rally.ie logo

Skibbereen Fastnet Stages Rally (J) - 24 Oct 10

Posted: November 12, 2010 10:56 AM - 30983 Hits

Round 10 - 2010 National Rally Championship (+ Junior)
Round 5 - 2010 Southern 4 Rally Championship


Photo: Joe Lane

In Car

Posted: November 12, 2010 10:56 AM

Lloyd Hutchinson/Kevin Flanagan (Mini) SS3


Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) SS7


Kevin O'Connor/Andrew Purcell (CR-R2) - Stage 3


Luke McCarthy / Eric McCarthy (Honda Civic) Stage 3


Martin Lordan / Rory Hennessy (Ford Escort) - Stage 3




Eugene Donnelly / Alan Whyte (Nova) SS8


Sean Liston/Katrina Walsh (Nova) SS1


Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600) SS7

Video Clips

Posted: November 12, 2010 10:47 AM









Photos:

Posted: November 12, 2010 10:32 AM


Class 10 Winners - Eugene Donnelly/Alan Whyte

EVANS STORMS TO FASTNET RALLY VICTORY - Report courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: November 12, 2010 10:21 AM

Newly crowned Dunlop National Rally champion, Mel Evans in a Subaru WRC brought the curtain down on the Dunlop season with a convincing victory in the Skibbereen based West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally, the tenth and final round of the campaign.

At the completion of the eight stage rally, Evans and his co-driver, Patrick Walsh were 51 seconds ahead of second placed, Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC). Cork driver, Daragh O’Riordan, partnered by Derry’s, Tony McDaid, also in a Subaru WRC, were a further seven seconds behind in third.

The top Modified performer was Limerick ’s, Ed O’Callaghan (Ford Escort) he was fourth overall with Brian O’Mahony, in a Renault Clio, fifth.

Meanwhile, Declan Boyle (Ford Escort), who was seventh, clinched the rally.ie award as the top driver in that category within the Dunlop series while Meath’s, Sean Flanagan in a Subaru, won the Patterson’s RallyNews Group N award.

Eugene Donnelly driving a Class 10 Vauxhall Nova as a fundraiser for the West Cork rapid response, won his class and finished 32nd. overall.

Last year’s Fastnet winner and top seed, Denis Cronin (Subaru) took a four second lead on the opening stage close to Skibbereen where O’Riordan was his closest pursuer with Evans eleven seconds off the lead. Late entry, Keith Cronin, the double British Rally champion, driving his 2009 championship winning Mitsubishi, lost over five minutes with a puncture.

Meanwhile, another local driver, Kevin Kelleher, also in a Mitsubishi, led the showroom category, he was some 13 seconds ahead of Dunlop regular, Sean Flanagan (Subaru), who was sixth in general classification. Sandwiched between them was the Subaru WRC of Kevin Barrett. Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) led the two wheel drive category. Dunlop Group N leader, Shane Maguire was in trouble at the start of the stage and began the stage well out of sequence having list time trying to sort intercom problems. It appears he was excluded for going OTL.

Rally leader Cronin crashed his Subaru on the second stage, luckily, neither himself or co-driver, Helen O’Sullivan were injured. Cronin reckoned that problems with the centre differential could have led to the cause of the accident. All the remaining crews were accorder the scratch time for the stage.

Out on the third test, Keith Cronin (Mitsubishi) actually set the fastest time, he was 89th overall. At the service halt, O’Riordan (Subaru WRC) led Evans by seven seconds, the latter reckoned his Subaru was down on power. Barrett moved into third – six seconds further adrift. O’Callaghan (Escort) was fourth as Sean Flanagan (Subaru) took up the mantle of Group N leader when Kelleher retired with mechanical problems. Flanagan lost a few seconds and dented the bodywork of his Subaru after he hit a chicane bale. Brian O’Mahony (Renault Clio) and Lloyd Hutchinson (Mini) shared sixth post in a top ten that was completed by the Escorts of Mike Quinn and Declan Boyle and Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi), Boyle lost time with suspension problems, he also had a brief encounter with the scenery on the third test.

On the second loop of three stages, a determined Evans set a scintillating pace and not even the loss of some 15 seconds on S.S. 5, when he experienced an overshoot, could deny him a trio of fastest stage times. His dominance translated into a lead of 38 seconds with Barrett moving into second. O’Riordan was a further 24 seconds adrift in third. The Cork driver punctured his Subaru on Stage 4, experienced brake troubles while the turbo pipe came adrift on the sixth test. O’Callaghan, O’Mahony and Flanagan completed the top six.

Keith Cronin damaged the rear of his Mitsubishi after an off road excursion at the first junction on the fourth test, the incident signalled his withdrawal from the rally. Meanwhile, the remaining top ten places after the completion of the loop, went to Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi), Boyle, Thomas Fitzmaurice and Mike Quinn, Fitzmaurice lost considerable time due to a fire beneath the cockpit of his Mitsubishi.

The closing pair of stages brought no late drama as Evans became only the third non-Irish winner of the Fastnet Rally, the Welsh ace winning six rounds of the Dunlop series. Barrett and O’Riordan completed the top three, the latter with quickest time on the final stage but it wasn’t enough to dislodge Barrett from second spot. O’Callaghan and O’Mahony rounded off the top five. Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi) took the Group N event victory.

