Posted: November 11, 2016 3:42 AM - 28020 Hits
Round 6 - 2012 Tarmac Rally Championship
Round 5 - 2012 Southern 4 Rally Championship
Posted: November 11, 2016 3:42 AM
DMACK tasted success in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship after its crew of Darren Gass and Enda Sherry secured overall victory in the 2012 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship on the Cork 20 rally this weekend.
The pair had an ultra-consistent championship in their Subaru Impreza WRC to finish 15 points ahead of their nearest rivals ? but the win marked a unique series of firsts.
This season was DMACK's first in the Irish Championship. Renowned for its mix of challenging bumpy roads and difficult Tarmac surfaces, the Irish series is regarding as one of the toughest sealed surface championships around.
It was also the 24-year-old's first attempt at the series and his Crozier Motorsport team's first time running a world rally car. But, against the odds and many more experienced crews, Gass and Sherry delivered some stunning performances to clinch the championship crown.
Gass started the season in style, taking victory in Galway and on the Circuit of Ireland, but the turning point came on the Ulster Rally in August. Gass used DMACK's DMT1 moulded slick to edge out the competition and take a dominant victory. The result moved him into a commanding championship position and he was able to take the honours even after retiring in Cork with broken steering.
Not content with sealing one major Irish title, DMACK is hoping to extend its dominance in Ireland when the Irish National Rally Championship draws to a close with the Donegal Harvest Stages next weekend. DMACK's Brian O'Mahony has a six point lead in the series after taking victory in three events so far this year.
Dick Cormack, DMACK motorsport director, said:
"Darren and Enda have delivered some fantastic drives this year and this is a great result for them, the whole team and for DMACK. It's been our first year in this tough series but our Tarmac tyres have been able to compete with the more established brands. Darren's victory in Ulster this year really demonstrated how well suited our compounds are to the Irish surfaces and conditions."
Darren Gass said:
"It's been a tough year but it's a fantastic feeling to join such an impressive list of drivers that have won the Tarmac championship. We've been pushed hard all the way by the other guys and it was a big test for us coming to the series for the first time. The whole team has been really supportive and the overall package of car, team and tyres has worked really well together."
Posted: February 27, 2014 4:11 PM
The final round of the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland 2012 took place on the weekend’s Cork 20 International Rally. Four C2 R2 Max’s lined up for what would be the swansong of the little 1600 pocket rockets after six amazing seasons of C2 action.
This year’s title favourite Kevin O’Connor needed a finish in Cork to secure the Trophy, with David Carney the only title threat. Kieran Daly and Steve Wood were the other two C2 R2 Max equipped starters.
For Westport driver David Carney, all he could try to do was to try and win, and see that happened to O’Connor over the weekend. That’s certainly what he did, setting a superb sixth fastest overall time on stage one.
“We had a very good start” commented David. “Stage one went very well and we had a very good time. It was all we could do, and hope that we would force Kevin into a battle. We weren’t as fast on stage two, as we backed off a little when we passed Kevin at the side of the road.”
For Kevin it was a somewhat nervous start, as he knew all he really needed to do was finish, and the title was his, but on stage two the C2 began cutting out badly, and he dropped four minutes.
“It took us a while to locate the problem, which was a throttle body plug that had worked loose. I had checked it when we initially stopped, but hadn’t checked it right. Thankfully we got going again though” commented Kevin.
Really getting going now was Cork’s Kieran Daly, in his Healy Motorsport car. He proclaimed to be a bit rusty after a lay-off since Donegal, but on stage two set fastest C2 time, and clipped another four seconds back on stage three, but was still 22 seconds back after Carney’s stormer on stage one, but he was still happy.”
It wasn’t the fastest of mornings, and I think David might have backed off when he saw Kevin in trouble, but for me I was getting more and more comfortable in the car again, and really it was the final few stages of the rally that I really started to feel comfortable and commit properly on the fast stuff.”
Steve Wood had a dodgy intercom to deal with on stage one, but the Welsh drivers times were significantly closer than they ever have been to the leaders, and he was 36 seconds behind Daly after three long stages.
The first day dramas would continue however. After stage six, David Carney held an impressive 6th overall in the International Rally, but on the final square corner of stage 7, the long and twisting Kilnamatra test, there was to be drama.
“We were coming towards the end of the stage and the tyres were cooked really. I braked for the square corner and the car locked up, and we clipped the bank, breaking the bottom bracket on the radiator, and we started to loose water. We weren’t going to make it through the final test, so we had to re-start on Sunday under the Super Rally rules.”
