West Cork rally crew use local knowledge to telling effect

The West Cork crew of Ger O’Connell/Denis O’Donovan (Subaru) used their local knowledge with telling effect to claim the spoils in the Skibbereen 100 Isles Navigation Trial that was based in Lisavaird near Clonakilty.

The Dunmanway/Drinagh duo finished the 79-mile route with a total of 16 penalty points – just three ahead of the Ovens/Togher combination of Owen Murphy/Daire Hayes (Subaru).

Another West Cork crew – Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy (Subaru) were third. The event was a counting round of the National Navigation Trial series, its Munster counterpart and the Carbery Plastics Skibbereen and District Car Club Championship.

The early pacesetters were Longford’s Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston and David Beamish/Muireann Hayes, both were clear for the opening quarter, but the latter dropped time with some mechanical trouble.

For O’Connell/O’Donovan, the plot and bash section near Bealad proved to be the toughest part of the event as they incurred 11 of their 16 penalty points. For their rivals, it was far more difficult and all lost significant time. Second place for Murphy/Hayes has promoted them into the lead of the Munster series but it remains a very close affair with pre-event leaders Joe and Greg Shinnors and David Beamish/Muireann Hayes all within three points with one event remaining. Meanwhile, in the national series, seventh spot for Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru) was sufficient to retain their championship lead. Mallow’s Derek Butler and his navigator Andy Wedlock (Toyota Starlet) won the Novice section.

In Mondello Park, Gorey’s Tomas O’Rafferty (Ford Fiesta ST16) won both the Super Final and the Super Car Final at the Carlow Rallycross. The event marked the welcome return of British driver Mark Watson, however, his Citroen Xsara suffered mechanical woes during the qualifying heats. George Tracey Jr, also in a Citroen Xsara, fell victim with clutch trouble.

The opening round of the West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Historic Rally Championship, the Red Kite Rally was won by Jason Pritchard (Ford Escort) and the modern event was won by Melvyn Evans (Subaru WRC).

Elsewhere, Nigel Cannel (Mitsubishi EvoIX) won the IM Gold Chris Kelly Memorial Rally on the Isle of Man. After the event’s eight stages he was a minute and 17 seconds in front of the Subaru WRC of John Cope. Andy Bird (Vauxhall Chevette) was third.

Car manufacturer Toyota is to return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017. Oliver Ciesla, managing director of WRC Promoter hailed the confirmation as “marvellous news for the sport”. After a 17-year absence from the WRC he added, “Toyota has a long and distinguished history in motorsport, particularly in world rallying and we’re delighted to welcome one of the automobile industry’s giants back to WRC.”

Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that Toyota Motorsport would continue to develop a Yaris World Rally Car at its technical centre in Cologne, Germany, in preparation for its return. The latest announcement brings a fifth manufacturer into WRC – the highest number since 2006.