GSMC Mini-Stages Rally - 20 Nov 05

Posted: November 21, 2005 11:14 AM

The Wexford cousins were uninjured, but the stage was blocked as a result of the incident, and the next ten crews on the road were brought through by the organisers in convoy. Those crews were then awarded the time of the next crew to complete the stage at competitive speed. Donal O'Donovan and John O'Rahilly, who had been lying in second place, therefore took overall victory on the event in their Toyota Celica.

O'Donovan and O'Rahilly had trailed the Staffords by 34 seconds at the half-way point (after stage two). The Staffords gained a further five seconds on stage three (The Glen 2), and looked set to win the Germaines of Baltinglass Rally for the second year in a row, but their accident at a fast downhill section ended their hopes.

O'Donovan, a Garda Síochána Motor Club member, has been rallying since 1988, but O'Rahilly only took up co-driving this year, and this was only his third ever event. O'Donovan has previously won the West Cork Rally, the Fastnet Rally and the International Police Rally.

Kevin and Martin Kelleher took second place in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, 25 seconds behind O'Donovan/O'Rahilly, while Liam Wall and Denis O'Mahony (Ford Escort RS) were third, with ten seconds to spare over fourth placed Kieran O'Callaghan and Adrian Deasy (Lancer Evo 5).

Paul Purtill and David Lyons took a very impressive fifth place in their Ford Escort, powered by an engine of just 1300cc. Tom Randles and Mike Morrissey and rounded out the top six, in an ST185 version of the Toyota Celica previously owned by rally winner O'Donovan.

Stage Winnners
SS1 James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)
SS2 James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)
SS3 James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)
SS4 Donal O'Donovan/John O'Rahilly (Toyota Celica GT-Four)

Leaders
SS1-3 James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)
SS4 Donal O'Donovan/John O'Rahilly (Toyota Celica GT-Four)

Provisional Results:
1. Donal O'Donovan/John O'Rahilly (Toyota Celica GT-Four) 34:31
2. Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 34:56
3. Kieran O'Callaghan/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) 35:23
4. Paul Purtill/David Lyons (Ford Escort 1300) 35:30
5. Tom Randles/Mike Morrissey (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD) 35:31
3. Liam Wall/Denis O'Mahony (Ford Escort RS) 35:33
7. Mark Courtney/Brian Davidson (Toyota Celica GT-Four) 35:36
8. Ollie O'Reilly/Arthur Kierns (Ford Escort G3) 35:45
9. Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort RS) 35:55
10. David James/James Crowe (Subaru Impreza N11) 36:00

Full Results:
rally.connect.ie (Angus Sealy)

Photos:
RE raggededge.net

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• STAFFORDS TOP WICKLOW RALLY LINE-UP - Event Preview
• David James expected to use McKinstry N11
• Updated Entry List
• Regulations and Entry Form available to download
• Change of Date and Event Type for GSMC Rally

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16/11/05
STAFFORDS TOP WICKLOW RALLY LINE-UP
The Stafford cousins of Wellington Bridge, James M and James F, are the top seeds for the Germaines of Baltinglass Mini Stages Rally 2005, which will take place next Sunday, (November 20th). The Staffords won the equivalent event last year in a Vauxhall Nova, but they will use a different car this time, the details of which have yet to be confirmed. The Germaines of Baltinglass Rally is organised by the Garda Síochána Motor Club, with experienced rally navigator, Pat Lordan, serving as Clerk of the Course.

This event previously ran as a Restricted Single Stage Rally, but has been upgraded by Motorsport Ireland to a Mini Stages format. The rally route will therefore consist of two special stages, The Glen and Spinnan's Hill, with each stage run twice.

The Stafford brothers will have their work cut out to retain the Sean Eiffe Perpetual Cup, as the entry includes a large number of crews with impressive records. Corkman and GSMC member, Kieran O'Callaghan (a former Deputy Clerk of the Course for this rally) is seeded at No.2 in his Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6, with Meath's Graham Quinn at No.3 in a similar car. Quinn, who won the Group N category on the Toome Stages Rally and the North East Mini Stages earlier in the year, will be navigated by GSMC member, Martin Brady.

Clonakilty brothers, Kevin and Martin Kelleher, seeded at No.4, also have experience of Group N, but will contest the Germaines of Baltinglass Rally in a Modified category Ford Escort Mark 2. They won the Mark 2 Challenge in Carlow last May.

Behind Kevin Kelleher, the line-up includes fellow Escort drivers David James, Liam Wall, James Coleman, John Nolan, Trevor Colbert and Wesley Patterson, any one of whom should be capable of recording a top three finish.

Outside of the top ten seeds, Donal O'Donovan and Tom Randles, driving ST205 and ST185 versions respectively of the Toyota Celica GT-Four, look set to get the call in from the reserve list. Both can be expected to mount strong challenges for overall victory.

