Maiden City Dogleap Stages Rally - 1 Aug 09

Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan Extend Their Lead In The Group N Race

Posted: August 12, 2009 2:21 PM

Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan secured an excellent 4th overall and 2nd in Group N at the 2009 KPL Utility Services Dogleap Stages Rally, round six of the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

Through the first loop of four stages Donagh and Kevin set some good times and were consistently setting top three times in group N and even managed a third quickest time overall on SS1 Drumrammer. During the first loop they damaged the intercooler on the Dogleap jumps and had to get it changed at service.

During the second loop of stages the Donegal crew had another good run with two fastest times in group.

On the final two stages they had another good run and enjoyed the nip and tuck battle with McKenna and Rogers but in the end had to settle for 2nd in Group N only 6.7 seconds behind Johnny McKenna and Frank Conville.

The 2nd place in Group N has given Donagh some more good points and has now extended his lead in the Sunoco Fuels Group N category to ten points over Raymond Johnston. With Donagh finishing 4th overall he has now moved into 3rd overall in the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship three points ahead of Denis Biggerstaff.

Thanks again to the 2009 sponsors, KN Network Services, Donnelly Bros. Dungannon, Prime Tyres and Swan Plant Hire and for there continued support, Shell Racing Fuels, Pirelli Tyres and Vehicle Services Motorsport.

Visit www.vsmsport.com to read the latest news on the championship campaign

Sean Devine makes a winning comeback at Limavady's Dogleap Rally!

Posted: August 12, 2009 2:02 PM

Sean Devine made an excellent comeback to the Hankook MSA N.I. Stage Rally Championship on Saturday when he secured victory at round six of the series, the KPL Utility Services Dogleap Stages Rally!

Navigated by Tony McDaid, the crew immediately moved into the lead of the Limavady based event, closely followed by Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr. While Devine was fastest over the opening three stages, creating an advantage of almost 12 seconds, McKinstry then upped his pace in response to the rally leader.

The following three stages saw McKinstry go fastest, swiping almost five seconds out of Devine's advantage. It was all to no avail though, as the chasing Banbridge pilot was forced to incur a 30 second penalty before the start of stage seven.

"We had a small engine fire at the end of stage six" McKinstry explained. "It turned out that a small turbo pipe had burst so it was really difficult to change with the heat. As a result, we were three minutes late at the start of stage seven, which gave us a 30 second penalty. It's a shame as the race was on!"

McKinstry's troubles gave Devine the breathing space that he needed, and a clean drive over the remaining stages saw the Strabane man secure the 2009 KPL Utility Services Dogleap Rally spoils. McKinstry arrived home in second position, less than 31 seconds adrift and rueing that sixth stage problem.

Outside the battle between the top duo, the remainder of the top five was occupied by the Sunoco Fuels Group N men. The production category drivers enjoyed a fierce battle for the crown, and perhaps surprisingly, it was Johnny McKenna and Frank Conville who sealed the top spot, as well as third overall.

There is no question about McKenna's speed, but he has had limited time in a rally car on gravel since the start of the season. Yet, despite being out of 'match practice', the Draperstown driver was able to take the challenge to the championship regulars, and beat them!

It was nip and tuck throughout the day but in the end, McKenna nabbed third overall and first in Group N by 6.7 seconds from Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan. Second for Kelly was more than enough to maintain his advantage in the Sunoco Fuels Group N championship standings, which he now leads by 10 points from Raymond Johnston.

Reigning Group N champions, Cathal and Eoighan Rogers, finished fifth overall ahead of the Impreza WRC belonging to Seamus Leonard and John McCaffery. Raymond Johnston and Rodney Hicks finished seventh in their Evo, while Seamus Donnelly and Damien Duffin completed the top eight.

In the Superdrive two-wheel-drive category, Trevor Moore and Ray Fitzpatrick took the early lead in their Mark 2 Escort, only to be forced into retirement after stage four. One stage later, James Kennedy and John Rowan were also forced out of the rally.

There were no such problems for Adrian Hetherington and Gary Nolan though, as they powered their Escort into ninth overall and at the top of the 2WD tree. Phillip Hunter and Michael Faloon were next in line, sealing 14th overall as well as the Montgomery Motorsport Historic category spoils. Drew Stewart and Steven Park completed the top three, one second ahead of Ian Millar and David McLean.

