News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
LinksConnacht MC Sligo Restricted Mini Stages Rally - 29 Nov 09
Posted: December 2, 2009 5:33 PM - 18813 Hits
- Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan win Sligo Mini Stages
- Mayo rally competitors invade Sligo.
- Video Clips
- More Photos:
- Results
- ENTRY LIST PUBLISHED FOR SLIGO RESTRICTED MINI STAGES RALLY
- Entry List
- Its all systems go for Sligo Mini Stages
- Half way there with a week to go – Lets give it the final push !
- Important Dates
- Regulations Published
- Details
- Club Website
Mayo rally competitors invade Sligo.
Posted: December 2, 2009 5:33 PM
The Mayo and District Motorsport club were well represented at Sundays Connacht Mini-Stages Rally based out of Grange in Sligo, with over 10 crews starting the extremely tough event.
Mervyn & Derek Deane in their Ford Escort Mark II were the first Mayo crew home in a fine 8th place overall. They steadily gained places throughout the day climbing from 14th after stage 1 up to their eventual 8th place finish. The dynamic duo of Ciaran Kennedy & Paul McGuinnis brought there class 2 civic home in a excellent first in class and a great 21st overall. The pair were finding it very slippery but were thoroughly enjoying the day. They lost one of the wing mirrors on stage one and they said “if found please return!” Foxford’s Ambrose Gaughan was the next Mayo competitor home in his Toyota Corolla Twin Cam. Ambrose finished 26th overall an incredible result considering he suffered complete brake failure half way through stage 1. Ambrose and co-Driver Derek Molloy managed to bleed the brakes and continued. The went onto prove there pace by catching two cars on stage 2, climbing from a first stage 57th to 26th at the finish, They also brought home some crystal by finishing 3rd in class 9.
Next highest Mayo finishers were Marcus Molloy and David Walsh. They finished in 35th place overall in their Honda Civic. At service Marcus had a big smile on his face and was loving the conditions.
Class 1 competitor Kenneth McHale swapped his drivers seat for a navigators, It proved to be an easy transition for the Knockmore man who was sitting beside Eamon McCafferty in his Ford Puma, ably guided through the tricky conditions Eamon brought the Puma home in 54th overall and First in class.
Only a scant 5 seconds behind was James Culliney, the Bekan man was navigating for Niall Morley they brought their Ford Escort home with a respectable 5th in class and in 55th overall just behind Kenneth McHale & Eamon McCafferty.
The Castlebar duo of Eoin McGreal and Jonathan Rice reported to have a good run the pair were having a laugh at service finding the conditions very slippery but enjoying it nonetheless. They eventually finished in a fine 61st overall and 6th in class 10 in their Chevette. The Honda Civic of Tom Jordon and Peter O’Toole were the next Mayo crew home in 75th overall.
Otto Gropler & Paul McGlinchey had a torrid day it all started badly with a spin on the very first corner, the pair were finding the conditions very challenging. As they came into service the crew were feeling better after a good run over the second stage only hampered by catching a car on the stage which subsequently crashed in front of them. It all wasn’t all bad as the pair manage to resurrect a fine 3rd place in class 5.
Unfortunately it was not all good news for the Mayo competitors as some of them fell by the wayside. One of them was Colin & Michael Loughney in there class 12 Ford Escort Mark II. The crew found the conditions very tricky finding themselves going up two escape roads on the first two stages. The red Escort was lying in a great 16th place overall after stage 1 but unfortunately after stage 3 their fine drive came to an end when the oil filter came off. Another crew to retire due to mechanical problems was Padraic Roche & Chrystal Culkeen when the gearbox cried enough after stage 1.
As the year draws to a close the Mayo and District Motorsport club would like to congratulate all of their competitors who have done excellently throughout the year.
Results
Posted: November 29, 2009 8:12 PM
1 Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan (Ford Escort) 40m 33s,
2 John O’Donnell/Jonathan Baird (Ford Escort) 41m 09s,
3 Dominic McLoughlin/Stephen McLoughlin (Peugeot 205 RWD) 41m 44s,
4 Victor Hunter/Michael Doherty (Ford Escort) 41m 48s,
5 John McGettrick/James McDermott (Ford Escort) 42m 22s,
6 Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague (Corolla) 42m 30s.
Leaders After:
SS1-4 Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan (Ford Escort)
Stage Winners
SS1 Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan (Ford Escort)
SS2 John O’Donnell/Jonathan Baird (Ford Escort)
SS3 Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan (Ford Escort)
SS4 Daniel McKenna/Ciaran Tynan (Ford Escort)
ENTRY LIST PUBLISHED FOR SLIGO RESTRICTED MINI STAGES RALLY
Posted: November 23, 2009 5:01 PM
Seeded entry list for the Sligo Restricted Min Stages Rally has been published , and having received 125 at close of entries at the weekend it would be expected that their would be very few withdrawals from that line out , being the last tarmac event in the region this season and due to the early commitment from a large number of those crews.
