West Coast Rally Championship

Sponsored by Top Part Motor Factors

Historic Classes Added For 2010 Championship

 

The organising committee of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship along with the motor clubs who are hosting a championship round have decided to include a Historic Championship to run alongside the existing Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. There will be 2 classes 1 for cars up to 1650cc and 1 for cars over 1650cc. The 6 counting rounds are Birr Stages Rally 28th February, Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally 11th April, Circuit of Munster Stages Rally 6th June, Galway Summer Rally 29th August, Clare Stages Rally 19th September and the Kerry Mini Stages Rally 14th November.

This will be a 6 round championship with the best 5 scores to count. A starters point will be awarded for every round started. Competitors must start 4 rounds to qualify. There will be an award’s for the Overall Top Part West Coast Historic Driver and also the Overall Historic Co Driver along with awards for 1st overall in both classes in the overall championship standings after the final round

Abbey Court Hotel Stages Rally 28th Feb 2010

Entries are now open for the Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh Stages Rally on Sunday 28th February 2010 Round 1 of The Top Part West Coast Rally Championship 2010.  The popular rally is being organised and promoted by the Birr & District Motor Club. This years rally format is 2 x 20km Stages repeated three times. Service will be after before stage 1 and after stages 2 & 4.With the 6 stage format, a more sociable start is achievable at 9.30am with a finish time of 16.00hrs.We hope this format will give competitors an enjoyable days rallying

 

A new departure this year for the Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh Rally will be the inclusion of a Historic Rally for Rally Cars manufactured up to 1975.  The Historics will compete over 3 Stages.  In addition there will be a class for junior competitors 

Further info can be obtained by contacting the Event Secretary Clodagh Henehan on 087-9117707or Eoin Longworth on 086-8179297.

 

 Entry Form & Regulations Including Online Entry For This Event Are Available On The Events & Dates Page On Menu Bar On Left

Maguire/Sherry Take Second Championship Title

Monaghans Niall Maguire and co driver Enda Sherry are the 2009 Top Part West Coast Rally Champions after a terrific year in their Triton Showers backed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC. The Monaghan men have been loyal supporters of the championship throughout the years with Niall having previously won the drivers championship back in 1999 in a Subaru Impreza 555 with Anthony Nestor co driving while Enda was the 2006 championship winning co driver. Finishing second overall in this years championship are the Kerry/Clare pairing of Mick Quinn and co driver Grainne McEnery in their Millington Diamond powered 2.4 Ford Escort MK11. 2009 has been a very successful partnership for Mick and Grainne having also won the Rally.ie Top 2 Wheel Drive award in the Dunlop National Championship and also winning the Killarney Historics Modified Rally back in December. The Kerry crew of Thomas Fitzmaurice and co driver Fionn Foley finished off their championship in their TLI backed Mitsubishi Evo 9 in 3rd place overall having also had a very successful year with many Group N class awards. Out going West Coast Champions Ed Synan and co driver Denis O'Connell finished 4th overall and also Top 2 Wheel Drive award winners in A Ford Escort MK11, with 5th place going to the Galway crew of Pat Kelly and co driver Noel Lambert in a Subaru N10. The Group N award was won by Donegal brothers Trevor and Kenny Bustard in a Mitsubishi Evo 9. Overall and class positions will remain provisional until Sunday 17th January 2010 if you have any queries please contact Gary Leonard @ 0879005617 after 6pm.
 
Regards
Seamus O'Connor
Championship PRO


Maguire still leads after Circuit of Munster

NIALL MAGUIRE MAINTAINS LEAD AFTER CIRCUIT OF MUNSTER:

As we near the mid way point of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship Monaghan’s Niall Maguire driving a Subaru Impreza WRC is the current leader in the driver’s standings after scoring maximum points on round 3 the Circuit of Munster Rally. Kerry man Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi Evo 9) lies second overall followed in joint third place by the Ford Escorts of Mick Quinn and last years championship winner Limerick’s Ed Synan. Kildare’s Kevin Barrett (Subaru Impreza WRC) moves up to 4th place followed by Limerick’s Eamon Daly (Mitsubishi Evo 9) who also moves up the leader board to 5th place. After a non start on round 3 Des Moore (Ford Escort) drops to 6th with Donegal’s Trevor Bustard also dropping down the leader board to 7th. Cavan’s Paul Elliott (Mitsubishi Evo 9) moves up to 8th as Tipperary’s William Cavanagh (Ford Escort) drops one place to 9th. Galway’s Pat Kelly (Subaru Impreza N10) is another driver who also moves up the leader board to 10th overall.