The Rally will get underway from Germaines Hotel in Baltinglass at 10.20am on Sunday morning, before competitors tackle the four stages. There will be a 45 minute Service after the first loop. The top finishers are due back at Germaines at 3pm.

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14/11/05
David James is expected to use a McKinstry Subaru Impreza N11 instead of his usual Escort BDX

Updated Entry List

1 James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Nova) [11]
2 Kieran O Callaghan/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
3 Graham Quinn/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
4 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
5 David James/James Crowe (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
6 Liam Wall/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
7 James Coleman/Eoin O Neiil (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
8 John Nolan/John Smithwick (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
9 Trevor Colbert/James Glynn (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
10 Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
11 Mark Courtney/Andrew Cullen (Toyota Celica GT-Four) [8]
12 Terence O Shaughnessy/Eugene Mc Grath (Toyota Corolla) [11]
14 Willie Whitty/Johnny Whitty (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
15 Enda Nolan/Michael Lyster (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [4]
16 James Mc Cann /Paul Mc Cann (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
17 Willie Singleton/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
18 Thomas O Rourke/TBA (Opel Astra) [13]
19 Ollie O Reily/TBA (Escort G3) [13]
20 Eamon Murphy/Noel Coady (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
21 Colin O Toole /Ann Marie Kennedy (Nova) [11]
22 Paul Purtill/David Lyons (Escort Mk2) [9]
23 Seamus O Grady/Oonagh Roche (Proton Kit Car) [9]
24 Graeme Colfer/TBA (Peugeot 106) [6]
25 Martin Lordan/Rory Hennesy (Escort Mk2) [9]
26 Declan Tansey/Declan Lawlor (Escort Mk2) [13]
27 James Cassidy/Joe Cassidy (Escort Mk2) [12]
28 Jason Roche/Martin Arthur (Escort Mk2) [12]
29 Donal Crossan/Ramond Duffy (Escort Mk2) [12]
30 Johnny Murphy/Martin Nolan (Escort Mk2) [13]
31 John Kehoe/Colm Kehoe (Escort Mk2) [13]
32 Peter Rahill /Mark Mc Cann (Escort Mk2) [13]
33 Ronan Cox/Barry Mc Nulty (Escort Cosworth) [15]
34 Francis Kelly/Charlotte Egan (Corsa ) [10]
35 Basil Stephenson /TBA (Escort Cosworth) [15]
36 Padraig Neville/Amy Ryan (Honda Civic) [7]
37 Patsy Carberry/Ian O Flynn (Escort Cosworth) [15]
38 Paul Gallagher /James Gallagher (Escort Mk1 ) [11]
39 John Quinn/J.P Kilmurray (106 Maxi) [6]
40 Neil Hickey/Ray Green (Escort Mk2) [11]
41 Stephen Cullen /Aidan Kent (Subaru Impreza) [4]
42 Leo Doyle/Alistair Chambers (Escort Mk1 ) [12]
43 Michael Walsh /Damien Walsh (Escort MK 2) [14]
44 Jack Deegan/TBA (205 GTI) [11]
45 Pat Murphy/Keith Murphy (205 GTI) [11]
46 Ian Roche /Paul Roche (206 S1600) [6]
47 Ollie Mc Phillips/Billy Collins (Puma S1600) [6]
48 Paul Kiely/Ann Stewart (Evo 8.5) [4]
49 Mick Kelleher/TBA (Escort Mk2) [11]
50 Damian Morris/Karl Morris (Honda Civic) [2]
51 Gerrard Mc Givney/Brian Ruth (Escort Mk2) [12]
52 John Reid/Enda Shields (Escort Mk2) [14]
53 Andrew Mackrel/Andrew Grennan (Opel Ascona) [13]
54 Pat Keogh/TBA (Peugeot 309) [11]
55 Alan Mackey/Orlagh O Connor (Nova) [9]
56 Andrew Lang /Raymond Duignan (Fiesta RWD) [9]
57 Barry Murphy/David Byrne (Saxo Kit Car) [6]
58 James Kent /William Carroll (106 GTI) [6]
59 Declan Cuddy/Thomas Cuddy (Subaru Impreza) [4]
