Rally of the Lakes - 5-6 May 07

Posted: May 14, 2007 4:04 PM

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MRallying Reign in the Kingdom
Mixed weather over Killarney last weekend, but even the May showers couldn't take the shine off a superb Group N victory for MRallying's Colm Murphy and Ger Loughrey - their second piece of class silverware in the Kingdom in three years and a fine eighth overall, repaying the faith their sponsors have shown in them.

Following an engine rebuild after the Easter International, the Hankook backed Impreza arrived in Killarney ready for a weekend of maximum attack sporting the tyre company's livery. The ceremonial start on Friday evening whets the appetite for what was to be an awesome weekend of rallying.

And it was to be the Shell powered Subaru striking the first blow in the class - fastest on the opening stage, the Irish rallying classic - Molls Gap. Proving not to be a flash in the pan, a string of fastest times followed on the Saturday stages, leaving the Remax Homes backed crew leading Group N overnight by a sixteen second margin from James Cullen.

Sunday dawned a less promising day weather wise making tyre choice a headache for every crew, but an early blow for Cullen meant that he picked up road penalties suddenly leaving the Trackcare Engineering backed MRallying Impreza in a solid two minute lead following the second running of Molls Gap.

A move to Hankook intermediate tyres, which proved fantastic, during the day provided the extra grip required to maintain the class lead - a difficult job in rallying. Too fast, and risk an accident. Too slow and risk being swallowed back up into a battle. This didn't seem to bother Murphy and Loughrey however, as a day of solid stage times capped by a fastest time on the final test of the event, meant a resounding class victory by nearly three minutes and a fine eighth overall placing.

This result leaves the crew in the lead of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship before the first of the away legs - the Jim Clark International Rally.

³Congratulations to Kenny and Maggie Mckinstry, who with their team produced a magnificent result taking both overall and Grp N victories this weekend², said Colm at the finish ramp. Colm, Ger and all the team would like to thank all their sponsors; Hankook tyres, Shell Fuels, Thermia Heat Link, Trackcare Engineering, Remax Kenmare and Killarney, Bywell Plant Ltd, The Connemara Gateway Hotel, Advance Surveys, Woodtown Plant Hire, Murray Motorsport for Lico, The Gables Bar, Mann Construction and Griffin Bros Contractors Ltd., and Hella Ireland. Only through their enduring support and interest is any of this possible.

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Fiestas - Harvey takes it by a whisker…
Conor Harvey, the 21 year from Letterkenny took the 3rd round of the Fiesta SportingTrophy Ireland, the Killarney Rally of the Lakes by the smallest possible margin. Harvey with co-driver, Tony McDaid calling the notes beat 18-year-old Jonathan Greer from Carryduff by 0.5s today over the 8 stages of the 2nd day of the hugely popular international event.

The event started with instant drama for the eight Fiesta crews that took the start of the 143km route with Tadgh Buckley, the 24-year-old driver from County Mayo driver crashing heavily 5km into the first stage of the event, the classic Molls Gap. Neither driver nor co-driver, Tadgh’s brother Shane where injured in the accident but the following Fiesta crews all stopped at the scene of the accident to check that they colleagues where OK and as a result no times where awarded for the stage.

The weather was making the conditions on the Killarney roads even more difficult to predict than normal – drivers where praising the nature of the roads – being real drivers stages, but the changeable weather conditions were making the choice of suitable BF Goodrich tyres very difficult for the drivers.

On the first group of stages most drivers chose a combination of soft compound slick tyres on the front with intermediate tyres on the rear – however, Conor Harvey choose to use intermediate tyres all round and this gave him a six second advantage as the crews reached the 1st service point of the day.

With the changeable weather conditions still at the front of everyone’s minds – most drivers chose intermediates for the 2nd group of stages and a fierce three-way battle broke out at the head of the table. On SS12, Jonathan Greer with Jonny Hart on the notes took fastest time to steal a lead by the smallest of margins, just 0.4s, but it was 18 year old, Enniskillen man, Alistair Fisher with Barry McNulty co-driving that took 2nd fastest on the stage to make it a three way fight.

On SS13 it was Conor who once again stole the advantage, regaining the lead with the fastest time on the stage. Alistair Fisher jumped to second overall with a time only two seconds slower than Conor, but Jonathan Greer slipped to 3rd after loosing 15s on the stage – a cautious approach to the slippery conditions the reason.

In trouble at this point was 23 year old Colin Flanagan and co-driver Edna McLoughlin. The crew who have been chasing engine problems since the start of the year withdrew their car after the stage with the team unable to trace the electrical problem that has been reducing the power of the engine, the crew elected to retire in service rather than risk any further damage.

After service in Glenflesk – crews set off for a repeat of the morning stages and once again it was Conor Harvey who was fastest on SS14, Molls Gap, but only by 0.6s from Alistair Fisher with third placed Jonathan Greer a further one second behind.

On SS15 – the roles where reversed, Jonathan Greer took fastest, with Conor third and the consistent Alistair Fisher in second place. Going into the final service of the day the top three where split by only 9s and the battle was intense.