In the co drivers standings it’s another Monaghan man Enda Sherry who currently leads the co drivers points table after scoring maximum points on round 3. Tralee’s Fionn Foley is in 2nd place followed by Clare’s Grainne McEnery who is in joint 3rd place with last years Top Part championship winning co driver, Kerry’s Denis O’Connell. Limerick’s Sean Mullally moves up the leader board to 4th followed by Cork’s Anthony O’Connell in 5th place. Donegal’s Kenny Bustard holds 6th while Killarney’s Brian Doherty moves up to 7th overall. Tipperary’s Doherty Cavanagh remains in 8th place followed by Galway’s Noel Lambert in 9th. Enda O’Leary and Paul Maguire are level on points in 10th overall.

Junior Class
Galway crew Stephen Greaney and co driver Kieran Feeney are current leaders of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship junior award. Clare’s Patrick Kelly and co driver Derek Flynn are in 2nd place just 1 point off the leaders. Kerry rally crew Patrick Slattery Jnr and co driver Chris Campbell lie in 3rd place just 2 points off the leaders with Galway driver Patrick Divilly also in joint 3rd position.

Two Wheel Drive
Mick Quinn/Grainne McEnery and Ed Synan/Dennis O’Connell and currently tied for the overall two wheel drive award.

Group N
Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley lead the overall Group N award

MAGUIRE LEADS AFTER ROUND 2

Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry lead the Top Part West Coast Championship after Rd 2 the Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally. Thomas Fitzmaurice and Fion Foley are in 2nd place with Mike Quinn and Grainne McEnery in 3rd
Des Moore leads the 2 wheel drive and Trevor Bustard leads the Group N
In the Juniors Stephen Greany and Kieran Feeney lead from Patrick Slattery Jnr and Chris Campbell with Daeean Young and Kenneth Quirk in 3rd

2008 Champions & Heartwarming gesture

Ed Synan and Denis O Connell are the 2008 Top Part West Coast Rally Champions, Alan Ring and Sean Mullally are second and Anthony O Halloran and Adrian Deasy are third
Mike Quinn and Sean Enright are the 2 Wheel Drive Winners
Sean Flanagan and Brian Duggan are the Group N Winners
The 2008 Awards Presentation was held in the Salthill Hotel Galway on Saturday Feb 14th and it was,as usual,a class night.

  There was also a collection towards the Paul Gallagher Fundraising night in Cork on the 20th of Feb and the five clubs,Galway,Clare,Limerick,Kerry and Birr,pledged €500 euro each,as did our sponsor,Top Part Ltd,a total of €3000. BUT the collection from the tables netted an incredible €3542.48.
    That means the total donation to the Paul Gallagher fund from the West Coast Rally Championship between clubs,competitors etc was a staggering €6542.48

 

Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy 2007 Champions

Alan Ring with co driver Adrian Deasy are the 2007 Top Part West Coast Rally Champions with one round to go.
The Kerry/West Cork Crew take the title with one round remaining the Kerry Mini Stages Rally.
The Munster Joinery Supported Impreza N12B has proved to be very competitive all year; This is Alan’s second Top Part Win also taking the title in 2005.
For Adrian this will be his first Championship Win and will give them a confidence boost going into Rally Ireland.
Ruan’s Anthony O Halloran takes second in the championship proving once again that he is one of the best 2 wheel drive competitors in the country, This is the Manta 400 driver’s best result in the championship having finished 3rd in 2000.
3rd Overall in the Championship will be decided on the Final Round the Kerry Mini Stages Rally Competitors who will be trying to fill the Final Podium place are Current holder of 3rd Overall Galway’s Tom Curley Evo 9. 4th Overall and leading 2 Wheel drive is Kerry’s Mike Quinn Escort RS. 5th Overall is Jack Sleator, 6th and 7th Place’s are held by Galway’s Crews Sean Lyons Impreza 12B is Leading Group N and Pat Kelly Group A Impreza both have a chance of a Top Three Championship finish should Curley or Quinn have problem’s. In 8th is Ray Hilliard Evo 9 and in 9th The Flamboyant Garry Reidy Escort RS and 10th Tim Enright Evo 4.

