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Tour of the Sperrins - 20 May 06

Posted: May 23, 2006 11:20 PM - 13239 Hits

Round 3 - 2006 Northern Ireland Rally Championship

  • Donnelly and Toner take Tour of the Sperrins victory!

    - Limavady's Richard Hogg wins production category
    - Lisburn's Wesley Patterson takes the two wheel drive honours
  • Video Clip
  • Full Results and Times
  • Photos

Posted: May 23, 2006 11:20 PM

Donnelly and Toner take Tour of the Sperrins victory!

Maghera's Charlie Donnelly emerged victorious from last Saturday's KBB Tour of the Sperrins Rally, round three of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship! Navigated by Paddy Toner, it was a sweet victory for the partnership, which marked the event's first local winner, as well as a maiden victory for the Skoda Fabia World Rally Car on Irish soil!

"I really wanted to win the rally for Paddy," Donnelly commented. "He played a major part in getting the very first Tour of the Sperrins Rally off the ground so it's more his win than mine. It's also the first time a Magherafelt and District Motor Club member has won the event!"

Eugene Donnelly, Charlie's brother, was due to drive the car but the Irish Tarmac champion was struck down with a bad back. A session with his physiotherapist just two days before the rally irritated a nerve, forcing Eugene to the sidelines. Charlie gratefully took the opportunity to drive the Fabia WRC and after leaving Walsh's Hotel on Saturday morning, he grabbed a firm hold of the lead.

Donnelly, who currently leads the Irish National Championship after victory in Carlow earlier this month, took an impressive 15 second lead on the opening stage! It was a huge chunk out of his rivals but his fortunes turned for the worse on stage two when a puncture dropped him down the leaderboard like a stone. He lost a substantial amount of time, allowing Sean Devine and Damien Duffin to head the field.

Donnelly was languishing in fourth position, more than 10 seconds behind the rally leaders. At the front, it Devine led Cookstown's Glenn Allen with Enniskillen's Raymond Johnston third. But the event was far from over as Donnelly decided to mount a huge charge, launching his 'scud missile' into the remaining stages with a renewed determination!

Fastest time on stage three was enough to move him into second position and when Devine put his Subaru off on stage four, courtesy of a wrong tyre choice, it was a return to Donnelly domination! An overshoot during stage five failed to slow Donnelly's charge and with more than half a minute in hand, the Skoda Fabia crew arrived at the finish victorious!

"I only had a 30 minute test in the car but it performed faultlessly," Donnelly said. "Maurice Gass has had quite a few problems with it so it's great to finally break its duck. All in all, a great day out and a very well run rally!"

In second position, Glenn Allen struggled to get used to his hired Toyota Corolla's handling characteristics. The Cookstown pilot was forced to hire the car after his own Corolla's engine started overheating before the event. Although second, he took maximum N.I. championship points (Donnelly isn't registered for the series) and now leads the Pacenotes backed series.

Enniskillen's Raymond Johnston, with Richard Bell on the notes, completed the top three in their Subaru Impreza WRC. A healthy points haul has moved them into fourth position in the championship standings, one point behind Kevin Lynch who missed the Sperrins event due to business commitments.

In sixth position, Cork visitors Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy brought their Corolla WRC safely home while Charlie Beatty and Camillus Murray completed the class eight finishers in the top ten. There were a number of notable retirements, including Stephen Moore who was forced to the sidelines when the timing belt in his Ford Focus WRC started to loosen. George Robinson was also forced into retirement when his Escort WRC developed mechanical problems.

Production category/Group N
In the Production category, James Cullen headed the category after the first stage but was forced into retirement after he clouted a pole on stage two. His demise was Richard Hogg's gain and he survived a final stage overshoot to take Group N honours and fifth overall. The Limavady driver, with Mark Hanna calling the notes, has now moved into second position in the overall championship standings, and heads the production class. Cookstown's Rodney McKnight and Seamus Donnelly finished second in class and eighth overall, just ahead of Strabane's Stanley Ballantine and Richard Hyland. Superdrive sponsored two wheel drive category

In the Superdrive sponsored two wheel drive category, Lisburn's Wesley Patterson took the top two wheel drive honours and finished an incredible fourth overall. It was a giant-killing display of titanic proportions which raised many eyebrows at the Maghera finish. Ballymena's Declan McNaughton and John Rowan finished second while Bushmills' Alistair Cochrane and Pam Norris were third. McNaughton isn't registered for the championship so he forfeited his Superdrive prize, effectively allowing McNaughton to take second prize while Crumlin's Rodney White and Sam McMullan took third prize.