In trouble in Killorglin service was 18-year-old Kyle Orr from Dromore – he suffered a breakage of the gearbox mount and it was all hands on deck among the FST crews to get him out of service with the broken part fixed to complete the last two stages.

With the weather conditions drying again there was a gamble for crews to choose the right tyres for this final burst to the finish. The situation was made more difficult after an accident on the International event stopped SS16, Carragh Lake – meaning that all the FST crews did this stage as a liaison section.

This mean’t that all the pressure would come down to the last stage – the 20km Knocknacullig stage. With three drivers pushing for the lead there was sure to be fireworks and it was Letterkenny man Conor Harvey who emerged as the winner, but only after a superhuman effort by Jonathan Greer saw him take 8.2s off Conor to finish the event only 0.5s off the lead – a fantastic end to a superb battle. In third on the stage, Alistair Fisher had his own problems as he clipped a bridge damaging the steering meaning he had to settle for third on the day.

In fourth place overall, Kyle Orr with new co-driver, FST Galway winning co-driver Peter O’Toole on the pacenotes survived their technical challenges to finish the event and gain valuable experience.

The fifth place on the rally was Enniskillen man William Mavitty who had Mark Ammonds once again calling the pacenotes. The preparations for this event had been a rush after William and Mark suffered a considerable accident on the last round of the series, the UAC Easter Stages. It was a race against time for their team to rebuild the car completely ahead of this event.

The final stage brought disaster for Paul Quinn and Jason Gillespie as they felt the engine had dropped a valve on the previous stage and elected to retire rather than cause any more damage.

After completing the full 2nd day of the International Killarney Rally, Conor Harvey, emerged victorious by a narrow margin to claim the €750 EUR 1st prize and maximum points in the series.

At the finish, 23 year old Conor Harvey from Letterkenny claimed: “I am delighted with the result. It was tight all day and the competition has been good. We pushed really hard on the last stage and we were up on 2 wheels at one point, but we’re here. Delighted.”

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Rally of the Lakes success for O’Mahony
Carrigaline driver Brian O’Mahony had a successful weekend as he finished 22nd overall and second in class on the Rally of the Lakes (May 5-6).  

O’Mahony and Mayo co-driver John Higgins had been leading class 6 in their OM Concrete Products and Fitzsamuels Insurance-backed Super 1600 Renault Clio up until stage nine when a puncture struck and lost them nearly eight minutes of time as they had to stop and change the tyre.  

The halt dropped the crew down to 49th overall and fifth in class but they posted impressive times throughout the rest of the event to haul themselves back up the leaderboard although they could not quite regain the ground to take the class honours as they finished two minutes and 22 seconds down on winners Ken O’Neill and Frank Curtin. Other than the puncture they endured no other drama as the car, run by O’Leary Motorsport, ran faultlessly.  

The Killarney-based event was the second of three outings in the Irish Tarmac Championship (ITC) this season for O’Mahony and Higgins and they went into the event fresh from their maiden rally victory on the Skibbereen Mini Stages Rally last Sunday (April 29).  

“I’m pleased with the result and to get the finish but at the same time disappointed that the puncture cost us so much time, a class win and what could have been a top 15 finish,” 22-year-old O’Mahony said.  

“But we made up a lot of lost time and had a good run otherwise. The stages were great fun and it was good to be back out so soon after our first win on Skibbereen.”  

The pair will return to action again this weekend in round four of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, which they are contesting this season, when they compete on the Carlow Stages Rally on Sunday (May 13).  

They had a good result last time out in the series on the second round, the Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally, as they finished 11th overall, first in class and first 2WD car.  

The crew missed the previous round, the Monaghan Stages Rally, due to work commitments, but head into the Carlow-based event joint fourth in the class 6 standings. O’Mahony is equal 20th in the overall drivers’ table while Higgins is joint 18th in the co-drivers points and they are aiming to match their round two successes this weekend across the 72 asphalt stage miles.  

“I’d like us to get another class win with some maximum points on the board at Carlow and another good overall result,” O’Mahony added. “It was unfortunate that we had to miss the third round but hopefully we can make up for it this weekend and get some valuable championship points.”

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REID MOTORSPORT GETS RESULTS IN KILLARNEY
The traditional May Bank Holiday weekend Killarney International Rally of the Lakes, gave the Reid Motorsport team a chance to bank some good results, and with new team member Eugene Donnelly on board for the first time they did just that, Eugene finishing second overall. But it was a triumph for the whole team, the first of its kind in Irish rallying, with Gareth Jones bringing his WRC Focus into seventh, James Cullen taking third in Group N, and Shaun Reid a promising twenty sixth overall on his first Killarney visit.

