Autocrosses 2013
Mayo and District Motorsport Club held 4 autocross events this year:
Sunday 12 May 2013
Harrington Challenge Points after Round 1
Sunday 9 June 2013
Harrington Challenge Points after Round 2
Young Driver Championship Points after Round 2
Sunday 28 July 2013
Young Driver Championship Points after Round 3
Harrington Challenge Points after Round 3
Sunday 25 August 2013
Harrington Challenge Points after Final Round
5 Star Catering National Loose Surface Autocross Championship Points after Round 6
Deane Pushes Buggy to Another Title
Photos courtesy of John Delaney
Moneygall might be known as the village that found a president but on November 17th it was also the place that found the first ever 5 Star Catering National Loose Surface Autocross Champion.
Derek Deane from Williamstown maintained his one hundred percent record in the inaugural championships, by adding his fifth overall victory, from the opening five rounds and wrapping up the overall title with one round still remaining.
He negotiated his JB Buggy round the rugged track that towards the end of the day would have tested one of Obama’s ATV’s, to pip Kildare’s Padraic McHale by just over two hundredths of a second. Deane, who at this stage of 2013 has applied to his local County Council to build a trophy cabinet, was overjoyed with the win and sealing the overall championships.
Speaking afterwards he thanked Bath O’Donoghoe of 5 Star Catering for sponsoring the championships and is already looking forward to next year’s events and to the battle of retaining his title.
As always Mayo Motorsport Club travelled well to the various rounds of the championships and this time was no exception, with five other members and entourage also making the journey. Adrian Deane, younger brother of Derek, claimed second in Class Six, also in a buggy, sending out a clear message to his older sibling that in 2014 he just might claim that elusive first victory.
James McGreal from Foxford brought his Subaru Impreza home third in Class Six, finding the conditions tricky and glad that he had the benefit of four wheel drive.
Peter McManamon was delighted to bring his Peugeot 205 home third in Class Two. “It made the long trip from Achill worthwhile; it’s a great feeling to bring home some crystal, and the car didn’t miss a beat all day”, a contented Peter said afterwards.
Not so fortunate were Foxford’s Alan Moran and Sean McHugh from Bekan, who experienced ‘one of those days,’ where almost everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. A damaged radiator on the first run, followed by fuel pump issues on their second runs, topped off with a broken driveshaft on Moran’s final run meant that each of the pair only had one clean timed run out of the three rounds. But at the end of the day, spirits were high in the 206 camp, as they plotted the journey to Cork on December 27th for the final round of the championships that leaves six mayo members still in contention for class awards in the overall championships.
Autocross Report Sunday August 25th:
CONLON STORMS TO VICTORY AS DEANE & MURPHY TAKE TITLES
By Justin Ryan
Michael Conlon in his buggy took his maiden victory at Round four of the Mayo & District Motorsport Club’s Loose Surface Autocross at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford. In a tight battle he finished just over a second ahead of Derry man James Cassidy in his similar buggy with Ronan Mackle from Down, rounding off a buggy filled podium in third.
Despite not being able to participate due to family commitments however, it was Derek Deane from Williamstown in his JB Buggy who had done enough in the earlier rounds of the Frank Harrington Challenge, to take the title for 2013. Derek won the first three rounds to see him win the coveted championship, as the best three rounds from the four events of the year count towards the final points tally.
Challenge Awards: 1st Derek Deane, 2nd Michael Conlon & 3rd Derek Mackarel.
Harrington Club Awards:
1st Adrian Deane, 2nd Mervyn Deane & 3rd James McGreal.
Shrule’s Noel Murphy rounded off a great year by wrapping up the Mayo & District Young Drivers’ Championship by overcoming the challenge of the Champion from the past two years, Alan Moran from Foxford. The Championship, for Mayo club members under the age of 30, is also decided by the best three scores of the year. Noel had been consistently quick through the year to lead heading into the final round. With Alan’s Kadett giving him problems it paved the way for Murphy to take the title and he did so in style by finishing second in Class 2 in his Honda Civic.
