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Monaghan Stages Rally - 22 Apr 07

Posted: April 26, 2007 6:12 AM - 26506 Hits

Round 3 - 2007 National Rally Championship
Round 2 - 2007 Border Rally Championship

  • Keenan and Sherry – Storm to Victory in Monaghan!
  • Results
  • Photos
  • More Video Clips

Posted: April 26, 2007 6:12 AM


GpN Winners: Mike Curran/Killian Duffy
Keenan and Sherry – Storm to Victory in Monaghan!
This years Monaghan Stages Rally was sensationally won by local crew Dessie Keenan and navigator Enda Sherry. The duo who have been rallying as a team together for years have shared many highs and lows in rallying together but it will be hard to compare any of those moments with the overwhelming joy at winning their first ever National Rally in their first outing in a WRC rally car on their home event!

Being offered the opportunity to take Niall Maguires WRC Subaru for a spin during testing a few weeks back, sparked the notion in Dessies mind to compete in a WRC car. Being urged by Niall that he should follow it through, Dessie contacted Mc Kinstry Motorsport and plans were quickly underway for hiring a WRC Subaru for the Monaghan Stages Rally.

With mixed weather conditions and only having test-driven the car, it was anyone’s guess how Dessie would perform on the day. Setting a blistering pace from Stage 1 Dessie took to driving the WRC with ease. As his confidence grew his stage times reflected this and he led the rally from stage 2 to finish an unbelievable 37 seconds ahead of 2nd placed driver Michael Barrable.

Without the support of their Sponsors Dessie and Enda would not have had this opportunity and would like to sincerely thank their sponsors for all their support:
    • Eirenewable Systems
    • Triton Showers
    • Maguire International Transport
    • The Squealing Pig
    • Enda Keenan Stainless Steel
    • Japcars, Dublin
    • The Rock Inn
    • Mc Mahons Spar
    • Air Contracts
A special word of thanks to Niall Maguire for encouraging the boys to take on the challenge, to Kenny Mc Kinstry Motorsport for superb rally preparation, to Jenny and Nigel of Dunlop Ireland, to the service team, to family and friends who helped and finally to all the marshals and organisers of the Monaghan Motor club for running an outstanding event – well done and THANK YOU!!!

Results
1 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 66m 45s,
2 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) 67m 20s,
3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 67m 27s,
4 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 67m 45s,
5 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 68m 06s,
6 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 69m 08s,
7 Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey (Ford Focus WRC) 69m 34s,
8 Mike Curran/Killian Duffy (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 70m 09s,
9 Noel Redmond/Ger Healy (Subau Impreza WRC) 70m 23s,
10 Willie Fannin/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 70m 46s.

Leaders After: SS1  Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2-9

Stage Winners
SS1 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS2 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS4 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
& Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)

2WD Winners - Gary McPhillips/Mark Tierney
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • MacHALE HEADS FOR MONAGHAN
    (Preview courtesy of Dunlop - sponsors of the National Rally Championship.)
  • Dessie Keenan to use McKinstry S8
  • CAN YOU DRIVE LIKE MICHAEL SCHUMACHER??
    FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX SIMULATOR WILL BE IN MONAGHAN
  • Entry List available
  • Regulations available
20/04/07
MacHALE HEADS FOR MONAGHAN
(Preview courtesy of Dunlop - sponsors of the National Rally Championship.)

With victory in the last round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, Cavan’s, Patrick Elliott makes the relatively short journey to neighbouring Monaghan for the third round of the series on Sunday as he bids to strengthen his quest for the national title. Elliott, who had such contrasting fortunes in the opening two rounds – retirement in Mayo and victory in Kerry – heads the capacity entry for the nine-stage event. Last year he finished second to local ace, Adrian McElvaney and moved into the lead of the Dunlop series. No doubt, he would be satisfied with the acquisition of top points on this occasion. Former champion, Ray Breen, bowed out of the Circuit of Kerry on the opening stage and will be intent on renewing his Dunlop bid with vigour as he tries to close the gap to his rivals. Breen and Elliott share sixth place in the current Dunlop standings.

The series is being led by Aaron MacHale (Ford Focus WRC) courtesy of his two second place finishes. It’s a position that the Rathcoole driver really didn’t expect, “Certainly, it’s a pleasant surprise, the competition with Ray (Breen) and Patrick Elliott) is very strong. It will be great if I can hold on to the top spot but it’s going to be difficult. It’s a long series and allowing for the two dropped scores, a non-finish at this point of the season can drop you well down the order. My opening pace in Kerry was an improvement on Mayo and I know that I will have to be sharp in Monaghan. I like the terrain in Monaghan, the stages seem to be tighter and that suits me better. On the first two rounds, I didn’t have a pre-even test, hopefully, I will be able to have a test prior to Sunday. I’m competing in the Rally of the Lakes in early May and in the Dunlop series the following week in Carlow, that all adds up to quality time in the car and that’s important.”

