A number of M&D club members ventured to Mondello on the 27th December for the annual Carlow Motorclub Rally Sprint. Stephen Cafferty came 16th in class 2B; Sean McHugh came 6th in class 4; Class 1B was dominated by the Murphy’s with Noel taking 1st place, Mattie took 4th place; Jason was 5th and Ed Muldoon took 6 th. Well done to all.
2017 was a challenging year for Motorsport throughout the country and as the year came to a close and the prize giving events took place, Mayo & District Motorsport Club Members took their share of the crystal. Early in the year Lorcan Moore picked up the Connacht Telegraph Young Sports Start of the Year Award (2016) and James McGreal started off his year by adding a Western People Sports Star Award (2016) to his collection. At the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship prize giving night, James McGreal & Chris Mitchell came 1st in class 15; Keith Jacobs came 3rd in the Border Junior championship (class 16) and his navigator Michael Carr took 2nd. Ronan Denning & Karl Egan came 1st in class 2; Derek McCarthy came 2nd in class 1 (navigator). At the Valvoline Forestry Championship prize giving, Jason Murphy won the J1000 championship. Justin Ryan finished the year in 2nd place in the IRTC Junior Championship and at the Triton Shower National Rally Championship 2017 prize giving Ronan Denning & Karl Egan took 2 nd in class. A number of club members have had great success outside of Ireland this year, in particular Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore navigating for John Reddington who took 1st overall in the FIRC championship 2wd and became the first Irish crew to ever win a Belgian Championship outright. As a result of his amazing year around the country and overseas, the club nominated Lorcan for a Western People Sports Star Award in December, unfortunately there was no Motorsport category awarded this year which is disappointing. Jared Gill was also active on the UK circuit navigating for Ray Cunningham and the duo won the Mini Sport Mini Cup championship in the UK. Killian Duffy was also in demand navigating in various events overseas. Thank you to all our members who assisted at the Mayo Stages Rally in March and who travelled far and wide helping out our colleagues in other Motorclubs around the country.
January
It was confirmed that the Mayo Stages Rally 2017 would be returning to Achill for the first time since 2006. Trevor O’Connell was appointed COC
and he quickly put his team in place and announced the format of two stages
to be ran three times. The rally was to take place on Sunday 12th of March
and Óstán Oileán Acla together with Ballina based Connacht Print and Signs were
confirmed as joint title sponsors.
February
At the Galway Rally Aaron MacHale was unfortunate and didn’t make it to
the end of the event. In the National Category, Andrew Grennan navigating for Vivian
Hamill in a mark2 Escort finished 9th o/a; Sean McHugh and Kathleen Kennedy finished
21st o/a; while in the Juniors, Noel Murphy with John Burke navigating took 3rd. Justin
Ryan and Lorcan Moore took the runner up spot in the juniors.
At the Qatar International Rally, Killian Duffy navigating for Nasser Al Kuwari came 2nd o/a
in an Evo9. Lorcan Moore received his Connaught Telegraph young sports star of the year
merit award, while the following morning he was back in the hotseat navigating for Ashley
Dickson in an Evo 9 at the Willie Loughman Forestry Rally where they finished 4th in class
and 20th overall. Jason Murphy with Matthew Murphy on the notes, took control of the
new class J1000 in the 107 leading from early on to take the victory. Jared Gill navigating
for Jason Dickson in a fiesta came 2nd in class and 31st o/a.
The Óstán Oileán Acla/ Connacht Print and Signs Mayo Stages Rally launch took place in
Achill, it was a great night with many club cars on display on the night and a great turn
out from the club, community and media.
Birr Stages Rally (Nenagh) – First Mayo man home was Paul McLoughlin who was in the
hot seat calling the notes for Shane Maguire in an Evo 9, they came 2nd in class 4 and 11th
overall. Darragh Mullen was navigating for Neil Tohill in an Evo 9, they finished 4th in class
and 18th o/a. Vivian Hamill with Andrew Grennan on the notes in a mark 2 Escort came
6th in class and 33rd o/a. Ronan Denning & Karl Egan in their Peugeot 106 were doing well
all day but unfortunately were forced to retire on the last stage. Barry Cuffe & Stephen
McGing got as far as stage 3 and were unfortunate not to finish. The annual Road Safety
Schools Day took place in Coláiste Pobail Acla and its purpose was to promote road safety
to the students and teach them why our sport is safe. Members of the club also called to
visit all the primary schools in Achill. In preparation for the Mayo Stages Rally, Marshall
training was arranged to take place on the 5th March in Achill. There was a good turnout
from the locality which was very positive in the lead up to the event.
