rally.ie - Stories - Tipperary Stonethrowers Stages Rally

O’RIORDAN CORKER ON THE TRIP TO TIPP - Report Courtesy of Dunlop proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: September 14, 2017 10:07 AM

THE fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Clonmel based Sepam Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally provided plenty of drama as Cork driver Darragh O’Riordan (Ford Fiesta WRC) and his Derry co-driver Tony McDaid took the spoils.

They finished 44.4 seconds in front of the Darian T90 of Wexford’s James Stafford/Amy Ryan. Third place for Welsh ace Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) and his Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty was enough to promote them into the lead of the Dunlop series.

The top three seeds, Declan Boyle, the defending Dunlop champion along with title protagonist, Hugh Hunter and pre-event series leader Paddy McVeigh – all in Subaru WRC’s - all failed to finish.

Boyle (Subaru WRC) set the pace on the opening stage where he was 1.1 seconds ahead of his fellow Donegal driver Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) with Hugh Hunter (Subaru WRC) 10.3 seconds further behind in third and O’Riordan fourth – 12.2 seconds off the lead, he thought his Fiesta had punctured and backed off for a few kilometres. Reigning Irish Forest rally champion, Michael O’Brien was the first major retirement when he crashed his Ford Focus WRC.

Boyle retired on the second stage near Adfinnan with issues related to the input shaft. His demise promoted Kelly into the lead – 2.1 seconds ahead of O’Riordan, who posted the best time for the stage as Hunter remained in third. The lead changed again on the third stage when Kelly’s Ford Focus WRC overheated and he lost considerable time dropping to second – 25.2 seconds behind new leader O’Riordan, who was again fastest through the stage. Pre-event Dunlop series leader Paddy McVeigh, who was ninth on the opening stage, retired his Subaru WRC with gear selection difficulties.

Although Kelly remained on the leaderboard, he withdrew after the stage finish. At the Clonmel service park rally leader O’Riordan remarked that there was a vibration in the car on the opening stage. Stafford occupied third but reckoned the suspension set-up wasn’t suitable for the terrain on the second and third stages. Wood hit a chicane bale and stalled on the third stage – he was fourth – 50.1 seconds off top spot. Alan Ring in fifth place had an eventful opening loop, he stalled the hired Melvyn Evans S12B Subaru WRC on two occasions and was off the road for a brief while on the third stage. Hugh Hunter was also off on S.S. 3, he punctured and lost over four minutes and dropped to 40th. position.

Roy White (MG ZR) tumbled further down the order due to an altercation on the third stage. He slid off and broke a track control arm and finished the stage with no tyre on the rear right wheel.

Pat Donegan (Escort), who lost brakes towards the finish of the third stage occupied sixth with an untroubled Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), who was co-driven by Anthony Nestor, seventh. Vivian Hamill (Escort) and pre-event leader of the Dunlop Mk. 2 Champions Trophy category finished the third stage with a broken exhaust manifold. The Escorts of Micky Conlon and Micky Curran rounded off the top ten. Elsewhere, Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) led Group N

. On the repeat loop O’Riordan consolidated his lead and at the final service he led Stafford by 54.2 seconds, the latter benefitting from harder tyres and a harder suspension. Wood was third and admitted that he was concentrating on the acquisition of Dunlop points. Meanwhile, the rate of attrition increased as Alan Ring crashed his Subaru on the fifth stage.

Meanwhile, Donegan reckoned his tyre choice was totally unsuitable for the sixth stage, nevertheless, he was a fine fourth with Barrett next in classification. Micky Conlon (Escort) remarked that his tyre selection was far too soft, he was sixth. James Coleman whose Escort finished the first loop with a broken manifold and then had a major moment on the fifth stage was next in general classification. The top ten was completed by Jonathan Pringle, David Condell and Shane Maguire, the latter continuing to lead Group N.

By the end of the loop Hugh Hunter had climbed a massive 28 places to hold twelfth overall and on course to gain some valuable Dunlop points, however, he was forced to retire at the service halt when his service crew detected a crack in the gearbox casing.

O’Riordan cruised through the final loop even though he had selected tyres suited to wet conditions – the total opposite to the conditions that actually prevailed out on the stages. Stafford, with fastest time on the final stage took the runner up spot and the maximum twenty Dunlop points.

Welsh ace Wood settled for third and 18 Dunlop points to move into the lead of the series after five of the eight rounds. Barrett took his best finish of the season with fourth and Mickey Conlon was the highest placed Ford Escort driver.

The similar cars of James Coleman, Pat Donegan, Jonathan Pringle, David Condell and Micky Curran filled the remaining places in the top ten.

Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category from local driver Gus Kearney in the Sepam liveried Mitsubishi and Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi). With pre-event leader of the Motorsport Safety Group N award Josh Moffett a non-starter, Shane Maguire moves into top spot in the category.

The Dunlop Drive of the Day award was won by Roy White/James O’Brien (MG ZR) - after plummeting to 83rd position, they clawed their way back, including a fastest stage time on stage seven to finish 20th. overall.

Results

Posted: September 14, 2017 10:02 AM

1 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta WRC+) 63m 43s,
2 James Stafford/Amy Ryan (Darrian T90 GTR) 64m 28s,
3 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC S10) 65m 45s,
4 Kevin Barrett/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) 65m 58s,
5 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort MkII) 67m 12s,
6 James Coleman/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MkII) 67m 14s,
7 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII) 67m 32s,
8 Jonathan Pringle/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort MkII) 67m 41s,
9 David Condell/Eugene McGrath (Ford Escort MkII) 67m 54s,
10 Mickey Curran/Enda Gerety (Ford Escort MkII) 68m 15s.

Production class:
1 Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 68m 38s.

rally.ie Two wheel drive award:
James Stafford/Amy Ryan.

