Posted: April 10, 2017 10:15 AM - 20290 Hits
Round 1 - 2017 Border Rally Championship
Posted: March 15, 2017 9:56 AM
Jonny Treanor & Adrian Foley (Honda Civic) SS3
Jason Black & Jack McKenna (Toyota Starlet) SS3
Roy Baldrick & Dermot Friel (Talbot Sunbeam) SS5
Frank Wray & Joe McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC) SS2
Posted: March 15, 2017 9:49 AM
As the day dawned and the mist lifted over the Achill hills the first round of the Sligo Pallets Border Championship kicked off in style. The early stages were challenging due to overnight rain, as the sun came out and the stages dried up the drivers got into their own rhythm and their confidence increased as the day went on.
First off the mark was Joseph McGonigle with Ciaran Geaney in their Skoda Fabia R5, despite struggling early in the morning, the team recovered in the third stage to maintain their lead for the rest of the day. Late entrant Frank Wray and Joe McNulty in their Subaru Impreza were second overall, narrowly piping Adrian Hethrington and Ronan O'Neill in a Ford Escort to the post with just split seconds between them. Recently returned from Australia, Pauric Duffy with Kevin Glynn in their Ford Fiesta R5 (class5) had a good day out, they challenged McGonigle all day and were in the lead for the first loop of stages. Their luck was short lived and after a driveshaft broke which caused a spin and they dropped to 6th place but gradually climbed back up and gained 2 places by stage 5. They finished the day in 4th place overall and were the first Mayo & District Motorsport Club members home to take the Margaret McGreal Perpetual Cup.
In fourth position overall was Pat Donegan and Alan Kenna in a Ford Escort Mk 2, they also claimed first place in class 14. Mayo navigator Andrew Grennan took teammate Vivian Hamill home to 2nd place in their class and 7th overall. Monaghan's Mickey Conlon who is no stranger to the Mayo Stages with his navigator Martin Byrne took first in class 13 and were 6th overall in their Ford Escort Mk 2.
James Mc Greal and Chris Mitchell in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, continued their success of 2016 and claimed 1st place in class 15 and 33rd overall in their first outing of the year. We hope that the success of 2016 continues again in 2017.
John Duffy and John Egan in their Honda Integra had a relatively trouble free day, an early encounter with a stray ditch did not upset their day too much as they crossed the finish ramp with a 2nd in class 3 and 32nd overall.
Local man Brian Lavelle and his navigator Darren Curran were very unlucky when gearbox trouble in their Honda Civic forced them to retire after the first stage on home turf.
Foxford duo Stephen Doherty and Alan Moran in their Subaru Impreza (class 15) were troubled from the start with a misfire and despite their best efforts in first service they were unable to fix the problem and retired on stage 3.
Belmullet's Ciaran Kennedy and Killala's Paddy O' Hora in their maiden voyage with their blue mark 2 Ford Escort, had a good day and after a number of small issues which were sorted by their mechanical team in service, they were back on track and came home 3rd in class 12 and 37th overall.
David Moran and John Sweeney finished 3rd in class 10 and were 46th overall in their Citroen Saxo.
After an electrical fault put them out of Birr last week, Ronan Denning and Karl Egan enjoyed their second trip out in a Peugeot 106 cup car, coming first in class 2 and 35th overall.
Trisha Greevey with navigator brother Brendan in their Honda Civic claimed 4th in their class, 43rd overall and took home 2nd place Mayo & District Club award. Her other brother Terry and his navigator Martin Hastings were not as lucky when they made contact with a stone at the end of stage 1 bringing their Peugeot 106 to a sudden halt ending their day but thankfully escaping with nothing more than minor damage to their car.
Liam Walsh who was on the notes for Florin Niedermueller in a Toyota Corolla and they finished 7th in class 11R and 25th overall.
Father and daughter team Pat and Shauna McEveney had a good day in their Toyota Corolla GTI. They had a bit of a moment on stage 4 where a bump tried to end their day, however they recovered nicely and went on to finish the event and came home 5th in their class, 45th overall and took home 3rd place in the Mayo & District Club awards.
