Posted: June 7, 2014 9:50 PM - 10967 Hits
Round 4 - 2013 Irish Forest Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2013 South East Stages Rally Championship
Posted: June 7, 2014 9:45 PM
Another chapter of the Morrow-Murphy Magical Mitsubushi show was screened at a wet and slippery Mitchelstown rally today, with Philip Morrow prevailing over Owen Murphy by a mere three seconds. Mick O' Brien (Focus WRC) was third ahead of Martin Cairns (Impreza WRC) and Daniel O'Brien (Focus WRC). The 2WD class was another humdinger with Desi Henry(DS3) the winner while Dean Raftery was the best junior once again.
The Sean Conlon Memorial Rally-to give the rally its official title-was the fourth round of the Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship. Hosted by the Tipperary MC,it consisted of 6 stages-three repeated-in Combaun, Kilworth and Kilcoran. The first visit to Combaun was conducted under a cloudy sky but the expected rain came across the Galtee mountains for the remainder of the event.
The weather did not deter the now customary Morrow-Murphy duel. Morrow went fastest on the opening three stages and he held a 16 second lead over the Corkman at the half way service. On stage four Morrow punctured and Murphy went into a seven second lead. At the end of the penultimate test the gap was one second and on the final test Morrow dug deep to win the stage by four seconds and claim the rally by three.
With two rounds remaining Morrow and Murphy look like the men most likely the claim the title, but Mick O'Brien cannot be discounted. The London based Corkman was in the top three all day but he was hampered by issues with the launch control.
2WD and JUNIORS
Desi Henry made a little bit of history in winning the 2WD category in his FWD Citroen DS3. Like the main battle this class went down to the wire. The first stage was a dead heat between Henry and leading 2WD exponent Shane Mc Girr (Starlet RWD).Mc Girr was fastest on ss2 with Henry retorting on SS3, Mc Girr the leader by three at half way. Mc GIrr went fastest on SS4 with Henry winning stage 5 and as the two Northern drivers started the final test there was just one second between them. However disaster struck Mc Girr when he suffered a puncture on the final stage and he had to be content with second. Micky Conlon-who won 2WD on round 2-finished third in his Escort Mk2.
In winning today's Juniors Dean Raftery(Civic) has won this class in the championship, as the Galway man was also best on the opening three rounds. Raftery was fastest on stage 1 but he was delayed on two and he was placed behind Daniel Cronin (Civic) and Conor Mc Carthy (Civic). However a series of fastest times put Raftery back in command once more and he claimed the category by sixteen seconds ahead of Cronin. Mc Carthy retired on stage 5.
Posted: June 7, 2014 9:27 PM
1 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 44m 56s,
2 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 44m 59s,
3 Michael O’Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) 45m 44s,
4 Martin Cairns/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 46m 42s,
5 Daniel O’Brien/Mark Glennerster (Ford Focus WRC) 46m 43s,
6 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 46m 44s,
7 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 47m 17s,
8 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206 4WD) 47m 25s,
9 Desi Henry/Barry McNulty (Citroen DS3 R3) 47m 35s,
10 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet RWD) 47m 53s.
Class winners:
Pierce Doheny/Tommy Hayes (Peugeot 106),
Mike Garahy/Sean Henehan (Escort),
Paul Fitzgerald/Pierce Doheny Jnr (Escort),
Alan Commins/James Commins (Escort),
Desi Henry/Barry McNulty,
Ger Connors/Owen O’Neill (Impreza),
Martin Cairns/Andrew Purcell,
Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna,
Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Civic),
Liam Regan/Damien Duffin.
Leaders After:
SS1-3 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4-5 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS6 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
Stage Winners
SS1 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS2 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS3 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS4 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS5 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
SS6 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N)
Posted: June 16, 2013 9:13 AM
Next Sunday's Sean Conlon Memorial Rally is based in Mitchelstown and it is the fourth event in the six round Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Championship. We are in the second half of a very exciting series that promises to keep us at the edge of our seats until the very end. The opening 3 rounds were really competitive and produced three different winners. Victory margins 1.2, 8 and 6 seconds tell their own story.
The Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally is hosted by Tipperary MC with Noel Reynolds as COC.First car is away at 09.30 and the route includes 3 stage locations all repeated with a total stage distance of 70km. Rally HQ once again is the Firgrove Hotel, while scrutiny, service and parc ferme are all centrally located.