Derek Mackerel continued to defy the odds in his impressive two wheel drive 1600cc Vauxhall Nova to finish fourth overall for the second time in a row and once again win the ultra-competitive Class 2, which featured more than 20 entries. Adrian Deane, brother of the aforementioned Derek, took the family Buggy to finish fifth overall. He was closely followed by Stephen Moore in another buggy and Foxford’s James McGreal in his Subaru who won class 5 for 4 wheel drive cars. Walter Burke from Williamstown was next up and won class 4 in his Escort. 9th overall was Mike O’Connor. Rounding off the top ten was Paul Curran, in doing so he claimed Class 1 honours.
The class 3 battle once again went the way of Club Chairperson, Matthew Murphy, brother of Noel, in his rear wheel drive Corolla. The Mayo & District Club Award was won by former Young Drivers’ Champion Justin Ryan on his return to Autocross action.
The Ladies Award went to Shauna McEveney from Castlebar, who had yet another solid outing in her Toyota Corolla.
Outside of the top ten, Mayo interest included Bekan’s Sean McHugh, claiming 3rd in class 5. John Warren also finished 3rd in class 3. As mentioned earlier, Alan Moran and Stephen Doherty had engine problems in their Kadett which faltered their challenge. The ever improving David Jordan from Westport in his front wheel drive Corolla had a good run to finish 10th in class 2. Tony Langdon and John P Ryan had a day long battle in their similar Honda Civics’, with Tony eventually coming out on top by a mere 4 hundredths of a second. Next two Mayo finishers were father and son duo Patrick McEveney and son Patrick Jnr. This was Patrick Junior’s first foray into Autocross and he steadily improved all day to come away with a fine finish with no major problems. Colm Ronan once again suffered problems in his Nissan Sunny, unfortunately only completing one timed run.
Once again it has been a highly successful year in Mayo for our Autocross events. Finally, thank you to all competitors who have supported our events this year, hope to see you all again in 2014!
Photos courtesy of Rally Through a Lens
Report from Aug 25th:Deanes Hat trick
Derek Deanes run of good luck continued as he annihilated the competition at round three of the Mayo & District Motorsport Club’s Loose Surface Autocross at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford.
Since his first win Derek seems unstoppable as he now makes it three wins in a row. Deane put in an incredible time on the third run of the day to finish over 5 seconds ahead of his brother Mervyn also driving a similar JB Buggy.
Mervyn managed to fend off the challenges of Martin Tynan in his impressive Mitsubishi Evo 8 to finish second.
Fermanagh’s young pocket rocket Derek Mackarel finished an astonishing fourth place in his two wheel drive 1600cc Vauxhall Nova, bewildering some of the more powerful four wheel drive cars that were well behind him down the rankings.
Monaghan’s Michael Conlon took fifth in his Buggy just half a second ahead of Austin Shinnors from Limerick in his Subaru Impreza.
The next three places were all buggies, Gerald Doherty from Banbridge, Ronan Mackle from Down and the third member of the Deane Motorsport team, youngest brother Adrian, finished in that order only separated by little over two seconds.
Foxford’s James McGreal rounded of the top ten in his spritely Subaru Impreza.
Class winners on the day were Class one, Glen Irwin from Castlederg in his Vauxhall Nova. Class two, the aforementioned Derek Mackarel. Class three, Walter Burke and his Ford Escort from Williamstown. Class four, Martin Tynagh. Class five, James Lucy from Cork in his Subaru Special. Class six honours went to Mervyn Deane, Class seven was won by David Kelly and the ladies award went to Sarah Moynihan from Cork.
The Mayo & District Club Award was won by Adrian Deane.
The event was also the fourth counting round of the inaugural 2013 National Loose Surface Autocross Championships, a series that coincidentally, Derek Deane has been victorious on the opening three rounds off.
This championships, which is being sponsored by Batt O’Donoghoes Five Star Catering from Co. Cork, brought some new faces to the Mayo venue. All of whom were delighted with the facilities on offer and the fast challenging Mayo track.
With one round left in August in the Mayo Championships, Derek Deane is the man to beat following his hat trick of victories. Hopes will be high in the Mayo & District Club that the Williamstown driver can retain the prestigious Frank Harrington Award for overall Mayo Autocross series champion.
Outside of the Top Ten, the next best local competitor home was David Carney from Westport. It was the first time Carney unleashed his impressive C2R2 at the Mayo event. A five second penalty he picked up on his last run foiled a higher place finish for him, but the potential of the Citroen was oblivious to see and more familiarisation with the venue would no doubt see him challenging for overall honours.
