Cork Startrek Navigation Trial - 5-6 Nov 11

Report: Cassidy/Phelan claim Star-Trek win

Posted: November 24, 2011 4:16 PM

The Monaghan/Dublin pairing of Richard Cassidy & Paul Phelan claimed overall honours on round two of the National Night Navigation Championship, the Star-Trek Navigation Trial. COC Martin Sheehan laid out a demanding 140 mile route in new territory in North Cork which kept drivers and navigators on their toes. Cassidy/Phelan took the event lead early in the first half and didn't let it slip as they pulled away to take a five penalty victory over last year's winners Michael Carbin & Evin Hughes. This was Paul's first win since January 2008 and Richard's first win since February 2007.

Colin Fitzgerald/Daire Hayes started as No.1 seeds, followed by Semi-Expert pairing Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston. Drama was not far around the corner for this pair unfortunately. On the way to TP8, crews were looking for a road on the right off a farm lane. There are two roads on the map, but the second one was blocked and the first one was difficult to find. Unfortunately in their attempts to find the lane both crews slotted up a non-goer and were subsequently blocked by an upset local who refused to let the crews return to the route. When they were able to rejoin the route, they were both OTL and out of the event. TP8 was subsequently cancelled but many crews dropped time penalties into TP9 following the confusion. TP13-TP16 was an intense plot & bash section incorporating farm lanes, forest tracks and a particularly challenging section through a very deep-rutted track which had sump guards scraping along the top at times. Not one crew cleaned this section and indeed this accounted for the majority of crew's time penalties. Following an SRS section, the crews returned to the petrol halt. Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan were leading on 7 penalties, followed by Joe & Greg Shinnors on 8 penalties. 3rd position was in the hands of Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody who were on 9 penalties. The Semi-Expert class was being led by Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy, the Novice class by Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry and the Beginners class by Trevor O'Callaghan/Iarla McCarthy.

Following a well-needed break the action resumed at 2.30am, with a further 80 miles still to be negotiated. The second plot & bash was held between TP105-TP108 and incorporated looping the same lane twice and no fewer than four other farm lanes. Again, this accounted for many crew's penalties. Event leaders Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan miraculously cleaned this section despite leaving TP104 without getting the plots! Some quick thinking enabled them to find the correct route without dropping a penalty. Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes also cleaned this section despite a moment when the wheel touched the wet grass centre which required some quick reactions! They moved into 2nd place as Joe & Greg Shinnors dropped 4 penalties through this section. Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody moved into 3rd place on 11 penalties total. A long forestry section in the Mullaghareirk Mountains lay ahead between TP110 and TP119. Following three twisty tarmac roads, a TRS was held followed by a 15 mile SRS section. Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan continued to lead on 7 penalties with Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes now in 2nd and Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody having slipped to 3rd place. The final section was also challenging with three timepoints within two miles of one another and the approach to TP128 was unclear. Indeed many crews received wrong approach penalties at this timepoint including front running crews Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody and Joe Shinnors/Greg Shinnors. This promoted Novice class leaders Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry to a superb 3rd place overall.

Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan took a well-earned victory and were the only crew to negotiate the 2nd half of the event without dropping a penalty. Paul demonstrating that he still has what it takes to challenge for event wins and titles, while Richard showed that a well-driven 2wd car is more than a match for a 4wd in the right conditions. The top five overall were completed by Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (12 penalties), Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (22 penalties), Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody (31 penalties) and Joe Shinnors/Greg Shinnors (34 penalties).

Expert class:
Top points went to Cassidy/Phelan, with Carbin/Hughes, Kenneally/Carmody and Shinnors/Shinnors taking the next three places. James Fitzgerald/Pat Cashman had a good run to 5th in class and 6th overall. Alan & George Shinnors survived tank guard problems which cost them time penalties and missed timepoints to take 6th, with Ger O'Connell/Denis O'Donovan in 7th after a difficult night by their standards. Ted Gaffney/Glyn Gaffney completed the class finishers.

S/Expert class:
Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy got their season off to a fine start with a class win on their first time competing in the Semi-Expert class. Brian O'Mahony/Dave Swanton finished in 2nd place in their Vectra with Dermot Whelton/Barry O'Sullivan 3rd. 4th place in class for Matt & Enda Hume moved them into the class lead in the championship. Steven Clarke/Michelle McCarthy completed the class finishers.

Novice class:
Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry took the class and their best ever overall finish. They are now 2nd overall in the championship as well as jointly-leading the class in the series. David Beamish/Muireann Hayes showed their Birr result was no flash in the pan by finishing 7th overall and again mixing it with the top crews. This was despite an altercation with a forest gate post during the second half of the event. They maintain the overall lead in the National championship heading into Monaghan. 3rd place was secured by Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin who again demonstrated their consistency in the class with another podium finish. Amazingly, only three crews finished.

Beginners class:
Trevor O'Callaghan/Iarla McCarthy secured the class win after leading for the majority of the night. It was a close battle in the end with just seventeen penalties separating the top three finishers. Andrew Whelton/Cyril Maguire took 2nd place ahead of Matt Shinnors/Catherine Levis in their Opel Kadett. Steven Lane/Grace O'Brien and Paul McMahon/Patrick O'Leary completed the top five finishers.

The Championship now moves up the country for the Drumlin Navigation Trial organised and promoted by Monaghan Motor Club. Stephen Thornton is COC with Threemilehouse the venue for what is sure to be one of the most challenging events of the year. As a counting round of the Border Championship and the final round of the Monaghan Motor Club Championship, the event is likely to feature one of the most spectacular entry lists of the year.

Results

Posted: November 7, 2011 9:39 AM

1 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 7 marks,
2 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 12m,
3 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Legacy) 22m,
4 Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody (Opel Vectra) 31m,
5 Joseph Shinnors/Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 34m,
6 James Fitzgerald/Pat Cashman (Subaru Impreza) 36m,
7 David Beamish/Muireann Hayes (Toyota Carina) 40m,
8 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) 62m,
9 Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin (Toyota Carina) 75m,
10 Brian O’Mahony/David Swanton (Vauxhall Vectra) 79m,
11 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 79m,
12 Ger O’Connell/Denis O’Donovan (Subaru Impreza) 89m.

Semi-experts:
1 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy,
2 Brian O’Mahony/David Swanton,
3 Dermot Whelton/Barry O’Sullivan (Mazda 323) 221m.

Novices:
1 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry,
2 David Beamish/Muireann Hayes,
3 Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin.

Beginners:
1 Trevor O’Callaghan/Iarla McCarthy (Vauxhall Vectra) 171m,
2 Andrew Whelton/Cyril Maguire (Toyota Avensis) 178m,
3 Matt Shinnors/Catherine Levis (Opel Kadett) 188m

Regulations

Posted: October 25, 2011 12:03 PM

Cork Startrek Navigation Trial - 5-6 Nov 11 - REGULATION / ENTRY FORMS

Club Website

Posted: January 2, 1990 3:05 PM

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