Posted: July 14, 2014 3:15 PM - 15716 Hits
Round 4 - 2014 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2014 Midlands East Rally Championship
Posted: July 14, 2014 3:05 PM
Steve Simpson & Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS2
Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson (Subaru Impreza N12B) SS2
Richie O'Mahony & Paul Grogan (Ford Escort MkII) SS5
Alistair Fingleton & Debbie Greene (Ford Escort Mk2) SS9
Shane Cullen & Russell Harold (Ford Escort Mk2) SS9
Posted: July 14, 2014 2:43 PM
This year the ALMC Stages Rally moved its headquarters to the centre of County Meath and the historic town of Trim. The organising team were very excited about the stages they selected and the compact route on offer to competitors and they weren't disappointed with the response, a great entry of top UK and Irish crews was received.
Trim castle provided a magnificent back drop to the ceremonial start on Saturday night and a great chance for the locals and visitors to get up close to the crews and the fantastic mixture of cars on display. A lot of the conversation at rally HQ, the Castle Arch Hotel, centred around the weather conditions and if the sunshine would prevail throughout Sunday. The 3 stages of Bective Abbey, Galtrim and Rathcore would prove to be challenging stages in any conditions but beyond most predictions the weather turned out to be mixture of sunshine but with sporadic showers and even thunder and lightning. The changing conditions were to catch out a number of crews on the day.
Predictions also varied around which top ten crew could take the top honours. Current point’s leaders in the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, Steve Simpson & Patrick Walsh were coming to keep up the championship pressure on point’s front runners and nearest rivals John Stone, Darren Atkinson and Damien Cole, last year’s championship winner. This year the rally line up included Simpson, Cole, Stone, Atkinson as well as Irish Tarmac Champion Gary Jennings, Graham Coffey, Alex Laffey, Hugh Hunter, Irish National Forestry Champion Michael O’Brien and Meirion Evans, son of 2012 winner Melvyn Evans. 2WD entries from Frank Kelly and Adrian Hetherington added to a great atmosphere on Sunday morning as the crews headed out to Stage 1 Bective Abbey in the sunshine.
Fastest out of the blocks was Hugh Hunter & Andy Marchbank 7 seconds faster than Steve Simpson and Gary Jennings. Damian Cole was 4 seconds a drift with Mick O'Brien only a 1 second behind him. Frank Kelly was also showing us his pace on the stage 2 seconds behind in 6th. A tight battle was unfolding as the crews moved on to Galtrim with Hunter fighting to try and open a gap and Jennings taking a lead now on Simpson. John Stone also started to find his pace and went into Stage 3 after an equal stage time to O'Brien. Stone had tried hard on the ALMC Stages over the years but finishing wasn't coming easy to him.
By first service in Trim we had a new rally leader in Gary Jennings. He had a blistering time in the Impreza S12B before the halt and was looking good to build on it on SS4. That was until Simpsons collision with a chicane led to the stage being cancelled and the battle moved on with 3rd now filled by John Stone in the Fabia WRC. O'Brien, Cole and Kelly were also holding firm, as was Kelly as the top 2wd. The rally sadly lost Adrian Hetherington in the 2WD category when he had to pull out with bale related damage on Stage 2.
Changeable weather conditions were starting to be a factor for the crews by the afternoon. Going into Stage 6, at Rathcore, Jennings was down to a 3 second margin on Hunter but 43 seconds behind was Stone. O'Brien, Cole and Kelly were within 14 seconds of 3rd place Stone and no one was prepared to shake loose. Peter Taylor, Alex Laffey and Merion Evans were all within 6 seconds of Kelly's time and the spectators could sense the last loop was going to be a maximum committment from all the top crews. On Stage 6 Jennings pulled in with an oil light that was going to be too risky to ignore, Taylor retired with a broken drive shaft that severed a brake line and Hunter was now pulling away from the pack with 50 seconds to spare on Stone.
Stage 8 saw us loosing Merion Evans to an off, he had climbed to 7th at this point and seemed on a mission to gain even more places. Hunter added 6 seconds to his lead and it was looking like it would be enough to secure his victory with one stage to go. Stone in 2nd had 7 Seconds over O'Brien with Cole 1 second adrift of him. Laffey put in great times too, in the immaculate Fiesta R5+, on Stages 7 and 8 to go ahead of Kelly and take 5th place going into Stage 9.