The final places in the top ten went to Declan Boyle, Thomas Fitzmaurice, Sean Flanagan and Mike Quinn. Pat Price (Subaru) seeded at 41, won the “Dunlop Driver of the Day” award, he finished 14th. overall.

Local driver, Damien McCarthy (Honda Civic) won Class 11 while former five times Tarmac champion, Eugene Donnelly (Vauxhall Nova) came out on top in Class 10, he finished thirty-second overall.

Results

Posted: October 27, 2010 6:55 PM

1 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) 75m 02s,
2 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 75m 53s,
3 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) 76m 00s,
4 Ed O’Callaghan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort MkII) 77m 54s,
5 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600) 78m 09s,
6 Eugene Meegan/Brian Sharkey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 Gp N) 78m 35s,
7 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort Mk II) 78m 52s,
8 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 78m 56s,
9 Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Subaru Impreza N12 Gp N) 78m 57s,
10 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort MkII) 79m 32s.

Group N Production class:
1 Eugene Meegan/Brian Sharkey,
2 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley,
3 Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan.

JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Kevin O’Connor/Andrew Purcell (Citroen C2R2) 41m 19s,
2 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Civic) 41m 24s,
3 Jonathan Roycroft/Christopher Keohane (Swift) 45m 52s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4-8 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Cancelled
SS3 Keith Cronin/Connor O'Neill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
& Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)

New navigator for Donnelly

Posted: October 22, 2010 3:27 PM

"Eugene Donnelly's navigator for this weekends Fastnet Stages Rally, Adrian Deasy, has now been replaced by Alan Whyte.Alan has been asked to naviagate the 5 time Irish Tarmac Champion as Adrian is now unable to compete.A nice gesture of Sean Carey (the winner of the Donnelly seat ), to get two of West Cork's best navis involved.
Good thinking by the COC, Sean Carey and the co-ordinator Niall O Sullivan at such short notice. Alan has vast navigating experience with to name a few, John Warring, Barry Meade & Bernard Mc Ginley.

After speaking with him, Alan said he is delighted to get the opportunity to compete in 'Class 10' as the award for this is the 'Johnny Whyte Perpetual Cup', as Alan is a nephew of the late Johnny Whyte in whose memory the class 10 cup was presented.We wish them and all crews an enjoyable safe weekend's rallying in Skibbereen."

DUNLOP CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS WITH FASTNET RALLY IN SKIBBEREEN - Preview courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: October 22, 2010 3:24 PM

NEWLY crowned Dunlop National Rally champion, Mel Evans (Subaru WRC) competes in the tenth and final round of the series, the Skibbereen based West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally on Sunday next. Having created Irish rallying history in becoming the first ever overseas driver to win the Dunlop series, Evans has targeted victory on the final encounter where the outcome of the Patterson’s Rally News Group N award and the rally.ie title will be determined.

Last season’s Fastnet winner, Denis Cronin (Subaru WRC) is the top seed, the Ballylickey ace is bidding to win the rally for a third time and equal the record set by fellow Cork drivers, Frank O’Mahony (1982, 1996 and 1997) and Liam McCarthy (1988, 1992 & 2008). O’Mahony along with another Corkman, A.J. Keating (1985 & 1986) are the only drivers to have claimed back to back victories since the inception of the event in 1982.
Last year, Cronin finished eleven seconds ahead of Evans, however, this time around Evans is keen to claim the spoils. On his way to success in the Dunlop series, Evans has already won in Nenagh, Mayo, Circuit of Munster, Sligo and the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally. The Welsh ace played the percentage game in Ennis to wrap up the title as he took second placed Dunlop points.

Dunlop regular, Kevin Barrett (Subaru) is seeded at number three and is hoping to end the season on a high note. The Maynooth man, who was denied victory on the Circuit of Kerry on a tie-break, has yet to win a round of the current Dunlop campaign. Cork driver, Daragh O'Riordan (Subaru WRC) was fifth overall on the Clare Rally, the penultimate round of the Dunlop series and will be hoping for an improved performance. Although seeded at number five, former Fastnet winner, Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) is a non-starter.

Meanwhile, another local ace, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) is the top seeded Group N driver, the former Patterson’s RallyNews Group N winner has set his sights on a top finish. The top ten also features Welshman, James Belton (Subaru WRC) and the two-wheel drive cars of Declan Boyle (Escort), Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) and Brian O’Mahony (Renault Clio S1600).

Donegal ace, Boyle, who crashed out of the Clare Rally, is only three points ahead of the Mini of Wicklow’s, Lloyd Hutchinson in the race for the rally.ie award for the top two wheel drive competitor in the overall standings. The Donegal driver cannot afford any mishap in Skibbereen, especially against the consistent Hutchinson. Meanwhile, reigning champion, Mike Quinn (Ford Escort) is a late entry, he is eight points adrift of Boyle, but still in the reckoning.

In the battle for supremacy in the modified category, Limerick’s, Ed O’Callaghan (Ford Escort) will be expected to be very prominent and give the aforementioned duo of Boyle and Quinn a tough battle.
Cork driver, Brian O’Mahony (Renault Clio S1600), who has previously won Class 6 in the national series, will also be expected to shine.

The Patterson’s RallyNews award rests between the Subaru’s of Monaghan’s, Shane Maguire and Meath’s, Sean Flanagan. The pendulum has swung very much in Maguire’s favour, he has scored points in all nine rounds. However, with dropped scores taken into consideration, his lead margin is four points as he bids to win the title in his first full season in the showroom category. Flanagan has made six appearances in this current Dunlop campaign but two punctures on the ninth round in Clare cost him valuable points and he may need a slice of good fortune to land the title.

