Beamish and Hayes steer course to victory

Motorsport

An intricate section incorporating several farmyard lanes proved to be the decisive factor as Bandon’s David Beamish and his Togher navigator Muireann Hayes (Subaru) won the Carbery Navigation Trial for the second year in succession.

The event, round two of the Munster Navigation Trial Championship, was based in Ahiohill and consisted of 80 miles with almost 45 time points. The winners collected just one penalty point at the maze of yards near Rossmore.

The same location proved more problematic for the Longford pair of Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson (Subaru), the leaders of the National navigation series lost three penalties and had to be content with second place.

Ovens driver Owen Murphy and his Togher navigator Daire Hayes (Subaru) also found it difficult to navigate through this section where they incurred six penalty points and finished third.

Duffy/Johnson took top spot in the Expert category while the other categories were won by local crews. John Buttimer/James Kingston (Vauxhall Vectra) had a comfortable win in the Semi-Experts class and Andrew Whelton/Cyril Maguire (Toyota Avensis) were best in the Novice category. Bandon’s Andrew Beamish/Lisa O’Dowd (Subaru) won the Beginner’s section.

Meanwhile, Tipperary’s Liam Ryan driving the Toyota Corolla WRC campaigned by Waterford’s Eddie Power won the MEC Rallysprint at Mondello Park. He set the best time on the first of three runs with Power second. Donegal’s Joseph McGonigle powered his Skoda Fabia S2000 into second spot after the second run as Ryan maintained the lead. Although McGonigle was fastest on the final run, Ryan had done enough on his previous two runs to take the laurles. McGonigle was second as Keith Power (Renault Clio) edged out his father, Eddie for third spot.

Elsewhere, Sixmilebridge driver and Munster Loose Surface Autocross champion elect, Padraig Egan (Semog Buggy) won the Limerick Autocross staged near Newport, Co Tipperary. Irish Forest Rally champion Owen Murphy (Subaru) finished just 0.96 of a second behind.

Egan punched in the best time on the first run where Nenagh’s Whitby Moynan (Toyota Special) was his closest pursuer. On the second run, Murphy, who had no reconnaissance run and spun on the first time run, set the best time to take the lead — a mere 15/100ths of a second ahead of Egan. In a final shoot out Egan posted the best time of the day to win with Murphy and Moynan second and third respectively.