For seven of the nine stages, reigning Triton Showers National Rally champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes looked set for a comfortable victory in this year’s opening round, the TF Royal Hotel Mayo Stages Rally in Castlebar, to give them the best possible start in their title defence.
However, on the eighth stage, problems slowed their Hyundai and second placed Donagh Kelly and Conor Foley reduced the lead from 21 seconds to just nine. When Moffett was then unable to contest the final stage, the Donegal driver took a surprise last moment win in his Polo, 31 seconds ahead of the Fiesta of Roy White and James O’Brien.
Another former National title holder, Peadar Hurson, held third position starting the final loop, but his Fiesta WRC crashed heavily on the penultimate test and he, too, was a late retirement. Cavan’s Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore brought their two wheel drive Escort home in third place after a day-long duel with the similar car of former Scottish champion David Bogie, with just four seconds separating them.
At Mondello Park, Tommy Graham won the A final & Super final in Round 1 of the Parts for Cars National Rallycross Championship.
Below are results for Motorsport Ireland competitions that took place over the weekend.
MAYO & DISTRICT MC TF ROYAL HOTEL/CASEY’S AND MULROY’S LONDIS MAYO STAGES RALLY AT CASTLEBAR, CO MAYO (ROUND 1 OF TRITON SHOWERS NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AND SLIGO PALLETS BORDER CHAMPIONSHIP):
1 Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley (Polo R5) 55m 43s,
2 Roy White/James O’Brien (Fiesta WRC) 56m 14s,
3 Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore (Escort) 56m 52s,
4 David Bogie/John Rowan (Escort) 56m 56s,
5 Jason Black/Karl Egan (Starlet) 58m 49s,
6 Declan McCrory/Stephen O’Hanlon (Fiesta R5) 59m 01s,
7 Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming (Corolla) 59m 06s,
8 Niall Devine/Liam McIntyre (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 59m 16s,
9 David Carney/Ray Fitzpatrick (Fiesta R5) 59m 17s,
10 John Warren/Ruthann O’Connor (Corolla) 59m 28s
rally.ie Two wheel drive award: Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore.
Juniors:
1 Shane Norris/Anthony McDonald (Civic) 41m 43s,
2 Killian O’Brien/Eugene Cronin (Civic) 42m 16s,
3 Jack Brunton/Darragh Kelly (Civic) 43m 33s.
MONDELLO PARK SPORTS CLUB RALLYCROSS AT MONDELLO PARK, CO KILDARE (ROUND 1 OF PARTS FOR CARS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP):
SUPER FINAL:
1 Tommy Graham (Fiesta) 4m 03.2s,
2 Declan Kelly (Fiesta) 4m 05.7s,
3 Derek Tohill (Fiesta) 4m 15s.
SUPERCAR FINAL:
1 Tommy Graham (Fiesta) 4m 16.3s,
2 Declan Kelly (Fiesta) 4m 31.3s,
3 Darragh Morris (Impreza) 4m 35.7s.
MODIFIED FINAL:
1 Willie Coyne (Corsa) 4m 20.9s,
2 Derek Tohill (Fiesta) 4m 25.9s,
3 Philip Kelly (Toyota MR2) 4m 31.3s.
FORD FIESTA ZETEC FINAL:
1 Ben Mullins 4m 55.6s,
2 Denis McCrudden 4m 55.7s,
3 Seanie Bellew 5m 01.3s.
JUNIOR FINAL:
1 Loughlin Farrell (Ford Fiesta) 5m 02.1s,
2 Brendan McCaughan (Ford Fiesta) 5m 06.5s,
3 Jack Byrne (Ford Fiesta) 5m 07.1s.
BUGGY FINAL:
1 Robbie Allen (Semog) 4m 14.3s,
2 Padraic McHale (Yacarcross) 4m 15.2s,
3 Pa Bellew (Semog) 4m 19.1s.
RETRO RALLYCROSS FINAL:
1 Barry McArdle (Peugeot 205) 4m 34.3s,
2 Joe Cahill (Mini) 4m 50.8s,
3 Brian Keegan (Vauxhall Nova) 5m 04.9s.