Other entries include Jer O’Donovan (Subaru), Eugene Meegan (Mitsubishi), Berian Richards (Subaru WRC) and Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi).
Elsewhere, local stalwart, Damien McCarthy (Honda Civic), who won the recent Imokilly Rallysprint, is seeded at 21 followed by the Mini of Lloyd Hutchinson while Joe Connolly (Ford Escort) is also on the entry, the latter leads Class 14. A number of other classes within the Dunlop also remain in the balance including Class 9 where Navan’s, Pa Below (Ford Escort) has a four point lead over Lloyd Hutchinson. In Class 12, Derry’s, Eamonn McGuigan (Ford Escort) makes the long journey south to secure the class victory ahead of local driver, Gerard O’Connell (Ford Escort), who is eight points in arrears.

The top four seeded drivers in the Junior category (Class 16) are: Cal McCarthy (Honda Civic), Kevin O'Connor (Citroen C2R2), Jack Newman (Honda Civic) and David Fleming (Honda Civic).

Eugene Donnelly, the 2003 Dunlop National Rally champion and winner of five Tarmac titles, will compete in a Vauxhall Nova as part of a fundraising event. The Skibbereen club are raising funds for West Cork Rapid Response, club chairman, Alan Clarke kindly offered his Class 10 Vauxhall Nova to Donnelly, who will be co-driven by Adrian Deasy. Donnelly is seeded at number 55, just ahead of the Toyota Corolla WRC of USA domiciled Liam Egan.

The Final Countdown

Posted: October 21, 2010 5:32 PM

With just a few days to go to the eagerly anticipated 2010 West Cork Hotel Fastnet Stages Rally, the now 150 strong field make their way to what we hope will be sunny Skibbereen this coming Bank Holiday weekend.

On Thursday last the event was officially launched at rally headquarters in the West Cork Hotel Skibbereen.A large crowd was present with guest speakers such as main sponsor Tim Looney of the West Cork Hotel, Sean Murray the chairman of the Skibbereen Business Association, Superintendent Garda Pat Maher, Town Mayor Brendan McCarthy, County Mayor Jim Daly & Bob O’Shea of the NRA. MC Colm Feen also spoke with local competitors one being Barryroe’s Damien McCarthy along with last years winning co-driver Coleman Hurley.

Leading the cars away on the Sunday morning will be the Subaru Impreza WRC of Ballylickey man Denis Cronin. Denis will be looking for a repeat of last years great success where he took overall victory.In second is the 2010 Dunlop National Rally Champion Melvyn Evans.After tying up the Championship at the previous round in Clare, the Welsh man comes to Cork in search of his maiden Fastnet win.
Third, fourth and fifth positions are occupied by Kevin Barrett, Darragh O'Riordan and Dunmanways Liam McCarthy respectively with Welsh visitor James Belton in a WRC Impreza occupying seventh.

Among the 2wd opposition is Southern 4 leader Ed O'Callaghan who is looking to wrap up this seasons campaign on the final round here in Skibbereen, but it wont be an easy task with the S1600 Clio of Brian O'Mahony nipping at his heels.Brian trails by 18 points after the Cork "20", so Ed & Brian must finish to be in with a shout of taking the championship honours. A maximum score of 20 points is available this weekend so its all to play for in the South West.

The GRP N entry is headed by Kevin Kelleher in his Mitsubishi Evo 9 in sixth with Shane Maguire, Jer O'Donovan and Eugene Meegan in a more recent Evo 10 also present. Brian O'Keefe and Kerry's Thomas Fitzmaurice round off the class 4 machinery inside the top 20.

First 2wd to tackle the testing West Cork Tarmac is Donegal's Declan Boyle. After his recent 5th overall finish in the Donegal Harvest Rally where he clinched the 2010 HASS Border Rally Championship, the Glenties man heads for Skibb with sights set on 2wd honours.Not far away will be the late entry of Escort ace Mike Quinn in his 2.5 MKII Escort.Mike finished 9th o/a here last year, 3 seconds adrift to eventual modified winner Wesley Patterson, so expect a committed drive as always from the Kerry man this Sunday.

Another late entry is the class 11 Vauxhall Nova of Paddy O'Dwyer. After a fine 5th overall finish and winning his class by a margin of 2.5 minutes on the Dick Bailey Stages in September last, the Wexford man is a force to be reckoned with.But it wont be plain sailing for O'Dwyer with the renowned hard charging Damien McCarthy seeded at 21 being favourited for the class win. Damien has had a successful year also with a 7th overall in the West Cork Rally in March followed by 3rd in the National section of Killarney's Rally of the Lakes and 1st in class in the Donegal International.Another class rival who cannot be discounted is Meath's John Hendy who will put the fight to both McCarthy and O'Dwyer in his bid for class 11 honours.

Not forgetting class 13, which holds a mix of Escorts, Darrians, Chevettes & Sunbeams see's Ed O'Callaghan as the top seeded entrant at No.9 followed by the likes of regulars such as Willie Power, Eoghan Calnan, Charlie Hickey, Liam Howlett & Antrim man Rodney White in his immaculately prepared Talbot Sunbeam.

