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Carlow Stages & MkII Challenge Rally - 7 May 06

Posted: May 16, 2006 12:20 PM - 23845 Hits

MkII Challenge & Carlow Stages Rally
Round 4 - 2006 National Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2006 Southeast Stages Championship

  • Video Clip
  • Bad Luck comes in 3's as Turbo Trouble Torments Kelleher again.
  • DONNELLY WINS CARLOW AS ELLIOTT RETAINS LEAD IN DUNLOP SERIES
    Report Courtsey of Dunlop
  • More Photos
  • Donnelly/Toner win in Carlow
  • Evans/Jones take Mk II Title
  • Photos

Posted: May 16, 2006 12:20 PM

Video Clip
Bad Luck comes in 3's as Turbo Trouble Torments Kelleher again.
Carlow stages were where Kevin and Martin Kelleher made the return to their challenge for the National Championship Group N title. The start of the season had been good to the Clonakilty crew with a second place on round one in Mayo being bettered by a win on round 2 in the kingdom of Kerry. However on the third round visit to the Drumlins of Monaghan the nature of rallying as a mechanically arduous sport was demonstrated to them as a blown Turbo saw them end their event very early in the day.

Kevin then tackled the Killarney Rally of the Lakes over the intervening weekend in a hired Foley Rallysport Mitsubishi Evo 8 with "substitute" co driver Martin Brady, however for the second weekend in succession a blown turbo was to put paid to that rally with half the rally left to run.

Kevin returned to his own AMF prepared Kumho supported Lancer Evo 9 with his brother Martin back on the notes and was cautiously confident of a good weekend having had his own car receive much work following the troubles of Monaghan. Carlow was scene of good fortune for the brothers in 2005 when they won the events prestigious MK 2 Challenge.

Stage 1 was an exceptionally fast stage and it saw the unusual outcome of 4 Group N Cars shattering the stage bogey time (the minimum time allowed to complete the stage based on allowed average speed) Kellehers were faster than the bogey time along with Alan Ring, Graham Quinn and also Ian Barrett, this meant each crew was credited with the time 6m.40s. Stage 2 was a similarly fast stage but with a tight narrow rough laneway section which had to be treated with care and caution in places. On this stage Kellehers took fastest time by 3 seconds to lead group N at the first service halt.

The re run of the first stage was stage 3 and again the top 4 Group N cars beat the stage minimum or Bogey time and were credited with 6m.40s this meant status quo at the front with Kevin still leading Group N by 3 seconds. The return to stage 2 for stage 4 saw Kevin and Martin make a rare error and uncharacteristically damage the Evo 9. A fast right corner that tightened just before the finish of SS4 caught Kevin out slightly and the car caught the grass bank and rolled over, surprisingly it was not a time consuming roll by normal standards, Kevin crossed the finish only 9 seconds down on Alan Ring who now moved into a 6 second Group N lead that he wasn't to relinquish.

Kellehers returned to service with the damaged car and with a great work effort from his A.M.F service team and some kind assistance from the Foley Rallysport mechanics the crew got the car re fettled tremendously within the short service time to allow Kevin return to the stages for a fight back at the group N lead. Cosmetically the car was not badly damaged, with the bulk of the damage from the small roll being caused to the rear suspension.

Kevin headed for stage 5 in a focused mood just 6 seconds behind Group N leader Alan Ring and Adrian Deasy and determined to keep the race for Group N honours alive. However this wasn't to be as for the third weekend in a row a turbo failure was to cruelly cut short yet another Kelleher rally.

It's said that bad luck comes in 3's so Kevin now turns his attention to the Cavan rally which is the next round of the National Championship and hopes this will mark a turn in fortune. Kevin Kelleher still holds second place in the group N standings behind Alan Ring.

Kevin Kelleher is supported by KUMHO TYRES, THE BIG FELLA Clonakilty, Rally Idol, Monterra Properties, Clona Dairies Clonakilty, SWS Property Services, Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award and www.XLR8Motorsport.com

For more updates and copyright free images please visit
DONNELLY WINS CARLOW AS ELLIOTT RETAINS LEAD IN DUNLOP SERIES
Report Courtsey of Dunlop

On a day of rising temperatures, a hotly contested Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally, the fourth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, was won by Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC). They finished 28 seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Dunlop Championship leader, Patrick Elliott and his co-driver, Paul Goodman. Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Ford Focus WRC) were third, eleven seconds further behind.
Elliott retains his lead in the series - 12 points ahead of Donnelly with Martin Doherty (Subaru) in third spot - eight points further behind. The Group N category was won by Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru).
Welsh driver, Gwyndaf Evans and co-driver, David Jones won the Mk. 2 Ford Escort Challenge - they were also the quickest two wheel drive exponents.