For reigning Irish Tarmac Champions Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely, it was the first event as part of the team, with the S12 Subaru resplendent in its new Reid Motorsport colours. “I have to admit I could not wait to go up Molls Gap in this car, and try the new BF Goodrich tyres up there, and to break the nine minute barrier on that stage, gave me a lot of confidence, which grew each stage as I learned how far I could push the tyre” quipped Eugene. Indeed the Reid Motorsport S12 was locked in battle with the similar machine of Junior World Rally ace Kris Meeke, a battle so fraught it was only separated by half a second going into the final Saturday test, as the two drivers were consistently within a second of each other stage by stage. But for Eugene the final days test presented a small error, overshooting a junction and the delay letting Kris Meeke away with a twenty five second overnight advantage. It had been a tough day, especially for co driver Paul Kiely, who was distinctly unwell, the Reid team improving his day with a trip to the chemist. But during the night it was Eugene’s turn to be sick, and the Maghera man also awoke to rain clouds over the daunting Molls Gap stage. “I was feeling very sick, and also very nervous as I had never tested the new tyres in the wet, so I was a bit cautious on Molls Gap and Ballaghbema, but we were fastest on Caragh Lake as things just got better.” Indeed with similar medication to Paul, Eugene’s health improved and he mounted an assault on the second running of Molls Gap, taking an amazing twelve seconds off Kris Meeke, and the race for victory was very much on. But time was running out, and they took just fractions of a second off Kris on the remaining stages, to finish second just twelve seconds back. “I feel a mixture of disappointment that we didn’t win, and delight for the whole Reid Motorsport team, with everyone finishing well. I must say that the organisation of the team at the weekend by Ian Howard and Liam Reid was fantastic and as usual Derek McGeehan and the boys did a fantastic job looking after the car. It’s just brilliant to be part of this professional team, and a team that is now in high tempo for the Jim Clark Rally.”

The second World Rally Car in the Reid team, is the 2005 Ford Focus of young Welsh star Gareth Jones, who finished a fine third on his first visit to Killarney last year, but his Ford wasn’t in Focus the first day of this years rally. “To be honest the first day was just terrible, really. We had a turbo pipe come off on the first stage, costing a lot of time, then the intercom went down on stage three, and the gearbox gave trouble on the next stage. With all the delays it dropped us well back and there wasn’t really anything to go for on day two. It just wasn’t our rally really, but we need to improve things before the Jim Clark, maybe even some more testing just to help it all along.” It’s been a difficult start to the season for Gareth who is adapting to the Focus, which has very different characteristics from his old Subaru.

In the Group N, production based race, the lead Reid Motorsport crew of James Cullen and Alan Harryman were so nearly in the lead at the end of the first leg of nine stages. James, twice an outright winner of the Donegal International Rally, and Irish rallying legend saw a return to winning form at the weekend, form which started to shine again on the UAC Easter International. “We were going well on the Easter International when we hit trouble, so starting the first test in Killarney, Molls Gap, we were hoping for a good run, but I was pleasantly surprised to be just half a second off Colm Murphy’s fastest time, especially on the pace Colm is on at the minute, after winning the first two rounds.” Nevertheless James and Alan in the Reid Evo 9 kept the pressure on the reigning Group N champion Colm Murphy all day, arriving back into the overnight halt just eighteen seconds behind Colm, and half the rally remaining, it was all to play for. “The car, myself, the mechanics, it is all really starting to come together, and in the end the mechanics really kept us in the rally when our fuel pump failed exiting Parc Ferme on Sunday.” Despite the KG Motorsport mechanics swift work James and Alan where thirteen minutes late into the first stage incurring over three minutes road penalties and dropping them back to seventh in Group N. But James had far from given up and showed the potential by setting four fastest stage times, including the famous Molls Gap and Ballaghbema tests, to climb back to third in Group N at the finish.

Another driver speeding up on the second day was Shaun Reid in the sister Mitsubishi Evo 9. Unlike James Cullen, Shaun with co driver Damien McAuley had no previous experience of the Killarney stages, and on the daunting first stage, the infamous Molls Gap mountain pass, they had a rather daunting experience! “To be honest I wasn’t listening properly to Damien on the notes and was flat in fifth coming into a right hand bend over a bridge, a bend called “Fishers Bend”, as it had claimed Bertie Fisher in the past, and it very nearly claimed us! We spun at very high speed right round across the road and I don’t know how we didn’t hit anything. It was pretty interesting.” Not surprisingly this high speed spin knocked the crews confidence for the following tests, but very much picked up the pace on day two, even catching cars on some stages. Shaun, who only started rallying last season, is currently trying to get an entry to the Tour of the Sperrins, but the next big outing for the entire Reid Motorsport team is on the Jim Clark International Rally in Scotland, for round four of the Irish Tarmac Championship on 25th-27th May.


Gp N Winners - Colm Murphy & Ger Loughrey
Photo: Ray Gavin

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Results
1 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 19m 25s,
2 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 19m 38s,
3 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 20m 03s,
4 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 22m 13s,
5 Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 26m 04s,
6 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 27m 41s,
7 Gareth Jones/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 28m 11s,
8 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 2h 32m 17s,
9 John Joe Fleming/Robbie Ward (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 33m 27s,
10 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2h 35m 12s.

Group N Production class:
1 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey,
2 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary,
3 James Cullen/Allan Harryman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 36m 25s.

Class winners:
Enda Hallinan/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic),
Billy Hayes/Pierce Doheny (Honda Civic),
Andrew Fanning/Alan McCormack (Ford Puma),
Ken O'Neill/Frank Curtin (Ford Puma),
Pat Callanan/Kenneth Shiel (Honda Civic).