All of a sudden that left Kieran Daly and Keith Moriarty the over-night leaders, with Steve Wood in his best ever position of second, 1 minute 40 seconds behind Daly. Despite not completing the final stage of the day, David Carney’s Super Rally, put him third 19.9 seconds in front of O’Connor into the faster day two stages.
Sunday morning, and it was Kevin O’Connor who set fastest time, almost two seconds in front of Carney, whose only hope now was that the others would strike trouble. Kieran Daly consolidated his lead, which was just under two minutes after the first three stages of the day, as Steve Wood continued his attack.
“We are just keeping up the attack, and keeping up the concentration. It’s hard to know what the weather is going to do on this final loop also, so we will take two inters as spares just in case” commented Steve.
David Carney had further extended his gap to Kevin O’Connor who was now struggling with a persistent misfire. Indeed the young Limerick driver would have a nerve wrecking final three stages to the finish as the C2 spluttered its way through the final stages, to eventually claim a fourth place finish.
Third was Carney, who claimed second in the CRT Ireland series, which nets him a further 2000€, whilst co-driver Ray Fitzpatrick won the co-driver’s championship. David was happy at the end.
“We are happy. We tried to get Kevin into a race and see what happened, but when he had his problems, we backed off too to make sure of the finish. Second in the series is good, a first for Ray is good, and another bonus is to win the class and front wheel drive section in the Irish Tarmac Championship. It’s been a good year in the Citroen Racing Trophy, and very enjoyable.”
Second for Steve Wood and Jonny Baird marked their best ever finish in the series, and a significant step up in pace also.
”I am really pleased, especially for Jonny, who has taken me under his wing this year. I’m really pleased with that.”
For Kieran Daly it was victory on the final round for the C2 R2 Max’s and a fine sixth place overall. Plans for DS3 series are in the pipeline for 2013. “
It was fabulous to win, and more special, because it was the last C2 round. Things were feeling really good with the car this evening, and it’s brilliant to end the year on such a high after our lows at the start of the year. I have made a lot of friend’s through competing on the Citroen Trophy over the past couple of years and the prize money too has been a fantastic incentive.”
For Kevin O’Connor guided by Ger Conway in Cork, despite the car hiccups, he is the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland winner for 2012, receiving an extra 3000€ for the win.
“I am delighted, and delighted to be here. Those last three stages were terrible, especially the last one. I thought the car was going to stop, but we made it and to win the Trophy is fantastic.”
Indeed Kevin has also that 10,000€ Junior prize to look forward to on the Rally Du Var in France, in what was a superb climax to the C2 R2’s in the championship, will all four starters finishing this two day International.
Posted: February 27, 2014 4:09 PM
The Cork 20 International Rally had its fair share of drama but Askeaton’s Kevin O’Connor guided by Killarney Navigator Gerard Conway took the 2012 Irish Citroen Racing Trophy, Junior Titles and along with his nomination for the Billy Coleman Award which is rallying’s equivalent of an All Star Nomination, it has turned out to be a great year for the 22 year old. He didn’t have it easy though as drama on SS2 when a plug lead come adrift on Kevin O'Connor’s C2 losing him 4 minutes as he diagnosed the problem and re-seated the plug and upon leaving the final service on Sunday Evening Kevin’s car developed a miss fire. But all he needed to do, was finish to win the Citroen Racing Trophy, because his earlier victories in the year allowed him a points advantage over Mayo’s David Carney, but with a bit of luck on Kevin’s side, he held on for the final 3 stages!
Kevin was overjoyed at the finish celebrating with friends and family, his father John, who has been instrumental in his success, got a special surprise as Kevin cracked open a bottle of Champagne and emptied its contents all over him! Kevin commented “Today is a special day for all of us we have worked so hard for today, I want to thank DM Motor Factors, Treaty Plant Hire, SVS Incar cameras, all the service crew friends and family who have helped me to get here”.