Young jetsetter Lorcan Moore just off the plane from navigating in the Malcolm Wilson Rally the previous day in Cumbria, was back on duty with Shane Buckley in his class 13 Honda Civic. Unfortunately after climbing to 7th place after the first 2 stages, they had a disappointing end to their rally weekend when they clashed with a chicane on stage 3. But they did not go home empty handed as Shane Buckley took home the Eddie O'Hora award for the fastest Mayo & District driver on stage 1.
Another clubman who had a good day out was Ed Muldoon who navigated for Derek Jobb in a Mitsubishi Evo 9, they finished 2nd in class 4 and 36th overall. Colm Connor and James Connor finished 3rd in class 11F and 41st overall in their Toyota Corolla GTI. Well done to Keith Jacob and Michael Carr who took 1st place in the Mayo & District club awards in their Honda Civic, they came 4th in class 16 and 36th overall.
Mayo and District Motorsport Club would like to thank joint title sponsors ostan Oilean Acla and Connacht Print & Signs, in addition to their many local sponsors, marshals and officials who helped out over the weekend, Midwest Radio and the local residents who were so welcoming and accommodating.
We look forward to returning to Achill again in the not so distant future.
Posted: March 15, 2017 8:35 AM
1 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5) 43m 18s,
2 Frank Wray/Joe McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 44m 05s,
3 Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O'Neill (Ford Escort MkII) 44m 06s,
4 Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Ford Fiesta R5) 45m 10s,
5 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort MkII) 45m 14s,
6 Mickey Conlon/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort MkII) 45m 32s,
7 Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort MkII) 46m 10s,
8 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla) 46m 29s,
9 Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee (Ford Escort MkII) 46m 40s,
10 Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Toyota Starlet) 46m 55s.
Group N Production class: Pat Price/Andrew Curran (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9).
Juniors:
1 Jason Black/Jack McKenna (Toyota Starlet) 48m 17s,
2 Adrian Sweeney/Shane Buckley (Peugeot 207) 49m 39s,
3 Jonny Treanor/Adrian Foley (Honda Civic) 54m 01s.
Leaders
SS1-2 Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Ford Fiesta R5)
SS3-6 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5)
Stage Winners
SS1 Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Ford Fiesta R5)
SS2 Frank Wray/Joe McNulty (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5)
SS4 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5)
SS5 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia R5)
SS6 Cancelled
Posted: March 8, 2017 10:55 AM
Entries remain open.
Note: the 1000 Euro Border Championship Draw:
Posted: March 7, 2017 6:26 AM
After much deliberation on the running order of competitors, the entry list was released last Saturday night in the lead up to the Ostan Oilean Acla, Connacht Print And Signs, Mayo Stages Rally which takes place this coming weekend. Entries are still coming in for this motorsport spectacular and Mayo & District Motorsport Club are looking forward to welcoming over 80 crews in addition to the numerous Motorsport fans who will be descending on Achill Island.
There will be plenty to do for all ages on Saturday evening in the vicinity of Ostan Oilean Acla and Mayo & District Motorsport Club would like to welcome everyone to a fun filled evening commencing at 6pm. There will be live music with Michael S Togher, bouncy castles and prize giving for the winners of the recent road safety colouring competition from all 7 national schools. At 8pm we will welcome some of the top rally cars on to the island, in true Achill tradition they will be escorted across the bridge by the Achill Pipe Band together with teams from Achill GAA and Achill Rovers Soccer club. The top ten rally cars and all local competitors will then cross the start ramp outside the hotel. This will be a great chance to meet with the drivers and navigators and also an opportunity to get up close to the competing cars. We look forward to soaking up the wonderful hospitality that Achill is famous for. Tom McGinty will be providing music in Rally HQ from 9.30pm and he will keep the atmosphere going until the early hours.