NATIONAL EVENT:
1 James M Stafford/Frank Dwyer (Darrian T90) 2h 28m 33s,
2 Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort) 2h 30m 31s,
3 Fergus O'Meara/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) 2h 30m 50s.

HISTORIC/POST-HISTORIC EVENT:
1 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911) 1h 29m 57s,
2 Denis Moynihan/Dan Moynihan (Ford Escort) 1h 32m 26s,
3 Don Moynihan/Kevin Murphy (Ford Escort) 1h 32m 56s.

Class winners:
Tommy Mason/Joseph Dunne (Ford Escort),
John Hennessy/James Crowe (Ford Escort),
Gerard McCarthy/Aidan O'Dowd (Triumph TR7),
Niall Creighton/Greg Roberts (Lotus Cortina),
Paul Mitchell/Timmy Kelly (Mini),

JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Jason O'Mahony/Jonathan O'Mahony (Civic) 33m 39s,
2 Garreth O'Mahony/David McCarthy (Escort) 34m 43s,
3 Damien McCarthy/Eamonn Hayes (Civic) 34m 44s.

FIESTA CHALLENGE:
1 Conor Harvey/Tony McDaid 1h 07m 39s,
2 Jonathan Greer/Jonny Hart 1h 07m 40s,
3 Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty 1h 08m 14s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3-17 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC) (Beat Bogey Time)
SS4 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Bogey Time Beaten
SS7 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Ford Focus WRC)
SS12 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS15 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Ford Focus WRC)
SS16 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS17 Kris Meeke/Jonas Andersson (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Full Results and Times
rally.connect.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Photos:
Rally Mad Motorsport Photography
Roy Dempster Photos
Totally Sideways
autopix.ie - Ray Gavin
rallypics.org
Stephen Carson Photography
John Bayly (www.rallyfile.com)
Joe Lane - Action Photos.ie
crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures
odonovanphotos.com
Through The Lens.eu
Rallyportfolio.com
Keith McGreal - vizualpics.com
NG Motorsport Images

Video Clips
Ryan Rally Videos

Rally of Lakes (Killarney)

• 2007 Tarmac Rally Championship
• 2007 Southern 4 Rally Championship
• 2007 Irish Fiesta Sporting Trophy

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Final Entry List available
• MacHale Rally Team in world first
• Southern 4 Championship Preview
• Latest Updates
• Rally Programmes
• Fiestas set for Lakes challenge
• Meeke on course to start Killarney
• Changes to Entry List
• Entry Lists on line
• Regulations Available

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02/05/07
Final Entry list as published on the rally programme available to download from:

Tarmac Championship Official Site

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MacHale Rally Team in world first
One team will line up three Ford Focus WRC cars at time control on the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney this weekend.  Not unheard of that a team would run three cars on an event, of course, but this team spend more time together than most.  

Austin MacHale and sons Aaron and Gareth will all be competing in Focus WRC’s, and believe it’s the first time in Irish rallying, and possibly in world rallying, that three members of the same family have all driven WRC cars in a Championship event.  

Whilst tradition would dictate that Dad passes his old car onto his sons, it is Gareth MacHale and Paul Nagle who will drive the 2006-spec left hand drive car that had its debut on the Galway International in February, securing them a second place finish behind BP Ford World Rally Team’s Marcus Gronholm.  

Aaron and Derek Brannigan will be stepping out in the 2005 model, whilst Austin, who has three Killarney wins under his belt, will be partnered by long-time co-driver Brian Murphy in the 2003 Focus WRC.  

“The Rally of the Lakes is a very special event for all of us,” said Gareth MacHale.  “Aaron and I grew up coming here with Dad competing, watching the stages and helping out at service and getting the taste for the sport, so we always love to come back here as a family when we can.”  

Paul Nagle says this week’s event was an easy choice for the team to make.  “Gareth and I are doing 12 rounds of the World Rally Championship this year and could be in Argentina this weekend, but Killarney is my home event and I’ve always received great support and encouragement from the local club here, so it’s important for me to be home to take part.”  

Gareth and Paul are seeded first on the entry list of well over 200 competitors, with Austin in 8th and Aaron in 17th.  Currently in fourth place in the Dunlop National Rally Championships, Aaron and Derek have been delivering good times this season.  Gareth and Paul, meanwhile, go from Killarney to Sardinia on 18th May for the 7th Round of the World Rally Championship.

 

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01/05/07 Southern 4 Championship Preview
The Ordnance Survey Ireland Killarney International Rally of The Lakes hosts round two of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship

The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2007 heralded the beginning of this years championship and judging by the quantity and the quality of competitors who signed on in west Cork we are in for an amazing battle for the spoils again this year.

Over 100 crews registered there and with one more round after the Rally of the Lakes where competitors can sign on all the classes in this years championship will be keenly contested.

The overall Championship leaders are Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman(Focus WRC), having taken the win in an enthralling weekend long battle between themselves and the Impreza WRC of Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor,a puncture for McNulty on SS 13 causing him a minute loss with Barrable catching and passing him on the stage.
McNulty fought back on SS 14 and tried a little too hard,a spin on the stage meaning he dropped 5 seconds to Barrable,he again attacked on ss 15 and took the 5 seconds back which had Barrable 28 seconds clear going into the last stage ‘Sam’s Cross.