March
Mayo Stages Rally 2017 (12th March) The Event was won by Joe McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney in a Skoda Fabia R5. Pauric Duffy with Kevin Glynn in their Ford Fiesta R5
(class5) had a good day out, they challenged for the top spot, after a driveshaft broke
they dropped to 6th place but gradually clawed their way back to finish in 4th place overall
and were the first Mayo & District Motorsport Club members home to take the Margaret
McGreal Perpetual Cup. Mayo navigator Andrew Grennan took teammate Vivian Hamill
home to 2nd place in their class and 7th overall. Liam Walsh who was on the notes for
Florin Niedermueller in a Toyota Corolla and they finished 7th in class 11R and 25th overall.
John Duffy and John Egan in their Honda Integra had a good day and finished 2nd in class
3 and 32nd overall. 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. Ronan Denning and Karl Egan had a good day out in their Peugeot
106 and came first in class 2 and 35th overall. 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. 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. 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 39th overall. Colm Connor and James Connor finished 3rd in
class 11F and 41st overall in their Toyota Corolla GTI. Trisha Greavy 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 a stone at the end of stage 1 brought their day to an
early end. Father and daughter team Pat and Shauna McEveney had a good day in their
Toyota Corolla GTI and finished 5th in class, 45th overall and took home 3rd place in the
Mayo & District Club awards. David Moran and John Sweeney finished 3rd in class 10 and
were 46th overall in their Citroen Saxo. 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. Local Achillman 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.
Mayo and District Motorsport Club would like to thank joint title sponsors Óstán Oileán
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 too distant future
Midlands Stages Rally (26th March) Andrew Grennan navigating for Adrian Hetherington
came 1st in class and 5th overall.
April
This was a busy month which started with the Circuit of Kerry on the 2nd of April. Lorcan
Moore navigating for Paul O’Brien in a Honda came 3rd in class 11F and 26th overall, while
in the juniors Trisha Greavy navigating for Shane McCarthy also in a Honda, coming 1st
overall (junior). The Moonraker Forestry Rally followed quickly on the 8th of April, Lorcan
Moore was back in action navigating for Ashley Dickson in a class 4, Evo 9. They finished
4th in class and 20th overall. In the Juniors Mattie Murphy navigating for nephew Jason,
came 2nd in class and 65th overall in their Peugeot 107. On the 17th April, the Connacht
Veterans & Vintage Motorclub hosted a vintage show in the Breaffy House Arena. M&D
members Pat McEveny, Peter McMananon, James McGreal and Alan Maguire had their
rally cars on display and there was great interest in them. The following weekend at the
Monaghan Stages Rally (April 23rd) Lorcan Moore was out with David Donoghue from
Meath in a class 11F Citroen. They came 5th in class and 62nd overall. Ronan Denning and
Karl Egan in a Peugeot 106, finished 2nd in class 2 and 70th overall. At the Rally of the Lakes
(April 29th & 30th) there was success for club members in all categories. In the Juniors,
Trisha Greavy navigating for Shane McCarthy in a Honda finished 1st in Juniors; Lorcan
Moore navigated his brother Brian home in their Honda to 3rd in class, and Justin Ryan with
Tommy Moynihan came 8th in their Honda civic. In the National Category, Karl Egan
navigating for Darren Hamill in a Ford Escort mark 2, came 6th in class 13 and 35th overall;
and Pauric Duffy and Kevin Glynn in their Ford Fiesta came 6th in class 5 and 9th overall in
the International Category.