Shrule’s Noel Murphy won the battle of the local young drivers. His Honda Civic never missed a beat all day while been pushed to the max by the well developing south Mayo man.
Alan Moran was next home in his Opel Kadett, finishing one place ahead of Bekan’s Sean Mchugh in his Subaru Impreza.
Walter Burke from Williamstown entertained his way to a class three win in his ever-sideways Escort Mark 2.
Padraig Mullen from Ballymote put in a strong performance in his Impreza to finish eighth in class four and two places ahead overall of Mayo Club Chairperson Matthew Murphy from Shrule who was as thrilling as ever to watch in his Toyota Twin Cam.
Ballinrobe brothers David and Ciaran Walsh, on a trip home from Australia, revitalized their Talbot Sunbeam from a five year recess to finish an enjoyable day, having both gotten more fluid and quicker as the day went on. Stephen Doherty from Foxford had a solid performance in his Opel Kadett, finishing just behind the South Mayo pair.
David Jordan from Westport was next to finish, reporting no major issues in his Toyota Corolla and was delighted to come home ahead of the Honda Civic of John Paul Ryan from Shrule, who’s only major issue was jetlag, having only returned from holiday in America a few hours before the event!.
Peter McManamon from Achill overcame early problems to finish the event and replied “No Comment” to rumours that he was selling his Peugeot and investing in a Toyota!.
Siblings Patrick and Shauna McEveney from Castlebar had another good solid outing in their Toyota, despite Shauna slightly modifying the bodywork on the Corolla on her last run.
David Healy from Skreen, had his day cut short in his Nissan Primera when gearbox trouble halted him durning his second loop.
Also suffering gearbox problems was Colm Ronan, his Nissan Sunny refusing to select gears, bringing an early end to the day for the young man from Bekan.
With some body work to straighten before the next day out is Ronan Moore from Crossmolina, while on his second run he turned in a fraction too early to a left hander, clipping a bank and causing his Ford Escort to roll. No major damage only panels and pride.
The final round of the 2013 Mayo & District Autocross season takes place on Sunday 25th August.
5 Star Catering National Loose Surface Autocross Championship-Round 3 – Points after Round 3
Deane’s Reign Supreme
The Deane family name is rapidly gaining a high calibre reputation in the sport of Autocross. On Sunday last, Derek Deane extended his winning streak on the National Loose Surface Autocross Championships to three, with a commanding performance in his JB Buggy.
A total of ten drivers from the Mayo & District Motorsport Club made the trip to do battle at Round 3, the Midland Motorclub event, held in Scramoge, Co Roscommon.
Derek’s biggest rival on the day was his own brother Mervyn, who pushed him all the way and only lost out by less than half a second in the end to make it a Deane One-Two at the finish.
Next best local home was the other member of the Deane Motorsport Team, Adrian, who finished fifth overall, rounding of a great set of results for the Buggy driving siblings from Williamstown.
James McGreal from Foxford in a Subaru Impreza was the highest placed local in a rally car, finishing in tenth place overall and claiming a class win in the process.
Club Chairperson Matthew Murphy from Shrule finished 23, one place ahead of Padraig Mullen from Ballymote. Putting in a good recovery drive was Alan Moran from Foxford, who had drive shaft problems on his opening run, having got this repaired he went on to finish and pick up valuable points for the championships.
Sean McHugh from Bekan blew the dust of his Subaru Impreza but found it difficult to get up to pace on his first autocross event of the year, having concentrated more on tarmac events in 2013.
John Paul Ryan from Shrule and Peter Mc Manamon from Achill rounded off the Mayo posse, they had their own battle all day with Ryan this time claiming the bragging rights finishing two seconds ahead in their equivalently spec’d Class 2 cars.
Next up for the gravel experts is Mayo’s home event on July 28, it is also Round 4 of the National Championships. Check out this website for more details.
Photos courtesy of John Delaney and to www.pabloautocrossteam.com
MAYO AUTOCROSS JUNE 9th Report:
Mayo Autocross Heats up
Derek Deane from Williamstown set a blistering time on his last run of the day to come from behind and win Round 2 of the Mayo & District Loose Surface Autocross on Sunday last in Kilkelly.