Results
1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC) 38.26.9
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 38.58.6
3 Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 39.15.9
4 Wesley Patterson/Joe Friel (Escort MK II) 40.49.4
5 Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Mit. Lancer) GpN 41.25.1
6 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC) 41.29.1
7 Charlie Beatty/Camillus Murray (Mit. Lancer) GpN 41.34.8
8 Rodney McKnight/Seamus Donnelly (Mit. Lancer) GpN 41.42.1
9 Stanley Ballintine/Richard Hyland (Mit. Lancer) GpN 41.49.4
10 Declan McNaughton/John Rowan (Escort) 41.55.6

First 2wd and 4th overall - Wesley Patterson/Joe Friel
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Superdrive Teams up with Cool FM DJ Sonya Mac for KBB Tour of the Sperrins.
  • Maghera's Eugene Donnelly heads Tour of the Sperrins rally field in Skoda Fabia WRC!
  • THE BOYS and Girls ARE BACK IN TOWN
  • Programme outlets
  • Entry List available
  • M.A.D.mc 4 TAR
    Eugene Donnelly Enters "Home" Rally
  • Regulations available to download
  • KBB to Sponsor this year’s event.
  • Event Website

Miss NI Lucy Evangelist helps to Launch the Tour of the Sperrins!
18/05/06
Superdrive Teams up with Cool FM DJ Sonya Mac for KBB Tour of the Sperrins
Cool FM DJ Sonya Mac will make her rally driving debut this Saturday 20th May in the KBB Tour of the Sperrins Rally in the Superdrive and Cool FM sponsored Nissan Micra

Sonya gained her MSA National B Rally licence at Superdrive in January and is looking forward to representing the rally school at three possible events this year.

Sonya Said,
“I’m feeling really nervous and excited about driving the Superdrive Motorsports Centre Nissan Micra and I’m looking forward to the challenge of a new experience. I just hope I don’t crash out on the first bend!

“I have had a lot of support from listeners of the show who have kindly offered to pull me out of the hedges if needed which is a great relief”

Sonya has been preparing for her first competitive rally during the past few weeks with tuition and practice on the Superdrive Rally Track with Senior Rally Instructor Jim Crozier.

Sonya’s Co-Driver Jim Crozier said,
“After practicing at Superdrive with Sonya over the past few weeks, I have good expectations for her in the Micra. I think it will be a bit of a culture shock to start with after driving a comfortable road car but it is the perfect handling car for her first rally.

“She has an excellent attitude towards driving and between the two of us we should be able to get the Micra round the stages on Saturday.”

Maghera's Eugene Donnelly heads Tour of the Sperrins rally field in Skoda Fabia WRC!
This Saturday sees the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship burst into life with the KBB Doors Tour of the Sperrins Rally, round three of the hotly contested series!

Based at Walsh's Hotel in Maghera, competitors will tackle 45 miles of closed road stages for the first time in the event's history. Formerly an all forestry affair, Magherafelt and District Motor Club decided to make the switch to tarmac this year. Interest among competitors has been high and no less than 120 crews will arrive at the Maghera start ramp.

Kevin Lynch (Dungiven) is the number one seed but after selling both of his Subaru rally cars, the championship leader won't make the start this Saturday. Instead, Maghera's Eugene Donnelly will lead the field away in his Skoda Fabia WRC. Co-driven by Paddy Toner, the current Irish Tarmac Champion couldn't resist the temptation to return to the Northern Ireland series, a championship which he won in 2003.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Donnelly said. "It's my home rally and home motor club, plus I don't think there has ever been a home winner of the event, so that's another thing too! I'm going to test the Fabia WRC on Thursday so all being well, I'll take it out for a run."

Cookstown's Glenn Allen will be hot on Donnelly's heels and with the absence of Kevin Lynch, a substantial points haul could see the Corolla WRC pilot move to the head of the championship standings. Sean Devine (Strabane) and Raymond Johnston (Enniskillen) will provide stiff competition in their Subaru World Rally Cars while Kieran Shaw is set to bring his Mitsubishi Lancer WRC.

Stephen Moore will have his newly acquired Ford Focus WRC on tarmac for the first time while recent Ballypatrick Stages Rally winner, George Robinson, returns to the fray with his Ford Escort WRC.

The Production category battle will be just as fierce with Johnny McKenna, Richard Hogg, James Cullen and Martin Elliott topping the Group N seeds. The Superdrive sponsored two wheel drive field is headed by Draperstown rally preparation expert, Camillus Bradley, in his Ford Escort Mark 2. Seamus McCusker, Alistair Cochrane, Rodney White and Greg McCormack will all provide plenty of entertaining sideways action throughout the day!

Cool FM DJ, Sonia Mac, will also make her competitive debut in a Nissan Micra while a number of overseas entries have also been received. Calum and Iain Duffy are making the trip from the motorsport mad Isle of Mull and fellow Scottish resident, Allan Mackay, returns to action with his Anglia. Yorkshire's David Smith brings his Mark 2 Escort to the event and Cambridgeshire's William Smith will rally his Mini 1600 VTEC.