60 Andrew Fanning/TBA (Ford Puma ) [5]
61 Kevin Dunne/Michael Hegarty (Honda Integra) [7]
62 John Doolan/Alison Travers (Honda Civic) [3]
63 Paul Manton/TBA (Saxo VTS) [6]
64 Tommy Murphy/Adrian Webster (Subaru Impreza) [15]
65 Simon Gillespie/Donal Lennon (Evo 8 ) [4]
66 Mick Kehoe/Tim Boyle (Peugeot 205 GTI) [12]
67 Colin Kelly/Niall Whitty (Escort Mk2) [13]
68 Paul Doyle /John Brophy (Toyota Corolla) [11]
69 Stephen Kerr/Shane Dunne (Escort MK2) [11]
70 Eddie Grinsell/Christine O Leary (206 Cup Car) [6]
71 Paddy Mc Donald /Tony Mc Hugh (Escort Mk2 ) [11]
72 Brian Kirwan/Elaine Delaney (Nova) [9]
73 John O Rourke /TBA () [9]
74 Stephen Driver/Mark Driver (205 GTI) [10]
75 Jack Newman/John Newman (Honda Integra) [10]
76 Kenny O Brien/Tom Byrne (Nova) [9]
77 Neil Perry/Wille Fitzpatrick (Ford Sierra) [15]
78 Sam Smith /Alan Smith (Ford Escort) [9]
79 Sarah Moynihan/Amy Moynihan (Nissan Micra) [5]
80 Ted Duggan/Stephen Brawders (Escort Mk2) [13]
81 Patsy Mc Caffrey/Aidrian Codd (Citroen Saxo) [2]
82 Patrick Lee/TBA (Ford Escort) [11]
83 Ben Doran/Gary Nolan (Honda Civic) [11]
84 Michael Dowling/David Dowling (Escort MK2 ) [10]
85 Ken Treacy/Martin Comerford (peugeot106) [1]
86 Michael Nolan/Philip Mc Donald (Nova) [9]
87 Michael Whelan /Michael Mc Grath (Astra) [9]
88 Niall O Rahilly Drew /TBA (Corolla ) [11]
89 Anthony Roche/White Bea (Starlet) [10]
90 Tom Dunne/Declan Grogan (Peugeot 106) [2]
91 Michael Fitzpatrick/Mary Fitzpatrick (Escort MK2 ) [10]
92 Liam Doherty /Damien Mc Gettigan (Corolla ) [11]
93 Noel Wade/David O Brien (escort) [10]
94 Jason Kinsella/Bobby Murphy (Honda Civic) [11]
95 Russell Wood/Stuart Clarke (Escort) [11]
96 Christopher Kelly/Maria Coady (Suzuki Swift ) [5]
97 Colin Walsh/Padraig Barry (Impreza ) [4]
98 Peter Murphy/Aidan Mc Gloughlin (Peugeot 106) [2]
99 Noel Greer/TBA (Astra) [7]
100 Pierce Handrick/Liam Walsh (Corsa`) [9]
101 Sean Lambert/Pat Nolan (205 GTI) [10]
102 Stephen Brennan/Mark Murphy (Suzuki Swift ) [1]
103 John Forde/TBA (Lada) [10]
104 John Ellison/Suzanne Dickson (Civic) [10]
105 Thomas Melia/Margaret Caffrey (205 GTI) [10]
106 John Corrigan /Steve Ferriter (Ford Escort F2) [7]
107 David Woodcock/A.Claw (Suzuki Swift ) [1]
108 Pat Shortall/Andre reid (Escort ) [12]
109 Eddie Nolan/John Byrne (Escort MK2) [10]
110 Anthony Tult/Graham Kelly (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
111 Neil Murray/Ray Nash (Honda Civic) [2]
112 James O Shea/TBA (Toyota Starlet ) [9]
113 Niall O Brien/Darragh O Brien (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
114 Shenna O Brien /Jane O Brien (Opel Kadett) [12]
115 Seamus Behan/Delores Behan (Opel Corsa) [9]
116 Liam Dealaney/Albert Dalton (Honda Civic) [9]
117 Patrick Smith/Noleen Dugan (Transit) [1]
118 Nigel Moody/Pat Delaney (Sunbeam) [10]
119 David Fitzsimmons/John Masterson (Escort MK2 ) [10]
120 John Barry/Michael Donovan (MINI Cooper) [5]
121 John Hade/Brendan Curran (Suzuki Swift ) [1]
122 Chris Cullen /Derek Byrne (Ford Puma ) [5]
123 Aidrian Brady/Graham Scallan () [11]
124 Philip Walsh/Patrick Walsh (Escort MK1) [16]
125 Martin Murray/James Murray (Ford Sierra) [14]
126 Aidrian Mc Grath/Catherine Lyons (Astra) [14]
127 Phil Rowan/Brian Murphy (Corsa) [10]
128 Billy Byrne/Michael Kelly (Escort MK2) [10]
129 Aidan Mc Greevey/Declan Devine (Astra) [11]
130 Martin Dunbar/Thomas Tutty (Escort ) [10]
131 Michael Coffey/Jimmy Goonan (MK 1 Escort) [16]
132 Laurance Murray/John Power (106 GTI) [2]
133 Francis Fox/Clarie o brien (Corsa) [1]
134 Mark Farrell /Sean Rooney (Toyota Starlet ) [2]
135 Martin Nugent /Colin Dwyer (Suzuki Swift ) [1]