May
At the Carlow Stages Rally (7th May), Vivian Hamill and Andrew Grennan came 1st
in class 26 and 4th overall in their mark II Ford Escort. Karl Egan navigating for Darren
Hamill in a class 25 mark II Ford Escort finished 3rd in class and 15th overall. The Munster
Autocross took place on the 21st May, M&D were well represented at prize giving with
Alan Moran, Lorcan Moore, Stephen Doherty and Steven Cafferty all taking home the
silverware. Cavan Stages Rally 28th May, Ronan Denning & Karl Egan in a Peugeot 106,
finished 3rd in class 2 and 39th overall. Trisha Greavy navigating for Paul Crosby in a
Toyota Starlet finished 8th in class 11R and 58th overall. Darragh Mullen navigating for
Willie Fannin came 2nd in class 4 and 19th overall in a Subaru Impreza. Meanwhile at the
ORC Rally in Belgium Lorcan Moore navigating for John Reddington took 1st in class and
15th place overall in a mark II Escort.
June
Circuit of Munster 4th June, Lorcan Moore navigating for Paul O’Brien in a Honda
Civic came 4th in class 11F and 42nd overall; the following weekend (11th June) Lorcan was
back in action at the Rally van Werwik in Belgium, navigating for John Reddington in a
mark II Escort. They finished 2nd in class and 16th overall taking maximum FIRC points
for the second time.
Donegal International Rally, on the16th – 18th June, saw a number of club members in
action. In the International Category, Pauric Duffy & Kevin Glynn finished 6th overall and
3rd in class 5 in their Fiesta R5; Darragh Mullen navigating for Gary Cooney in an Impreza
came 2nd in class 7 and 15th overall. In the National Category, Andrew Grennan sitting
with Vivian Hamill finished 5th overall and 2nd in Class 14 in their Mark 2 Escort, they also
took home top ITRC modified points. Stephen McGing sitting with Liam McIntyre finished
27th overall and 3rd in Class 20 in a Mitsubishi Evo 9; Trisha Greavy navigating for Paul
Crosby finished 37th overall and 6th in Class 11R in their RWD Starlet; Karl Egan navigating
for Aaron McLoughlin in a Mitsubishi Evo came 6th in class 20 and 65th overall. It the
Historic Category, Paul McGee finished 3rd overall sitting with Francis Barrett in a Mark 2
Escort. Paul initially started the rally sitting with Ian Barrett in a Darrian but they
encountered some mechanical problems on Friday and had to retire and he started his
second rally on Saturday with Francis. In the juniors, top finisher was Conor Duffy sitting
with Jenna McCann in a Fiesta R2. They finished 3rd overall. Justin Ryan and John Bourke
finished 3rd in Class and 6th overall and they picked up 2nd place championship points.
Brian & Lorcan Moore had a great start in their Honda Civic but were unfortunate not to
finish. Ravens Rock (Waterford) 25th June, Karl Egan navigating for Darren Hamill came 3rd
in class 13 and 28th overall in a mark 2 Escort.
July
ALMC Stages Rally 2nd July, Lorcan Moore navigating for Darren Barrett in a Honda
Civic won the juniors. Paul McGee navigated for Ian Barrett in a Darrian, they were
unfortunate not to finish. Congratulations also to Darragh Mullen sitting with Gavin Kelly
in an Evo 9 who came 1st in class 4 & 7th overall. Sligo Stages Sunday 9th July James
McGreal & Chris Mitchell came 4th in class 15 in their Evo 6; Derek Mc Carthy navigating
for Stephen Reynolds in a Civic came 4th in class 1. Ronan Denning & Karl Egan in their
Peugeot 106 came 2nd in class 2. Mervyn Deane and Trevor Burke in an Escort mk 2 came
7th in class 13R. In the juniors, Noel Murphy & Stephen Monaghan came 5th place in their
Honda Civic. Michael Carr and Keith Jacob also in a Honda Civic came 9th. Aidan Gannon
navigating for Anthony O’Brien and brother’s James and Colm Connor were unfortunate
not to finish. The club was well represented by club members involved in marshalling,
timekeeping and various other official duties, a big thank you to all.
On the 23rd July at the Imokilly Mini Stages, Lorcan Moore was back in action navigating
for Shane Buckley in a Honda Civic, they were unfortunate not to finish. 30th July – Cork
Forest Rally, this was also the final round of the ‘2017 Michael O’Brien Plant Hire Junior
1000 Championship’ and Jason Murphy under the guidance of his uncle Mattie on the
notes, took the honours on the day and also the 2017 title. Well done Jason & Mattie.