O’Connor Motorsport head for the hills of Donegal next weekend for the final round of the National Champioship as Kevin’s older brother Johnny bids to become Limericks first National Junior Rally Champion, you can follow his progress on Twitter, Facebook or on www.oconnormotorsport.com
Posted: February 27, 2014 4:00 PM
Rob Duggan & Mikie Galvin (Honda Civic) SS9
Dermot O Riordan & Jill White (Honda Civic) SS14
Steve Wood & Johnny Baird (Citroen C2 R2)
Posted: February 27, 2014 3:44 PM
1 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 04m 40s,
2 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 08m 46s,
3 Denis Cronin/Coleman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 12m 00s,
4 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 12m 05s,
5 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 12m 13s,
6 Kieran Daly/Keith Moriarty (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 22m 25s,
7 Steve Wood Johnny Baird (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 24m 35s,
8 David Carney/Ray Fitzpatrick (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 26m 24s,
9 Kevin O’Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2R2 Max) 2h 27m 54s,
10 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Renault Clio R3) 2h 28m 28s.
Class winners:
Adrian Levis/Vincent Goggin (Honda Civic),
Kieran Daly/Keith Moriarty,
Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney,
Owen Murphy/James O’Brien.
NATIONAL RALLY:
1 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) 2h 14m 32s,
2 Ken O’Neill/Ronald Riordan (Ford Puma) 2h 22m 56s,
3 Ian Chadwick/Stephen Quinn (Honda Civic) 2h 24m 51s.
HISTORIC/POST-HISTORIC RALLY:
1 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort) 2h 01m 27s,
2 Ray Cunningham/Sarah Whelan (Mini Cooper S) 2h 09m 11s,
3 Brendan McAree/J P McAree (Porsche 911) 2h 09m 33s.
JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Robert Duggan/Mike Galvin (Honda Civic) 53m 18s,
2 Jack Newman/David Woodcock (Honda Civic) 53m 35s,
3 Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) 54m 12s.
Leader After:
SS1- Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Stage Winners
SS1 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2
SS3 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Posted: October 4, 2012 10:43 AM
Posted: October 3, 2012 12:53 PM
The sixth and final round of this season’s Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland series will be decided on the final Cork 20 International event this weekend. This important series with backing from Citroen Racing, Total, Pirelli and Charles Hurst, not only involves serious competition for the C2 R2 Max mounted crews, but serious prizes as well, with 29,000€ awarded to CRT Ireland crews so far this year. In fact there has been nothing as generous in Irish rallying history.
Series leader is Limerick’s Kevin O’Connor, and he needs a solid finish here to secure the crown. Kevin scored CRT Ireland victories this season on the opening West Cork round, on the Circuit of Ireland at Easter, and Donegal in June. He needs to finish fourth or higher on the final Cork 20 round to secure the additional 3000€ first prize in the championship. Kevin has already received some good news, as he has been confirmed the Junior Champion, thus winning the 10,000€ assistance from Citroen Racing and Pirelli Tyre support towards contesting the Rally du Var in France.
“It’s fantastic to get this opportunity to compete in France” commented Kevin. “That will enable us to prepare properly, and even get the engine rebuilt.” Kevin’s three wins, and two second placing’s have netted him an impressive 12600€ of Citroen prize money to date. “Without that we simply could not have done what we did this season. There is no doubt that it adds an extra incentive to win as you are not just fighting for points. With the effort that Raymond and team put in with the PR, parts and the technical side, it is for me in my position the best championship in Ireland at present. As regards Cork this weekend, we really need to finish, and that is the big priority. Liam Ryan is going to give the car a thorough check and it’ll be a case of no heroics, just try and get a good clean run. We have a 99 point lead, when dropped scores are taken into account, but with stage points also on offer, we need to make sure we score a few points at least. It will be tough for sure just to keep it all together, and anything can happen in rallying.”
Westport driver David Carney still has an outside chance of the CRT Ireland title, and he has amassed 8800€ in Citroen Racing prize money this season from two wins, a second and third place finish to date. David has shown more speed this season, narrowly missing out on victory on the opening round in West Cork, and then taking two wins, one in Killarney and one on the recent Ulster International. With a good finishing record added to some good stage times, Kevin O’Connor needs to make sure he reaches the Silver Springs finish, or David could be there to take the prestigious CRT Ireland title. As ever Ray Fitzpatrick will be in the co-driver’s seat this weekend, and the car is currently undergoing preparation at John McKillop’s workshop. That brake problem which bugged the team earlier in the season is now long since behind them, and it’s all go for the Cork 20.
” We have to go for it, come out with all guns blazing really” commented David. “The end of the first stage will tell a lot, to see where everyone is and we have to try and take maximum points. The Ulster was good, it really helped our confidence. The prize money throughout the year too has helped to keep the bills down this season! The car should be good, the brake issue was sorted, and it’s now really stopping, like throwing an anchor out the window now! Really we just have to go as hard as we can and see what happens.” Cork has been a good event for the 25 year old, as he won the CRT Ireland section on the event last year, and this weekend the pressure in on for the title.
