2007 National Forestry Championship

Posted: September 23, 2007 7:36 PM

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20/09/07
The Results of the 2007 Hankook National Forestry Championship are now final, as no objections to the final points standings have been received on or before Saturday 15th of September 2007.

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09/09/07

• Download Overall & Class Points after Round 7 in Excel Format

• Download 2WD Points after Round 7 in Excel Format

Please Note, 2007 Hankook National Forest Rally Championship Regulations.
Article 8 : Awards
8.3 "To Qualify for an award competitors must start a minimum of 5 rounds"

These results will become final @ 18.00 on Saturday 15th September 2007.

Queries: Ray Gavin

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• National Forestry Prizegiving - (Sat) 10 Nov 07

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03/09/07

• Irish Forestry Championship Open Forum - 21 Oct 07

The National Forestry Rally Committee will hold an open forum on Sunday the 21st of October 2007 in Grants Hotel Roscrea at 2pm sharp.

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20/03/07
Crealey/Shinnors out until Round 4
Following a spectacular accident on SS3 while leading the first round of the Hankook Tyres Irish National Forestry Championship in Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday 4th March, former Mitsubishi Evo Challenge winner and UK works driver Brendan Crealey has confirmed that he hopes to return to the championship for round four.

Crealey Said,
“The accident was very unfortunate, we came in to a 4th gear bend to be confronted by a 2 foot deep flood the full width of the road, after that I was a passenger the car hit a very large rock on the outside of the bend and rolled several times up the stage. Thankfully both my co-driver Greg Shinnors and I suffered no injuries and are looking forward to getting back out as soon as possible.’

Following the Willie Loughman Rally the car was transported to the works ADR team in Chesterfield for repairs.

ADR Chief Engineer, Chris Hodgson said,
‘The car needs re-shelled so we are going to take the opportunity to build it in to a 2007 works spec car, unfortunately that takes time and we hope to have it completed for end of April.’

As the Championship rules operate a ‘no drop score’ system it will be almost impossible for Crealey to pocket enough points to win the Championship overall but is determined to focus on top results in the remaining rounds.

Crealey said,
‘The championship is gone now but we will continue once we get the car back to get experience of the Irish forests and maybe have a better crack at the championship next year.’

Time allowing, Crealey will also compete in selected UK rallies including the Swansea Bay Rally, Parks Systems Rally and Northern Ireland’s premier International event, the PWT Ulster International Rally.

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26/02/07
Stuart Darcy & Diarmuid Falvey to Compete in Forestry Championship using a Subaru Impreza 555
2001 Billy coleman award winner Stuart Darcy has just closed a deal to compete in the full Irish National Forest championship.
When asked why so late, Stuart said, "I've been looking hard for a Group A 555 Prodrive Subaru Impreza all winter. Getting the right one is not easy but, Kieran Graffin from k.g.motorsport located one in the end. I've just done the deal, but the car won't be ready for the first round as its getting a full rebuild from a bare shell by k.g.motorsport. I'm doing the first round in a group N spec evo 6 with a 34mm restrictor on it , so we can have some hope of getting some points in class 7 gp A, for the first round of the championship. Then it will be maximum attack for the last 6 rounds.
I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the Group A car, as its the closest I'll ever get to a WRC car, its all I've ever wanted to drive since I first saw the first 555 impreza in the world championship and with kumho tyre's on each conor it should be a great combination
Also thanks to Ears Motorsport for helping me with a very late deal tyre deal."

Co-driver will be 2006 Jim Clark Winner Diarmuid Falvey
Stuart would like to thank, Kumho Tyres, Castle Murray House Hotel & Restaurant, Coastal Hydraulic Engineering, Superior Security, & all @ k.g. Motorsport.

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Brian Lawlor & Peter Kavanagh to use Evo 9 on Forestry Championship
Brian Lawlor will use his "Stonemand" Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 on this year's Forestry Championship.

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CREALEY & SHINNORS CONFIRMED FOR HANKOOK TYRES IRISH NATIONAL FORESTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
Former Mitsubishi Evo Challenge winner and UK works driver Brendan Crealey is confirmed for his first season in Irish rallying in the ex-works Mitsubishi Evo 9 with former championship winning co-driver Greg Shinnors from Limerick on the notes.

