartry complex. Gareth MacHale/ Paul Nagle kept it together setting FTD emerging as worthy winners. This was another stern performance from the young Dubliner who was fortunate to be in a position to borrow a car but had to bring it home in one piece - not an easy task when bidding for the "McCauley Trailers" National Forest Rally Championship title.

Glen Allen slotted into second as John McCarthy had an overshoot losing 15 secs dropping him to third. Adrian McElvaney stormed his way to fourth. Rodney Wilton came through unscathed, stopping the clocks only 2 secs down on MacHale taking the Gp N spoils and fifth overall. John McGlaughlin lost the Gp N battle and dropped to 6th as he carried too much speed into a square right, slid onto a back - no damage but the car was beached needing spectators help to get back on track finishing 24 secs down on Wilton. Raymond Johnston finished 7th setting impressive times in the afternoon. Stephen Moore/ Tony McHugh (N10 Impreza) and Brendan Kelly/ Derek Brannigan (Evo 6) tied for 8th and Patrick Elliott/ Mark Bowens (Evo 8) completed the top ten. Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh took class five and the 2WD spoils as Frank Kelly retired on Dartry with a broken propshaft.

Waterford's Keith Power/ Andrew Purcell powered their Ka to class 1 honours. Local pairing, Trevor Farrell/ Janice Mackeral (1600 Escort) finished 21st and took class 2 honours by over 4 mins. James Flynn/ Jonathon McGrath (Civic) took their third class 3 victory in a row. Trevor Lancashire/ Kevin Cleere (2.0 Escort) were class 4 winners. Dessie and Laura Keenan (206) secured class 7 after a day-long battle with their class rivals Owen Murphy/ Anto Jordan who broke a driveshaft on the final stage. Ashley McAdoo/ Adam Murray (Nova) cruised to take class 9 spoils and move ahead in the junior standings. The event went well, everything ran on time, it was great to see so many newcomers and such a big entry. Well done to Damien Hagan and all involved in Co. Monaghan Motor Club.

GARETH MACHALE PR, MONAGHAN RALLY 2005
“Monaghan was a most unusual event for the team as we had a new car. After our Scotish accident and the fact that the Jim Clark Rally is next weekend meant that I was glad to take up Brian Murphy’s very kind offer of the loan of his ex-McGarrity Impreza GpA car. I would have the handicap of trying my best not to damage it as I might never be let forget it.

The event started very well for us as we were joint fastest on the opener with John McCarthy’s Corolla. I was delighted with the car but we lost some time with the mud on the second as I didn’t push too hard. We were back on the pace on the third, just a second behind Glen Allen and Adrian McElvaney. I was really getting used to the car now and despite a trip into a dyke on the fourth we were right up there in the lead battle.

After a good run on the fifth stage we set quickest time on the penultimate and then followed that up with another on the final stage. John McCarthy put up a great battle all day and the pressure was never really off. He was unfortunate to overshoot on the final test to drop back to third.

The championship battle is still open as the finishing rate has been very high this season. Again I must thank Brian Murphy for the use of his Impreza for the event. “

Results
1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555) 39:11
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 39:30
3 John McCarthy/Mick Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC) 39:34
4 Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza 555) 40:05
5 Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon (Mit. Lancer Evo 7) Gp N 40:13
6 John McGlaughlin/David Moynihan (Mit. Lancer Evo 7) Gp N 40:37
7 Raymond Johnston/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 40:50
8 (tie) Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Subaru Impreza N10) Gp N 41:04
= Brendan Kelly/Derek Brannigan (Mit. Lancer Evo 6) Gp N 41:04
10 Patrick Elliott/Mark Bowens (Mit. Lancer Evo 8) Gp N 41:05


Leader After:
SS1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)
& John McCarthy/Mick Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2-7 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)

Stage Winners
SS1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)
& John McCarthy/Mick Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
& Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza 555)
SS4 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)
SS5 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)
& Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza 555)
SS6 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)
& John McCarthy/Mick Morrissey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS7 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Subaru Impreza 555)

Group N Winners - Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Rally Preview
  • Full Entry List available
  • Entry List not released yet by Motorclub
  • Timetable
  • Gareth MacHale expected to use Brian Murphy's Impreza
  • Regulations available download
  • Event Information
30/06/05
Rally Preview Co. Monaghan Motor Club host the 5th Round of the 2005 "McCauley Trailers" National Forest Rally Championship this Sunday 3rd July. The event is based at Sean McDermott's GAA Club, Three mile House with Rally HQ, scrutiny/ documentation, start/ finish and service all within the GAA Grounds. The event will use the same format as last year. 7 stages (3 done twice and a final stage incorporating 2 forests) with centralised service after stages 1, 3, 4 and 6.

The club have secured a New Sponsor "Keelagh Homes" - Property Developers from Ballyhaise. This is only the second running of the Monaghan Forest Rally and due to the huge effort by COC; Damien Hagan and his dedicated organising team the event is set to prosper having attracted over 100 entries. There are over 40 4WD's, including a host of the latest spec WRC machines, over 20 Gp N contenders and a foray of high-powered 2WD Escorts - always a joy to watch in the forests.

Championship leaders Gareth Mac Hale/ Paul Nagle top the capacity entry and are sure to face stiff opposition from their championship rivals as well as the influx of Northern crews. MacHale's Corolla WRC will not be repaired in time but fully committed to his title bid the young Dubliner is expected to appear in Brian Murphy's Gp A Impreza 555 - a fine car and still capable of winning. At 2, John McCarthy/ MJ Morrissey (Corolla WRC) make their first trip to Monaghan and will be anxious to take the spoils. Number 3 seed Glen Allen will be out for overall honours in his Corolla WRC with local navi Damien Connolly alongside. Allen/ Connolly need to win this weekend to keep their championship hopes alive having retired on the previous round.