Welsh driver Steve Wood looks assured of third place in the championship, and that alone will reward him with €1000. Steve has been very consistent throughout the year, and has continually narrowed the gap in performance to the leading bunch on each event. His car is run by former CRT Ireland champion Adrian McElhinney, who lies fifth in the series.
A welcome returnee to the series this weekend is Cork’s Kieran Daly. Kieran who led in Killarney and was second in Donegal, is looking forward to the weekend, and could well take points away from the title aspirants. “I’m out for fun this weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve been out, so I’ll have to play myself in and drive at a speed that I feel comfortable with. If we are doing ok on Saturday night, hopefully we can push on Sunday on the stages in the Mallow area, as I think these would suit me better. At the moment I’m just looking forward to getting out, as I’ve been busy doing other things the past few months.” Indeed Kieran, a former kart champion, has been running a successful kart team, which has just lifted the four major kart championships in Ireland this season.
With 5800€ available between the top three crews this weekend in Cork, the 1600cc Citroen C2 R2 Max’s will be singing along at full pace right until the final special stage, and on Sunday afternoon we will know who is the new champion for 2012, in what will be the last round to feature the ultra- successful C2 R2 Max’s.
Posted: September 30, 2012 10:00 AM
Saturday:
Posted: September 27, 2012 4:27 PM
1 Darragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) []
3 Garry Jennings/TBA (TBA) []
4 Denis Cronin/Coleman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
5 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
6 Kevin Kelleher/Damien McElhinney (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
7 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
8 Sam Moffett/James O'Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [4]
9 Roy White/Martin Brady (MG ZR) [15]
10 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) [14]
11 Owen Murphy/James O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) []
12 Brendan Cumiskey/Conor Foley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [4]
14 William Mavitty/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [4]
15 Jason Ryan/Tadgh O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11]
16 Allen Treacy/Bob Fitzgerald (Toyota Corolla) [13]
17 Denis Moynihan/Eamonn Hayes (Ford Escort Mk I) [13]
18 Paraic Cummins/TBA (Ford Escort) [13]
19 John Hickey/John McCarthy (Escort 4x4) [15]
21 Brian O'Keeffe/Francis Curtin (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
22 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Renault Clio R3) [3]
23 Kevin O'Connor/Gerard Conway (Citroen C2R2 Max) [2]
24 David Carney/Ray Fitzpatrick (Citroen C2R2 Max) [2]
25 Kieran Daly/Keith Moriarty (Citroen C2R2 Max) [2]
26 Steve Wood/Johnny Baird (Citroen C2R2 Max) [2]
27 Mark Dolphin/Martin O'Brien (Ford Escort) [13]
28 Ken O'Neill/Ronald Riordan (Ford Puma S1600) [11A]
30 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Honda Civic) [11]
31 Paul Bruton/Thomas Bruton (Honda Civic) [11]
32 Ian Chadwick/Stephen Quin (Honda Civic) [11]
33 Patrick Karney/Robert Hughes (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [16]
34 James Fitzgerald/Pat Cashman (Honda Civic) [11]
35 Eamon O'Connell/Mark Linehan (Honda Civic) [11]
36 Paul Scannell/Mossy Griffin (Ford Escort) [11A]
37 Paul Browne/Jenna Browne (Honda Civic) [11]
38 Rob Alderman/Paula Alderman (Ford Escort) [13]
39 Pat Barry/Ray Looney (Honda Civic) [ ]
40 Paul O'Connell/Alan Whyte (Honda Civic) [11]
41 Steve Roberts/Leslie Wolfe (Ford Escort) [12]
43 Dermot O'Riordan/Jill White (Honda Civic) [11]
44 John Forde/Eamonn Creedon (Peugeut 205) [10]
45 Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish (Vaxhall Nova) [10]
46 Liam Denehy/John Lynch (Subaru Impreza) [8]
47 John Cullinane/Kenneth Cullinane (Ford Escort) [13]