Pre-event Dunlop Championship leader, Patrick Elliott showed his improved form in the best way possible as he topped the time sheets after the opening stage where he was a second quicker than defending Dunlop champion, Ray Breen (Ford Focus WRC) with Charlie Donnelly holding third spot despite stalling his Toyota Corolla WRC at the very first junction. Aaron MacHale in a Ford Focus was fourth - six seconds adrift of Donnelly. It later appeared that the top nine crews actually beat the bogey time on the opening stage.
On the second stage, Breen set the pace and moved into a three second lead over Elliott, who clipped a rock on the stage, Donnelly was a further three seconds adrift in third. Aaron MacHale maintained fourth spot with the Subaru WRC's of Niall Maguire and Martin Doherty completing the top six.
On the repeat loop of the stages, Breen and Donnelly traded fastest stages times with the former stretching his advantage over Elliott to four seconds after S.S. 3. A strong charge from Donnelly on S.S. 4 saw the Derry driver displace Elliott in the chase for second. Donnelly set a superb time and closed to within two seconds of Breen even though he had a slight overshoot on the stage. Elliott was some seven seconds further behind.
MacHale was untroubled in fourth followed by the Subaru WRC's of Niall Maguire and Martin Doherty, the latter had a time consuming spin on S.S. 4. Noel Redmond (Subaru), who had intercom difficulties on the opening two stages, was seventh in a top ten that also included Michael Barrable, Kevin Barrett and Group N leader, Alan Ring. Barrable was at a loss to explain his form.
In the chase for supremacy in Group N, the lead changed when Kevin Kelleher upended his Mitsubishi on the fourth stage. On the final corner of the stage, his Mitsubishi slid up a bank and flipped over, remarkably, the Clonakilty driver only lost nine seconds to his Group N rival, Alan Ring - indeed, that was the margin between them at the service halt. Ring remarked that he had a major moment on S.S. 4.
Gabriel Martin in his new Mitsubishi Evo9, was third in the category - 19 seconds further adrift. Elsewhere, David James continued to slip down the order, his Ford Focus had alternator and throttle problems.

In the Ford Escort Mk. 2 challenge, Welsh driver, Gwyndaf Evans led Alistair McRae by two seconds after the first pair of stages, the latter hampered by a gearbox problem. However, by the completion of S.S. 4, the Scottish ace was 15 seconds ahead of Evans. In order to maintain fifth gear, McRae had to hold the gear lever in position. Willie Whitty, who was third for the opening three stages lost time with an alternator problem.

The afternoon stages were also around Castlecomer in County Kilkenny. On stages five and six, Breen held the upperhand and arrived at the final service halt with a seven second lead over Donnelly. Third placed Elliott found it difficult to understand why he couldn't match the leading pace as he dropped 17 seconds behind Donnelly.

A delighted Aaron MacHale in his Ford Focus reckoned that his driving over the final few kilometres of S.S. 6 was his best to date in the Focus WRC. Maguire reported an untroubled run in fifth with Noel Redmond moving up one place to sixth.
The remaining places in the top ten were filled by the Subaru trio of Martin Doherty, Kevin Barrett and Alan Ring.
Ring's advantage in the showroom category was some 27 seconds as Gabriel Martin's Mitsubishi was his closest rival. Kevin Kelleher lost some three minutes with a blown turbo on S.S. 5. Another showroom driver, Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi) reckoned his form dipped on some stages and he was at a loss to explain how it happened.

In the Mk. 2 Challenge, Alistair McRae retired close to the end of S.S. 5 when an oil pipe came adrift. Evans found himself with a 46 second advantage over second placed, Whitty with Seamus O'Connell in third hampered by a misfire.
On S.S. 7, Breen crashed out his Ford Focus WRC out of the rally and Donnelly went on to secure his second win in the series and close to within 12 points of Patrick Elliott, who took the runner-up spot. MacHale made his first podium appearance of the Dunlop series when he finished third. The only major change to the top ten saw a late charge from David James (Ford Focus WRC) result in ninth place.
In the Group N category, Ring was able to back off over the closing stages, he finished 53 seconds ahead of Gabriel Martin (Mitsubishi) with James Stafford (Mitsubishi) third.
Evans went on to win the Mk. 2 Challenge, such was his domination, he also finished as the top two-wheel dive exponent of the rally. At the end of the day's eight stages, he was 43 seconds ahead of the Escort of Willie Whitty. Glen Allen (Toyota Corolla WRC) was the principal non-starter.


