Posted: October 6, 1999 7:12 PM - 8795 Hits
Round 1 Ears Motorsport National Navigation Trial Championship
by Fergus N Casey
Full Results Added
George Mackarel / Dene Sleator emerged victorious from one of the most
difficult Drumlin's in recent years. So tricky was the navigation on
Sheet 8 that Expert crews were in trouble as early as TP2.
Posted: October 6, 1999 7:12 PM
At the midpoint halt in Broomfield the pair held 15 minute advantage eventually stretching this to 28 minutes at the finish. Second were David Dixon / Paul Hughes. Paul proving that even in semi retirement he has lost none of his old edge. Third home were another local crew Trevor Farrell / Noel Hall with Andy Mackarel / Liam Higgins in 4th spot.
Reigning Navigation Champion Paul Phelan teamed up with Mervyn Dunn for the night (regular partner "Bones" O'Connor is away on honeymoon) and finished 5th. The engine in Mervyn's newly acquired Micra did not seem to like the damp conditions. However due to other commitments it is unlikely that the first two home will contest the full EARS Motorsport Irish Navigation Trial Championship so there is perhaps not too much ground to make up.
Amongst the 33 starters were 15 Novices. On such a difficult night for navigation Paddy Connolly / Enda McMahon did well to head this class eventually increasing a slender first half 2 minute lead to 40 minutes. The second half plot and bash section east of Carrickmacross caused particular difficulty for the novices.
1 George Mackarel / Dene Sleator (Astra GSi) 444 mins 2 David Dixon / Paul Hughes (Escort Mexico) 472 3 Trevor Farrell / Noel Hall (Cavilear) 576 4 Andy Mackarel / Liam Higgins (Ascona) 579 5 Mervyn Dunn / Paul Phelan (Micra) 644 6 Bertie Wedlock / Stephen O'Neill (Golf GTi) 652 Expert Class 1st David Dixon / Paul Hughes 2nd Trevor Farrell / Noel Hall 3rd Andy Mackarel / Liam Higgins Semi Expert Class 1st Arthur Kierans / Gareth Beagan (Volvo 345) 691 2nd Laurence Sherry / Damien Connolly (205 GTi) 723 3rd Karl & Frank O'Donoghue (205 GTi) 729 Novice Class 1st Paddy Connolly / Enda McMahon (Galant) 904 2nd Fintan Larmer / Colin Deering (Celica) 944 3rd Rodney Adams / Sean McCaffrey (Sierra XR 4x4) 951Next round of the EARS Motorsport Irish Navigation Trial Championship is Carrick-on-Suir on 20/21st November