Posted: October 12, 2005 9:47 AM
West Cork driver wins class
West cork Martin O Flynn was placed 6th overall and 1st in class SS2 driving a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Martin from Borlin in West Cork is a former navigator for Dennis Cronin and has also spent many years navigating in the US before testing his skills behind the wheel.
Martins comments after the rally were "After all that went against us I'm surprised she held together. I didnt expect to finish never mind get a top 10 finish."
Tom Lawless and Jason Gillespie take the victory @International Rally New York.
Tom Lawless and Jason Gillespie, two Irishmen from New York State (Yonkers and Queens, New York City, respetively) were the clear winners in International Rally New York. After two days of competition in the Catskill Mountains, their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo was nearly three minutes ahead of the field. It was the first home-state victory for the team, who won the Cherokee Trails Rally in Tennessee back in March.
Lawless complained of poor brakes early in the rally. But after attention to the hydraulics by the team’s mechanics, stopping power was at least adequate to hold off any challengers.
Seamus Burke (of Georgia) and Brian Sharkey (Clogherhead, Ireland), also in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, placed second, and captured the event-within-the-rally for the Eastern States Rally Championship (ESRC). A broken exhaust early in the rally cost some horsepower, but the car (and crew) ran reliably throughout.
A smooth, consistent run also came from Peter Workum (Phoenix, Arizona) and Chrissie Beavis (San Diego, California) in a Subaru Impreza WRX. This was the third rally for this duo, and according to Beavis their performance, and the car’s, improved throughout the rally.
New Yorkers Daniel O’Brien/Stephen Duffy, in a Subaru Impreza WRX, placed fourth, ahead of the similar cars of Emilio Arce/Craig Thrall and Joan Hoskinson/Jeff Secor.
One of the fastest drives in the first leg of the rally came from Otis Dimiters, teamed with Alan Ockwell in a Subaru Impreza WRX. They took the lead on the third special stage (racing section), and held it until they slid off the road on special stage 6, and lost five minutes getting back on. They worked their way back up into the top ten, only to go off for good on the afternoon of the second day.
The rally started and ended in the town of Monticello, with competitive sections on the twisty dirt and paved roads of the Catskills. It was favored with sunshine and mild temperatures—perfect motorsports weather.
International Rally New York is a round of the United States Rally Championship (USRC), which is sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC) and presented by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). All events in the USRC are listed as international rallies by the Federation International of the Automobile (FIA), the international governing body for motorsports. International Rally New York is also a round of the Eastern States Rally Championship (ESRC), which is sanctioned by NASA Rally Sport.
The event will be broadcast on the Speed Channel cable television network as part of the “Motorsport Mundial” program. It will also be made available for webcast at
www.revs.tv
PRE EVENT NEWS
- International Rally New York Boasts an International Field
Adrian McElvanney and Paul Goodman to compete
- International Rally New York Event to Rev Up the Catskills
MIGHTY M GAMING AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY TO HOST USRC EVENT
- Town of Liberty Joins International Rally New York
- Entries are open for the International Rally New York 2005
- Mighty M Gaming Super Special to be part of the International Rally New York
- Invitation to Irish & European Drivers
15/09/05
International Rally New York Boasts an International Field
As of September 12, fifty entries have been received for International Rally New York (September 30-October 1, 2005). Competitors represent many countries, including the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Poland, Turkey, Latvia, Argentina, and Greece. Among the expected front-running teams and cars in the field are the following:
Matt Iorio (Westmoreland, New Hampshire) and Ole Holter (Long Beach California) – Subaru Impreza – This team is leading the United States Rally Championship (USRC) after podium finishes in the first two rounds; third in the Cherokee Trails Rally in Tennessee and second in the Subaru Rim of the World Rally in California.
Seamus Burke (Georgia-based Irishman; his co-driver is to be named) – Hyundai Tiboron – Burke has won two rounds of the 2005 Eastern States Rally Championship, the SandBlast Rally in South Carolina and the spring Rally New York here in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Tom Lawless (Irish, living in Yonkers, N.Y.) and Jason Gillespie (Irish, from Maspeth Queens, N.Y.) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo – Overall winners of the 2005 Cherokee Trails Rally in Tennessee.
Ken Block (Encinitas, California) and Alex Gelsomino (Santa Clara, California) – Subaru Impreza WRX – Following a third place in the Subaru Rim of the World Rally in California, this team is well-placed in the United States Rally Championship.
Patrick Lilly and Bernard Farrell (both Irish, but residents of Yonkers, N.Y.) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo – Frequent top finishers, with a second in the SandBlast Rally and fourth in the Cherokee Trails.
Craig Hollingsworth and Jason Grahn (Zephyr Cove, Nevada) – Volkswagen Jetta GLI – This is the best-placed two-wheel-drive team in the U.S.R.C. and the championship leaders in their class (2wd Open). They are bringing the car from the West Coast to compete here.
Adrian McElvanney (Ireland) and Paul Goodman – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 – McElvanney is a noted driver in Ireland. The car is rented from John Drislane, a three-time Rally New York winner.