Co Drivers
Adrian Deasy is the Champion for 2007,
Galway’s Paul Horan is Second and Mick Courtney is 3rd and they will battle it out with 4th place Sean Enright, 5th Andrew Purcell, 6th John Devine and 7th Paddy Robinson all trying for that Overall Championship Position. In 8th are Senan Raggett 9th Martin Flynn and 10th Stephen Buckley.

Barry Ryan and Donal Falvey are the 2007 Top Part West Coast Junior Rally Champions
The Mark 2 Crew dominated the series by taking 5 maximum scores and one runner up position from there six starts to be Crowned Champions with one Round Remaining

Round 4 Birr Mini Stages

Results
1 Stuart Darcy/Diarmuid Falvey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 41m 15s
2 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B) GpN 41m 27s
3 Anthony O'Halloran/Charlie McEnery (Opel Manta 400) 41m 32s
4 Aidan Bourke/John Kinahan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) GpN 41m 54s
5 Tadhg Linehan/Michael Courtney (Subaru Impreza N11) GpN 42m 40s
6 Eamonn Daly/Kevin Synott (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) GpN 42m 42s
7 John Kelly/Robbie Shaw (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) 42m 47s
8 Ed Synan/Kieran Cusack (Ford Escort Mk II) 42m 58s
9 Liam Wall/Andy Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk II) 43m 03s
10 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort Mk II) 43m 06s

Leaders After:
SS1 Stuart Darcy/Diarmuid Falvey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS2 Aidan Bourke/John Kinahan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
SS3-4 Stuart Darcy/Diarmuid Falvey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Stuart Darcy/Diarmuid Falvey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS2 Aidan Bourke/John Kinahan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
SS3 Stuart Darcy/Diarmuid Falvey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
SS4 Sean Lyons/John Devine (Subaru Impreza N12B)

DOWN LOAD FULL RESULTS BY CLICKING HERE

Round 3 Circuit Of Munster

Results
1 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 59m 49s,
2 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 60m 55s,
3 Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 61m 59s,
4 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B) GpN 63m 07s,
5 David McNulty/Arthur Kierans (Subaru Impreza WRC) 63m 10s,
6 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 64m 00s,
7 Anthony O’Halloran/Chaarlie McEnery (Opel Manta) 64m 27s,
8 Tom Holton/Francis Kenny (Toyota Celica GT-Four) 64m 31s,
9 Ed Synan/Kieran Cusack (Ford Escort Mk II) 65m 14s,
10 Gary Reidy/Patrick Naughton (Ford Escort Mk II) 65m 28s.

Group N Production class:
1 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy,
2 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey,
3 Sean Lyons/John Devine (Subaru Impreza) 66m 53s.

JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Barry Ryan/Donal Falvey (Escort) 36m 02s,
2 Kenneth Hogan/Claire Hogan (Civic) 36m 54s,
3 Gerard McQuaid/Gary Quinlan (Escort) 38m 00s.

Round 2 Circuit of Kerry

ELLIOTT WINS CIRCUIT OF KERRY
MacHALE LEADS DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Report courtesy of Dunlop - sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Driving a Subaru WRC, Cavan’s, Patrick Elliott and his co-driver, Paul Goodman, won the Tralee based Club Fabric Circuit of Kerry, the second round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. At the conclusion of the rally, they were a minute and six seconds ahead of second placed, Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus). Despite having to cope without the aid of power steering over the final two stages, they retained second place - a position that was sufficient to promote them into the lead of Dunlop National Rally Championship. Glen Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) were third.

Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category. Meanwhile, the top two-wheel drive performance came from Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins. On board their Renault Clio, they finished a magnificent eleventh place overall and Class 6 winners by over a minute.

The major retirement was that of pre-event Dunlop National Rally Championship leaders, Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey, who broke the back rear hub of their Ford Focus WRC just three miles into the opening stage after they clipped a rock.

MacHale established a seven second lead over Elliott on the opening stage on the outskirts of Castleisland with Noel Redmond, in his new S12 Subaru, a further three seconds behind. Pre-even Dunlop Championship leader, Ray Breen was a first stage retirement when his Ford Focus clipped a rock, the impact broke a rear hub and retirement. Michael Curran was the top Group N driver on the stage, he was sixth overall behind Glen Allen and Kevin Barrett. Seamus Leonard (Mitsubishi) lost time with gear linkage trouble but was still second quickest in the showroom category.