With several seasons experience in the forest rallies of the ANCRO and BRC series’ the Portadown businessman will compete in the Hankook Tyres Irish National Forestry Championship for the first time supported by Hankook Tyres and Superdrive Motorsports Centre.

Time allowing, Crealey will also compete in selected UK rallies including the Swansea Bay Rally, Parks Systems Rally and Northern Ireland’s premier International event, the PWT Ulster International Rally.

Crealey said,
‘I’m looking forward to a new challenge and to support the upcoming championship in Ireland but after several seasons in the UK forests I have to look at a road map of Ireland to find my way to these rallies!’

Last month Hankook Tyres confirmed their support of the 7 round Championship.v

The 2007 Irish National Forestry Championship is supported by: Hankook Tyres and Superdrive Motorsports Centre.

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SUPERDRIVE MOTORSPORTS CENTRE TO SPONSOR 2WD SECTION OF CHAMPIONSHIP
Crealey’s Portadown based Superdrive Motorsports Centre have agreed support of the Hankook Tyres Championship by sponsoring the two-wheel drive category. The sponsorship package includes prize money for the fastest two-wheel-drive cars in each round,

Sponsorship of 2WD section of the Championship consists of part payment of entry fees for another round of the Championship to the value of €150.00 for first 2WD and €75.00 for 2nd place 2WD.

To qualify for the prizes, competitors must be registered for the Hankook Championship and each 2WD competitor must display two Superdrive decals on their car. Winning cars found without decals will forfeit the prize. Prizes may be taken up on any round of the 2007 Hankook Tyres Irish Forestry Championship; or the first round of the 2008 Championship. In addition to the prizes all competitors can avail of discounted rates for testing, tuition and corporate activities at the centre.

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19/01/07

• Brian McGillin to use Hyundai Accent WRC for Irish Forestry

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15/01/07
Irelands National Forestry Series moves into 2007 with "Hankook Tyres" as Title Sponsor
Ireland’s national forestry series is poised once more to bring a year of exciting and competitive rallying on Irelands best and most challenging gravel stages. 2007 brings some new and significant changes and improvements, first of which is the addition of a new championship sponsor Hankook Tyres. Niall Murray of Hankook Tyres comments “We are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to come on-board as title sponsor. We are excited about 2007 and have some new ideas to raise the championship profile. We appreciate clubmen are the backbone of rallying so we have a large quantity of newly developed 13 inch tyres available for the coming season. Also we will have a full range specifically developed to cater for the needs of the 4wd WRC and Grp N cars. Hankook tyre trucks will be present on every event before the rally begins and in every service area so competitor’s right through the field can avail of our products. We look forward to working with the clubs and competitors to ensure continued growth of the National Forest Rally Championship and Hankook Tyres".
As ever the championship is evolving and improving to best meet the needs of the competitors and requirements of the clubs. The championship committee are always mindful of the views and needs of the competitor and as a measure of this each season an open forum has been held where competitors can come and air views and ideas to the championship committee, and this format works because for 2007 as a result of discussions at the open forum a number of improvements will be included in the championship regulations.

Changes for 2007 season include

• 7 round championship with all scores to count (No drop score).
• All WRC cars will be in a separate class, so class 6 becomes a “Clubman 4WD” class.
• There will be an additional set of points for 2WD’s to determine the 2WD Champion (1st, 2nd & 3rd 2WD will be awarded).
• The Junior class will allow 1600 16v’s (but Not Super 1600’s) and will be limited to under 27’s.

It is hoped these changes are a step forward for the needs of the regular championship crews and will attract/ encourage welcome new entries.

The 7 round series will kick off with “The Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally” based in Carrick on Suir on Sunday March 4th and no doubt going on previous form it is sure to be a thrilling curtain raiser. With such exciting and challenging stages as Gurteen, Anner and Slievenamon forests, it never fails to provide some of the best entertainment and competition of the year for both drivers and spectators alike.