Group N Winners - Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy
Results

Overall
Pos Driver/Codriver Make Total
1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) 54:55:00
2 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 55:23:00
3 Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Ford Focus WRC) 55:34:00
4 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 55:39:00
5 Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza WRC) 56:08:00
6 Michael Barrable/Michael Joe Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) 56:22:00
7 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 57:27:00
8 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12) 57:27:00
9 David James/Jim Crowe (Ford Focus WRC) 57:48:00
10 Gabriel Martin/Donal Lennon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 58:10:00

Mk II Challenge
Pos Driver/Codriver Make Total
1 Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) 00:59:09
2 Willie Whitty/John Whitty (Ford Escort Mk2) 00:59:50
3 Seamus O'Connell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:00:30
4 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:03
5 Mick McQuaid/Arthur Kierans (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:13
6 John Nolan/John Smithwick (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:38
7 David Condell/George Condell (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:42
8 Neil Williams/Eurig Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:46
9 Enda O'Brien/John Butler (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:01:55
10 James Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) 01:02:20

Leaders After
SS2-3 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4-5 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS6 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7-8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Bogey Time Beaten
SS2 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Bogey Time Beaten
SS4 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS5 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS8 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC)

After his successful outing last weekend in Killarney, Aaron MacHale will again use the Focus this weekend in Carlow.

05/05/06
BREEN HEADS CARLOW ENTRY FOR LATEST DUNLOP ROUND
Preview courtesy of Dunlop

Defending Dunlop National Rally champion, Ray Breen (Ford Focus WRC) heads the entry for Sunday's Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally, the fourth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. It's the first visit of the season to the Leinster province and also marks the return to the championship arena for the Carlow Club after an absence of a few years. All of Breen's championship protagonists are included amongst an impressive entry that will traverse a duplicated route of four stages. Breen had to battle his way back to score some valuable championship points in Monaghan and the Kilkenny driver is currently fifth overall in the series - 21 points adrift of new Dunlop leader, Patrick Elliott.

Such is the competitive nature of the 2006 season, there is little room for error and with one non-finish and a seventh place finish on his scorecard, it is vital he garners as many points as possible in Carlow to ensure Elliott doesn't embellish his advantage. Derry driver, Charlie Donnelly in his Toyota Corolla WRC was a dramatic final stage retirement in Monaghan and will make a determined bid to regain the series lead as quickly as possible. Dunlop Championship leader, Patrick Elliott is this season's most consistent performer - taking 52 points from a possible 60 points, the Cavan driver, a former Group N National champion, is well capable of retaining the position. He has the vastly experienced Rory Kennedy as co-driver in his Subaru WRC, Elliott, who has come close in several events, particularly in the past two seasons, has yet to win a round of the series.

"I had a bad year in 2005, things didn't just work out the way as planned, although I knew I had the pace. Charlie (Donnelly) and Ray (Breen) are very tough opponents, but I know I am there or thereabouts on a good day. I haven't learnt the car fully yet but I'm confident that there is more to come. It's all about being neat and tidy" he said.

Delivering that elusive first victory in a round of the national series doesn't bother Elliott, "I suppose when it happens, it happens. We had bad luck in Monaghan, but so too had Ray Breen and Charlie Donnelly. We have a job to do in Carlow and let's see how it goes." Last season, Elliott led the Dunlop series prior to his home event in Cavan - that is the next round of the Dunlop series after Carlow, "I'll worry about Cavan the weekend of Cavan." he remarked. Former champion, Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) was another late retirement in Monaghan and he will be hoping for better fortune on this occasion.

Donegal's, Martin Doherty (Subaru WRC), who is third in the series, will occupy the number five berth in Carlow. Glen Allen, third in Monaghan and Aaron MacHale, both driving Toyota Corolla WRC's, are next in the starting order. Last weekend, MacHale drove the Ford Focus WRC normally campaigned by his father, Austin and finished eighth overall in the International Rally of the Lakes in Killarney.

Noel Redmond, driving the Subaru WRC that former national champion, Stephen Murphy finished sixth in Killarney, is hoping to resurrect his championship challenge in what could be termed his local event. Meanwhile, Michael Barrable will be on his third Dunlop outing on board his Ford Focus WRC - he took 14 championship points in Monaghan and given the strength of the opposition, he has a difficult task in repeating the feat. The top ten is completed by Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC). David James, who switched a Ford Focus WRC earlier in the season lines up directly behind Barrett.