August
Lorcan Moore was in action with John Reddington on the 6th of Aug in Belgium.
Meanwhile Jared Gill navigating for Ray Cunningham in a Mini Cooper at the Solway Coast
Rally in the UK took first place. At the Ulster Rally on the 19th August, Lorcan Moore
navigating for Stanley Ballantine came 2nd in class; Justin Ryan & John Burke came 2nd
in the Ulster Rally Juniors. On the 27th at the Galway Summer Stages Rally, Brian Lavelle
& Darren Curran came 1st in class and 35th o/a; while Jared Gill navigating for Ray
Cunningham won the historic category; Sean McHugh & Kathleen Kennedy were 8th in
class and 61st o/a; Derek McCarthy navigating for Stephen Reynolds was 4th in class and
71st o/a; James McGreal & Chris Mitchell came 5th in class & 81st o/a; Keith Jacobs &
Michael Carr took 4th in the juniors. Hard luck to Barry Cuffe & Stephen McGing who
retired after an incident on stage 3.
September
Round 6 of the Valvoline Irish Forestry Championship took place on 2nd Sept.
in Enniskillen (Lakeland Stages Rally) Lorcan Moore navigating for Ashley Dickson in a
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 came 22nd; Karl Egan navigating for Colin Price came 51st in a Honda
Civic. Wexford Stages on 10th Sept, Lorcan Moore was back in action navigating for John
Reddington. At the Manx Rally on 16th Sept, Jared Gill navigating for Ray Cunningham came
1st in category 1 historic and 38th overall. Clare Stages Rally on the 17th Sept, Aidan Gannon
navigating for Anthony O’Brien came 1st in class 20 and 4th overall; Crystal Culkeen
navigating for Mike White came 3rd in class and 37th overall
Midlands Auto cross results – Lorcan Moore came 1st in class 2 in his Citroen Saxo; Steven Cafferty
was best newcomer in his Nissan Micra.
30th Sept/1st Oct – Cork 20 International Rally, well done to Justin Ryan & Tommy Moynihan
who came 2nd in class & 3rd overall in the Juniors at the Cork 20 International Rally this
weekend. Justin finished the year in 2nd place in the IRTC Junior Championship, Well done
to Pauric Duffy & Kevin Glynn who finished 2nd overall in the national category; Darragh
Mullen navigating for Paul Rowley came 6th in the International category and 3rd in class;
and Sean Hassett navigating for Ed Twomey also in the International category came 9th
overall and 2nd in class.
October
At the Donegal Harvest Rally on 7th Oct. Brian Lavelle and Darren Curran driving a Honda
Civic came 3rd in class 11F and 25th overall; James McGreal and Chris Mitchell came 1st in class 15
and 56th overall in their Mitsubishi Evo 6. (Also 7th Oct) at the Hemicuda Rally in Belgium, Aidan
Gannon from Tubbercurry was navigating for Anthony O’Brien came 5th overall and 1st in the FIRC
(Flanders International Rally Challenge). Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore navigating for John
Reddington came 1st overall in the FIRC championship 2wd and they became the first Irish crew to
ever win a Belgian Championship outright. Congratulations and well done to all. 22nd October,
Jared Gill navigating for Ray Cunningham won the Mini Sport Mini Cup championship in the UK.
Wales Rally GB 29th Oct. Killian Duffy navigating for Brendan Comiskey in a R5 Fiesta came 29th
overall.
Margaret McGreal Fuel Economy Drive – Mon 30th Oct. the 2nd the Annual Margaret McGreal Fuel
Economy Drive took place. The route driven was the same as last year – Ballina to Belmullet along
the wild Atlantic way via Killala, Ballycastle and Blacksod before heading back to Ballina via Bangor.
The weather was more favourable than last year and everyone enjoyed the day. The overall
winner was Finnian McManamon, Joe Dolan (Connacht Motorclub) took the honours in the
Vintage class and Mick Noone won the motorbike class. Brian Harrington used the least amount
of fuel (2.32 litres). Well done to all the winners, to the organisers and to all who supported the event.