The action starts this Saturday when competitors leave Walsh's Hotel in Maghera at 10am before tackling eight stages. Event programmes with stage maps are available from the hotel and the rally will come to a conclusion at approximately 5pm, when crews will return to hotel for the champagne finish.

Top 10 entries
1 Kevin Lynch/TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC (Withdrawn entry) 2 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner - Skoda Fabia WRC
3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly - Toyota Corolla WRC
4 Sean Devine/Damien Duffy -  Subaru Impreza WRC
5 Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell - Subaru Impreza WRC
6 Kieran Shaw/Crawford Henderson - Mitsubishi Lancer WRC
7 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh - Ford Focus WRC
8 Johnny McKenna/Frank Conville - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
9 George Robinson/Tommy Speers - Ford Escort WRC
10 Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5

THE BOYS and Girls ARE BACK IN TOWN
A capacity entry of 120 cars will start the 2006 KBB Tour of the Sperrins rally from Walshs Hotel in Maghera on Saturday 20th May, and with the switch to tarmac for this years event, an enthralling days competition lies ahead for the crews.

Current Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly will lead the cars away after the withdrawal of the Kevin Lynch, with Cookstowns Glenn Allen at No 3. Sean Devine from Donemanagh starts at 4 with Fermanaghs Raymond Johnston No 5. Event Sponsor Kieran Shaw is seeded at no 6 with Stephen Moore from Pomeroy starting his 1st tarmac event in his recently acquired Ford Focus. The 1st of the group N runners, Johnny McKenna from Draperstown is at 8 closely followed by Richard Hogg and former Donegal International Rally winner James Cullen.

The 2wd competitors are lead by Camillus Bradley and Seamus McCusker, both fresh from their success on the Circuit of Ireland at Easter. Calum Duffy from the Isle of Mull can be expected to be in the thick of this battle along with Alastair Cochrane and Rodney White.

Another visiting crew, Liam McCarty from Cork is expected to be in the thick of things as the cars leave Walshs’ for what is one of the many events included in their birthday celebrations and the rally is also part of the Magherafelt and District Council May Festival.

The rally is not only confined to the men as a number of entries have been received from lady competitors with Cool FM presenter, Sonia Mac, making her competition debut on the Sperrins.

Program's with detailed maps of the best vantage points, driver profiles and entry details as well as "Aunty Lag" to keep you amused between the stages are on sale at Walsh's and the following locations.

Straw Service Station
O’Kanes Hillhead
Star Service Station Magherafelt
Laverty’s Glen Road Maghera
Glenshane Tourist Services
Centra Coleraine Rd Maghera


Full Entry list on Event Website:
06/04/06
M.A.D.mc 4 TAR
Eugene Donnelly Enters "Home" Rally

Mad for tar seems to sum up interest in this years KBB Doors Tour Of The Sperrins Rally. With regulations only available for 2 weeks, already 80 entries have been received. With entries not closing until the 6th May the demand for the 120 places on this years event is going to be high.
The biggest name in Irish Rallying at the moment, Eugene Donnelly has already submitted his entry for what is his home event; Eugene on this occasion will be navigated by the very 1st COC of the Sperrins, Paddy Toner who usually sits with Charlie Donnelly, Eugene’s brother. By all accounts Charlie drew the short straw for this one.

At time of press many of the N.I. Championship regulars have still to submit entries but entries have been received from Martin Elliott and Rodney White front-runners of Group N and the 2wd categories respectively.

Other notable entries of date have been received from Glenn Allen, Camillus Bradley, Alistair Cochrane, and Richard Hogg.

With 8 closed road tarmac stages totaling 44 stage miles the event is shaping up to be a classic.

Further Details on:
20/03/06
Regulations and Entry Form are available to download from:
08/03/06
KBB to Sponsor this year’s event.
Philip Shaw, COC for the Tour Of The Sperrins Rally has announced that KBB will sponsor this year’s event.

“We are pleased to confirm that KBB will continue to sponsor the Tour of the Sperrins Rally for 2006, Philip continued “KBB, the event sponsor for the last 3 years has proven to be a strong partnership and the club would like to thank them for their valued assistance.

Kieran Shaw, M D, said, “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Magherafelt and District Motor Club and the Tour of The Sperrins Rally. Our partnership has been privileged this year with a road closing order, which will allow the club to raise the profile of the rally and bring many of Irelands world rally cars and local hero’s to the roads around Magherafelt.” He continued; “The rally brings valuable tourism to the area and helps add to the atmosphere and profile of the Magherafelt District Councils May Festival.”

Event Website:

Topics: TOUR OF THE SPERRINS 

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