Mayo Rally Stages 2011 – Locals All Set
Locals All Set For Mayo Stages Rally
No fewer than twenty-five Mayo & District Motorsport Club competitors will be taking part on their home rally this week-end, all hoping for a successful and safe rally.
Heading the local runners at number 33 is the class 12 Ford Escort of brothers Colin and Michael Loughney. Sponsored by Hillside Service Station, CBE, Griffiths Garage Claremorris, West Fest, Carnival Marquees, McEllin Plant Hire and Group 4 Fabrications, Ballyhaunis based Colin and Michael from Killala are likely to be locked in battle with the car directly behind them, the similar class 12 PC Plastering, Waldron & Associates Claremorris and Scanbitz sponsored Escort of James Culliney from Bekan at number 34.
At number 55 is the black Toyota Corolla of Foxford’sAmbrose Gaughan and Derek Molloy from Lahardane who will be hoping to continue their class 9 winning form from last year’s Border Rally Championship. They carry sponsorship from TreeCare, DM Tyres, Kennedy Motors Belmullet and Gusclad Steel Sheet Profilers, Boyle.
Another class winner last year on the Border Championship was Fergal Loughney, and the Kilfian man is again co-driving for Pauric McGee from Donegal in a class 2 Honda Civic at number 63. At 65Ciaran Walsh from Ballinrobe will be putting his accident on last year’s event behind him as he aims for a top finish in his class 2 Civic which is sponsored by David Walsh Jetting Services, Moran Butchers Belcarra, Brian Rodgers Car Sales, Enda Loughlin Truck and Car Repairs and Corrib Oil.
Another class 12 Escort joins the fray at number 75,Padraic Roche from Killala and Chrystal Culkeenfrom Castlebar competing in the Max Tyres, Killala Motors, Merricks Ballina, Carr’s of Ballina and Fortknox Security sponsored machine. At 76 is the West Tyres Ballinrobe and Shrule sponsored class 11 Corolla ofMatthew and Noel Murphy.
Brendan Corcoran from Castlebar and Jared Gillfrom Bofeenaun are next up at number 77 in a class 2 Civic, while Niall Morley from Knock wheels out his class 9 Escort at number 85. Crossmolina’s John Duffy and John Egan will be gunning for the Honda Challenge prizes at 87 in their class 7 Integra, while behind them Derek Bolton and Trevor O’Connellfrom Ballaghadereen have a class 15 Subaru Impreza in action.
At 95 is Mayo Motor Club’s Young Driver ChampionJustin Ryan from Headford who has Ballinrobe’sAndy Walsh co-driving in the Solar Signs Ireland, Flynn’s Pharmacy Claremorris and Arrabawn Fresh Milk sponsored Honda Civic. 96 is Padraig Mullenfrom Ballymote who is driving a class 6 Peugeot 206. At 102 Ballinrobe’s Adrian and Aidan Fahy wheel out their trusty class 13 Escort, while number 109 sees Liam Devaney from Enniscrone and Ray Carroll from Killala competing in a class 10 Peugeot 205 sponsored by John Munnelly Haulage Killala.
Not competing but providing the important role of course cars which run ahead of the main field to warn of the approaching competitors are Tubbercurry’s Pat McGuinness and Paul Kennedy, and Tony Langdon andEddie Quinn from Ballina, while also taking part in the rally is Gerry Ronan from Bekan who runs at number 32 in his class 8 Mitsubishi Evo 6.