Running first on the road , leading the array of Class 13 entrants is young Daniel Mc Kenna with Ciaran Tynan on the notes . On his form to date this year the Clones man is well deserving of being granted that position , winning the Monaghan Mini Stages and second in the Caste Mini behind Gary Jennings , being only a few of his accolades to date . At No 2 spot is the local man ,Domnic Mc Loughlin with his brother Stephen on the notes in the RWD 205 also a class 13 car and even though not now competing regularly , he is still capable of delivering some serious times , particularly if conditions are wet. At the home event in July this year he was lying at 9th overall after the first loop of stages , in what was a National round and had it not for mechanical problems he most likely wood have improved that as the day progressed .With no 3 on the door is John O Donnell from Letterkenny another class 13 Escort with fellow Donegal man Victor Hunter is at No 4 . In the Class six Saxo S1600 is North Sligo man and Stage sponsor ,David Leonard who since completely rebuilding the Citroen has being eliminating a few minor issues , but feels that the car is running at its optimum.
First car of the top 20 cars will depart Rally HQ at the Sligo Park Hotel at 10am , with the remaining field leaving park ferme at the Carraroe retail park. The first car is due back at the finish ramp at 15.45 .
TOP TEN
1 Daniel McKenna / Ciaran Tynan Ford Escort
2 Dominic McLoughlin / Stephen McLoughlin Peugeot 205 RWD
3 John O'Donnell / Jonathan Baird Ford Escort
4 Victor Hunter / Michael Doherty Ford Escort
5 David Leonard / Leon Jordan Citroen Saxo
6 Raymond Conlon / Darren McCague Toyota Corolla
7 Gary McElhinney / Damien Connolly Ford Escort
8 Gordon Rogers / Philip McEntee Ford Escort
9 Jason Currid / Stephen Brady Ford Escort
10 John McGettrick / James McDermott Ford Escort
Its all systems go for Sligo Mini Stages
Posted: November 3, 2009 3:32 PM
With in excess of the 80 target entries received to date ,the next stage of planning of the November 29th event has commenced .
Clerk of the Course , Robert Lyttle commended the enthusiasm from competitors , particularly in the last week ,who have put a weight of support behind the event in submitting entries early , giving the organisors confidence in going forward.
The overwhelming response from crews who , understanding the plight of the organising committee of having to make an early decision, is very much appreciated having now reached the minimum target on October 27th .
Entries will remain open until November 14th .
Regulations and Details:
Half way there with a week to go – Lets give it the final push !
Posted: October 21, 2009 5:24 PM
In one week’s time Connacht Motor Club would be hopeful of reaching the necessary 80 minimum entries to progress the Sligo Park Hotel Mini Stages Rally to the next level , but it will take the desired interest from more entrants to reach that target . Competitors are being appealed to get entries in this week should they have an interest in competing on two classic stages in Sligo on November 29th next bringing a close to the 2009 tarmac season.
The planning of the event is well advanced , having secured a number of committed sponsors but the vital ingredient , competitors , need to fill the gap.
Having Sligo Park Hotel as title sponsor is comforting as they have accommodated so many Sligo Rallies in the past and undoubtedly will provide a welcome atmosphere around this event also . Both stages have also received support with sponsorship from both Leonard Transport and Currid Crash Repairs. A well known hostility in North Sligo , Jordan’s Pub is sponsoring Service and the event Programme is sponsored by City Electrical Services
Currently in the region of forty crews have committed and substantial interest has been forthcoming but, the club would appeal to the almost 400 who have downloaded regs to get posting.
Regulations are available to download at
Important Dates
Posted: October 2, 2009 2:32 PM
October 1st - Regulations available for download
Tuesday October 27th - Minimum 80 entry to progress event further (Decision Day )
Final Instructions - 18th November
Regulations Published
Posted: October 2, 2009 2:31 PM
Regulations have now been published for the Sligo Park Hotel Restricted Mini Stages Rally proposed for Sunday November 29th . The end of season event is hoped to attract competitors who wish to close the 2009 season with a compact value for money event . In an effort to keep costs down for crews , entry fee is set at € 350 , offering approximately 75 kilometres of competitive stages in a close loop with central service, it is hoped that a capacity field would be achieved .
Taking cognisance of the entry levels throughout 2009 , the organising committee are very aware of the emerging phenomenon of late entries, which for clubs leaves planning extremely difficult in regard to costs ,publication of entries and seeding . With this in mind , should a figure of eighty entries not be received by October 27th , the club will have no alternative but to make the undesired decision to cancel the event in order to protect the club from incurring any further losses.
The Committee therefore appeals to competitors to get entries in early and in return the club will put together the best event to wrap up the season.
Regulations are available to download at
Details
Posted: August 26, 2009 3:23 PM
Connacht Motor Club are delighted to announce that plans for the Restricted Mini Stages scheduled for Sunday November 29th have commenced with the appointment of Robert Lyttle as Clerk of the Course for the event. Roberts involvement in the sport this year has been a hectic one , commencing early in the year with Rally Ireland , in July as C O C of the successful Sligo Stages and now closing off the year with the clubs allocated Restricted Mini Stages . Joining him as Deputy will be the experienced navigator , Paul Kiely who will be bringing his vast knowledge from the competitors prospective to the table , complimenting Roberts meticulous planning which has reflected in the events he influenced this year to date .
In a dedicated effort to make the event affordable for the genuine clubman , who in current economic times is targeting a lesser number of select events , Connacht Motor Club is committed to holding the entry fee at € 350 . The expectancy would be to attract a full compliment field but a minimum of 80 entries would be required to reduce the clubs exposure to the subsidisation of the event . The Clerk of the Course on agreeing to accept the role , indicated that his main focuses will, as always be giving the competitor value for money and selecting stages suitable to all classes.
Regulations for the event will become available for downloading on the club website from early September
Upcoming