Round seven of the Hankook MSA N.I. Stage Rally Championship takes competitors to County Fermanagh on 12 September. The Fisher Engineering Lakeland Stages Rally will see the battle for championship spoils reignite between the championship contenders, and more information can be found online at www.nirally.com

Photos:

Posted: August 12, 2009 1:09 PM

neillpics.co.uk
TPM Photosport
JAC Photography

Full Results

Posted: August 12, 2009 1:01 PM

Full Results & Times

Hankook N.I. rally series burst back into action!

Posted: July 28, 2009 1:13 PM

The Hankook MSA N.I. Stage Rally Championship bursts back into action this Saturday after a short summer break with the KPL Utilities Dogleap Stages Rally!

And this year's event is virtually guaranteed to see a new name at the top of the Limavady podium. Local driver Kevin Lynch has dominated round six of the Hankook series for the past five years, but this year Lynch takes a backseat, instead deciding to sponsor the event through his KPL Utilities company.

Starting the rally with number one on his door is Seamus Leonard. Navigated by John McCaffery, the Omagh driver will be vying for his maiden Dogleap victory and will face stiff opposition from Sean Devine and Tony McDaid. Devine was a regular in the Hankook series for a number of seasons, and narrowly lost out on the title, but the Dogleap will be his first foray in the championship this year.

The first of the Sunoco Fuels Group N crews start at number three with Comber's Neil McCance and Sean Ferris leading the field away. Reigning production category champions, Cathal and Eoighan Rogers, are next in line, followed by Raymond Johnston and Rodney Hicks. English visitors Tony Arnsby and Phillip Cook complete the top six seeds.

The battle will be just as fierce among the Superdrive 2WD competitors with Mark Barnett starting at number 28 in his Escort ahead of Trevor Moore. James Kennedy, Adrian Hetherington, Ian Millar and Bob Riddles will all be swapping seconds for the top spot.

And in the Montgomery Motorsport historic category, a small but quality field has entered the event. Category leaders, Phillip Hunter and Michael Faloon, will pit their Mark 2 Escort against the Mark 1 version belonging to Alan Jardine and Jim McSherry.

Action at the KPL Utilities Dogleap Stages Rally gets underway on Saturday morning at 10am, with headquarters based at Limavady Recreation Centre, while service will be held at LGC (former Seagate factory). Competitors will face 10 stages in the forests surrounding Limavady, before returning to the finish ramp at approximately 5.30pm. More information, including a full entry list, is available for download from

Northern Ireland Rally Championship

Final Instructions

Posted: July 28, 2009 1:09 PM

Final Instructions

The Dogleap Next On The Agenda For Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan

Posted: July 25, 2009 3:08 PM

Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan are planning an attack on round six of the 2009 Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship, The KPL Utility Services Dogleap Stages Rally.

Based in Limavday the rally kicks off on Saturday 1st August at 10.00am with 10 challenging stages and 45 stages miles for Donagh and Kevin to tackle. This is the first gravel event in the Hankook series and the pair are really looking forward to it.

Donagh and Kevin go into the Dogleap leading the Sunoco Fuels Group N category on 36 points with Mark Massey and Neil McCance hot on their heels both on 35 points. When the Donegal crew reach the finish ramp on Saturday evening they hope to have extended their lead in the Group N category.

The crew are now ready for the tough Dogleap stages and to prepare themselves for the event they completed a short test in Enniskillen recently to set the car up and familiarise themselves with the car.

Thanks again to the 2009 sponsors, KN Network Services, Donnelly Bros. Dungannon, Prime Tyres and Swan Plant Hire and for there continued support, Shell Racing Fuels, Pirelli Tyres and Vehicle Services Motorsport (www.vsmsport.com).

Vehicle Services Motorsport (VSM)

