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LinksBanagher Rally Time Trial - (Sat) 27 Aug 05
Posted: August 29, 2005 9:21 AM - 2809 Hits
Outdoor Services Groundwork & Civil Engineering Banagher Rally Time Trial - Saturday 27th August 2005
- Report: How close can it get?
- Johnny McKenna wins by 0.61 of a Second!
- Full Results on line
- Photos
Report: How close can it get?
The two overall positions on Saturdays event in Banagher Forest went down to the wire. Both 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive overall were decided by less than a second on the last run of the event.
Posted: August 29, 2005 9:21 AM
Seamus Donnelly started the 4th timed run 0.66 of a second in front of Johnny McKenna, both men driving Mitsubishi Evo 6s the large crowd of spectators waited for the times of the two men to be displayed after they competed the 3.5 stage. As the times came through, Johnny McKenna had done it, just, 0.61 of a second was the winning margin over Seamus in the Outdoor Services sponsored car. Such was the pace of the two men at the front they were over 7 seconds ahead of the 3rd placed driver.
Likewise the battle for top honours in the 2wd drive class was equally as close between 3 times winner of the 2wd award, Paul Barrett and Dungivens’ Seamus O’Connell. Paul Barrett opened his account with a time 4 seconds quicker than Seamus on the 1st run, Seamus narrowed the gap to 1.3 seconds on the second and the 3rd run to go into the 4th run 1 second of Pauls’ time. O’Connell really went for it and beat Paul by 0.64 of a second. Barrett didn’t attempt the final two runs due to having to leave the event early, but credit has to go to O’Connell as he kept getting ever closer to taking Barretts title.
The battle down the classes was as equally close, class 1 was a real ding dong between Gregory Shaw and Justin McGuigan, going into the last run Greg had a lead of 1.5 seconds but unfortunately it all went wrong for Justin on the 4th run when he had a massive accident at the infamous jump near the start of the stage. Thankfully he emerged from the accident sore and stiff but with no serious injuries.
Stephen Dixon continued his winning ways in class 2 beating Sam Crawford, Gary Clarke won class 3 by 7 by seconds with Niall Convery putting in a very strong performance on the day to win the very competitive class 4 by 3 seconds from Conor Kelly.
One of the drives of the day came from the winner of class 5, Martin McCormack who topped a massive entry of 19 cars in the one class by almost 5 seconds from Sean McBride. Martin’s pace was such in the class that he finished 6th overall on his 1st attempt at the event. His performance was all the more noticeable when the number of experienced men in that class is taken into account.
Seamus O’Connell topped class 7, 1st 2wd with Paul Barrett 2nd and Frank Kelly 3rd. Frank moved into this position after rolling the car on run 2, getting the car back to the paddock and doing some repairs and going at it again.
Johnny McKenna and Seamus Donnelly were in front of class 7 with Eddie Quinn 3rd.
PRE EVENT NEWS
- Event Details
- Regualtions available
01/08/05
Event Details
Its that time of the year again when Magherafelt & District Motor Club are preparing for the increasingly popular Outdoor Services Banagher Rally Time Trial. Now in its 4th year, the organisers have endeavoured to make this one the best yet, a 3.5 mile stage starting from the paddock end of Banagher, a revised path to the spectators’ favourite spot, the spectacular jump, making it even easier for family, service crew and spectators to access the stage safely.
The event once again will be sponsored by Outdoor Services from Magherafelt, and The MountView Restaurant Derrynoid.
Outdoor Services are a civil engineering and ground works company formed in 1998 by brothers Martin and Noel Downey, with the company providing a highly skilled workforce to carry out all ground works and civil engineering contracts, ranging from earthmoving, kerbing, paving, drainage and concrete floors.
The Mountview Restaurant will again be the venue for the prize-giving bar-be-que and the fun evening for all the family. The social committee of the club are working away to arrange all types of entertainment to keep young and old happy at the end of the event. This increasing popular end to the event is open to all, so why not come along for the burgers and bangers and let your hair down as your children will almost certainly enjoy themselves.
One practice run and 3 timed runs are planned, 4 if time permits, giving a total mileage of 17.5 miles. Entry fee for the event has been held at £115 to include your bar-be-que at the prize-giving.
Regulations are available to download from
Upcoming