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Carlow Stages Rally & Mk II Challenge - 13 May 07

Posted: May 16, 2007 7:36 AM - 22739 Hits

Round 4 - 2007 National Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2007 Southeast Stages Championship

  • Carlow success in Dunlop National Rally Championship for O’Mahony/Higgins
  • Aaron MacHale/Killan Duffy win in Carlow
    (Report courtesy of Dunlop - sponsors of the National Rally Championship)
  • Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones take Mk II Challenge
  • Results
  • Photos
  • Video Clips

Posted: May 16, 2007 7:36 AM


Photo: Joe Lane
Carlow success in Dunlop National Rally Championship for O’Mahony/Higgins
Carrigaline driver Brian O’Mahony continued his fine form in the Dunlop National Rally Championship as he won class 6, finished first 2WD car and 12th overall in round four, the Carlow Stages Rally, on Sunday (13 May).

O’Mahony and Mayo co-driver John Higgins missed the previous round, the Monaghan Stages Rally, due to work commitments but emulated their success from round two, the Circuit of Kerry, to claim maximum points in the class in their OM Concrete Products and Fitzsamuels Insurance-backed Super 1600 Renault Clio as they finished a comfortable 2 minutes 28 seconds ahead of the Proton Satria of Seamus O’Grady and Colin O’Toole.

The crew had a smooth run but the changeable weather did not help conditions across the 72 asphalt stage miles.

“I’m pleased with the result and to get maximum class points yet again in the championship,” 22-year-old O’Mahony said. “The weather made things difficult in terms of tyre choice and we kept getting a bit caught out which didn’t help us. But otherwise everything went well on the event and we had a good day.”

The pair will next be in action in round five of the Dunlop National Championship on the Cavan Stages Rally on Sunday 27 May.

Aaron MacHale/Killan Duffy win in Carlow
(Report courtesy of Dunlop - sponsors of the National Rally Championship)

The Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally, the fourth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, was won by Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC). At the end of the eight-stage rally they finished three seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman. Former triple national champion, Niall Maguire, co-driven by Paul McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) was third. Fifth place for Glen Allen was enough to allow him retain the lead in the Dunlop series, however, MacHale is only five points behind in second spot.

The Group N category was won by Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty while Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones took a start to finish victory in the Mk. 2 Ford Escort Challenge, they were also the top two-wheel drive competitors finishing twelfth in general classification.

Prior to the crews and cars leaving parc ferme, two of the top ten starters, Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey and Noel Redmond/Ger Healy were excluded from the event for an alleged breach of the reconnaissance rule.

Barrable was quickest through the first stage as he quickly opened up a seven second lead over Niall Maguire with both Patrick Elliott and Aaron MacHale a further three seconds in arrears. Barrable shared quickest time on S.S 2 with MacHale, who moved to equal second with Maguire, ten seconds behind Barrable. Both the rally leader Barrable and Maguire were trouble free while MacHale had to contend with a problematic throttle that cost him a few seconds.

Jim Harrison endured a small spin but was quite satisfied as he jelled with the note calling of Paddy Toner, they were fourth overall with Patrick Elliott in his S10 Subaru admitting to making several mistakes in the slippery conditions. Elliott was 23 seconds off the lead. Glen Allen, who was sixth reckoned he was on the wrong tyres for both stages.

Elsewhere, Seamus Leonard set a cracking pace in Group N and after two stages, was 37 seconds ahead of Michael Curran with Kevin Kelleher a further three seconds in arrears. Sean Gallagher (Subaru WRC) spun and stalled on the opening stage while Alan Ring had differential problems. Liam McCarthy retired when the rear exhaust of his new S12 Subaru WRC came adrift.

MacHale snatched a two second lead on the third stage and added a further five seconds on the next stage, which he opined was extremely slippery. Barrable admitted he was on slick tyres - totally unsuited to the conditions. Maguire’s good run - that saw him post a time just a second short of fastest stage time on S.S. 3 - saw him hold third - a further four seconds adrift. Elliott moved up to fourth from Harrison, who stalled on the third stage and had an excursion on the next. Allen in sixth also commented on the slippery nature of the stages.

A flying Leonard led Group N although he too reckoned the stages were treacherously slippery. He was 29 seconds ahead of Kevin Kelleher in a top ten that also included Kevin Barrett (eighth) and David James (tenth). Barrett stalled at a hairpin junction while James had to revert to manual gear change when the paddle shift gave problems. Alan Ring retired en route to the third stage with differential woes.

Barrable set the pace through S.S. 5 and cut MacHale’s advantage to four seconds, he also dominated S.S. 6 and brought MacHale’s lead margin down to three seconds. Maguire was a further 20 seconds adrift in third. Allen, who moved up to fourth, had an altercation with a chicane on S.S. 6 and damaged the front wing of his Toyota Corolla WRC.

Meanwhile, each time Elliott stepped up his pace, he seemed to make an error that dented his confidence. Harrison remarked that it was hard to judge the pace as he tried to match the leading pack on what was his first outing in over 18 months.

On the wrong tyres for the opening four stages, Kevin Barrett was seventh.
The Group N trio of Seamus Leonard, Kevin Kelleher and Mike Curran completed the top ten. The latter freely admitted that he found it very difficult to get any confidence in the conditions. Kelleher reckoned he could have gone a little harder on the sixth stage. Brian O’Mahony, on the fringes of the top ten, arrived at the final service with brake trouble in his Renault Clio.

Barrable moved into a two second lead over MacHale on the penultimate test with Maguire remaining a solid third. However, in a final throw of the dice, MacHale, was quickest on the last stage and overturned the deficit and won the rally by three seconds. Niall Maguire secured his best result in recent times when he finished third.