The Juniors along with the Historic runners will join the fray on stage 5 contesting the final 4.Heading the 21 car Junior line up is local man Cal McCarthy with Limerick's Kevin O'Connor seeded in 2nd followed by Jack Newman, David Fleming and Jonathan O'Callaghan respectively.The Historic section seems an all Ford affair with 3 Escorts and a Cortina led by Ed Murphy with David Cremin, Philip McKibbin and Donal O'Connor rounding off the entrants.

Class 10 is probably going to be the most hotly contested battle of the rally with 16 entrants to date, one of which being 5 time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Eugene Donnelly taking part in the Vauxhall Nova owned by Club Chairman Alan Clarke, which he has very kindly lent the Derry man.Raffle tickets have been sold to ride in the passenger seat with Eugene and over €3000 has already been raised for the West Cork Rapid Response Unit.This is a locally based voluntary group working in partnership with and supporting the existing HSE Medical Emergency services with a rapid response vehicle based in and servicing all of West Cork.So can "The Genie" do the business amongst some of the best class 10 drivers in the country? That is the question everyone is asking and Sunday evening holds the answer so get to Skibbereen to see for yourself!

Of course the rally cannot run without marshals, which we are in need of, so volunteers would be greatly appreciated.Anyone willing to lend a hand can contact chief marshal on 087/6445079.

Updates to Entry List

Posted: October 20, 2010 5:43 PM

Withdrawls
24 Fergus O'Meara/TBA (Ford Escort) 14
36 Dave Slattery/TBA (Ford Escort) 14
37 Shay Power/Johnny Rafter (Ford Escort) 13
43 Michael O'Connor/Sinead O'Connor (Subaru Impreza) 15
56 Liam Egan/Raymond Coppinger (Toyota Corolla WRC) 15

Late Entries:
Niall Walsh TBA Honda Civic 13
Fergus Hurley Ellen O'Donovan Ford Escort 10
Neil Tohill Gerard Tohill Subaru Impreza 8
Colin Flanagan TBA Mitsubishi Evo 7 8
John Moran TBA Honda Civic 1.6VTI 11
Mike Quinn Grainne McEnery Ford Escort Mk2 14
Mike O'Shaughnessy Duggan Helen Ford Escort Mk3 G3 10
Tiernach Maguire Micheal Deasy Ford Escort 10
Shay Byrne Noel Galvin Talbot Sunbeam 10
Keith Power Keith Moriarty Opel Corsa 6
Patrick Calnan Trevor McCarthy Peugeot 106 6
John Cavanagh Owen Crowley Ford Escort 10
Paul Casey Johnny Casey Peugeot 205 GTi 10
Chris Lloyd TBA Ford Escort 13
Adrian Canon TBA Honda Civic 3
Paul Curley TBA TBA 6
Paddy Dywer TBA Vauxhall Nova 11
Mark O'Shaughnessy Aidan Buckley Peugeot 106 J16
Michael Ryan Kieran Carroll Ford Escort J16