Entry List

Posted: July 22, 2009 9:44 AM

Car No Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Seamus Leonard / John McCaffery (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
2 Sean Devine / Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
3 Neil McCance / Sean Ferris (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
4 Cathal Rogers / Eoighan Rogers (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
5 Raymond Johnston / Rodney Hicks (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
6 Tony Arnsby / Phillip Cook (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [9]
7 Donagh Kelly / Kevin Flanagan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
8 Mark Massey / Andrew McVeigh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
9 Emma McKinstry / Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
10 Kevin O'Kane / Martin Brady (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
11 Brian Dowey / Ricky Cochrane (Escort RS Cosworth) [9]
12 Brendan Connor / T.B.A (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
14 Tristan Pye / Roger Herron (Subaru Impreza N12) [2]
15 Johnny McKenna / T.B.A (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [2]
16 Seamus Donnelly / Damien Duffin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
17 Raymond Mason / Peter Martin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [2]
18 Martin Cairns / Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [9]
19 Greg McLaughlin / T.B.A (Ford Evo) [2]
20 Eamon Mimnagh / John Johnston (Mitsubishi Evo) [2]
21 Enda McNulty / T.B.A (Subaru Impreza) [2]
22 Trevor Ferguson / David McIlroy (Subaru N12) [2]
23 Damien Tourish / Niall Burns (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [2]
24 Emmett O'Hara / Alan Redstone (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [2]
25 P.J Gillespie / Mary O'Kane (Mitsubishi Evo) [2]
26 Mark Donnelly / T.B.A (Subaru N14) [2]
27 Paul Ward / Peter Ward (Subaru Impreza) [2]
28 Mark Barnett / T.B.A (Ford Escort RS) [7]
29 Trevor Moore / T.B.A (Escort Mk ll) [8]
30 James Kennedy / John Rowan (Escort Mk ll) [7]
31 Adrian Hetherington / T.B.A (Escort Mk ll) [7]
32 Ian Millar / David McLonn (Escort Mk ll) [5]
33 Bob Riddles / T.B.A (Escort Mk ll) [7]
34 Aidan Caldwell / Paul Vaughan (Ford Escort) [7]
35 Kenny Bustard / Leon Jordan (Subaru Impreza) [9]
36 Martin Collins / Stephen O'Neill (Mitsubishi Evo) [2]
37 Gregory Shaw / Fergal Shaw (Subaru Impreza) [2]
38 Cyril Doherty / Graham Henderson (Subaru Impreza) [2]
39 Trison McMullan / Kieran McFall (Toyota Celica) [2]
40 Martin McAteer / T.B.A (Mitsubishi Evo 4) [2]
41 Damien Hynds / John Magilton (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [2]
42 Cecil Minford / Jonny Agnew (Subaru Impreza) [2]
43 Ian Cochrane / Colin Harkness (Mitsubishi Evo) [2]
44 Ruairi McCloskey / Ronan O'Neill (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [2]
45 Sarah Moynihan / Amy Moynihan (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [2]
46 Michael Conlon / Adian Boyle (Mark ll Escort) [7]
47 Drew Stewart / Steven Park (Mark ll Escort) [7]
48 William McFadden / Stephen Doherty (Ford G3) [7]
49 Shane Cullen / T.B.A (Ford Escort) [6]
50 Oran Donnelly / Paul Hughes (Ford Escort) [6]
51 Ryan Barnett / Barry Ferris (Ford Escort) [6]
52 Irwin Craig / T.B.A (Ford Escort) [6]
53 Eamon Doherty / Eoin McGuckian (Ford Escort) [6]
54 Stephen Dickson / David Dickson (Vauxhall Corsa) [5]
55 Ian Duff / Ian Hull (Proton Compact) [5]
56 Samantha Thom / T.B.A (Peugeot 106) [5]
57 Owen McToal / Dave Brit (Mark ll Escort) [6]
58 Bryan Jardine / Lloyd Cochrane (Ford Escort) [6]
59 Gerry O'Leary / Gabriel O'Leary (Mark ll Escort) [6]
60 Aaron Cunningham / Ryan O'Connor (Ford Escort) [6]
61 Colin McFarland / T.B.A (Ford Escort) [6]
62 Wilson McConkey / Liam McAuley (Mark ll Escort) [6]
63 Connor Kelly / Anthony Corcannon (Ford Escort ) [4]
64 John Devlin / Gavin Devlin (Sunbeam) [4]
65 Mervyn Wilson / Richard Gamble (Ford Escort) [4]
66 Andrew Bustard / T.B.A (Vauxhall Corsa) [4]
67 Paddy McToal / Connor O'Loan (Mark ll Escort) [4]
80 Joseph McGonigle / Mark Curran (Honda Civic) [1]
81 Declan Leonard / Dara Leonard (Ford Fiesta ST) [1]
82 Michael McCrossan / Brian McElhill (Peugeot 106) [1]
83 Dermot O'Hagan / Pierce Doheny (Vauxhall Corsa) [3]
84 Glen Irwin / Robert Fyffe (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
85 Gareth Sayers / Gareth Gilchirst (Vauxhall Nova) [3]
86 Niall Donnelly / Eamon Gallagher (Ford fiesta RWD) [3]
87 Shane Timony / Niall Timony (Ford Ka) [3]
88 Roisin Boyd / Wendy Blackledge (Suzuki Swift) [3]
89 Phillip Hunter / Michael Faloon (Ford Escort) [10]
90 Alan Jardine / Jim McShery (Ford Escort RS) [10]

Regulations / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

• Maiden City Motor Club