Sunday, it will be down to business with roads closing early that morning and first car will appear on Stage one at 9.55am. These fantastic stages chosen by Clerk Of The Course, Trevor O'Connell and his team will be a joy to watch with amazing backdrops along the Wild Atlantic Way. Service will be held at the Sandy Banks Caravan Park in Keel, which will be accessible to all to wander around and admire the crews as they put in the hard work keeping the cars in check for the following stages. After all the stages are run, competing cars will return to Ostan Oilean Acla at approximately 4.50pm, where the crews will celebrate as they cross the finish ramp, followed by prize giving.
Remember there is still time to get your entry in. Contact 0872380376 / +353 87 2380376
We hope to see you all this coming weekend in Achill for the Ostan Oilean Acla/Connacht Print And Signs Mayo Stages Rally 2017.
Posted: March 7, 2017 3:47 AM
SS 1/3/5: Lavelles Topaz service Station, Cashel, Achill @ 07:30
SS 2/4/6: Barretts Costcutter, Keel, Achill @ 08:00
Chief Marshal: 086 7282800 / +353 86 7282800
Posted: March 4, 2017 3:31 AM
Congratulations to Shane Carr on winning the early entry competition for the Mayo Stages Rally
Posted: February 28, 2017 6:35 AM
Reminder to all Junior & Historic competitors:
Get your entries in for the Mayo Stages Rally 2017, a fantastic, excellent value event not to be missed. You will not get a better opportunity this year to compete on the full distance of an event consisting of 96km for an entry fee of only Eur 330 + Insurance Levy (Eur 188).
You will be guaranteed a good day of fun and competition on 2 excellent stages with great grip and a mix of open & technical sections. Get your entries in by contacting the Event Secretary on 087 2380376 or at deirdreburkemmc@gmail.com
Competitors are reminded that the 27th of Feb is the official closing date for entries for the Ostan Oilean Acla Connacht Print & Signs Mayo Stages Rally 2017.
However, entries for the rally will remain open and all participating competitors are asked to contact the Event Secretary as soon as possible to be included on the entry list. Seeding will take place at the weekend.
Entries to the competition for 2 nights B&B in Hotel Newport will close on this Wednesday evening 1st March and the winner will be announced in the coming days. If you want to have your entry in the hat for the competition, please contact the Event Secretary ASAP on 087 2380376 or email your entry form to: deirdreburkemmc@gmail.com
Posted: February 19, 2017 1:41 PM
We would like to invite you all to visit our Rally HQ, Ostan Oilean Acla, this coming Friday the 24th of February for our Rally Launch Night.
The night will kick off at 8pm and everyone is more than welcome to join us.
Posted: February 19, 2017 1:36 PM
With just 3 weeks to go, Mayo & District Motorsport Club are busy finalising plans for the Ostan Oilean Acla/Connacht Print & Signs Mayo Stages Rally for 2017. As the opening round of the ever popular Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship, it promises to be an action packed motorsport weekend with spectacular stages winding along the picturesque Wild Atlantic Way. This is one event you won't want to miss.
For the competitor and spectator alike, this event is like no other. Competitors will enjoy an equal mix of stages, from tight and twisty to open, flat straights. Flanked with the backdrop from the Atlantic Ocean these stages really have it all and promise to challenge both crew and machine.
Says Trevor O'Connell, Clerk of the Course,
"This event is a little different from what we have run in previous years. The roads are in superb shape, with a lot of clean tarmac, excellent road surface and great grip. Traditionally, due to the time of year we run at, our stages tended to be a bit tricky and slippery in places, this will not be the case this year as the Islands roads are well capable of handling the Irish weather?.
He continues "It will be breath taking for the spectators too as most locations will provide excellent viewing, among some of the best you will find anywhere".
As Mayo & District Motorsport Club predominantly has members who compete in rallying, we are conscious of the fact that our sport has been dealt another hard blow this year with the rising insurance costs. Therefore we are running a 6 stage event to keep the entry fee as low as possible. The event will comprise of 96+ stage kilometres and 100 road kilometres, offering the best value for money per stage kilometre you will find this year. Rally HQ, Scrutiny, Trailer Park, Service Park, Parc Ferme and of course the stages themselves are all on Achill Island. We have kept the route as compact as possible, focusing on keeping the road distance to a minimum. This in turn keeps the costs down for the competitors as it makes for an easy recce on the Saturday and also means less fuel consumed by competing cars on the Sunday. Competitors will also benefit from a compact day on Sunday with the first cars returning to Parc Ferme before 16:45. This gives everyone the opportunity to avail of the fine hospitality that Ostan Oilean Acla has to offer.