Championship regs will soon be available shortly

In an interesting late development members of the Hankook backed Irish series have met with their counterparts from the UK, M.S.A National Forest series and discussions have been held about a possible visit by the Hankook M.S.A National Gravel championship to an Irish round. Talks between the two series are ongoing and an Irish round is a distinct possibility as both committees are very enthusiastic about a visit, further news is expected soon and it will be an interesting addition to the Irish season should it prove possible.

So the path of the 2007 Hankook National Forestry Championship is well set out, but what of the crews and cars that will follow this path?

Last years champion John McCarthy is still recuperating from an unfortunate accident in 2006 and hopefully John’s recovery will continue at the pace he demonstrated behind the wheel when he took the 2006 title. Confirmed for the series in his new 05 spec WRC Focus is Stephen Moore. Stephen who is a former Grp N champion in the woods made the move up to WRC machinery in 2006 and without delay proved he was well on the pace of such a machine, navigated by Tony Mc Hugh they took their WRC car to victory in Killarney at the close of the season taking second overall in the championship in the process. No doubt armed with an even more potent WRC machine they will be the ones to watch in the Carrick Forests and for the season beyond.

As ever at this time of year much interests, conversation and in most cases down right gossip surrounds who will appear to the championship and in what car, there are so many possibilities and even more stories that really little can be taken as certain until the start line of the first stage, however that uncertainty creates an excitement in itself and of course a legitimate excuse for fans and competitors alike to speculate, ponder and of course gossip!
Last years championship winning co driver M.J Morrissey is tipped to make a return to the championship this year he is expected to partner Waterford based Trevor J Harding who at the moment is putting the final touches to have an S9 Subaru WRC at his disposal, Trevor’s brief appearances last year in WRC machinery proved that he has what it takes to turn in the times in such machinery and with a forestry expert such as Mickey Jo to guide him this is sure to be the season where Trevor will taste much success. Also Confirmed for 07 is Kevin O Kane from Omagh, Kevin a former winner on many occasions finished 3rd in last years championship and he returns this year in a slightly newer 2000 spec Subaru Impreza WRC tended to by Harper Rally Prep and navigated by Martin Brady from Navan.
Another Omagh man who was always on the 2006 pace in his Grp N Subaru was Brian Mc Gilllin navigated by David Doherty, this crew will return again for 2007 but are moving up to WRC machinery, no clue yet as to what car Brian will appear in, and the Omagh building contractor has arranged a number of test sessions in differing WRC machinery as he evaluates what will suit him best for his 07 campaign but regardless of make or model that he will guide over this years stages he will be sure to have it a the forefront of the time sheets.
James Murphy a championship regular will once again tackle the series in his Escort WRC, never one to be discounted James can turn in times that surely must have the Escort right on its door handles. Pat Norris has not been seen for a few months as his Impreza WRC was rebuilt following a big engine failure in early 06, however with his machine back to full health he is one we expect to see at the Carrick start ramp. Dermot Kelly another Escort WRC man is also said to be returning after a quiet 2006 by his standards.

Grp N will once more be where big battles will be fought out at an electric pace. Last years champions Owen Murphy and Garry Nolan burst onto the scene in such a dramatic fashion in Carrick last year, however the rumour mill puts them onto the tarmac stages for 07, only time will tell if Owen will be back to defend his title. Another Cork Grp N sensation was Keith Cronin, the quiet teenager appeared in Cork 2 day forestry in an unfamiliar Grp N Evo 7 and proceeded unassumingly to wake up the championship regulars with his turn of speed. Cronin is sure to continue and improve upon that speed in 07, this year Keith will have his Mitsubishi shod by products from series sponsors Hankook. Both young Cork men Murphy and Cronin were awarded first and second places respectively in the 2006 Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman young driver award, showing not only their obvious talent merited award but that the National Forestry championship is in fact a place where results are noted. Talk also abounds of Brendan Creally appearing also in his ADR Evo 9. Creally is a forestry master and would be sure to claim a scalp or two with his pedigree of pace and experience, a possible contender for overall wins perhaps? Others in the Grp N hunt are sure to be Maynooths Pete McCullagh and fellow Kildare man Justin Dunne, both in Grp N Mitsubishis, Justin was seen over the festive period close to home in Mondello Park having a test run in a Lancer Evo 9 could this be a signal of intent that he is to move up the Evolution ladder by a step or two in his quest for 2007 glory? What of Brian “Stonemad” Lawlor, he had a mixed year in 06 with his Grp N Mitsubishi, he came close to overall victory on round 2 but mechanical woes blighted him, ditch telegraph puts him as returning to 2wd next year in a newly built Escort but no confirmation yet. Emma McKinstry and Kenny Hull are another crew that have expressed serious interest in tackling the full series in their Grp N Evo, on the Moonraker round last year Emma showed a turn of pace that saw her right amongst the Grp N pace setters, and over a full season she would be sure to be again right amongst the front runners.