Entries remain open

TIME AND DISTANCE SCHEDULE

Posted: October 16, 2010 10:40 PM

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: October 15, 2010 12:06 PM

No Driver/Co-Driver (Make/Model) [Class]
1 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
4 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
5 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
6 Kevin Kelleher/Charlie McEnery (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
7 James Belton/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
8 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
9 Ed O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
10 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600) [6]
11 Shane Maguire/Paul Kelly (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
12 Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
14 Jer O'Donovan/Sean Hayde (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
15 Eugene Meegan/Brian Sharkey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [4]
16 Berian Richards/Frank Curtin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
17 Brian O'Keeffe/Derek Power (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
18 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [4]
19 Alan O'Callaghan/Cathal McGrath (Subaru Impreza WRX) [ 8]
20 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [15]
21 Damien McCarthy/Eamonn Hayes (Honda Civic) [11]
22 Lloyd Hutchinson/Kevin Flanagan (Austin Mini Cooper S) [ 9]
23 John Hendy/TBA (Toyota Corolla ) [11]
24 Fergus O'Meara/TBA (Ford Escort ) [14]
25 Gwyn Thomas/TBA (Ford Puma) [15]
26 Joseph Connolly/John J Connolly (Ford Escort) [14]
27 John McQuaid/Seamus O'Connor (Ford Escort) [14]
28 Willie Power/Damien Fleming (Darrian T90) [13]
29 Eoghan Calnan/Conor Calnan (Ford Escort) [13]
30 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort ) [13]
31 Liam Howlett/Leo Tector (Ford Escort) [13]
32 Rodney White/Sorcha Kelly (Sunbeam) [14]
33 Jason McSweeney/TBA (Honda Civic) [11]
34 Michael McKennedy/Andrew Mahon (Toyota Corolla) [11]
35 John Hickey/John McCarthy (Subaru ) [15]
36 Dave Slattery/TBA (Ford Escort) [14]
37 Shay Power/Johnny Rafter (Ford Escort) [13]
38 Neil Pierce/Enda Oleary (Honda Civic) [11]
39 Richard Burke/John Burke (Subaru Impreza WRX) [15]
40 Mark Nangle/Pat Cashman (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
41 Pat Price/Stephen Price (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
42 Anthony Neville/Billy Collins (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4]
43 Michael O'Connor/Sinead O'Connor (Subaru ) [15]
44 Noel Brady/Richard Davis (Ford Escort ) [13]
45 Stephen Carey/Mark Lee (Honda Civic) [ 3]
46 Kieran Daly/Pat Condon (Citroen C2 R2 ) [ 6]
47 Pa Bellew/Willie Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort) [ 9]
48 Martin Lordan/Rory Hennessy (Ford Escort) [9A]
49 Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
50 Eamonn McGuigan/Michael Moran (Ford Escort ) [12]
51 Gerard O'Connell/Pakie McCarthy (Ford Escort ) [12]
52 Philip Cross/TBA (Ford Escort) [TBA]
53 Steve Roberts/Phillip Jennings (Ford Escort) [12]
54 Stephen Sheehan/Paul Sheehan (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
55 Eugene Donnelly/Adrian Deasy (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
56 Liam Egan/Raymond Coppinger (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
57 Mick Cremin/TBA (Lancer Evo 5) [15]
58 Pat Ahern/Mike Cleary (Ford Escort ) [13]
59 John Quin/Derek Tobin (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
60 Ray O'Sullivan/William Lynch (Ford Escort) [12]
61 Ian Chadwick/Kevin Horgan (Peugeot 106) [TBA]
62 Andrew McCormick/Colm Dromey (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
63 Adrian O'Driscoll/Conor Hanlon (Ford Escort) [13]
64 Sean Liston/Katrina Walsh (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
65 Conor Foley/Brendan Cumiskey (Ford Escort ) [10]
66 David Jennings/Geraldine Jennings (Ford Escort) [10]
67 Jerry O'Mahony/William Buchannan (Ford Escort) [10]
68 Peter Desmond/Brian Magan (Vauxhall Nova) [9A]
69 Anthony Masterson/Andrew Browne (Honda Integra ) [ 7]
70 William Buttimer/Vincent Bennett (Escort Cosworth) [15]
71 Pat Neville/Seamus O Grady (Subaru Impreza) [5]
72 Thomas White/Richard Cleary (Mitsubishi ) [ 4]
73 Tony Calnan/Aidan Calnan (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
74 Tom Dunne/Declan Grogan (Subaru ) [ 8]
75 Luke McCarthy/Eric McCarthy (Honda Civic) [11]
76 Cyril Kerr/TBA (Ford Escort) [11]
77 Philip Giles/Aoife Giles (Toyota Corolla) [11]
78 Adam Platt/Alan O'Flynn (Ford Focus) [ 7]
79 Michael Forde/Bernard McSweeney (Sunbeam) [11]
80 James Fitzgerald/Patsy Cashman (Honda Civic) [11]
81 Noel McCarthy/Aileen Kelly (Starlet) [9A]
82 John Forde/TJ Deasy (TBA) [10]
83 Colin Kingston/James Kingston (Ford Escort) [9A]
84 Adrian Levis/Eric Deane (Suzuki Swift) [9A]
85 Niamh Neville/Andy Hayes (Ford Fiesta) [2]
86 Batt O'Donoghue/Ian McCarthy (Vauxhall Nova) [TBA]
87 Gearoid Beamish/Ivan Buchanan (Ford Escort) [10]
88 Thomas Doody/Jonathan Keane (Honda Civic) [11]
89 Francis A. Kelly/TBA (TBA) [TBA]
90 Simon Cummins/TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
91 Joe Nacey/TBA (Honda Civic) [ 2]
92 Charlie Nilan/Ruth O'Kane (Honda Civic) [ 2]
93 Brian O'Mahony/Michelle Gallwey (Honda Civic) [ 2]
94 Tommy Kelly/Nial Whitty (Honda Civic) [ 2]
95 Colum Browne/Lawrence McGrath (Honda Civic) [ 2]
96 Francis Kelly/Lisa McMahon (Honda Civic ) [ 2]
97 Jason Roycroft/TBA (Honda Civic ) [ 2]
98 Kieran Hayes/Noelle O'Reilly Hayes (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
99 Paul O'Driscoll/Andy Donoghue (Ford Escort) [10]
100 Thomas O'Reilly/Donal O'Reilly (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
101 Seamus Ronan/Aoife Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
102 Seamus O'Donovan/Kieran Daly (Suzuki Swift) [9A]
103 Barry O'Brien/Ger Thompson (Opel Corsa) [9]
104 Gerard Dineen/Donal Dineen (Toyota Starlet) [10]
105 Denis Cleere/Ger Keohane (Toyota Corolla) [11]
106 Finbarr Hegarty/John Murphy (Honda Civic) [ 9]
107 Bryan McCarthy/Stephen Quin (Opel Corsa) [9A]
108 Shane Purcell/TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [11]
109 Stephen Kingston/Noel Curtin (Toyota Corolla) [11]
110 Patrick O'Regan/Dylan Coffey (Honda Civic ) [ 2]
111 Edward Twomey/TBA (Suzuki Swift) [TBA]
112 Brian Goggin/Katy Ford (Peugeot 205 Gti) [10]