Barrable drove a cautious but fast final stage with McNulty going through 17 seconds quicker than him resulting in an 11 second win for the Focus WRC of Barrable /O Gorman.

Last years champions Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullaly return to Killarney and will be hoping to put there mechanical retirement in West Cork behind them by taking full points here,thereby taking advantage of the fact that Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman are not entered in Killarney. This still won’t be an easy task though with Tim McNulty and Denis Cronin also looking for the top points place.

Group N should also provide a lively contest with Kevin & Martin Kelleher full of confidence after their Group N win in West Cork.

The main competition for Kevin should come from drivers like Owen Murphy and Tadgh Linehan but there will be others with their eyes on the prize as well. Alan Ring ,who finished third overall in the championship last year ,will surely have something to say about where the points go.

In two wheel drive Wesley Patterson,Liam Davis and Conor Cavanagh will all be in with a shout as will,Dave Slattery.

So this weekend brings the prospect of another enthralling Southern 4 battle.Make sure you get there in plenty of time and book your seat on the ditch!

Class leaders are as follows:
Class: Driver Navigator
2. Tom Dunne . Christine O Leary
3. Billy Hayes Pierce Doheny Jnr.
4. Kevin Kelleher Martin Kelleher
5. Andrew Fanning John Ward
6. Jason O Brien Denis O Donovan
7. David Randles John Young
8. Michael Barrable Dermot O Gorman
9. Ken O Neill Frank Curtin
10. Ciaran Casey Stephen Clarke
11. Jason McSweeney Sean Hayde
12. Gerard O Connell Ken Carmody
13. Wesley Patterson Ruth Guest
14. Kevin O Donoghue Joe O Leary
15. Philip Cross Dave Kearney.

Todd Falvey/Dan Barry lead the Historic Class in their Porsche 911.

Full Championship tables are available to download on the championship website

Southern 4 Rally Championship

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Updates:
John O'Mahony to Co-drive for Kieran Marshall
James O'Brien with Garry Jennings
Liam Brennan in with Fergus O'Meara

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Rally Programmes
Rally Programmes are available along the rally route including:

Killarney - All major Petrol stations and Newsagents:

Abbeyfeale (Top or Shell)
Ballydesmond
Ballylickey (Cronins)
Ballyvourney
Barraduff
Beaufort (O'Sullivans)
Boherbue (Super Valu)
Castleisland (Phil Horan)
Castlemaine (Cronins)
Cullen (Quickpick)
Farranfore (Moriarty's)
Glenflesk

Kanturk
Kenmare (Whytes)
Kilgarvan (Healy Rae)
Kiskeam
Killorglin
Knocknagree (PO)
Mallow (Ears)
Meelin
Millstreet
Molls Gap
Newmarket
Rathmore
Rockchapel (Murphy's)

Rally of Lakes (Killarney)

• 2007 Tarmac Rally Championship
• 2007 Southern 4 Rally Championship
• 2007 Irish Fiesta Sporting Trophy

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30/04/07
Fiestas set for Lakes challenge Round three of the Fiesta SportingTrophy IE kicks off next Sunday on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes when eight crews will tackle some of south west Ireland’s best stages. The event, run by Killarney and District MC, will see eight Ford Fiesta ST GpN cars tackle eight challenging stages covering 143 competitive kilometres. Tadhg Buckley from Ballyhaunis, winner of round one will be once again co-driven by brother Shane as they lead the pack, which will slot into the main field on Sunday morning. Buckley, who currently lies in third place in the overall standings’ will be hoping for a change of luck after he dropped over three minutes on the penultimate stage of round two and subsequently finished the rally in seventh place.

Conor Harvey and Tony McDaid from Letterkenny will be poised to clinch another top result after their win on the UAC Easter Rally last month. The talented young Letterkenny driver has shown impressive pace on the opening two rounds, claiming second place in Galway and first place in Derry. Conor currently leads the Castrol Hard Charger standings with four fastest stage times already this season.

Alastair Fisher from Trillick will be joined by regular co-driver Barry McNulty; the pair will be aiming for another good result in the Kingdom County following an impressive start to the championship. Fischer, who currently occupies second overall in the series, also lies second in the Castrol Hard Charger category which rewards drivers for the number of quickest stage times.

Jonathan Greer and Jonny Hart will be aiming to improve on their third place result at the UAC Easter Rally. Greer, from County Down lies in fourth place in the overall standings after two rounds. The youngster, who also competes in the UK series, makes the transition back to tarmac after an impressive fifth place finish on last weekends Pirelli Rally, round two of the UK championship.

Paul Quinn and Jason Gillespie will be hoping for better luck in Killarney after a non-finish on round two sees them in eighth place in the overall standings. A broken drive shaft forced them to stop on the final stage of the UAC Easter Rally.

William Mavitty from Enniskillen has been racing to repair his car after he ended round two down an embankment and damaged his Fiesta heavily. William, once again co-driven by Englishman Mark Ammonds, currently lies sixth in the overall standings after a frustrating start to the season.