In 2wd it is sure to again be an exciting year. With a stand alone category for an overall 2wd champion there is certain to be hard fought battles. Seamus O Connell is already prepared having built a stunning looking black BDA Escort, navigated by Brian Duggan he is sure to have it sideways at every available opportunity. His great rival from 06 Frank Kelly is another Escort mounted man who is expected to be involved at the sharp end of the 2wd battle and is another one sure to entertain along the way, Frank who will be navigated by Liam Brennan has at the moment just committed to selected rounds of the series but he intends to be in Carrick and perhaps the heat of the fierce 2wd battle will draw him into staying for all rather than certain rounds.
Other entertainers and class winners such as Adrian Hetherington, Andy Mackrel, Connor Kelly, Mick Nevin and the Dineen brothers are just a small cross section of the names that are sure to return to the championship to provide great entertainment and fierce class battles.

So a great season is anticipated and the wait for Carrick on the 4th of March is not that long as crews will work hard on preparing and securing cars for the challenge. As ever the Hankook National Forestry Championship will be an exciting and attractive championship to compete on, it provides No Recce, taking no time out of the working week. Hassle free friendly Rallying. Again the competitors can avail Patterson Safety Notes & Safety DVD available to order in advance from www.rallynews.net. The benefits of the DVD are: Competitors will be able to study in comfort of an armchair the view of stages and get a picture of the conditions e.g. where there has been recent logging, bad mud, surface changes etc allowing them to change/ adapt their notes to their own personal liking and exercise more or less caution as the case may be. Another positive for the 07 season is that entry fees remain unchanged @ 490 euro main field & 390 euro juniors

So an exciting season is surely in store, all that remains to be said is see you at the start line of stage one in Carrick, where the real story begins!

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"Hankook Tyres" New Title Sponsor
National Forest Rally Championship Chairman Willie Walsh is delighted to announce "Hankook Tyres" as the new title sponsor for the 2007 National Forest Rally Championship. Having just confirmed the details Willie Walsh said "We are very pleased to have a new sponsor in place and look forward to working with "Hankook Tyres" keeping the National Forest Rally Championship at the forefront of Irish Rallying".

Niall Murray of "Hankook Tyres" said "We are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to come on-board as title sponsor. We are excited about 2007 and have some new ideas to raise the championship profile. We appreciate clubmen are the backbone of rallying so we have a large quantity of newly developed 13 inch tyres available for the coming season. We look forward to working with the clubs and competitors to ensure continued growth of the National Forest Rally Championship and Hankook Tyres".

Changes for 2007

• 7 round championship with all scores to count (No drop score).
• All WRC cars will be in a separate class, so class 6 becomes a "Clubman 4WD" class.
• There will be an additional set of points for 2WD’s to determine the 2WD Champion (1st, 2nd & 3rd 2WD will be awarded).
• The Junior class will allow 1600 16v’s (but Not Super 1600’s) and will be limited to under 27’s.
• Martin Brady is the new PRO & Ray Gavin is the new Registrar.

Remember……
No Recce, Hassle Free Rallying, Patterson Safety Notes & Safety DVD available to order in advance.
Entry fees remain unchanged @ 490 euro main field & 390 euro Juniors.

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Championship Rounds

1. Carrick-on-Suir Wm.Loughman Forestry Rally - 4 Mar 07
2. Tipperary Forestry Rally - 25 Mar 07
3. Limerick Forestry Rally - 15 Apr 07
4. Munster Moonraker Forestry - 13 May 07
5. Monaghan Forestry - 10 Jun 07
6. Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally - 18 & 19 Aug 07
7. Killarney Forestry Rally - 2 Sep 07