The last stage was going to need everything from Stone, O'Brien and Cole to get that 2nd or 3rd place spot. Hunter and Marchbank had to get to the finish in a decent time to ensure a victory. The last stage, Rathcore, proved to be the place for a spectator. Cole was to set fastest time over the 17km stage, 1 second faster than O'Brien but enough to secure 2nd place. Hunter was 10 seconds slower than Cole but he was well aware of the margin he could drop and still win. Stone had taken 4 seconds off his previous run on the stage but it wasn't enough against the charge of Cole and O'Brien and he finished 4th with class honours. Stone and Williamson were delighted all the same with a strong finish as ALMC was starting to look like a rally they couldn't seem to finish over the past four years. Cole and Edmondson's attack was enough to get second place and those valuable championship points. Forestry master Mick O'Brien with John O'Brien on notes had put in a great performance to secure 3rd place. Alex Laffey and Jack Morton were delighted with their solid performance on the day taking 5th and class honours. Frank Kelly and Jackie Elliot were 6th fastest on Stage 1 and put in a fantastic effort to stay in that position until the end, taking the 2WD honours. Graham Coffey and Jenny Gaebler finished 7th overall, a great climb back from 14th after Stage 1 and 2.
Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank are the new ALMC Stages Rally 2014 champions with a 54 second winning margin. Joining them in the celebrations, at the Castle Arch Hotel, were Junior category winners and local crew Brian Brady and Leonard Tuite. Top ladies prize winner was Cathy Sewart with Martin Haggett on the notes. Historic category winners were Christopher Lloyd and Frank Curtin in their MKII Escort.
ALMC Motor Club and Cusack Hotel Group would like to thank all those who assisted with the organisation and running of this great event, including all competing crews, marshals, stage residents, sponsors and spectators.
ALMC Stages Rally is the 4th counting round of the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and the Loughran Signs Midlands East Rally Championship.
Posted: July 14, 2014 2:37 PM
1 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC) 60m 47s,
2 Damian Cole/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Focus WRC) 61m 41s,
3 Michael O'Brien/James O'Brien (Ford Focus WRC) 61m 41s,
4 John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) 61m 49s,
5 Alex Laffey/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta R5+) 62m 33s,
6 Frank Kelly/Jackie Elliot (Ford Escort MkII) 62m 57s,
7 Graham Coffey/Jenny Gaebler (Ford Fiesta WRC) 64m 15s,
8 Mark Nangle/Nollaig Breen (Subaru Impreza WRX) 64m 27s,
9 Keith Robathan/Alastair Wyllie (Ford Escort MkII) 64m 29s,
10 Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert (MG Metro 6R4) 64m 41s.
Leaders After:
SS1-2 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3-5 Garry Jennings/Barry McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6-9 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Stage Winners
SS1 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Garry Jennings/Barry McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Cancelled
SS5 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS9 Damian Cole/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Focus WRC)
Posted: July 1, 2014 2:49 PM
Online system is still taking entries up to the weekend.
Late Entries will be re-seeded on Saturday afternoon.
Posted: July 1, 2014 2:48 PM
1 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza S12B) [8] MAIN
2 Damian Cole/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Focus WRC) [15] MAIN
3 Gary Jennings/Barry McNulty (Subaru Impreza S12B) [8] MAIN
4 Niall Maguire/Conor Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8] MAIN
5 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8] MAIN
6 Alex Laffey/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta R5+) [8] MAIN
7 John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) [8] MAIN
8 Michael O'Brien/ (Ford Focus WRC) [20] MAIN
9 Graham Coffey/Jenny Gaebler (Ford Fiesta WRC) [8] MAIN
10 Frank Kelly/Jackie Elliot (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
11 Ed O'Callaghan/Raymond Scott (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
12 Michael Curran/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
14 Darren Atkinson/Phil Sandham (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
15 George Condell/Jill White (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13] MAIN
16 David Tinn/Allie Tinn (Proton Satria 4WD) [8] MAIN
17 David Condell/Alan Keena (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
18 Pete Rayner/Richard Bonner (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
19 Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] MAIN
20 Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert (MG Metro 6R4) [20] MAIN
21 David Hardie/John McCulloch (Subaru Impreza N12B) [20] MAIN
22 Peter Taylor/Andrew Roughead (Ford Fiesta S2400) [15] MAIN