Roscommon man Colin Flanagan will also be hoping for a change in fortune after a non-finish on round one and engine problems on round two sees him in seventh place overall going into round three. Co-driven by Enda McLoughlin, Flanagan is determined to have a trouble free rally next Sunday.

Kyle Orr rounds off the Fiesta SportingTrophy field and he will be co-driven by Peter O’Toole. The County Down driver is the youngest competitor in the championship and is aiming to build on his experience by finishing the 143km event.

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30/04/07
Kris Meeke has confirmed he is still on course to start his first Rally of the Lakes this weekend, in McKinistry's S11.
Co-Driver for the rally has yet to be confirmed

Changes to Entry List

Paddy Robinson sitting with Kevin Kelleher
Alan Kenna with be co-driving Willie Fannin
Ray Fitzpatrick to sit in with Pat Price

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27/03/07
Entry Lists

International/National
1 Gareth McHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
2 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) []
4 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
6 Eamon Boland/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
7 Kris Meeke/ TBA (TBA) [8]
8 Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
9 Kevin Lynch/David Moynihan (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
10 Gareth Jones/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
12 Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
14 Stephen Murphy/Michael Joe Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
15 Patrick Elliot/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
16 Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
17 Aaron McHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
18 JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
19 Denis Biggerstaff/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
20 Hugh Martin Doherty/Michael McBride (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
21 Tony Davies/Brian Hardie (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
22 Seamus Devine/ TBA (TBA) []
23 Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
24 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
25 James Foley/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
26 Garry Jennings/Enda Sherry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
27 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
28 Roy White/Stephen McAuley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
29 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
30 James Cullen/Allan Harryman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
31 David McNulty/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
32 Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Ford Escort WRC) [15]
33 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
34 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
35 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
36 Noel McCarrick/ TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
37 Paddy White/Graeme Stewart (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
38 Walter Walshe/Sean Duggan (Subaru Impreza 555) [8]
39 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600) [6]
40 Connor Byrne/Niall Byrne (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
41 Pat Price/ TBA (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
42 Jason McSweeney/Michael O'Farrell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
43 Owen Murphy/Paul Williams (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
44 Shaun Reid/Damian McAuley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
45 Tadhg Lenihan/Mark Kane (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
46 Gary Cooney/Alistair Wylie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
47 Mark Courtney/Conor Foley (Toyota Celica GT-Four) [15]
48 Tom Holton/Sean Walsh (Toyota Celica GT-Four) [15]
49 Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort RS) [13]
50 John Hickey/Sorcha Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [15]
51 Sean Ryan/Michael Maher (Peugeot 205 RWD) [13]
52 James M Stafford/Amy Ryan (Darrian T90 GTR) [13]
53 Ken O'Neill/Frank Curtin (Ford Puma Super 1600) [6]
54 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [13]
56 Eddie Kinirons/Seamus O'Connor (Toyota Celica GT-Four) [15]
57 Tom Randles/Brian Duggan (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD) [15]
58 Peter Kelly/Peggy Kelly (Ford Escort) [14]
59 Dave Slattery/Ger Somers (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
60 Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont ( ) []
61 Jonathon Stangle/ TBA (Darrian T90) [13]
62 Brendan Brosnan/Denis O'Connell (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
63 Fergus O'Meara/Dermot Brennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
64 Mark Nangle/Mick Clyen (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
65 Eddie Garry/Kevin Kelleher (Subaru Impreza) [4]
66 Sean Flanagan/Brian Miller (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
67 Brian O'Keeffe/Derek Power (Subaru Impreza) [4]
68 Eamon Daly/Kevin Synott (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