We would like to invite you all to visit our Rally HQ, Ostan Oilean Acla, this coming Friday the 24th of February for our Rally Launch Night. The night will kick off at 8pm and everyone is more than welcome to join us.
We also look forward to welcoming you all to Achill on the 11th and 12th March for a weekend to remember.
Posted: February 14, 2017 7:53 AM
Mayo & District Motorsport Club are delighted to give competitors a great opportunity to stay in the luxurious Hotel Newport for two nights of their choice.
Hotel Newport is located just 30mins from Rally HQ and would be an ideal base for you to enjoy the Rally weekend.
To enter this fantastic competition comprising, two nights B&B and one evening meal, you are encouraging to get your entry into us early. Yes that is all you need to do to enter the draw for this great prize.
So please check the Supplementary Regulations and post your completed entry form to our Event Secretary Deirdre Burke on the address given.
Best of luck.
Posted: February 14, 2017 7:50 AM
"IMPORTANT SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT IN RELATION TO THE MAYO STAGES
As a result of Motorsport Ireland's decision to suspend the contribution of clubs to all insurance excess
payments, article 4.1 of the Supplementary Regulations indemnity in the Entry form regarding
competitor responsibility for damage or injury not being covered by the event insurance NO LONGER
APPLY.
This will be confirmed in the events Final Instructions."
Regards
Trevor O'Connell
Clerk of the Course.
Posted: January 8, 2017 1:34 PM
Mayo & District Motorsport Club are delighted to announce that after a break of 11 years they will return to the Island of Achill where the 2017 annual Mayo Stages Rally takes place on Sunday the 12th of March.
Over the last few years Ballina and its surrounding area has been home to the Mayo Stages Rally and Mayo & District Motorsport Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all their sponsors, associated businesses in Ballina and the surrounding area, the local residents, Great National Hotel Ballina, Kevin Kennedy Motors, the Garda Siochana and Mayo County Council for their unprecedented support over the years.
2016 was an exciting year with it being the 40th anniversary of the club and the rally did not fail to impress with a record entry list and a crew travelling from the US to compete.
On the 6th of March last it was Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy who took the crown in their Subaru S12 WRC closely followed by Peadar Hurson and Damien Connolly in a simular machine. We hope to see them all make a return visit to Mayo and head up the entry list this March.
This year's Mayo Stages Rally will challenge competitors as they weave their way along the dramatic scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way, taking in some of the most beautiful picturesque beaches and the best driving roads in the country from start to finish. This rally is totally unique as it is the only Irish motorsport event to be held on an island this year and it is guaranteed to be spectacular. It promises to be an exciting race fuelled weekend for competitors and spectators alike and is a must for all the family.
We wish to thank Ostan Oilean Acla who have come on board as main sponsor for the event and will host rally HQ from 10th-12th of March. As a counting round of the extremely popular Sligo Pallets Border Championship, this event is gearing up to be a busy one with competing crews from all over the country and even further afield already making plans to descend on the island, where they will take to the stages on Sunday the 12th of March.
Trevor O'Connell (Clerk of the Course) and his team have decided to keep things interesting with a change from the normal format. There will be two stages run three times covering approximately 100 stage kilometres in this fantastic location. With a tight loop from start to finish, the competing crews can look forward to a laid back start to the weekend as the HQ, scrutiny, trailer park, stages and service area are all on the Island. The only thing that could delay you on the Saturday is stopping to take in the views that line these amazing stages. Be sure to take in the scenery as you will get little chance to see them when the 5 count starts. The stages offer a mixture of fast open roads with many tight sections which will challenge even the most experienced navigators. We hope you are up to the challenge and look forward to welcoming you all to Achill.
Posted: December 19, 2016 6:22 AM
The 2017 Mayo Stages wil take place in Achill. More details in 2017.