23 Simon Bowen/Richard Robinson (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8] MAIN
24 Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Subaru Impreza N12B) [4] MAIN
25 Keith Robathan/Alastair Wylie (Ford Escort Mk2) [14] MAIN
26 Michael Carbin/James McCarville (Mitsubishi Evo 4) [20] MAIN
27 Mark Nangle/Nollaig Breen (Subaru Impreza) [20] MAIN
28 Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [6] MAIN
29 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Toyota Corolla WRC) [20] MAIN
30 Martin Donnelly/Brian Doherty (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15] MAIN
31 James Cassidy/Brian Cassidy (Ford Escort Mk2) [12] MAIN
32 David Percy/Owen Percy (Ford Escort Maxi F2) [13] MAIN
33 Rob Duggan/Noel O'Sullivan (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4] MAIN
34 Rodney White/Sam McMullan (Talbot Sunbeam) [13] MAIN
35 Paul McCann/Tomas McCann (Ford Escort Cosworth) [20] MAIN
36 Jim Sharp/Craig Wallace (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [15] MAIN
37 Pauric Sheridan/Sean Brunton (Ford Escort Cosworth) [20] MAIN
38 Shaun Murphy/Gerard McGinley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
39 Davy Donoghue/Martin Costello (Citroen C2) [11F] MAIN
40 Darren Underwood/Sue Underwood (Vauxhall Nova) [11F] MAIN
41 Stephen Ritchie/David Brown (BMW M3 Compact) [14] MAIN
42 Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] MAIN
43 Hamish Kinloch/James Haugh (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
44 Barry McKenna/Mac Kierans (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
45 Paddy O'Reilly/Loreta Kelly (Ford Escort G5) [14] MAIN
46 Martin Tracey/Simon Quinn (Ford Escort Mk2) [12] MAIN
47 Shane Cullen/Russell Harold (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
48 David Smyth/Mark Deery (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R] MAIN
49 Alan Kane/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort G3) [13] MAIN
50 Shane O'Rourke/Alan McGovern (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4] MAIN
51 Gary McNamee/Breen McNamee (Peugeot 306) [7] MAIN
52 Alan Barry/Peter Barry (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R] MAIN
53 John McCabe/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R] MAIN
54 Joe Gallagher/MO Downey (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4] MAIN
55 Ed Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [20] MAIN
56 David Earthy/Claire Williams (Citroen C2 R2) [6] MAIN
57 PA Bellew/Michaela McGinn (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R] MAIN
58 Simon Evans/Barry Faul (Morris Mini Cooper S) [9] MAIN
59 Mathew Roberts/Peredur Davies (Citroen Saxo) [11F] MAIN
60 Peter Egerton/Alun Cook (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
61 Thomas Lynch/Mark Kirwan (Honda Civic EK4) [11F] MAIN
62 Mark Ellis/David Fitzsimons (Subaru Impreza N11) [15] MAIN
63 Seamus Doyle/Kevin Barry (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
64 Martin Geraghty/Alan Kieran (Honda Civic) [2] MAIN
65 Brian Ward/ (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [9] MAIN
66 Ian Graham/Liam Regan (Mitsubishi Lancer) [20] MAIN
67 Anthony Masterson/Tommy Clinton (Ford Escort RS1600) [10] MAIN
68 Pat Shortall/Willy Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [10] MAIN
69 Patrick Delaney/Stephen Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10] MAIN
300 Berian Richards/Frank Curtin (Ford Escort Mk2) [18] HISTORIC
70 Evan Downey/Paul Donnelly (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R] MAIN
71 Alistair Fingleton/Debbie Fingleton (Ford Escort Mk2) [13] MAIN
72 Michael Coffey/Gerry Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12] MAIN
73 Andy Hayes/John Hayes (Honda Civic Type R) [3] MAIN
74 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [11] MAIN
75 Kevin Flanagan/Emily Hassett (Austin Cooper S) [9] MAIN
76 Tony Rees/Ian Meakin (Lotus Sunbeam) [13] MAIN
77 Ian Barnard/Ashley Davies (Vauxhall Nova) [9] MAIN
78 Mike Taylor/Peter Grant (Lotus Sunbeam) [14] MAIN
79 Pat O'Connor/Kieran Reid (Toyota Celica GT4) [15] MAIN
80 Patrick Donoghue/John Leonard (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10] MAIN
81 Cathy Sewart/Martin Haggett (Lotus Sunbeam) [14] MAIN
82 Georgia Shiels/ (Fiat Abarth 500) [2] MAIN
200 Tom Holton/Trevor Payne (Honda Civic) [16] JUNIOR
83 Dermot Hassett/Niamh Power (Chevrolet Kalos) [9] MAIN
201 Brian Brady/Karl Kiernan (Peugeot 106 Rallye) [16] JUNIOR
301 Malcolm Pedlow/Ivor Ferguson (BMW 2002) [18] HISTORIC
202 Richard O Mahony Jnr/Paul Grogan (Ford Escort Mk2) [16] JUNIOR
203 Adam Faulkner/Shauna Hill (Honda Civic Vtec) [16] JUNIOR
84 Simon Greene/Brendan Greene (Ford Escort Mk2) [10] MAIN
204 Paul Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Nissan Micra) [16] JUNIOR
86 Noel Conachy/Barry McArdle (Honda Civic) [11F] MAIN
Posted: June 30, 2014 11:33 AM
The weekend of 5th/6th July sees the first of two visits by the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally
Championship to the Irish Republic as competitors head for Trim, in Co. Meath, for
Round 4 of this year’s series, the ALMC Stages Rally.