48 Peter Desmond/William Lynch (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
49 Noel O'Mahony/Cliff Desmond (Toyota Corolla) [9]
50 Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic) [1]
52 Fergus Hurley/Eric Deane (Ford Escort) [11A]
53 Daniel Lucey/Derry Healy (Ford Escort) [13]
54 Kieran Hayes/Andrew Purcell (Peugeut 205) [10]
55 Emmet Cronin/Mossie O'Connell (Ford Escort) [9]
56 Adrian Levis/Vincent Goggin (Honda Civic) [1]
57 Shane Stanley/Liam Fouhy (Honda Civic) [9]
58 Ivan Warwick/Evelyn Warwick (Audi S2) []
59 Connie Tarrant/Timmie O'Callaghan (Skoda Fabia) [16]
60 Paul Rowley/Michael Reilly (Honda Civic) [11]
62 John O'Sullivan/Denny O'Riordan (Toyota Corolla) [11A]
63 Conor Nash/David Kearney (Ford Escort) [11A]
64 Michael Forde/TBA (Sunbeam) [11A]
65 John O'Keeffe/Eoin O'Leary (Ford Escort) [12]
66 Tim Howard/D J Howard (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
67 Stephen O'Shea/Mark Hurley (Toyota Starlet) [11]
Historic
H1 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort) [K]
H2 Ray Cunningham/Sarah Whelan ( Mini Cooper) []
H3 Alan Jardine/Raymond Knox (Ford Escort) [C3]
H4 Keith McIvor/David Burns (Porsche 911) []
H5 John Spiers/Susanne Niedrum (Porsche 911) [D4]
H6 Brendan McAree/J P McAree (Porsche 911) [K]
H7 John Reid/Enda Shields (Ford Escort) [D5]
H8 William Todd/Aaron Johnston (Morris Mini Cooper) [B2]
H9 Thomas O'Brien/Colin O'Brien (Mini ) []
Juniors
J1 Robert Duggan/Mikie Galvin (Honda Civic) [J]
J2 Derek Butler/Aaron O Regan (Honda Civic) [J]
J3 Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) [J]
J4 Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Honda Civic) [J]
J5 Martin Casey/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) [J]
J6 Colin Roche/Noel O'Sullivan Jr. (Toyota Starlet) [J]
J7 Darren Loftus/Stephanie Loftus (Honda Civic) [J]
J8 Mark Horgan/Tommy Hayes (Honda Civic) [J]
J9 Andrew Beamish/Cathal Quill (Vauxhall Nova) [J]
J10 Jonathan Delaney/Jonathan Carroll (Honda Civic) [J]
J11 Michael Ryan/Mark Deady (Honda Civic) [J]
J12 Andrew Mahon/Andy O'Donoghue (Ford Escort) [J]
J14 Andrew Sheehan/Cian Corbett (Vauxhall Nova) [J]
J15 Padraig Deasy/Edel McCarthy (Nissan Sunny) [J]
J16 Breda O'Driscoll/Stephen Carey (Honda Civic) [J]
J17 Alison Levis/Kathy Ford-Groggin (Suzuki Swift) [J]
Posted: September 26, 2012 8:20 PM
Early Entry Incentive Scheme - WINNERS
(subject to Terms & Conditions)
Posted: August 29, 2012 9:24 AM
The press reception and official launch for the 2012 Cork '20' International Rally will take place on Friday 31st August 2012 at 8pm in the Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Tivoli, Cork.
Guests speakers will make a special appearance on the night.
Showing continuing support again this year are title sponsors Orchard Motorsport and associate sponsors Silver Springs Moran Hotel.
All are welcome to attend.
Posted: August 10, 2012 2:58 PM
The Cork 20 Rally is taking place over the weekend of 5-7th of October.
The date in the Motorsport Ireland Event calendar is incorrect.
Posted: February 24, 2012 1:49 PM
The Munster Car Club are delighted to announce that this years Cork
"20" International Rally taking place on the weekend of the 6th/7th
October 2012 will see Orchard Motorsport come on board as title
sponsor for the event.
The club would like to sincerely thank Brian Stinson and his wife
Doreen who through their Orchard Motorsport business have been
associate sponsors for the past number of years, their support and
help is greatly appreciated.
The Orchard Motorsport Cork "20" International Rally 2012 are also
delighted to announce the continued involvement of Silversprings Moran
Hotel as associate sponsor and Rally HQ.
Plans are well advanced for this years event which will see it return to a
full 2-Day event, in the form of 8 Stages on Saturday & 6 Stages on Sunday
Further
details will be announced shortly with a strong focus on competitor
costs, reduced road mileage, entry incentives and details of an easy
payment scheme.