Historics:
1 P J O'Dowd/John Young (Talbot Sunbeam) 50m 19s.

Juniors:
1 Damian O'Reilly/Damien McCabe (Ford Escort MkII) 47m 54s,
2 Ger Lyons/Steve O'Brien (Honda Civic) 48m 26s,
3 Sean McGrath/Darren Walsh (Honda Civic) 49m 46s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS2-9 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanaga (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS2 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta WRC+)
SS3 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta WRC+)
SS4 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta WRC+)
SS5 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Ford Fiesta WRC+)
SS6 James Stafford/Amy Ryan (Darrian T90 GTR)
SS7 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2400)
SS8 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR S2400)
SS9 James Stafford/Amy Ryan (Darrian T90 GTR)

results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

SEPAM Stonethrowers 2014 - Marshal Meeting Points

Posted: August 7, 2014 9:16 AM

Stage 1/4/7
Date: 10th August 2014
Time: 8:00am
Location: Clerihan Village
GPS Coordinates: N52.41176, W7.57337

Stage 2/5/8
Date: 10th August 2014
Time: 7:30am
Location: Clonmel Oil Filling Station, Waterford Road
GPS Coordinates: N52.35983, W7.65970

Stage 3/6/9
Date: 10th August 2014
Time: 7:45am
Location: Esso Filling Station (Fanning's), Cahir
Coordinates: N52.37579, W7.92014

Chief Marshal 086 0750409 / +353 86 0750409

View SEPAM Stonethorwers Rally 2014 in a larger map

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: August 4, 2014 12:19 PM

Tipperary Stonethrowers Stages Rally - 10 Aug 14 - MAIN FIELD ENTRY LIST

Tipperary Stonethrowers Stages Rally - 10 Aug 14 - JUNIOR ENTRY LIST

Tipperary Stonethrowers Stages Rally - 10 Aug 14 - HISTORIC ENTRY LIST

Update

Posted: July 25, 2014 8:41 AM

With just 19 days to go until this years SEPAM Stonethrowers Rally 2014 kicks off in Clonmel. The event which is promoted by Tipperary Motor Club is received a strong response and will be have the current Dunlop National Champion Declan Boyleon hand to defend his 2013 title in Clonmel. Delcan will not have it easy withDonagh Kelly, Alan Ring, Steve Wood, Michael O'Brien, Hugh Hunter and Paddy McVeigh clipping at his heels. Local man Roy White has slo entered and haven achieved 2nd overall in last years event Roy will be up their with the WRC machinery. Josh Moffett also has an entry in and fresh from his victory at the sligo stages and will be one to watch.

Tipperary Motor Club officially launch this years event on Thursday 24th July at the Clonmel Park Hotel which will be rally HQ for this years rally.

As with previous years this years event has attracted a strong local entry with event sponsors SEPAM entering their car, Michael Ormond and Paddy king in their Honda Civic, Paul Manton, Kieran Hayes, Kieran O'Sullivan and Ray Heney also entered. Local Sheehan family will have two cars at this years event. Tom Sheehan will have his Nissan Micra out and his son Andrew Sheehan will be competing in his Honda Civic as part of the Dunlop Junior Championship.

Any competitors are reminded that entries are still available and if you wish to enter the event you can contact 086-6030121 / +353 86-6030121

Seeding for this years rally will take place next week.

Rally Launch - (Thu) 24 Jul 14

Posted: July 18, 2014 1:24 AM

Photo: Michael Sullivan

Google Map of Key Locations

Posted: July 17, 2014 4:51 PM

View SEPAM Stonethorwers Rally 2014 in a larger map

On Line Entry / Regulations

Posted: July 8, 2014 10:20 PM

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Tipperary Motor Club

SEPAM Stonethrowers Rally - Final touches being made!

Posted: June 10, 2014 2:10 PM

Tipperary Motorclub are pleased to announce that preparation for this years SEPAM Stonethrowers Rally are nearing completion with regulations awaiting final approval.

Clerk of the Course for this years event is again John Ward who reports
"Regulations for this years event has been submitted to Motorsport Ireland and are awating approval. We have put together a fantastic three stages which will suit all competitors wishing to win silverware at this years event."

As with previous years the event is sponsored by SEPAM. SEPAM which is a family run business owned by the Kearney family has been steeped in motorsport history for many years and without their ongoing support this years event would not have been a reality.

Entries for this years event will open on the 23rd June 2014 with the main field entry fee being 495 euro and the junior entry fee 290 euro.

Competitors competing in the main field will compete over approx 120km of stages comprised of 3 stages ran 3 times (9 stages in total).

As with previous years the Clonmel Park Hotel will be the event rally HQ,scrutiny will take place in Sheehan Brothers yard from 2pm - 6pm with all cars being parked up in parc ferme located besde the rally HQ.

Once entries open, competitors will be able to enter using Angus Sealy's website - Shannon Sports with Angus also providing results on the weekend of the event.

Drivers briefing for the event will be at 8:30am in the ballroom in the Clonmel Park Hotel with the first car away for the event will be at 9:30am.

Declan & Brian Boyle took overall honours last year but who will be crowned champions of this years event at the finish ramp in the Clonmel Park Hotel and lift the winners trophy for the SEPAM Stonethrowers Rally 2014!

Poster / Preliminary Details

Posted: May 13, 2014 12:16 PM

With a little less than three months until the SEPAM Stonethower's Rally, Tipperary Motor Club are delighted to announce that SEPAM will again be supporting the event as per previous years. Again the Clonmel Park Hotel will be the Rally Headquarters for the event. The event will be a counting round of both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and South East Stages Championship which will attract a top entry this year.

The following details have been confirmed for the event -

Club Website

Posted: May 13, 2014 12:04 PM