2013 winners, Paul Bird/Aled Davies, are unable to defend their title this time but, with
eleven of the current top fifteen drivers in the Championship points table presenting
themselves for duty across the water, the action is bound to be fast and furious!
Defending MSA Asphalt Champion Damian Cole (Ford Focus WRC) was Bird’s nearest
challenger last time but, following a retirement on the Manx National Rally, he and co-
driver Elliott Edmondson find themselves down in 4th place. Whilst those ahead of
them have finished every event to date, with the five out of eight scoring system, a
‘result’ here would do Cole’s aspirations of a fifth consecutive title a power of good.
As they arrive on Irish soil, Steve Simpson/Patrick Walsh lead the race for the 2014
Championship in their Subaru Impreza WRC. Simpson, who won the title back in 2007,
and Walsh, runner-up for the past couple of years, have been 3rd overall on the ALMC
Stages in 2012 & 2013 and, with levels of confidence running high, the chance to
consolidate their advantage will not go unnoticed!
John Stone/Carl Williamson have also started the season strongly - their Skoda Fabia
WRC trails Simpson’s Impreza by just seven points which, with 30 on offer for a win
on each occasion, could hardly be described as comfortable. However, a continuation
of their current form can only reap rewards as the season moves forward.
The final podium spot in the points is occupied by the rapid Ford Escort MkII of
Darren Atkinson/Phil Sandham who, not surprisingly, also lead the Millington Rear-
Wheel Drive Challenge. Indeed, there will be a strong RWD contingent in the Southern
Irish lanes, with Keith Robathan and Pete Rayner shadowing Atkinson in their own
Escorts, Stephen Ritchie’s BMW Compact and Mike Taylor/Peter Grant & Cathy
Sewart/Martin Haggett in a pair of Talbot Sunbeam Lotuses.
Former BTRDA Gold Star® Rally Champions Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank appeared
on the ALMC Stages last year in their new - to them - Impreza WRC and went on to
take
4th overall. Now, with a further twelve months experience of the car on asphalt
under their belts, they’re back and, given a clear run, can reasonably be expected to
finish higher up the order.
There are three UK Fiestas in the ALMC entry - Graham Coffey is out in his WRC
version which took him to 11th overall on the Manx National Rally in May, Peter
Taylor/Andrew Roughead’s new S2400 has already shown that it is more than capable
of giving the WRCs a run for their money and Alex Laffey/Jack Morton arrive in Trim
fresh from winning Rally of the Midlands in their R5+ - nuff said!
Other four-wheel drive machinery on show in Ireland includes the Proton Millington of
David & Alice Tinn, Imprezas in the capable hands of David Hardie/John McCulloch &
Adge Spencer/Mark Hewitt + a Group N version for Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson,
and the venerable Metro 6R4 of Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert.
Darren & Sue Underwood lead the AB Motorsport Front-Wheel Drive Challenge in their
Vauxhall Nova, but Matthew Roberts/Peredur Davies (Citroen Saxo) won’t leave them
alone! Four points separate the drivers, while the co-drivers are only two apart, and
then David Earthy (Citroen C2R2) and Ian Barnard’s 1400cc Nova will also be present
in an attempt to upset the apple cart....
From the very impressive names of those listed above, in addition to any potential
event awards they may become eligible for, there will be the John Horton Motorsport
Management ‘Star Performer’ trophy and the Titan Fuchs Race £50 product voucher
for ‘Best Improvement on Seeding’ to be distributed at the end of the day....
The first car leaves the start of the ALMC Stages Rally at 9.10am on Sunday 6th July
and, following three stages each run three times and totalling 75 miles, will return to
the finish at 5.10pm. The Awards Presentation will take place in Rally HQ, the Castle
Arch Hotel, during the evening.