Junior
J1 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Honda Civic) [16]
J2 Kevin O'Connor/TBA (TBA) [16]
J3 Jack Newman/Donal Balfe (Honda Civic) [16]
J4 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [16]
J5 Jonathan O'Callaghan/TBA (TBA) [16]
J6 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (TBA) [16]
J7 Vincent McSweeney/Michael Kearney (Honda Civic Vtec) [16]
J8 Cathal McCarthy/Declan Buttimer (Honda Civic ) [16]
J9 David Duggan/Darren O'Mahony (Toyota Corolla GT) [16]
J10 Jonathan Roycroft/Christopher Keohane (Suzuki Swift GTI) [16]
J11 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
J12 Richard Stafford/Sean Furlong (TBA) [16]
J14 Tomas Creedon/Eamonn Creedon (Ford KA) [16]
J15 Jonathan Delaney/Andrew Beamish (Honda Civic) [16]
J16 David O'Mahony/Martin Barry (Peugeot 106 GTi) [16]
J17 Shane Stanley/Liam Fouhy (Honda Civic) [16]
J18 Darren Loftus/Jenna Brown (TBA) [16]
J19 Eoin O'Sullivan/Mark McCarthy (Peugeot 106) [16]
J20 Steven McCabe/TBA (Ford Fiesta) [16]
J21 Billy McCarthy/John Falvey (Nissan Micra) [16]

Historic
H1 ED Murphy/John McCarthy (Ford Escort RS) [17]
H2 David Cremin/Johnny O'Shea (Ford Escort Mk1) [17]
H3 Philip McKibbin/Andrew McKibbin (Ford Cortina) [17]
H4 Donal O'Connor/Derry Healy (Ford Escort Mk1) [17]

Fastnet Rally Programme outlets.

Posted: October 15, 2010 11:59 AM

Available from Saturday October 16th

Skibbereen
1 West Cork Hotel
2 Hennessey’s Centra
3 Connelly’s Great Gas Service Station
4 Hegartys Service Station
5 John O’Driscoll Motor Factors
6 Hurley Bros Honda
7 Crowley’s Shop

Ballydehob
8 Camier’s Service Station

Durrus
9 Ryan’s Shop

Caheragh
10 Kirby’s Service Station

Drimoleague
11 Three Lakes Service Station
12 Collins Centra

Bantry
13 Casey’s Service Station

Ballylickey
14 Cronin’s Service Station

Dunmanway
15 Walsh’s Londis
16 Galvin’s Service Station

Bandon
17 Bandon Motors
18 Billy Cahalane’s Service Station
19 Premier Autoparts
20 Kevin O Leary Service Station

Ballinascarthy
21 Donovan’s Service Station

Clonakilty
22 Whites Service Station
23 Crowley’s Clonakilty Service Station
24 Maxol Service Station

Rosscarbery
25 Rosscarbery Service Station

Leap
26 Leap Service station

Marshalls needed!

Posted: October 14, 2010 12:00 PM

Marshalls are urgently required for the rally, so if your available on the Bank Holiday Sunday and willing to do a good deed give the Chief Marshall a call on
087-6445079 / +353 87-6445079
It would be much appreciated!

5 TIMES IRISH TARMAC CHAMPION RALLY DRIVER EUGENE DONNELLY ON CHARITY DRIVE!

Posted: October 13, 2010 6:49 PM

Eugene Donnelly, five times Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, is set to champion a charity cause on the Skibbereen Fastnet Stages on Sunday 24th October. Instead of a state of the art World Rally Car, like Eugene scored his five tarmac titles in, “the Genie” is going back to the grass-roots of rallying, and he will drive a class 10, 1600cc Vauxhall Nova, which is being kindly loaned by Skibbereen and District Car Club chairman Alan Clarke.

Raffle tickets have been sold to ride in the passenger seat with the champion on the all tarmac event, over €3,000 has already been raised for the West Cork Rapid Response unit. This is a locally based voluntary group working in partnership with and supporting the existing HSE Medical Emergency services with a Rapid Response Vehicle based in and servicing all of West Cork. This is literally a life saving service, and its aims are simply to put the…right people in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment and the right skills to achieve the right outcome. Skibbereen and District Car Club fund-raising co-ordinator Niall O’Sullivan is very excited about Eugene’s attendance.
“It’s fantastic to have Eugene do the event, and he’s very enthusiastic about it. There has already been a lot of interest from the runner’s in his class, and they feel honored to have someone like Eugene competing with them in their class. It’s a credit to him that he’s willing to have a bash at it and it’s all for a very worth-while cause.” The lucky winner of the raffle was a club member, Sean Carey from Ballineen, Co. Cork. “Sean is one of the guys you see first helping with the club events and one of the last to leave. He’s a real clubman motorsports enthusiast, but sadly due to a stroke he had several years ago he’s unable to take the co-driver’s seat. However he has given his seat to co-driver Adrian Deasy who he mentored in his early years” commented Niall.

For Eugene the rally promises to be a good day’s fun.
“I’m looking forward to the day’s craic with the guys we are competing with. It’s important to realize that rallying isn’t all about the cars at the front of the rally. Rallying in Ireland survives thanks to the clubmen who don’t have a car costing tens of thousands, and maybe can only afford to contest 3-4 rallies a year. It’s these competitors who keep the whole sport going and have their own class battles. It’s all about the enjoyment of driving and the sport not all about the cars, and I am certainly out to enjoy myself. I remember when I first went rallying I would have driven the rally car to the events maybe up to three or four hours away, competed and then drove home again, and I was rallying at least 15 years before I got a taste of a WRC car.”
Eugene’s front wheel drive experience is limited to contesting this event two years ago in a C2 S1600, and a night navigation rally he contested many years ago in a Golf GTI, but he isn’t unduly worried.
“I’m going to go for a day’s enjoyment, and of course it’s for a very good cause, the West Cork Rapid Response unit, which is a real life saving service.”