November
Midlands Autocross, Ballyfeeney – 5th November – there were a number of Mayo
Motorsport Club members competing at the Midlands Autocross in Ballyfeeney. Congratulations
to – Steven Cafferty who won class 1 & was also fastest saloon car; Noel Murphy, runner up in
class 1; Walter Burke took the honours in class 4; Lorcan Moore came 2nd in class 3; Jason Murphy
won class 8. Banna Mini Stages – 12th November, well done to Ronan Denning & Karl Egan who
came 2nd in class and 40th overall.
Roger Albert Clarke Rally (UK) 10th – 13th November, after 4 hard days rallying Andrew Grennan
navigating for Adrian Hetherington took 1st place in class and 5th overall.
Rallye Casinos do Portugal – Pauric Duffy was in action in his Ford Fiesta R5.
Rally Kortrijk Belgium – 25th November, Lorcan Moore was in action navigating for John
Reddington at Rally Kortrijk in Belgium. Their day came to an early end after they came across an
accident on the stage and they didn’t get to finish however they had captured the championship
earlier in the season.
December
A number of M&D club members ventured to Mondello on the 27th
December for the annual Carlow Motorclub Rally Sprint. Stephen Cafferty came 16th in
class 2B; Sean McHugh came 6th in class 4; Class 1B was dominated by the Murphy’s with
Noel taking 1st place, Mattie took 4th place; Jason was 5th and Ed Muldoon took 6th.
Well done to all.
2017 was a challenging year for Motorsport throughout the country and as the year came
to a close and the prize giving events took place, Mayo & District Motorsport Club
Members took their share of the crystal. Early in the year Lorcan Moore picked up the
Connacht Telegraph Young Sports Start of the Year Award (2016) and James McGreal
started off his year by adding a Western People Sports Star Award (2016) to his collection.
At the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship prize giving night, James McGreal & Chris
Mitchell came 1st in class 15; Keith Jacobs came 3rd in the Border Junior championship (class
16) and his navigator Michael Carr took 2nd. Ronan Denning & Karl Egan came 1st in class
2; Derek McCarthy came 2nd in class 1 (navigator). At the Valvoline Forestry Championship
prize giving, Jason Murphy won the J1000 championship. Justin Ryan finished the year in
2nd place in the IRTC Junior Championship and at the Triton Shower National Rally
Championship 2017 prize giving Ronan Denning & Karl Egan took 2nd in class.
A number of club members have had great success outside of Ireland this year, in particular
Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore navigating for John Reddington who took 1st overall in the FIRC
championship 2wd and became the first Irish crew to ever win a Belgian Championship outright.
Jared Gill was also active on the UK circuit navigating for Ray Cunningham and the duo won the
Mini Sport Mini Cup championship in the UK. Killian Duffy was also in demand navigating in various
events overseas.
Thank you to all our members who assisted at the Mayo Stages Rally in March and who travelled
far and wide helping out our colleagues in other Motor clubs around the country.
Lorraine Munnelly
Mayo & District Motorsport Club PRO
After an exciting and competitive 2017, Mayo & District Motorsport Club are delighted to announce that the 2018 Mayo Stages Rally will return to Achill Island for what promises to be another exciting weekend of motorsport and entertainment for all the family. After the success of the 2017 event, the club can now confirm that Sunday 11th of March 2018 will be the opening round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship in addition to the opening round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
Trevor O’Connell, last year’s Clerk of the Course is taking up the mantle once again; he has a number of new additions to his team this year and they will bring a combination of experience and local knowledge to the event and will be the driving force behind the weekend.
Feedback from last year was overwhelmingly positive, with both competitors and officials commenting on the fantastic welcome, along with the challenging stages, stunning scenery and a location which lends itself so well to the running of a rally. The groundwork put in by the organising team last year has paved the way for a bigger and more high-profile event and the 2018 Mayo Stages Rally will not fail to impress. Óstán Oileán Acla are back on board as Rally HQ and the preparations are well advanced, with more announcements to come in due course.
The local community can expect to welcome rally crews from all four corners of Ireland as well as from overseas from the 9th – 11th March, for what promises to be an exciting weekend for both competitors and spectators alike.