Posted: June 30, 2014 11:18 AM
Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
David Earthy/Claire Williams (Citroen C2 R2) [6]
Davy Donoghue/Martin Costello (Citroen C2) [11F]
Dermot Hassett/Niamh Power (Chevrolet Kalos) [9]
Kevin Flanagan/Emily Hassett (Austin Cooper S) [9]
John Indri/Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza S11) [8]
Martin Donnelly/Brian Doherty (Toyota Corolla) [15]
Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
Iam Barnard/Ashley Davies (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
Joe Gallagher/MO Downey (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Adrian Spencer/Mark Hewitt (Subaru Impreza) [20]
Keith Robathan/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Damian Cole/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Focus WRC) [15]
John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) [8]
Peter Taylor/Andrew Roughead (Ford Fiesta S2400) [15]
Graham Coffey/Jenny Gaebler (Ford Fiesta WRC) [8]
Cathy Sewart/Martin Haggett (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) [14]
Ian Graham/Liam Regan (Mitsubishi Lancer) [20]
Mathew Roberts/Peredur Davies (Citroen Saxo) [11F]
Tom Holton/Trevor Payne (Honda Civic) [16]
Peter Egerton/Alun Cook (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Pete Rayner/Richard Bonner (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Michael Curran/Sean Hayde (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Alex Laffey/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta R5+) [8]
Brian Brady/Karl Kiernan (Peugeot 106 Rallye) [16]
Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flannagan (Ford Focus WRC) [8]
Anthony Masterson/Tommy Clinton (Ford Escort RS1600) [10]
David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [11]
Gary McNamee/Breen McNamee (Honda Civic) [16]
Martin Tracey/Simon Quinn (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
David Smyth/Mark Deery (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R]
Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Ford Fiesta R2) [6]
Alan Barry/Peter Barry (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert (MG Metro 6R4) [20]
Andy Hayes/John Hayes (Honda Civic Type R) [3]
Simon Greene/Brendan Greene (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
Mark Ashton/William Ashton (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [16]
Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
Stephen Ritchie/David Brown (BMW M3 Compact) [14]
Michael Coffey/Gerry Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
Darren Atkinson/Phil Sandham (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Simon Bowen/Richard Robinson (Subaru Impreza) [8]
Noel Conachy/Barry McArdle (Honda Civic) [11F]
Malcolm Pedlow/Ivor Ferguson (BMW 2002) [18]
Tony Rees/Ian Meakin (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
Mark Ellis/David Fitzsimons (Subaru Impreza) [15]
PA Bellew/Michaela McGinn (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
Michael Carbin/James McCarville (Mitsubishi Evo 4) [20]
ED Colton/Claire O'Mahony (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [20]
Michael O'Brien/TBA (Ford Focus WRC) [20]
Pauric Sheridan/Sean Brunton (Ford Escort Cosworth) [20]
Jack Newman/JP Macaree (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Mike Taylor/Peter Grant (Lotus Sunbeam) [14]
Shane O'Rourke/Alan McGovern (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
Alistair Fingleton/Debbie Fingleton (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Seamus Doyle/Kevin Barry (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
George Condell/Jill White (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
David Condell/Alan Keena (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
Evan Downey/Paul Donnelly (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R]
Mark Nangle/Nollaig Breen (Subaru Impreza) [20]
Alan Kane/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort G3) [13]
Paul Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Nissan Micra) [16]
David Hardie/John McCulloch (Subaru Impreza N12B) [3]
Shaun Murphy/Gerard McGinley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Subaru Impreza N12B) [3]
David Tinn/Allie Tinn (Proton Satria 4WD) [8]
Paul McCann/Tomas McCann (Ford Escort Cosworth) [20]
Darren Underwood/Sue Underwood (Vauxhall Nova) [11F]
Hamish Kinloch/James Haugh (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Niall Maguire/Conor Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [8]
Patrick Delaney/Stephen Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
Richard O Mahony Jnr/Paul Grogan (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
Rodney White/Sam McMullan (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
Pat Shortall/Willy Fitzpatrick (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
Rob Duggan/Noel O'Sullivan (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [3]
Shane Cullen/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
Georgia Shiels/TBA (Fiat Abarth 500) [2]
Thomas Lynch/Mark Kirwan (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
Adam Faulkner/Shauna Hill (Honda Civic Vtec) [16]
Berian Richards/Frank Curtin (Ford Escort Mk2) [18]
Gary Jennings/Barry McNulty (Subaru WRC S12B) [8]
Posted: June 26, 2014 2:08 PM
Marshalls meeting points for ALMC Stages Rally Sunday 6th July as follows:
Posted: June 25, 2014 11:35 AM
The excitement is really starting to build as we approach the weekend of July 5th & 6th and the annual ALMC Stages Rally. This year ALMC Motor Club has moved the rally centre to Trim, Co. Meath and in doing so are delighted to announce that the Cusack Hotel Groups’ Castle Arch Hotel will be the new Rally Headquarters. The move to Trim is also hugely beneficial in that the stages available to the team are of an exceptional, challenging standard and all 3 stages, run 3 times, are in close proximity to the town. An expected strong attraction for competitors is that the road sections have been cut dramatically from previous years and the facilities in the historic town cater well for visiting crews, spectators, service needs as well as parc ferme & scrutiny requirements. To top it all off Trim Castle provides a beautiful back drop to the planned ceremonial start on Saturday 5th July at 8pm.