The chase for Group N supremacy in Carlow involves all the contenders for the Patterson's RallyNews Award. Kerry driver, Alan Ring (Subaru) is the present incumbent and is the highest seeded showroom category driver in the Seven Oaks Hotel based event. He took top points in Monaghan after a close battle with inaugural champion, Willie Fannin in his new N12 Subaru. One time leader, Kevin Kelleher, who retired his Mitsubishi with turbo problems in Monaghan returns to Carlow where he won the Mk. 2 Ford Escort Challenge last season. Other Group N aces in Carlow are Graham Quinn and James M. Stafford in Mitsubishi's P.J. McGrath, Gabriel Martin and Tadhg Linehan all in Subaru's and Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi).

Former National Forestry champion, Eddie Kinirons in a Toyota Celica ST205, local hero, Enda Nolan in a Mitsubishi and Stephen Cullen (Subaru) are also on the entry.

Scotland's, Alistair McRae heads the entry for the Mk. 2 Ford Escort challenge where Welshman, Gwyndaf Evans, Derry's, Seamus O'Connell and Camillus Bradley are the top quartet. The remainder of the top ten in the category includes Pat Donegan, Willie Whitty, Trevor Culbert, Liam Wall, John Nolan and James Coleman.

04/05/06
Final Instructions and Time & Distance Schedule available on
Main Field Top 20
Car Driver/Codriver (Make) [Class]
1 Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
2 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
3 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza S10) [8]
4 Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
5 Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
6 Glen Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
7 Aaron MacHale/TBA TBA (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
8 Noel Redmond/TBA TBA (Subaru Impreza S11) [8]
9 Michael Barrable/Michael Joe Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
10 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza S9) [8]
11 David James/Jim Crowe (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
12 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
14 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
15 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N9) [4]
16 Graham Quinn/Martin Costello (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
17 James M. Stafford/James F. Stafford (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
18 PJ McGrath/Killian Duffy (Subaru Impreza N10) [4]
19 Gabriel Martin/Donal Lennon (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
20 Tadhg Linehan/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
21 Ian Barrett/Eoin O'Flaherty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]

Mk II Challenge Top 20
Car Driver/Codriver (Make) [Class]
201 Alistair McRae/Gordon Noble (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
202 Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
203 Seamus O'Connell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) [22]
204 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
205 Pat Donegan/Lisa Roe (Ford Escort Mk2) [22]
206 Willie Whitty/John Whitty (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
207 Trevor Culbert/Russell Dagge (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
208 Liam Wall/Dennis O'Mahony (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
209 John Nolan/John Smithwick (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
210 James Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
211 Seamus Murphy/Graham Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [19]
212 Enda O'Brien/John Butler (Ford Escort Mk2) [19]
213 Brian Brogan/Joe Firel (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
214 Huw James/Neil Spiers (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
215 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
216 Mick McQuaid/Victor Fields (Ford Escort Mk2) [22]
217 David Condell/George Condell (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]
218 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [17]
219 Pete Hughes/Chris Evans (Ford Escort Mk2) [20]
220 Wyn Hughes/David Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) [21]

Junior Top 10
Car Driver/Codriver (Make)
J1 Tim Radford/Peugeot 106 GTi TBA (Peugeot 106 GTi)
J2 John Stafford/Anne-marie Kennedy (Vauxhall)
J3 Jason Kinsella/Bobby Murphy (Honda Civic)
J4 Paddy O'Dwyer/Pat Doyle (Vauxhall Nova)
J5 Kenny O'Brien/David Byrne (Vauxhall Nova)
J6 Brian Kirwan/Elaine Delaney (Vauxhall Nova)
J7 John McQuaid/Ford Escort Mk2 TBA (Ford Escort Mk2)
J8 Gary Murphy/Richie Codd (Suzuki Swift)
J9 Paddy Carroll/Nicky Lacey (Peugeot 106 GTi)
J10 Jonathan McHale/Trevor Payne (Vauxhall Nova)

Full Entry list on:
19/04/06
Entries are closed. Over 230 entries received so no late entries.

Entry list to follow in the next week.

14/04/06
Alister McRae to drive in Carlow MkII Challenge
Announced at the Carlow rally launch in the seven oaks hotel was Alistair McRae is to compete in one of the most exciting rallies in Ireland in his own self built Ford escort mkII.

28/03/06
    Regulations and Entry Form are now available on the event website below:
05/03/06

Topics: Carlow Stages Rally 

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