On the weekend of 10th – 12th March 2017, the motorsport community of Mayo and further afield descended on Achill Island for a weekend of rallying and also to soak up the hospitality that Achill is famous for. With the support of Óstán Oileán Acla and Connacht Print & Signs as joint main sponsors, together with Achill Tourism and the extended community, it was a unique event. It was also the opening round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship which saw crews travel from all over Ireland and across the water to compete.
From the start, this was always going to be a super event. The decision of Mayo & District Motorsport Club to host their main event of the year in Achill came easy and it did not fail to impress. Preparing for the event kicked off before the end of 2016 with numerous meetings when Óstán Oileán Acla came on board as joint main sponsor in addition to hosting Rally HQ. The rally team was headed up by Clerk of the Course Trevor O’Connell, with many of the officials who were local to the area being the driving force behind the event. Part of the preparations involved meeting the residents along the route as a number of road restrictions would be in place and the cooperation and support of the local people was second to none during the lead up to the rally and during the weekend itself. In the weeks before the rally, some club officials visited local schools in the area to highlight and promote the importance of road safety and also to explain that the health & safety of competing crews and spectators are priority in the motorsport community.
The weekend itself was a busy one with competing crews arriving from early Friday evening. Rally office was set up in Óstán Oileán Acla and there was a buzz of excitement throughout the Island. On Saturday morning, all competing crews took to the road for recce and this was followed by scrutiny. Later that evening the now famous Mayo & District Motorsport Club Ceremonial Start took place and locals and visitors turned out in force to see the rally cars up close and meet the drivers. It was a special moment as the rally crews were lead over the Michael Davitt Bridge by the Achill Pipe Band.
The next morning as rally 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 but once 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. Competitors were faced with two challenging stages each run three times; Stage 1, Atlantic Drive, followed the coastline with stunning sea views; Stage 2, Doogort, was slightly more technical but was equally as challenging as Atlantic Drive. In total, the event consisted of approximately 96 stage kilometres and 100 road kilometres and was a test to both driver and navigator. The stages saw the competitors taking to the roads around Dooega, Ashleam, Bunnacurry, Dooniver, The Valley and Doogort areas of Achill Island.
During the day, the competitors returned to the service area in Keel and this was another opportunity for spectators to meet the crews in between stages. At the finish ramp that evening outside Óstán Oileán Acla there was great excitement as Donegal’s Joseph McGonigle & Ciaran Geaney in their Skoda Fabia R5 took the title for 2017. After the prize giving ceremony as the crews packed up and prepared for home, the feedback was consistent. Everyone was impressed with the wonderful scenic stages and the hospitality of the local people and everyone was asking to return again.
Mayo and District Motorsport Club would like to thank our joint title sponsors, Óstán Oileán Acla and Connacht Print & Signs, in addition to the many other local sponsors for their generosity and support in hosting this event. We also wish to thank the numerous marshals and officials who helped out over the weekend, also Midwest Radio and the local residents who were so welcoming and accommodating.
We look forward to returning to Achill again next March, when in addition to being the opening round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship, the Mayo Stages Rally will also be the opening round of the Triton Showers National Championship for 2018.
Results:
Midlands Autocross, Ballyfeeney – 5th November.
There were a number of Mayo Motorsport Club members competing at the Midlands Autocross in Ballyfeeney. Congratulations to – Steven Cafferty who won class 1 & was also fastest saloon car; Noel Murphy, runner up in class 1; Walter Burke took the honours in class 4; Lorcan Moore came 2nd in class 3; Jason Murphy who won class 8.
Banna Mini Stages – 12th November
Well done to Karl Egan and Ronan Denning who came 2nd call and 40th overall.
Roger Albert Clarke Rally (UK) 10th – 13th November
After 4 hard days rallying Andrew Grennan navigating for Adrian Hetherington took 1st place in class and 5th overall.
Rally Kortrijk Belgium – 25th November
Lorcan Moore was in action navigating for John Reddington at Rally Kortrijk in Belgium. Their day came to an early end after they came across an accident on the stage and they didn’t get to finish however they had captured the championship earlier in the season.