69 Jody Patterson/Jeremy Taylor (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [4]
70 Jer O'Donovan/Stephen O'Donovan (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
71 Dave Randles/John Young (Nissan Almera) [7]
72 Ger O'Sullivan/Alan Coleman (Subaru Impreza) [16]
73 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Keith John McCarthy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
74 Stephen Cullen/Aidan Kent (Subaru Impreza) [4]
75 Padraig Neville/Amy Ryan (Subaru N12 B) [4]
76 Brendan Dennehy/Willie Buchanan (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
77 Denis Dowling/Jason Russell (Ford Escort) [14]
78 Liam Davis/Billy Kelleher (Ford Escort) [13]
79 Mike Moloney/Marie Casey (Ford Escort) [13]
80 Ray Hilliard/ TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
81 Leonard Downey/Mark Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
82 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
83 Andrew Bushe/Simon Mius (Citroen Saxo S1600) [6]
84 Berian Richards/Russell Davies (Ford Escort RS) [14]
85 Adrian McElhinney/Martin McMenamin (Peugeot 206) [6]
86 Enda Hallinan/Ollie Ward (Honda Civic) [2]
87 James Wozencroft/Chris Ridge (Suzuki Swift) [2]
88 Philip Cross/David Kearney (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
89 Martin Browne/ TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
90 Pat Callanan/Kenneth Shiel (Honda Civic Type R) [7]
91 Raymond Spence/Craig McSweeney (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
92 Michael Cummins/Don Montgomery (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
93 Raymond Conlon/James O'Reilly (Toyota Corolla) [11]
94 Stephen Sheehan/Paul Sheehan (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
95 Conor Cavanagh/James Jordan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
96 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort Cosworth) [15]
97 Tony Murphy/Brid Murphy (Ford Escort) [13]
98 John Newman/Jack Newman (BMW M3) [14]
99 Pat Looney/Ronald Riordan (Vauxhall Chevette) [14]
100 John Riordan/Helen Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
101 Roland Doherty/PJ O'Dowd (Opel Corsa) [9]
102 Daragh O'Riordan/Sean McCarthy (Honda Civic) [6]
103 Lorna Smith/Joanne Oakey (Suzuki Swift) [2]
104 John Somers/Geraldine Somers (Opel Astra) [7]
105 Joe Pat O'Sullivan/Paul O'Shea (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [16]
106 Colm Flynn/Raymond Finnegan (Toyota Corolla) [11]
107 David Leslie/Anthony Kelliher (Toyota Corolla) [11]
108 Declan Grogan/Rachel Kennedy (Honda Civic) [11]
109 Kieran Daly/Donnacha O'Callaghan (Ford Puma Super 1600) [6]
110 Ian Roche/Paul Roche (Peugeot 106 S1600) [6]
111 Kieran Marshall/ TBA (Honda Civic Type R) [7]
112 John Corrigan/Tony Dineen (Ford Focus) [16]
113 Denis Barnett/Frank Barnett (Subaru Impreza) [15]
114 Paul Ahern/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza) [4]
115 Aiden Dunlea/Frank Curtin (Ford Escort) [7]
116 Jimmy White/Stephen White (Ford Focus) [7]
117 Billy Hayes/Pierse Jnr Doheny (Honda Civic) [3]
118 Tom Gormally/Ross Forde (Honda Civic) [3]
119 Kevin O'Sullivan/Martin O'Riordan (Opel Corsa) [9]
120 Andrew Fanning/Alan McCormack (Ford Puma) [5]
121 William Buttimer/Aoife McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
122 Noel O'Sullivan/Nicky Burke (Ford Escort) [9]
123 Colm Noonan/Ken Carmody (Peugeot 306 S16) [7]
124 Brian Connolly/Shane O'Grady (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
125 Ciaran Casey/Steven Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
126 Martin Quirke/Malai Pratai (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
127 Tim McQuaid/Steven Ryan (Peugeot 106 S16) [16]
128 Kevin McCarthy/ TBA (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
129 DD Murphy/John Murphy (Ford Escort) [12]
130 Pat O'Sullivan/John O'Shea (Honda Integra Type R) [3]
131 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [16]
132 Ian Hynes/Des Sherlock (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
133 Colm Forde/Jonathon Trill (Peugeot 206) [6]
134 John Fleming/Sean Fleming (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
135 Ted O'Riordan/Adrian O'Connell (Proton Satria) [6]
136 John Quill/Caroline Kearney (Citroen C2 R2) [16]
137 Colm Cronin/Brian Sharkey (Peugeot 206 Xsi) [6]
138 Timmy Casey/Aidan Cronin (Ford Escort G3) [10]
139 Garret McMonagle/Mark Maguire (Honda Integra Type R) [7]
140 Colin McMonagle/ TBA (Honda Integra Type R) [7]
141 Billy O'Keeffe/Derrick O'Neill (Mitsubishi Evo 4) [15]
142 Tom Dunne/Christine O'Leary (Peugeot 106 GTi) [2]
143 David Murphy/John Doody (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
144 Finbarr Creed/Mossie O'Conaill (BMW M3) [14]
145 Tom O'Sullivan/ TBA (Peugeot 205) [10]
146 Johnny Fitzgerald/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
147 Paddy O'Connor/Diarmuid O'Mahony (Ford Fiesta) [9]
148 Padraig Dineen/Stephen Ferriter (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
149 Stephen Murphy/Pat Duggan (Opel Corsa) [9]
150 Paudie O'Callaghan/ TBA (Toyota Starlet) [9]
151 Brian Doherty/Murt Horgan (Honda Civic) [9]
152 Albert Kelly/ TBA (Vauxhall Chevette) [12]
153 Aidan Ryan/Dan Cronin (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
154 Kevin Moran/Mike Cleary (Ford Escort) [11]