The win keeps intact a 100% success rate for Deane and his JB Buggy in 2013, having won every Autocross event he has started in both local and national competitions.
Like it was on the previous event in May, Ian Barrett from Maynooth almost stole the show. He started into the last timed run of the afternoon with a three second advantage over the local man, but yet again had to settle for second in the end. Rounding of the top three was Gerald Doherty from Banbridge, also in a buggy. First car home was Martin Tynan from Clones in his Mitsubishi Evo 8 finishing
4 seconds ahead of another buggy, this one driven by Ronan Mackle who made the trip from Co Down. But the drive of the day had to be 17 year old Derek Mackarel, also from Clones, who, in his 1600cc Vauxhall Nova finished sixth overall beating a number of more powerful four wheel drive cars and a number of other buggies in the process. He also picked up the Class 2 award for being the fastest front two wheel drive car of the day.
Other Category winners included Glen Irwin from Castlederg, once again claiming class 1 in his Vauxhall Nova. Club Chairperson, Matthew Murphy dominated Class 3 in his Toyota Corolla Twincam. Danny Melanaphy from Kinawley, County Fermanagh brought his Ford Focus home first in Class 4. Aforementioned Martin Tynan and Ian Barrett won Class 5 and 6 respectively.
Locally, Mervyn Deane won the Mayo Club Award, Shauna McEveney from Castlebar once more picked up the Ladies Award, Ronan Moore from Crossmolina was 2
in Class 4, and Noel Murphy from Shrule was 3 in Class 2 and the top Mayo Young Driver Championship contender.
Killian Duffy took a short break from World Rally action to swap his pacenotes for the steering wheel of a JB buggy and finished a very impressive 12 overall, two places ahead of Foxford man James McGreal. Former National Rally Champion Aaron MacHale had an enjoyable day back at motorsport away from the usual four wheel drive rally cars that he has been more familiar with to instead double drive the Joe Cullen JB Buggy with Killian Duffy, MacHale reporting that the cockpit of the buggy was a little bit tighter than what he was accustomed to, but that he would return again to the superb venue. Other Mayo members to enjoy and finish the event were David Jordan from Westport, Peter McManamon from Achill, David Healy from Skreen, Niall Morley from Knock, Patrick McEveney from Castlebar, Stephen Doherty, Foxford and Ian Henry from Ballymote. The Opel Kadett of Alan Moran more suffered more misfortune when it finished the day upended after a coming together with a gravel bank on the final run.
Two Mayo events down, two wins for Derek Deane. Can anybody stop the Williamstown man on the remaining two events of 2013?
Clare Autocross Report:
Deane Does the Business Again
Derek Deane from Williamstown made it back to back wins on the second round of the 5 Star Catering, National Loose Surface Autocross Championships, held in Shinrone Quarry, Co Offaly on Sunday last. The event ran by Clare Motor club, seen eight drivers from Mayo & District Motorsport Club make the trip across the Shannon in search of honours.
And similar to round one last February in Clonakilty, the Mayo congregation showed that they don’t lack pace when it comes to loose surface competition, by again claiming three awards.
Adrian Deane displayed that he is getting progressively faster in his recently acquired JB Buggy, and in the near future will no doubt be challenging bother Derek for overall victories, this time he had to settle for 6 overall and 2 in class 6.
Fairing one place better in 5th but winning class 4, (for saloon cars) in the process, was James McGreal from Foxford in his Subaru Impreza. James was delighted with his result as he felt his WRX Subaru was not as sprightly as some of the newer machinery in his class, so we are chalking this class win down to driver expertise!
Derek Deane showed from the start that he meant business, setting fastest times on the opening two sessions, but on the third and final run he found that Whitby Moynan from Tipperary had knocked 5 seconds off his previous best to put himself into the lead. The track having deteriorated badly in parts from all the action was now Deane’s biggest barrier.
He put the power down in his high revving buggy right from the green light, picked a flawless racing line around the track and bet Moynan by just over 1 second, a trilling end to a great days autocrossing.
Also happy to finish the day was club chairperson Matthew Murphy from Shrule, he brought his Toyota Corolla home in 16 overall, after finding conditions tough as his car was taking a pounding over the ruts that appeared on some of the corners.