Paul’s brother Barry co-drives for John’s 17 year son Jeremy.
The United States Rally Championship is sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC) and it is presented by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). All events in this series, including International Rally New York, are listed as international rallies by the Federation International of the Automobile (FIA), the world governing body of motorsports. International Rally New York is also a round of the Eastern States Rally Championship (ESRC), organized by NASA Rally Sport.
Unseeded entry list and further details on:
15/09/05
International Rally New York Event to Rev Up the Catskills
MIGHTY M GAMING AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY TO HOST USRC EVENT
Empire Resorts Inc., (NASDAQ: NYNY) the owner and operator of the Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway, announced today that it will host the first United States Rally Championship (USRC) event in the Catskill Mountains. Beginning September 29 and running through October 1, competitors representing the United States, Canada and Europe will be competing in the International Rally New York.
“We are pleased to be hosting this world-class event,” said Dave Hanlon, CEO and President of Empire Resorts. “In addition to the race, Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway will also be sponsoring five official spectator areas along the course for visitors’ enjoyment.”
The rally course will consist of 364 miles of Sullivan County roads, with a mix of pavement and gravel surfaces. Of these, 102 miles will be “special stages” (speed tests run against the clock) on roads that will be temporarily closed to normal traffic, in Narrowsburg, Tusten, Liberty, and the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation.
The special stages will be linked by 262 miles of “transit zones” -- roads open to the public where rally teams must keep on schedule while observing the same laws and speed limits as everyone else.
Rally teams will have the opportunity to drive the course slowly on Thursday, September 29, and make notes concerning the straights, corners, and potential hazards. They will then drive the course in earnest on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1.
The cars will be compact sedans and sport coupes, modified for performance and safety. Among those expected are examples of two the most highly regarded performance compacts: the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer. Other cars expected to be in the starting lineup are the Dodge Neon, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai Tiburon.
International Rally New York will be broadcast later this year by the Speed Channel cable television network, as part of the “Motosport Mundial” program. Consult www.speedtv.com for the date and time. A webcast of the show will be available at www.revs.tv. For spectator information, visit www.RallyNewYork.com or call (845) 794-4096.
08/09/05Town of Liberty Joins International Rally New York
This year an international auto rally will visit the town of Liberty for the first time. On the afternoon of Saturday, October 1, International Rally New York will include five special stages (tests against the clock) on paved roads in the town. Two official spectator points have been designated, and residents who live along the route will be able to watch from their yards. According to Supervisor Frank De Mayo of Liberty, “It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun. Where they’re racing, it’s a beautiful part of the county. I know there is quite a bit of interest from folks along the route. Some people are expecting to make a day of it and have a rally party.”
The rally teams will also stop in downtown Liberty, to service the cars at Liberty Elementary School. Once again, spectators may come to see the cars serviced. Competitors, mechanics, and officials should also find time to pick up necessities from local businesses. “What we’re hoping is that it becomes an economic development tool,” De Mayo points out. “We’re hoping that it brings people into the area, and that they visit the restaurants and shops.”
International Rally New York is a round of the United States Rally Championship, which is sanctioned by United States Auto Club (USAC), and presented by National Auto Sport Association (NASA). International Rally New York is also a round of the Eastern States Rally Championship (ESRC), organized by NASA Rally Sport.
16/08/05
Entries are open for the International Rally New York 2005Details:
20/07/05Mighty M Gaming Super Special to be part of the International Rally New York
Rally New York, Ltd., the promoter of the International Rally New York to be held from September 29 to October 1, 2005, and Empire Resorts, the operator of Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway, have concluded a multi-year agreement to conduct Mighty M Gaming Super Special stage at Monticello Raceway as part of all future Rally New York events.
Rally teams will come to Monticello Raceway on Friday, September 30 in the afternoon for the first two Super Special stages and will return for two more runs in the evening under the lights. The International Rally New York will end with the last Super Special stage and Ceremonial Finish at Monticello Raceway on Saturday night, October 1.
Monticello Raceway is a beautiful, modern facility with all indoor seating for rally spectators. During the International Rally New York, rally spectators will be able to enjoy various kinds of entertainment and dining offered by Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway.
This may be for the first time in history when a US rally promoter has been able to conclude an agreement that assures the future availability of a venue for many years to come instead of going through an annual approval process. This agreement will serve as an excellent basis for the future development of the International Rally New York into a major international event.
06/04/05
International Rally New York are prepared to offer incentives to European drivers who
would enter the International Rally New York. The event takes
place only 90 miles northwest of New York City in the spectacular
Catskill Mountains during the fall foliage.
There will be a minimum
of 100 stage miles over two days. The stages are mostly gravel
with a small percentage of tarmac. Reconnaissance and pace
notes are allowed. Our stage roads are among the best in the country,
we have good support from the local governments and there is
the attraction of New York City. The 2004 event was taped by
Mike Bracken's crew and was broadcast on TV in Ireland.