Fiesta
401 Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta) [FST]
402 Tadhg Buckley/Shane Buckley (Ford Fiesta) [FST]
403 Jonathon Greer/Jonny Hart (Ford Fiesta ST) [FST]
404 Paul Quinn/Jason Gilespie (Ford Fiesta ST) [FST]
405 Conor Harvey/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta) [FST]
406 William Mavitty/Mark Ammonds (Ford Fiesta) [FST]

Historics
H201 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911) [C2]
H202 Joe Connolly/Gareth Connolly (Ford Escort RS) [C2]
H203 Don Moynihan/Kevin Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [C2]
H204 Sean Treacy/Billy Regan (BMW 2002 Alpina) []
H205 Martin Sheahan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort Mk1) [C2]
H206 Adrian Kermode/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911) [C2]
H207 Pat Donegan/Andrew Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk2) [D4]
H208 Ray Benskin/Peadar Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [D3]
H209 Liam Sheehan/Mark Doody (Ford Escort Mk I) [C1]
H210 Niall Creighton/Gregory Roberts (Ford Cortina Lotus MK 1) [B3]
H211 John Curran/John Finnegan (Ford Escort Mk I) [C1]
H212 Edward Hallahan/Barry Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [C1]
H213 Gerard McCarthy/ TBA (Triumph TR7) [D4]
H214 Denis Moynihan/Dan Moynihan (Ford Escort) [C2]
H215 Paul Mitchell/Timmy Kelly (Austin Mini) [D2]
H216 Steve Hall/Aggie Foster (Triumph TR4) [B6]
H217 William Todd/Nigel Campbell (Austin Mini Cooper S) [B2]
H218 Mick Cremin/Noreen Mullins (Ford Escort) [C2]
H219 Michael Finch/Sean Enright (Ford Escort Mk I) [C1]
H220 Kevin Flanagan/Patrick Wall (Austin Mini Cooper S) [C1]
H221 Aaron Tracey/Alan Tracey (Austin Mini Cooper S) [B3]
H222 John Hackett/Michael Hackett (Austin Mini) [C1]
H223 Hugh Fleming/Vincent Fagan (Ford Escort Mk I) [C1]
H224 Jeremiah O'Flynn/Sean O'Flynn (Ford Escort Mk I) [C1]
H225 Philip McDowell/Mark Stirling (Ford Escort Mk1) [C1]
H226 Eddie Cronin/Karol O'Mahony (Morris Mini) [B1]
H227 Martin Kehoe/Barty Daye (Morris Mini) [C1]
H229 Jack O'Shea/Tara Duggan (Austin Mini) [C1]
H230 Aidan Kennedy/John Looney (Austin Mini Cooper S) [C1]
H231 Mark Falvey/Patrick O'Connor (Ford Escort) [D3]
H232 Tommy Mason/ TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [C1]

Juniors
J301 Barry Ryan/Donal Falvey (Ford Escort) [J2]
J302 Billy McCarthy/Diarmuid Lynch (Nissan Micra) [J1]
J303 John Spillane/Sean Hurley (Peugeot 106) [16]
J304 Gary Dineen/T J Murphy (Ford Escort) [J2]
J305 Sarah Moynihan/Amy Moynihan (Peugeot 206) [J2]
J306 Joachim Buckley/James Foley (Toyota Starlet) [J1]
J308 William Angland/Damien Fleming (Honda Civic) [J1]
J309 Mark Kinirons/Trevor Payne (Citroen C2 R2) [J2]
J310 Niall O'Rahilly-Drew/Kieran Crowley (Ford Escort) [J2]
J311 Adrian Levis/Eric Deane (Suzuki Swift) [J1]
J312 Donal Crooke/Mark Feely (Peugeot 205) [J2]
J313 Daniel O'Leary/Mike Fitzgerald (Honda Civic) []
J314 John O'Sullivan/Tommy Doody (Honda Civic) [J2]
J315 Brian O'Mahony/Michelle Gallwey (Peugeot 106) [J1]
J316 Garreth O'Mahony/David McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [J1]
J317 Donal Dineen/Noel O'Regan (Peugeot 205 GTi) [J2]
J318 David Whelan/Charlotte Egan (Vauxhall Nova) [J2]
J319 Frank Doherty/Anthony O'Shea (Toyota Corolla) [J2]
J320 Finbarr Cahillane/Kieran Sweeney (Toyota Corolla) [J2]
J321 John White/Alan O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [J2]
J322 David Calnan/John Calnan (Suzuki Swift GTI) [J1]
J323 Kenneth Kelliher/Alan Blennerhassett (Ford Escort) [J2]
J324 Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) [J2]
J325 John Forde/Stephen Kingston (Peugeot 205) [J2]
J326 Jason O'Mahony/Jonathon O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [J2]
J327 Mark Lane/Bobby Nugent (Peugeot 106 GTi) [J2]
J328 Sean Moylan/Conor O'Flynn (Peugeot 205 GTi) [J2]
J329 Timmy Foley/Conor Collins (Honda Civic) [J2]
J330 Kevin Donnelly/ TBA (Toyota Starlet) [J1]
J331 Bryan Giles/Eamon Dullea (Suzuki Swift GTI) [J1]
J332 Jason Ryan/Tadgh O'Sullivan (Toyota Starlet) [J2]
J333 George Jagoe/Alan Mulligan (Suzuki Swift) [J1]
J334 Sean Moran/ TBA (Toyota Corolla) [J2]
J335 Peter Desmond/Catherine Kiely (Vauxhall Nova) [J2]
J336 Aidan Mulcahy/Des Flynn (Honda Civic) [J2]
J337 Liam Howlett/ TBA (Toyota Starlet RWD) [J2]
J338 Liam Dennehy/Finbarr O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [J2]
J339 John O'Sullivan/Denis O'Riordan (Toyota Corolla) [J2]
J340 Thomas O'Keeffe/Donal Keane (Ford Escort) []

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20/03/07
Regulations and Entry Form available on the Event Website (Click on Competitors)

Rally of Lakes (Killarney)

• 2007 Tarmac Rally Championship
• 2007 Southern 4 Rally Championship
• 2007 Irish Fiesta Sporting Trophy