Out on S.S. 2, Elliott controlled proceedings and moved into a two second lead over MacHale, who lost a few seconds when he spun on gravel. Allen moved up to third - the brake problems that thwarted his efforts on S.S. 1 seemed to disappear. Redmond stalled at the stat of S.S. 2 and lost considerable time as he tried to fire his S12 in action, that saw him drop to fourth – 32 seconds off the leader. Kevin Barrett in fifth was troubled by a vibration from the brakes. Meanwhile, Michael Curran (Mitsubishi) continued to lead Group N and remarked that he was taking a steady pace. He was four seconds in front of rival, Seamus Leonard, the pair setting equal times through the stage. Jack Sleator, Niall Maguire and Sean Gallagher, all in Subaru WRC’s, rounded off the top ten.

With the cancellation of Special Stage 3, Elliott stretched his lead on S.S. 4 to 17 seconds, second placed, Aaron MacHale losing time with steering woes; third placed Glenn Allen closed to within 15 seconds of the Dubliner. Elliott made some changes to the suspension set up of his Subaru and at the service halt at the Tralee Racecourse, he remarked that the changes had a profound effect on the performance of the car.

Redmond continued in fourth with Group N pacesetter, Michael Curran the barometer of the showroom contenders. Yet another fastest stage time saw him slot into fifth ahead of Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC). Niall Maguire (Subaru) and Seamus Leonard shered seventh, the latter eight seconds behind fellow Group N driver, Michael Curran. Sean Gallagher and Jack Sleator completed the top ten.

Stages 5 and 6 were cancelled due to a fatal accident on the main Castleisland/Abbeyfeale road. Out on the penultimate stage, Elliott blitzed his rivals, he was some 37 seconds faster than MacHale, who had to traverse the stage without power steering, remarkably, he retained second spot. Allen lost third when Redmond set the second quickest time to displace the Tyrone driver. In Group N, Seamus Leonard was quickest through the stage, but Michael Curran was very much in control of the category. Redmond crashed out of the rally on the final stage as MacHale, without the power steering, clinched runner-up spot in the event and take the lead in the Dunlop National Rally Championship. Third placed Allen had brake woes on the final stage. Curran took a magnificent fourth. Subaru pair, Kevin Barrett and Niall Maguire were fifth and sixth respectively.

The top ten also included Seamus Leonard, Sean Gallagher, Jack Sleator and Alan Ring, the latter, the reigning Group N champion, was third in the category, elsewhere, Kevin Kelleher and Gabriel Martin were next in the showroom class.

In the race for two-wheel drive supremacy, former Irish and British Super1600 champion, Brian O’Mahony (Renault Clio) turned in a great performance, particularly over the closing stages, to clinch the spot and eleventh overall. Local duo, Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Ford Escort) were second in the two wheel drive category, a mere second in front of Anthony O’Halloran/Sean Moriarty (Opel Manta).
Results
1 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 36m 29s,
2 Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus WRC) 37m 35s,
3 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 38m 03s,
4 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 38m 09s,
5 Mike Curran/Fabian McShane (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 38m 15s,
6 Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 38m 20s,
7 Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 38m 24s,
8 Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 38m 29s,
9 Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 38m 53s,
10 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B) GpN 39m 10s.

JUNIORS:
1 Kenneth Hogan/Clair Hogan (Civic) 16m 43s
2 Barry Ryan/Donal Falvey (Escort) 17m 06s,
3 Gary Dineen/T J Murphy (Escort) 17m 19s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2-8 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners SS1 Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Cancelled
SS4 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Cancelled
SS6 Cancelled
SS7 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Round 1 Results (Birr Multi Stages)

Results
1 Aaron McHale/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) 68m 40s,
2 P J McGrath/Killian Duffy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 69m 29s,
3 Mark Courtney/Conor Foley (Toyota Celica GT-Four) 72m 51s,
4 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru Impreza N12B) GpN 73m 04s,
5 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N12) GpN 73m 07s,
6 Paul Kiely/Pat McSharry (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 74m 25s,
7 Adrian Quinn/Alan Moran (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 74m 47s,
8 Anthony O’Halloran/Larry O’Halloran (Opel Manta 2.0) 75m 44s,
9 Tom Curley/Paul Horan (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 77m 09s,
10 Patrick Higgins/Liam Higgins (Honda Civic) 77m 15s.

Download full results by clicking HERE