Skibbereen and District Car Club chairman Alan Clarke is the man providing the 1600cc Nova for the event, and he has been making detailed preparations to the car.
“The car is a fairly simple class 10 Nova, with a 1600cc 8 valve engine. I took up rallying a few years ago, and have done several events with the car, and I suppose my best runs have been two second places in class on the West Cork Rally in the past two years. I expect Eugene to take a lot more out of it though, and we have been preparing the car to try and make it stronger. I think it’s great to see Eugene come to compete with the guys down the field, and also for such a good cause. The rapid response unit has already saved lives, as it provides more rapid treatment, and also is equipped with the latest equipment, and equipment to carry out emergency operations that the ambulances cant.”

The West Cork Hotel is the headquarters for the event which features 145 kilometres of closed road rallying.

Marshalls Meeting Points ***

Posted: October 12, 2010 5:18 PM

SS1 Great Gas filling station,Cork Rd Skibbereen 6.00am
Co-ordinates N 51° 33'26.8
W 9° 15'19.4

SS2 Texaco filling station, Caheragh 6.30am
Co-ordinates N51° 37'44.7
W9° 18'11.3

SS3. Centra supermarket Drimolegue 7.30am
Co-ordinates. N51° 39'30.5
W9° 15'49.3

Entries rolling in....

Posted: October 11, 2010 9:47 AM

With a mere two weeks to go to the 2010 West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally, the stage is set for what promises to be a thrilling battle which covers 145 competitive stage kilometers.To date a very strong field has presented itself and with entries extended untill Saturday the 23rd of October this rally is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested rounds on the national rally calender this year.

After sealing up the 2010 Dunlop National Rally Championship on the penultimate round in Clare September last, Welsh man, Melvyn Evans returns to the Emerald Isle in search of his first Fastnet win after finishing 11 seconds in arrears to event victor Denis Cronin last year.
Denis is also back at the wheel of his 99 spec Subaru Impreza WRC aiming for his 3rd Fastnet victory after a stunning display in this years Killarney Rally of the Lakes where he took first overall amidst the cream of Irish rallying.

Another Dunlop regular in the hunt for victory is Monaghans Niall Maguire at the helm of his S11 Impreza.A trouble free run could see the 3 time national champion at the top of the results come Sunday evening.
Kevin Barrett is another man who cannot be discounted from the tussle for first with him making the return journey to Skibbereen along with Midletons Darragh O Riordan who has been showing impressive progress throughout his first season in a World Rally Car with 3rd overall on the Donegal International Rally, 4th in the West Cork Rally and 5th on the Circuit of Ireland.
To round off the WRC entries to date is UK ace Damian Cole in a WRC Focus fresh from his Wexford Stages win in September.

Notable GRP N entrants to date is local man Kevin Kelleher in an Evo 9 along with Thomas Fitzmaurice(Evo 9) & 2009 GRP N Irish Tarmac Champion Jer O Donovan, who are all set to do battle on the October Bank Holiday weekend.Monaghans Shane Maguire and Sean Flanagan will also come to Skibbereen to fight for the Patterson Rally News GRP N crown along with aiming to be on the top step of the GRP N podium come Sunday evening.

Among the 2wd entrants is the Southern 4 Championship leaders, Ed O Callaghan and Brian O Mahony respectively.Ed leads the championship approaching the last round by 18 points from O Mahony in his S1600 Renault Clio.In the run up to the Cork "20" International, the Escort ace held a slender one point advantage over the Carrigaline man, but after Brians early exit due to a faulty brake caliper, Ed extended his lead to have the upper hand heading to Skibbereen.With a maximum score of 20 points available, its all to play for in the final round.

Also in the modified mix is Welsh man John Dalton piloting his 330bhp Darrian T90.A dry day will see this man very hard caught but damp conditions could result with either Ed O Callaghan, Brian O Mahony, Damien Mc Carthy or BHRC regular Julian Reynolds on the 2wd podium amongst many more capable modified men.

But there is one thing for sure, with entries remaining open untill the Saturday of the event, many more of Irelands top competitors will decend on Skibbereen for what promises to be one hell of a rally.So get to Cork for the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend to witness some of the finest drivers from home and abroad do battle over the boreens and by-roads of the beautifull south west!

Winner of the navigator seat with Eugene Donnelly

Posted: October 6, 2010 8:40 AM

The winner of the navigator seat for the West Cork Hotel Fastnet rally 2010 is Sean Carey from Ballineen.
The committee would like to thank Alan Clarke for the loan of the Nova and Eugene Donnelly for driving and the best of kuck in the rally.

Accommodation List

Posted: October 6, 2010 8:39 AM

Available on Event Website

Fastnet Rally Launch - 14th October

Posted: September 29, 2010 5:02 PM

West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally Lanuch will take place on Thursday the 14th of October 2010 in the HQ, West Cork Hotel Skibbereen.

Eugene Donnelly is taking part in the Skibbereen & District Car Club Fastnet Rally 2010

Posted: September 29, 2010 4:54 PM

Marshals Training Night - (Tue) 12th October

Posted: September 26, 2010 8:45 PM

A marshals training night for new and existing marshals is to take place in the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen on Tuesday the 12th of October.
All attending to be seated for 8.20 p.m please. Starting at 8.30 p.m sharp.