136 Johnny Hegarty /Kevin Mc Fadden (Toyota Corolla) [6]
137 Damien Doran /Anthony O Brien (Escort MK2 ) [10]
138 Vincent Goggins /Johnny Casey (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
139 Georgie Bell /TBA (Honda Civic) [2]
140 Eammon Gallagher /Paul Brogan (Toyota Corolla) [11]
141 John O Mahony /Helena Nolan (Honda Civic) [11]
142 David Donoghue/TBA (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
143 Aoife Doherty/Sean Moroney (Citroen AX GT) [9]
144 Niall Hourigan/TBA (Honda Civic) [2]
145 Brian Miller /Sean Flanagan (MINI Cooper) [16]
146 Donal Molloy/Keith Mc Fadden (Honda Civic) [6]
147 Enda Carr /Paddy Carr (Corsa) [9]
148 Sean Kelly/Ivor Trimble (Nova) [10]
149 Danny Cannon /Ian Campbell (Suzuki Swift ) [1]
150 Stephen Brady /Philip Harte (Nova) [10]
151 Barry Ryan/Tadgh O Connell (Escort ) [10]
152 Danny Mc Ginley /TBA (Escort MK2) [14]
153 Sam Leech /Robert Leech (Fiesta RWD) [10]
154 Donal O Donovan/John o Rahilly (Celica GT4) [8]
155 Mark Martley/Joe Hearns (Sunbeam) [11]
156 Joe Kelly/Vincent Collins (Ford Escort ) [3]
157 Joseph Lenehan/Mary Morris (Honda Civic) [5]
158 Nathan Mc Gurrell/Richard Mullen (Honda Civic) [11]
159 Thomas Carolan/Declan Smith (Escort) [9]
160 Sean Moylan/Connor O Flynn (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
161 Catherine Slevin/TBA (106 GTI) [6]
162 Pat Bonnar/Jon (Ford Escort ) [12]
163 Brian Melia/Michael Doherty (Honda Integra) [3]
164 Kenneth Dowling /Stephen Molloy (Suzuki Swift ) [2]
165 Garry Murphy /Robert O Sullivan (Suzuki Swift ) [5]
166 Tom Mc Dermot/Franklin Murray (Escort ) [12]
167 James B Ryan/Liam O Shea (Honda Civic) [2]
168 Andrew Lacey/TBA (Toyota Corolla) [11]
169 Joe Nacey/P J Maloney (Nova) [10]
170 Paul Quinlan /Damien Cronin (Escort ) [10]
171 Brian Doyle/Sean Hayde () [13]
172 Gerry Mc Intyre/Pat Shields (Starlet) [11]
173 Dermot Horan/P j Sheehy (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
174 Jim Pat Lennon/Michael Reilly (Honda) [11]
175 Gene Callanan/Sean Brunton () [12]
176 Seamus Hegarty/ (Escort) [13]
177 Alan Simon/ (Pueugeot 205) [6]
178 Niall Mc glynn/Emmet Proudfoot (Escort) [12]
179 Brian Brogan/Joe Friel (Escort MK2) [13]
180 JP Quilgley/Nina Mc Colgan (Swift) [1]
181 Anthony Masterson/ (Sunny) [7]
182 Peter Doherty/ (Corrolla) [11]
183 Mick Hagan/Pat Faughan (Civic) [2]
184 David Roe/larry hand (Civic) [6]
185 tony Gibbons/Enda Mc Loughlin (Civic) [11]
186 patrick Tully/Eamon Brady (Civic) [11]
187 Paul Carr/Neil Boyle (Peugot 205) [10]
188 John Mc Cabe/Padraig Doogan (Escort) [11]
189 Jimmy Brennan/Gerard Kenny (Cosworth) [15]
190 Michael Mc Colgan/kevin Flanagan () [4]

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24/09/05
Rally Headquarters will be at Germaines Hotel, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow

Drivers Briefing (@ HQ) - Sunday 20th November 09.30hrs.
1st Car Away (Approx) - Sunday 20th November 10.15hrs.
1st Car Finishes (Approx) - Sunday 20th November 15.30hrs.

• Download Regulations
• Download Entry Form

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15/09/05
Change of Date and Event Type for GSMC Rally
The 2005 Garda Síochána Motor Club (GSMC) Rally will take place on Sunday 20th November 2005. The Rally was originally on the calendar the weekend that Rally Ireland is now taking place.

The event has also been upgraded to a Mini-Stages Event.

The event will consist of 2 stages run 2 times in Co. Wicklow, and will be open to all classes with the exception of World Rally Cars.

Regulations and further details will be available next week.