Posted: June 13, 2013 12:39 PM
No Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class ]
1 Mick O'Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
2 Owen Murphy/James O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
3 Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
4 Martin Cairns/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
5 Daniel O'Brien/Mark Glennerster (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
6 Vincent McAree/JP McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
7 Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
8 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mulcahy (Subaru Impreza WRC ) [7]
9 Sam Moffett/James O'Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
10 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
11 Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206 4WD) [20]
12 Niall Henry/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
14 Mark Murphy/Alistair Wyllie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
15 Michael Carbin/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [20]
16 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
17 Ian Chadwick/Robert O'Regan (Subaru Impreza WRX) [20]
18 Neil Hickey/Enda Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRX) [20]
19 Danny Creedon/Tom Foley (Subaru Impreza WRX) [6]
201 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet) [5]
202 Desi Henry/TBA (Citroen DS3) []
203 Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhilips (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
204 James Coleman/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) [5]
205 Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Honda Civic) [9]
206 Paul Fitzgerald/Pierce Jnr. Doheny (Ford Escort MK 2) [3]
207 Jimmy Deane/Peter Murphy (Ford Escort) [3]
208 Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Puma) [3]
209 Ollie Williams/Finbar Fogarty (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
210 Niall Donnelly/Eamon Gallagher (Ford Escort) [3]
211 Emmett Cronin/TBA (Ford Escort) []
212 Daniel Cronin/Coleman Hurley (Honda Civic) [9]
214 Dave Dunne/Sarah Whelan (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
215 Alan Commins/James Commins (Ford Escort) [4]
216 Ray Benskin Jnr./Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
217 Michael O'Sullivan/Carol O'Keeffe (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
218 Sean W Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
219 Ray Benskin Snr./Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
220 John Byrne/TBA (Honda Civic) [3]
221 Fraser Mulholland/Geoff Patterson (Ford Escort MK 2) [3]
222 Michael Nevin/David Forde (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
223 Conor McCarthy/Dylan Coffey (Honda Civic) [9]
224 Brian Little/Caroline McGuinness (G3 Escort) [2]
225 Kieran Roche/David McDonald (Escort) [2]
226 Michael Walsh/Michelle Walsh (Talbot Sunbeam) [2]
227 Mike Garahy/Sean Henehan (Ford Escort) [2]
228 Calvin Kerby/Breeda Ryan (Toyota Corolla) []
229 Ken Treacy/Charlotte Egan (Ford Ka) [1]
230 Paschal O'Shea/Robert Hennessy (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
231 Dominique Leonard/TBA (TBA) []
232 Nicholas Cahill/TBA (TBA) []
233 Niamh Driver/TBA (Suzuki Swift) [1]
234 Tony O'Driscoll/Anthony O'Driscoll (Peugeot 106) [1]
235 Pierce J Doheny/Tommy Hayes (Peugeot 106) [1]
Posted: June 7, 2013 6:07 PM
Mick O'Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
Tony O'Driscoll/Anthony O'Driscoll (Peugeot 106) [1]
Andrew Fanning/Derek Gibbs (Ford Puma) [3]
Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
Owen Murphy/James O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhilips (Ford Escort MK 2) [5]
Vincent McAree/JP McAree (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [TBA]
Pierce J Doheny/Tommy Hayes (Peugeot 106) [1]
Mark Murphy/Alistair Wyllie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
Sean W Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
Paschal O'Shea/Robert Hennessy (Ford Escort MK 2) [2]
Niamh Driver/TBA (Suzuki Swift) [1]
Niall Donnelly/Eamon Gallagher (Ford Escort) [3]
Liam Regan/Damien Duffin (Peugeot 206) [20]
Jimmy Deane/Peter Murphy (Ford Escort) [3]
Paul Fitzgerald/Pierce Jnr. Doheny (Ford Escort MK 2) [3]
Conor McCarthy/Dylan Coffey (Honda Civic) [9]
Sam Moffett/James O'Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
Ray Benskin Jnr./Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort MK 2) [4]
Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Honda Civic) [9]
Michael O'Sullivan/Carol O'Keeffe ( TBA) [TBA]
Desi Henry/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Niall Henry/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Neil Hickey/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Daniel Cronin/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Mick Nevin/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
James Coleman/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Kalvin Kerby/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Stephen Thorton/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Mick Carvin/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Dominique Leonard/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Nicholas Cahill/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Ken Treacy/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Alan Cummins/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
John Byrne/ TBA ( TBA) [TBA]
Shane McGirr/ TBA ( Toyota Starlet) [TBA]
Emmet Cronin/ TBA (Ford Escort) [TBA]
Entries still open
Posted: May 30, 2013 9:19 AM
It’s all systems go for this year’s for the 2013 Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally promoted by Tipperary Light Car & Motor Club, with intense preparation been undertaken for the Clerk of the Course – Noel Reynolds. Noel and his team have been working long hours to ensure all the stages, service area and documentation are in tip top shape. This year’s rally will see the running of the famous Combaun Stage (approx 9.5km), Kilcoran Stage (approx 12.5km) and Kilworth Stage (approx 13km). The COC has reported that entries are up this year so far, with the event counting for double points for several competitors. An Entry list is expected to be published on www.tipperarymotorclub.com in the coming days.
This year’s event will count as Round 4 of the Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship 2013, round 4 of the Triton Showers South East Stages Rally Championship 2013 and will be a counting round for the Tipperary LC&MCC Club Championship 2013.
After a dramatic event at round 3 - PlasticBags.ie Wm Loughman Forest Rally, where Owen Murphy and James O’Brien in their Evo 9 took victory, Michael O’Brien still maintains his lead (76 points) over Owen Murphy (40 points). However, Philip Morrow (59 points) will be out to impress in Mitchelstown, and try to replicate his victory at the start of the year in round 1 – West Limerick Mini Stage Rally. The Two Wheel Drive standings after round 4 see Shane McGirr (41 points) in his starlet maintain a convincing lead over Desi Henry (29 points) and Michael Conlon (29 points).
With points are the top of the leader board so close, it’s sure to be exciting event which must not be missed. Please come out and support the event either as a competitor, marshal or spectator. Any help is greatly appreciated by the COC, his team and Tipperary light car & motor club. First car will be due on Stage 1 – Combaun at 9:30am.
For more information on the event please visit www.tipperarymotorclub.com where regulations, entry forms, entry lists, interactive Google map of service and stage areas will be available
Posted: May 30, 2013 9:16 AM
Stage 1 – Combaun
Meeting point - Post Office, Kilbehenny, Co. Limerick
Stage Commander – Ray Heney
Time – 07:30am
Stage 2 – Kilworth
Meeting point - Hanley Citroen Garage, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Stage Commander – Billy Roche
Time – 08:00am
Stage 3 – Kilcoran
Meeting point - Esso Garage (Fanning’s), Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Stage Commander – Cathal Mansell
Time – 9:45am
Google maps of meeting points at:
Posted: May 16, 2013 7:39 PM