Noel Redmond, who crashed on the final stage in Kerry whilst lying third overall, will, like Breen, be eager to get back to some of the top points scoring positions. The Wexford ace is on board his S12 Subaru WRC. Glen Allen (Toyota Corolla WRC), who won the Derry based Easter National Rally a few weeks ago, is second in the series, six points behind Aaron MacHale. Last year’s event winner, Adrian McElvaney, who has competed in many national rallies over the years, will set a strong pace on home territory where he will drive a Subaru WRC.
Elsewhere, the consistent Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), who was third overall in the 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship, will renew his battle with Monaghan’s, Niall Maguire, also in a Subaru WRC. Barrett edged out Maguire in Kerry but on home territory, the former triple national champion will be expected to hold the advantage. Another local ace, Dessie Keenan swaps his Mk. 2 Ford Escort for a Subaru WRC and it will be interesting to see how he will adapt.
Meanwhile, Michael Barrable (Ford Focus WRC) makes his first outing of the season in a round of the Dunlop series. He won the West Cork Rally in mid-March and plans to compete in the next few rounds of the Dunlop National Rally Championship before making a full commitment to the 2007 series.

Outside the top ten, Sean Devine (Subaru WRC) is seeded at eleven ahead of Carrick-on-Shannon’s, Sean Gallagher, also in a Subaru WRC.

In the Group N category, Mike Curran (Mitsubishi), who is in a rich vein of form will again have plenty of top opposition. Amongst those he will face in Monaghan are Seamus Leonard, also in a Mitsubishi, Alan Ring (Subaru), Kevin Kelleher, Gabriel Martin and Ian Barrett (Mitsubishi’s). Curran, who won the Patterson’s RallyNews Award in 2005, has won the showroom category in the opening two rounds, finishing an impressive fifth overall in the Circuit of Kerry.

The two-wheel drive contest always has an extra flavour in the Monaghan region, Rodney Wilton and Camillus Bradley in Ford Escorts, Maurice Moffett (Toyota Starlet), Gary McPhillips (Ford Escort) and Mac McKenna (Peugeot 205) are the top exponents. Elsewhere, the entry also features Mark Courtney (Toyota Celica), Joe MacHugh (Escort Cosworth) and David Armstrong (Subaru WRC).

DETAILS:
Organising Club: Monaghan Motor Club.
Clerk of the Course: Brendan McCradden.
Rally Headquarters: The Hillgrove Hotel.


First Car Away (Hillgrove Hotel): 10.15.

Stages: S.S. 1, 4 &7: – 10.45; 13.12 & 15.39.
S.S. 2, 5 & 8: – 11.15; 13.42 & 16.09.
S.S. 3, 6 & 9: – 11.47; 14.14 & 16.41.

Service: 12.33 & 15.00

Finish: Hillgrove Hotel, 17.10.

19/04/07
Local driver and former Billy Coleman Award winner Dessie Keenan is to use a Subaru Impreza WRC S8 from McKinstry Motorsport this weekend.
Enda Sherry will co-drive.

16/04/07
CAN YOU DRIVE LIKE MICHAEL SCHUMACHER??
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX SIMULATOR WILL BE IN MONAGHAN

FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX SIMULATOR WILL BE IN MONAGHAN
with
PRIZES FOR FASTEST DRIVER ON THE DAY!

MICHAEL SCHUMACHERS ACTUAL FERRARI F1 CAR ON DISPLAY! (PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE ON DAY)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FERRARI’S FASTEST ROADCARS AVAILABLE IN IRELAND TODAY?

Coordinated by Monaghan Lions Club, with all proceeds going towards Special Olympics & local worthy causes.

More Details:
10/04/07
Top 20 Car No. Driver Navigator Car
1 Elliott, Patrick Goodman, Paul Subaru Impreza WRC
2 Breen, Ray Morrissey, Damien Ford Focus WRC
3 MacHale, Aaron Brannigan, Derek Ford Focus WRC
4 Redmond, Noel Healy, Ger Subaru Impreza WRC
5 Allen, Glenn Connolly, Damien Toyota Corolla WRC
6 McElvaney, Adrian Kierans, Arthur Subaru Impreza WRC
7 Barrett, Kevin Goodman, Barry Subaru Impreza WRC
8 Maguire, Niall McLoughlin, Paul Subaru Impreza WRC
9 Keenan, Dessie Sherry, Enda Subaru Impreza WRC
10 Barrable, Michael O'Gorman, Dermot Ford Focus WRC
11 Devine, Sean Brady, Martin Subaru Impreza WRC
12 Gallagher, Sean Gallagher, Claire Subaru Impreza WRC
14 Curran, Mike Duffy, Killian Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
15 Leonard, Seamus McCafferty, John Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
16 Ring, Alan Deasy, Adrian Subaru Impreza N12B
17 Wilton, Rodney McMahon, Conor Ford Escort 2.0
18 Bradley, Camillus O'Neill, Danny Ford Escort MK II
19 Moffett, Maurice McKenna, Jason Toyota Starlet
20 McPhillips, Gary Tierney, Mark Ford Escort
21 McKenna, Mac Loughran, John Peugeot 205 RWD

Full Entry List on:
03/03/07
Regulations and Entry Form available on:

Topics: Monaghan Stages Rally 

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