Achill man Peter Mc Manamon and John Ryan from Headford had their own battle for positions throughout the day, the Achill man eventually taking the bragging rights.
The hard luck story of the day was the Opel Kadett of Alan Moran and Stephen Doherty from Foxford, the pair were double driving the car but on Stephens second run, he turned the car into a corner a fraction to early, clipping the inside bank and overturning the car. The car was not badly damaged but without a windscreen the car was not allowed back out for the last run. Alan had already set a blistering time on his fist run, that in the end seen him finish the event in 15 place overall.
The next Autocross action for the drivers is Mayo’s own loose surface event which takes place on the 9 of June in kilkelly.
MAYO AUTOCROSS: Sunday May 12th – Results
DEANE DOMINATES.
The first Mayo & District Motorsport Club Autocross of the year took place on Sunday. Derek Deane from Williamstown won the event in his JB Buggy, continuing his great form from last year that saw him crowned the 2012 Frank Harrington Challenge Champion. Second home was Ian Barrett from Maynooth, with another member of the Deane family, Mervyn, rounding off an all Buggy Top 3.
Local honours went to James McGreal from Foxford who won the club award. Other locals to fare well were club chairman Matthew Murphy from Shrule who won class 3 in his Toyota Corolla. Alan Moran from Foxford won Class 2 in his Opel Kadett, after a battle of the local young drivers that saw Shrule man Noel Murphy finish just two-hundredths of a second behind Moran.
Shauna McEveney from Castlebar won the ladies award on her first ever day out and also with a good solid performance on his first day driving at an autocross event was young Colm Ronan from Bekan. Both of whom are young drivers who are starting off their Motorsport careers at the correct level, taking part in the Mayo & District Motorsport Clubs -Young Drivers Support Scheme, learning proper car control in a controlled environment.
Round 2 takes place on Sunday 9 June.
Photos below courtesy of Ruthann O’Connor and Stephen Doherty
Some footage from the day’s events by club member Ruthann O’Connor
National Loose Surface Autocross Championship Round 1
Five members of Mayo & District Motorsport Club made the trip to Clonakilty, Co Cork, taking part in the first round of the 5 Star Catering National Loose surface Autocross Championship,
They didnt leave empty handed, Derek Deane from Williamstown took the overall win on the event in his JB Buggy, Matthew Murphy, Chairman of the Mayo Club, from Shrule, finished 2nd in Class 2 in his Toyota Corolla, Justin Ryan from Headford, 3rd in Class in a Honda Civic, Peter Mc Manamon made the trip from Achill to finish 6th in class and John Ryan from Headford 7th in Class.
Great results for the lads who made the long trip to Cork.
2013 5 Star Catering
National Loose Surface Autocross Championship
Plans are now in place for the inaugural 2013 National Loose Surface Autocross Championship. The Championship is being sponsored by Batt O’Donoghoes 5 Star Catering Outlets who covers all types of events nationwide.
The Championship will comprise of six rounds utilising Loose Surface Autocross Events in Skibbereen, Clare, Midland, Mayo, Birr & Cork Motor Clubs. Best 5 events count towards results.
The Championship will comprise of Six Rounds utilising Loose Surface Autocross Events in Skibbereen, Clare, Midland, Mayo, Birr & Cork Motor Clubs. Best 5 Events count towards results.
The championship will have classes for all cars & specials including 4WD. Points scoring will be on a class based system meaning that any driver is capable of winning the championship outright.
The list of Championship events is as follows:
17 February Skibbereen & District Car Club
26 May Clare Motor Club
30 June Midland Motor Club
28 July Mayo & District Motor Club
17 November Birr & District Motor Club
27 December Cork Motor Club
CLASSES.
Class 1: All Saloon cars up to 1450 c.c.
Class 2: All Saloon cars from 1451 c.c. to 1650 c.c.
Class 3: All Saloon cars from 1650 c.c. to 2100 c.c.
Class 4: All Saloon cars 2101 c.c. and over, 4WD & Turbo Charged Saloon Cars.
Class 5: Car Engined Specials.
Class 6: Motor Bike Engined Specials including Buggies.
Class 7: Junior Class for 16 –18 Year Olds holding a Speed National B Licence in 2wd Saloon Cars up to 1650 c.c.
Further information is available from the championship Registrar Eoin Longworth 086 8179297.