At 4, Local man Adrian McElvaney returns to the woods with his Gp A Impreza 555. McElvaney embarked on a full championship assault this season but retired with mechanical failures on the first two rounds while lying 2nd overall on both events. The Scania salesman will be a pose a strong challenge for victory having finished 3rd on last year's event (his first ever forest rally in a 4WD). Pat Norris/ Declan Tumilty round off the top five with their recently acquired '99 spec WRC Subaru.

Kevin O'Kane/ Martin Hanna are at six in a similar Impreza WRC. Johnny McKenna/ Conor Maguire are first Gp N seed at seven in an Evo 6. At 8; Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh are the top 2WD seed followed by their main opponents Frank Kelly/ Liam Brennan both in serious mk2 Escorts. Trevor Harding/ Mark Kane complete the top ten with their "Eddie Garry Cars" livered Gp A Impreza.

Just outside the top ten are a clutter of the Gp N contenders; Sean Devine (N10 Impreza), John McGlaughlin (Evo 7), Pete McCullagh Jnr (Evo 6), Brian McGillin (Impreza), Patrick Elliott (Evo 8), Raymond Mason (Impreza), Eddie Quinn (Evo 6), Conor Kelly (Evo 5), Brendan Kelly (Evo 6), Eamon Mimnagh (Evo 6) and Rodney Wilton (Evo 5). Late Gp N entries include; Stephen Moore (N10 Impreza), Kieren Graffin (Evo 6). Other notable entries are; local club member and former National Forest Champion Andy Mackeral (Evo 4), Peter McCullagh Snr (Escort WRC), Maurice Gass (Impreza WRC) and Raymond Johnston (Impreza WRC).

Every class is well supported with championship regulars, new Northern entries and local club members having a go at the woods. Seamus O'Connell/ Sean Magee are at 25 in a pristine Escort BDA - well worth watching and hearing the high revs echo through the forests. Dessie Keenan, Owen Murphy and Adrian McElhinney will battle for class 7 in their 206-cup cars. Dunlop National Niall Maguire evens appears on the list but no car details. Billy Coleman Award Winner Eamon McElvaney has entered in a 2.0 mk2.

Championship regulars travelling up country for a change include; Gordon Coleman, Noel Driver, John Reid, James Flynn, Jason Roche, Pat Shanahan jnr, Ray Benskin, Clement Lonergan, Ivan Bryan, Sean Benskin, Mick Nevin, Joe McDonald, Alan & Tony Dineen, Conor Kelly and Ger Gowen all hoping to bring home valued championship points.The first car starts from the GAA Grounds at 9:30 on Sunday morning with the opening stage near Rockcorry followed by service. The event moves North to Golan Forest complex for a loop of stages with service again in Three Mile House, this loop is repeated before another service. The final stage is in the vast Knockatallan forest complex. The first cars are due back at HQ for a champagne reception at 18:30.

HQ: Sean McDermotts GAA Club, Three Mile House, Co. Monaghan.
(10 mins south of Monaghan town)

Scrutiny/ Documentation: @ HQ Saturday 2nd July 15:00-21:00.

Drivers Briefing: 08:30 Sunday 3rd July @ HQ.

Service: Centralised Service @ HQ after ss1, 3, 4 & 6.

Map Number: Discovery Series 28A.

29/06/05
Top 20
1 Gareth MacHale/ Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC***)
2 John McCarthy/ M J Morrisey (Toyota Corolla WRC)
3 Glenn Allen/ Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
4 Adrian McElvaney/ Paul Goodman ( Subaru Impreza 555)
5 Pat Norris/ Declan Tumilty ( Subaru Impreza WRC)
6 Kevin O'Kane/ Martin Hanna (Subaru Impreza WRC)
7 Johnny McKenna/ Conor Maguire (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6)
8 Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh (Ford Escort MK II)
9 Frank Kelly/ Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MK II)
10 Trevor Harding/ Mark Keane (Subaru Impreza WRX)
11 Sean Devine/ James McKee (Subaru Impreza N9)
12 John McGlaughlin/ David Moyihan (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7)
14 Peter McCullagh/ Alan Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7)
15 Brian McGillin/ David Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRX)
16 Patrick Elliott/ Mark Bowens (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8)
17 Raymond Mason/ (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6)
18 Peter McCullagh/ Hugh McKenna (Ford Escort WRC)
19 Eddie Quinn/ Garreth Beagan (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO)
20 Conor Kelly/ Noel Hall (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO)
21 Andy Mackarel/Richard Cassidy (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 4)
29/06/05
Entry List not released yet by Motorclub

First car Due:
SS1: 10.00; Dartry 1; 5.9 miles
SS2: 11.37 Esh 1; 5.3 miles
SS3: 12.16 Knockatallon 1; 3.9 miles
SS4: 13.53 Dartry 2
SS5 15.30 Esh 2
SS6 16.09 Knockatallon 2
SS7 17.40 Dartry (changed stage)
Finish: HQ 18.30

27/06/05
Gareth MacHale expected to use Brian Murphy's Impreza
Forestry Championship leaders Gareth MacHale and Paul Nagle are expected to use Brian Murphy's Subaru Impreza 555 on this weekend Monaghan Forestry rally as the Machale's Toyota Corolla WRC will not be ready following the off on the Scottish rally.

Gareth holds a 15 point lead in the championship following 3 outright wins and maximum score on all 4 rounds of the championship to date.
23/05/05
HQ: Sean McDermott GAA Centre, Threemilehouse
Ordnance Survey/Discovery Series Map NOS 28A will be used for the event.
Start: 9:30
Finish 18:30

Topics: Monaghan Forest Rally 

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