Championship Titles:
November was the month for prize giving and we had a lot of club members taking home some crystal. First up was the Sligo Pallets Border Championship prize giving night which took place in the Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday 4th November. Well done to James McGreal & Chris Mitchell who came 1st in class 15; and to Keith Jacobs who came 3rd in the Border Junior championships (class 16) and his navigator Michael Carr who came 2nd. Well done to Ronan Denning & Karl Egan who came 1st in class 2; Derek McCarthy navigating for Stephen Reynolds who came 2nd in class 1.
On Saturday 25th November at the Valvoline Forestry Championship prize giving, Jason Murphy won the J1000 championship.
The monthly club meeting is taking place this Friday December 1st
Venue: Great National Hotel Ballina
Time: 9pm
All welcome.
Conlon & Kelly 2017 Sligo Pallets Border Champions
The 2017 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship has been won by Michael Conlon and Darragh Kelly. Castleblayney’s Conlon has made regular appearances in the Border Championship over the years but more recently has focused on the Irish Forestry Championship where he has enjoyed considerable success. He has been campaigning his faithful black Escort for many seasons and 2017 was his most successful yet as he claimed overall honours in the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship and also took victory in the 2wd and Mk2 categories in the National Rally Championship.
Ciaran McPhillips was his navigator for the year but he missed the opening Border round in Mayo and had to settle for 2nd overall in the navigator’s category. Martin Byrne stood in for McPhillips in Mayo where he and Conlon took class 13 honours. Conlon/McPhillips then scored class wins in Cavan, Sligo and Galway with 2nd places in Monaghan and Donegal.This demonstrated both speed and consistency throughout the year.
Shane Maguire & Darragh Kelly also teamed in the Border Championship for the first time. They began their campaign in Monaghan with a class win on home ground. They also secured class wins in Sligo, Galway and Donegal giving them a 100% win rate from the four rounds they contested. Maguire matched Conlon’s tally of 40 points but lost the championship on a tie-break. Shane also won the Group N category in the National Championship this year. Darragh’s total of 40 points saw him secure the overall navigator’s category in the Border Championship by just one point.
3rd overall driver went to Martin Geraghty who dominated class 1 throughout the year while Ryan Brennan secured 3rd overall navigator as he pushed his driver Michael Brennan hard in class 10 securing two class wins and two third places.
Class 1 Champions Stephen Reynolds & Conal Doherty
Reynolds had a solid season in class 1 with his navigator Derek McCarthy who took 2nd navigator. Conal Doherty just missed out on an overall placing on a tie-break. Doherty had sat with Martin Geraghty for most of the season.
Class 2 Champions Ronan Denning & Karl Egan
This pair were the sole registered crew in class 2 and secured the championship after a string of class successes on the opening rounds.
Class 3 Champions Roger Kennedy & Wendy Blackledge
One of the great supporters of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship, Roger & Wendy notched up another class 3 success in their Peugeot. Adrian Cannon was runner-up in the driver’s category.
Class 10 Champions Michael Brennan & Ciaran Carr
Class 10 involved a tight battle between the Nova’s of the Brennans of Monaghan and the Carrs of Donegal. Michael & Ryan took class wins in Mayo & Monaghan with 3rd places in Cavan & Galway. Two retirements resulted in Shane & Ciaran closing within one point after taking top points in Galway & Donegal.
Class 11F Champions Ciaran & Aine Phelan
The Phelan’s took a dominant class 11F win with Chris Brennan/Martin Hughes coming home in 2nd and Philip Hamilton 3rd driver.
Class 11R Champions Seamus Connolly & Gary McCrudden
Seamus & Gary’s defence of the Border title began well with victory in Mayo but retirements in Monaghan and Sligo dented their title aspirations. They still secured class 11R thanks to another class win in Galway and 2nd in Cavan. Donegal’s Gerard Gibbons/Aodhan Gallagher finished as runners-up with Declan Hall/Chris Corr in 3rd.
Class 12 Champions Bill Armstrong & Philip Armstrong
Bill and Philip maintained the Armstrong name in the Border championship with success in class 12. The pair edged out the similar Escort of Darrell Quinn/Michael Laverty by just a single point.
Class 13 Champions Daniel Conaghan & Terence McGee
The Donegal pair have been regular supporters of the Border Championship. They started well with 2nd in class in Mayo and 3rd in Monaghan. Their next finish wasn’t until Donegal where they finished 9th in class.