Patrick Elliott’s performance over the final stages was rewarded with fourth in a top six that was rounded off by Dunlop series leader, Glen Allen and British driver, Jim Harrison. Elsewhere, Kevin Barrett came home in seventh place ahead of Group N winner, Seamus Leonard and fellow showroom rivals, Kevin Kelleher and Mike Curran. O’Mahony (Renault Clio) won Class 6

The Mk. 2 Challenge was won by Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones, they led from the start and finished eight seconds ahead of Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest, who lost time with an off road excursion. Wayne Evans/Sion Jones were third. Billy Coleman/John Connolly, who were stymied with a misfire over the opening two stages, retired before then halfway mark.

Results
1 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC) 59m 48s,
2 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) 59m 52s,
3 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 60m 39s,
4 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 03s,
5 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 61m 13s,
6 James Harrison/Paddy Toner (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 28s,
7 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 62m 24s,
8 Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 62m 44s,
9 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 63m 20s,
10 Mike Curran/Fabian McShane (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 63m 26s.

ESCORT MARK II CHALLENGE:
1 Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones 64m 39s,
2 Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest 64m 47s,
3 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones 67m 05s.

JUNIOR RALLY:
1 John Stafford/Anne Kennedy (Corsa) 34m 40s,
2 Neil Hickey/Ritchie Codd (Escort) 34m 52s,
3 John McQuaid/Gareth Quinlan (Escort) 35m 27s.

Leaders After:
SS1-2 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3-6 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS4 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC)
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Updated entry list and final instructions on event website
  • UPDATED TIME AND DISTANCE SCHEDULE AVAILABLE
  • Time and Distance Schedule, Marshals meeting points available
  • Entry Lists available
  • Changes of top Names for Carlow
  • On Line Entry now Open:
  • Rally Launch - Rally Launch - (Thurs) 5 Apr 07
  • Preliminary Details
  • New "EVO" on line Entry System by Angus Sealy to be used.
10/05/07

Updated entry list and final instructions on event website

09/05/07
UPDATED Time and Distance Schedule on event webiste below:

08/05/07
Time and Distance Schedule, Marshals meeting points available on the rally website:
01/05/07
Entry Lists available

Main Field Top 20
1 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
2 Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus WRC)
3 Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC)
4 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
5 Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
6 Noel Redmond/Ger Healy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
7 James Harrison/Tba (Subaru Impreza WRC)
8 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
9 Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
10 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
11 David James/Jim Crowe (Ford Focus WRC)
12 Barry Clark/Ken Blanche (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
14 Mike Curran/Fabian Macshane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
15 Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
16 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
17 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12)
18 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B)
19 Gabriel Martin/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
20 Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid (Toyota Corolla RWD)
21 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio Super 1600)

Mark 2 Challenge Top 20
1 Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones (Ford Escort Mk2)
2 Billy Coleman/Gordon Coleman (Ford Escort Mk2)
3 Willie Whitty/Johnny Whitty (Ford Escort Mk2)
4 Seamus O'Connell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2)
5 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Ford Escort RS Mk2)
6 Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort RS Mk2)
7 Trevor Culbert/Russell Dagge (Ford Escort Mk2)
8 James Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk2)
9 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford Escort RS Mk2)
10 Mick McQuaid/Tba (Ford Escort Mk2)
11 Raymond Drury/Sean Brunton (Ford Escort Mk2)
12 Liam Wall/tba (Ford Escort Mk2)
13 Neil Williams/Eurig Davies (Ford Escort RS2000)
14 Terence O'Shaughnessy/Tba (Ford Escort Mk2)
15 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2)
16 Enda O'Brien/Tba (Ford Escort Mk2)
17 Michael Conlon/Hugh McKenna (Ford Escort Mk2)
18 Gordon Rogers/Tba (Ford Escort Mk2)
19 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Ford Escort Mk2)
20 John Hennessy/Tba (Ford Escort RS)

Full Entry Lists on:

COC Joe Connolly and MD of the Seven Oaks Hotel
Michael Murphy with on the limit sports Michael Bracken
Photo: www.sidewayshot.com
30/04/07
Changes of top Names for Carlow
Unfortunately due to unavoidable circumstances Jimmy McRae will have to postpone his first run in the Carlow MkII Escort Challenge until 2008. A deal had been done with Camillus Bradley to supply Jimmy with a car for the event with Dunlop supplying him with tyres. We wish to confirm that Billy Coleman will be driving David James' MkII Escort with son Gordon navigating. Again this car will also be running on Dunlop Tyres.

As an added bonus to this years event, UK's Barry Clarke, who this year contests the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy International along with selected rounds of the WRC with Stobart Motorsport has entered the event in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, previously owned by the Late Enda Nolan, the same car which Enda paired with Michael Lester used to finish 21st overall in the Galway International Stages Rally in February. Barry has been kindly given permission by Stobart Motorsport to come and try the Irish Tarmac roads for his first time. Barry will be navigated by local man Ken Blanche.
10/04/07
Jimmy McRae and Billy Coleman have confirmed for Carlow 07.

More Details on Rally Website Below.

03/04/07
On Line Entry now Open
Rally Launch - (Thurs) 5 Apr 07
The launch of Carlow | 2007 - MkII Escort Challenge & Round 3 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship will be on in the Seven Oaks Hotel on Thursday 5th April at 8pm. There will be a selection of cars on display both rally & non-rally related along with light refreshments being served.

All are welcome to attend what should be a very good night
27/03/07
Preliminary Details
New "EVO" on line Entry System by Angus Sealy to be used.

Full Details on the news pages of:

Topics: Carlow Sprint 

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