A very strong entry of the top UK and Irish crews and 120 km’s of challenging stages will no doubt ensure that all aspiring winners will have no choice but to battle from start to finish to be in with a chance of taking home the ALMC Stages Rally honours. Also with Trim Castle imposing itself on the busy river Boyne settlement, and as the backdrop to the ceremonial start, it might even be fitting that this battle will commence at the location of the infamous Battle of York in the blockbuster movie “BraveHeart”.
ALMC Motor Club last year celebrated its 50th year in existence and in May the club successfully ran its first Forest Rally in Co. Wicklow, a round of the national forest rally championship. Even with such close timing to the July Stages Rally the enthusiasm and work rate of the rally team is unquestionable and the organisers are really excited about the stages they have picked for this year. Clerk of the Course, John Carroll, noted at the rally press launch, that he is “delighted to be able to use roads that were part of previous Circuit of Ireland Rally’s and the stages this year are more technical and challenging than in some more recent years and that’s with reduced road sections.” John went on to say he is delighted that so many international, national and in particular local entries have been received with almost two weeks to the rally itself.
At the same event Brian Byrne, ALMC Chief Marshal, noted that “a great draw to the ALMC Stages Rally for volunteer marshals and spectators is the sheer quality of the cars and crews in action. In particular it’s a real meeting of UK WRC teams, who are registered in the REIS MSA Championship, with top WRC crews from this island. Where else would you see these teams go toe-to-toe like this.”
Current point’s leader in the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, Steve Simpson with Patrick Walsh on the notes, will be coming to keep up the championship pressure on point’s front runners and nearest rivals John Stone, Darren Atkinson and Damien Cole, last year’s championship winner. Last year’s ALMC Stages Rally winner Paul Bird is unable to attend the rally so the door is now firmly open to a new name on the ALMC trophy. Top entries received to date include Simpson, Cole, Stone, Atkinson as well as Donegal’s Donagh Kelly, Graham Coffey, Alex Laffey, Hugh Hunter, Michael O’Brien and Meirion Evans, son of 2012 winner Melvyn Evans.
Some top national and local entries include Michael Carbin from Monaghan, Locals PA Bellew and Michael Curran, Carlow’s George and David Condell as well as Galway’s Dean Raftery just to mention a few.
We can also expect to see some great battles between contenders for class and championship honours on the day with what is already promising to be a really entertaining mix of top rally machinery.
Entries are still very welcome by the club, for entries visit the club website, www.almc.ie or rally site www.almcstagesrally.com where you will find the entry form or on results.shannonsportsit.ie for an online entry, our sites will continue to be updated with all the latest information on the rally and details required by competitors. Also the club Facebook page (ALMC Motor Club) and Twitter (@almcmotorclub) will carry regular updates and rally news. Rally programmes will be available in shops in the Trim area and around the County on Wednesday July 2nd, at Rally H.Q and also in the service area in the town. Seeding of entries will take place on Wednesday night before the rally and will be published shortly thereafter.
ALMC Motor Club and the Cusack Hotel Group look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike to the historic town of Trim, Co. Meath.
ALMC Stages Rally is a counting round of the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and the Loughran Signs Midlands East Rally Championship.
Posted: March 8, 2014 12:21 PM
The ALMC Rally Team are delighted to announce that the 2014 Stages Rally will be based in the historic Co Meath town of TRIM on the weekend of July 4th to 6th . The Rally will have its HQ in the Castle Arch Hotel, with Parc Ferme in the adjacent County Council Offices as well as trailer park / Scrutiny in the adjoining commercial premises .