Class 14 Champions David Armstrong & Paul Mulholland
David Armstrong made a return to the Border Championship this year with navigator Paul Mulholland. Consistent scoring throughout the year left them clear at the top of the class.
Class 15 Champions James McGreal & Chris Mitchell
The Mayo pair notched up another success in class 15 thanks to another consistent season.
Class 18 Champions Malcolm Pedlow & Ivor Ferguson
The sole Historic crew to compete in the championship. Malcolm and Ivor piloted their beautiful BMW 2002 around the stages to another class success.
Class 20 Champions Declan McCrory & Graham Henderson
Declan & Graham dominated class 20 throughout the year scoring top points in Mayo, Cavan and Galway.
Junior Champions Jason Black & Jack McKenna
The Armagh/Monaghan duo put in some scintilating times throughout the year notching class wins in Mayo and Galway with 2nd in Sligo and 3rd in Cavan securing the title. Jonathan Treanor and Michael Carr took 2nd in class with Keith Jacob in 3rd.
Team Champions Armstrong Motorsport
Armstrong Motorsport were crowned Team Champions with a comfortable advantage over Border Busters.
Summary
The 2017 Sligo Pallets Border Championship was once again a huge success. Despite a drop off in entries and registered crews, there was still plenty of competition thrrough the year with the overall placings going right down to the wire.
Sligo Pallets have become synonymous with the championship in recent years and we hope this partnership will continue for many years to come. The prizegiving’s have become bigger and better each year with a total of €17, 536 raised over the last six years. The Border Championship committee would like to thank Andrew Mullen for his continued commitment to the series.
2017 saw another pair of first time champions crowned for the fifth year in succession. Congratulations to Michael Conlon & Darragh Kelly. We look forward to seeing them defend their respective titles in 2018.
Mayo & District Motorsport Club had a very successful weekend which started at the Sligo Pallets Border Championship prize giving which took place in the Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday evening.
Well done to Ronan Denning & Karl Egan who came 1st in class 2; James McGreal & Chris Mitchell who came 1st in class 15; and to Keith Jacobs who came 3rd in the Border Junior championships (class 16) and his navigator Michael Carr who came 2nd.
Well done to all Mayo Motorsport Club members who were competing at the Midlands Autocross in Ballyfeeney on Sunday. Congratulations to Steven Cafferty who won class 1 & was also fastest saloon car; Noel Murphy who was runner up in class 1; Walter Burke took the honours in class 4; Lorcan Moore who came 2nd in class 3; Jason Murphy who won class 8.
Motor club report October 2017
Results:
On the 7th October at the Donegal Harvest Rally Brian Lavelle and Darren Curran driving a Honda Civic came 3rd in class 11F and 25th overall.
James McGreal and Chris Mitchell came 1st in class 15 and 56th overall in their Mitsubishi Evo 6.
(Also 7th Oct) at the Hemicuda Rally in Belgium, Aidan Gannon from Tubbercurry who was navigating for Anthony
O’Brien came 5th overall and 1st in the FIRC (Flanders International Rally Challenge). Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore
navigating for John Reddington came 1st overall in the FIRC championship 2wd and they became the first Irish crew
to ever win a Belgian Championship outright. Congratulations and well done to all.
On the 22nd October Jared Gill navigating for Ray Cunningham won the Mini Sport Mini Cup championship in the UK.
Last weekend (29th Oct) at Wales Rally GB Killian Duffy navigating for Brendan Comiskey in a R5 Fiesta came 29th
overall, well done Killian.
Sligo Pallets Border Championship/National Championship
The club have a number of winners in the Sligo Pallets Border Championship this year. Well done to James
McGreal & Chris Mitchell who came 1st in class 15; and to Keith Jacobs who came 3rd in the Border Junior
championships (class 16) and his navigator Michael Carr who came 2nd. Well done to Ronan Denning & Karl
Egan who came 1st in class 2 in the Border Championship and also 2nd in class in the Triton Shower National Rally
Championship 2017.
The Sligo Pallets Border Championship prize giving takes place in the Sligo Park Hotel this Saturday night. The
Triton Shower National Rally Championship prize giving takes place in Athlone on Saturday 18th November.