For more details/information please contact the Fastnet Stages Rally Chief Marshal on 087-6445079 / +353 87 6445079

All welcome to attend.

Ferry times

Posted: September 26, 2010 8:08 PM

Pembroke-Rosslare Thursday 21st Oct-- departing @ 14.45 --- arriving at 18.46-- £218
or
Pembroke-Rosslare --Friday 22nd Oct-- departing @ 2.45am -- arriving @ 6.46am £278

Return Journey
Rosslare-Pembroke--- Monday 25th Oct --departing @ 08.45--arriving @ 12.46-- £218
or
Rosslare-Pembroke---Monday 25th Oct--departing @ 20.45--arriving @ 00.46-- £278

These prices are for
2 x Adult
1 x Van (up to 2.6m high, up to 6m long )
1 x Trailer up to 8m long, up to 2.25m high

Prices includes all Taxes and Port charges

For more sailing routes such as Holyhead-Dublin log onto www.irishferries.com

Press Release 2 (Revised)

Posted: September 10, 2010 11:40 PM

With plans well underway and regulations readily available from , the 2010 West Cork Hotel Fastnet Stages Rally is quickly approaching. Many entries have been recieved to date and a strong field is looking likely with much interest from overseas and home competitiors keen to tackle what the boreens and by roads of the South West have to offer.

As stated previoulsy , the 2010 event boasts a whole new array of stages being run in a 3x2/2x1 format which consists of a loop of 3 stages being continually done with one stage dropped on the final loop to add up to 8 special stages.All of which are to run on the cleanest, fast flowing West Cork asphalt available.

As ever the service area has been kindly been made available to the club by Skibbereen Mart with the nearby NCT Centre hosting scrutiny on Saturday the 23rd Oct.

Along with its new look the event is offering fantastic value with the mainfield being made available from €480,Junior section from €250 and the Historic section from €250 also.So to ensure your place in this years event , get that entry off immediately to avoid dissapointment.

We look forward to seeing you in Skibbereen for a fun filled Bank Holiday weekend.

Tickets available for Eugene Donnelly Draw

Posted: September 7, 2010 4:19 PM

Eugene Donnelly is to take part in the Skibbereen & District Car Club Fastnet Rally 2010.

He will be driving a class 10 Nova owned by Alan Clarke.

Eugene has agreed to raffle the navigator seat for the event. Tickets are €5.00.

All proceeds raised will go to the West Cork Rapid Response.

Tickets available from 086-3831187 / +35386-3831187 or from any Skibbereen & District Car Club Member

West Cork Rapid Response is a voluntary group located in West Cork, Ireland. We work in partnership with the existing HSE Medical Emergency services with a Rapid Response Vehicle servicing all of West Cork.

West Cork Rapid Response (WCRR) is a locally based voluntary group working in partnership with and supporting the existing HSE Medical Emergency services with a Rapid Response Vehicle based in – and servicing all of – West Cork. For instance…in the case of a call-out to an accident/incident, a doctor actually arrives in the vehicle to assist at the roadside. The vehicle contains all the necessary life saving equipment, just like a Mobile A&E Department.
An emergency call to 999 /112 is passed on to the required service / Fire / Ambulance / Gardai / Doctor / Priest etc. WCRR is another link in this chain of saving lives.
West Cork Rapid Response is a registered Irish Charity and we welcome donations.
With your help we can make a difference in our community right now.
West Cork Rapid Response aims to put the…
• Right people in the
• Right place at the
• Right time with the
• Right equipment and the
• Right skills to achieve the
• Right outcome

Regulations / On line Entry

Posted: September 1, 2010 2:29 PM

On line Entry:

WIN A CHANCE TO NAVIGATE EUGENE DONNELLY

Posted: August 16, 2010 11:27 AM

Eugene Donnelly will be taking part in the West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally 2010 based in Skibbereen and run by the Skibbereen & District Car Club.
Donnelly will be driving a Class 10 Nova kindly loaned by Alan Clarke, and a raffle will take place to find a codriver!

Tickets which will cost 5 Euro will be on sale shortly for chance to navigate Eugene in the rally.

All proceeds will go to the West Cork Rapid Response.

More information will available soon.

New Team For Fastnet Stages Rally

Posted: August 6, 2010 9:24 PM

This years Fastnet Stages Rally promoted and run by Skibbereen & District Car Club is again the final round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
For 2010 the team is being led by longtime rally stalwart Ger Hayes. Commenting on his new role Ger would like to take this oppertunity to thank the previous C.O.C's for making this event so popular with competitors and spectators alike.
The date is as ever October 24th which is the Bank Holiday Weekend and should add that extra spark to this event.
Changing also this year are the stages which Ger commented are
"New fast flowing clean Driver stages with something for every competitor whether they being in car No.1 or car 141."
This years rally is again being kindly sponsored by The West Cork Hotel Skibbereen and The Skibbereen Town Traders to whom the club are very greatful.


lan Clarke (SDCC Chairperson), Denis Cronin (2009 Fastnet Rally Winner), Helen O'Sullivan,
Ger Hayes (COC Fastnet Rally 2010), Charlie Costelloe (West Cork Hotel - Sponsor), Ger Seaman (Assistant COC Fastnet Rally)
Photo: Ted O'Connell

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

Topics: Fastnet Rally (Skibbereen)  National Rally C'ship  Southern 4 C'ship 

Upcoming Events

 Past Events

 Future Events