Fitzgerald and Carmody navigate victory in 1000 Shakes

The Cork crew have drawn level with Longford pair Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson (Subaru Impreza) at the top of the Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Championship

The Cork crew of James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody (Subaru Impreza) won the Cork “1000 Shakes” Navigation Trial, round four of the Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Championship. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Motorsport

The Cork crew of James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody (Subaru Impreza) have drawn level with Longford pair Colin Duffy/Sam Johnson (Subaru Impreza) at the top of the Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Championship following their strong victory in the Cork “1000 Shakes” Navigation Trial, round four of the series that was based at the Aghinagh GAA complex.

At the conclusion of the 110-mile event, Fitzgerald from Mogeely and Ballincollig’s Carmody finished with a total of ten penalties, followed in second place by the Clare/Sligo duo of Patsy McDonagh/Patrick Corcoran (Subaru Impreza) on 24 penalties.

The Ovens/Monaghan crew of Owen Murphy/Shane Maguire (Subaru Impreza) were third, a single penalty further behind with pre-event series leaders Duffy/Johnson (Subaru Impreza) having to settle for fourth.

Fitzgerald/Carmody figured prominently during the first half of the night that traversed areas around Ballinagree, Clondrohid and Carriganimma prior to a fuel stop near Macroom. They incurred the majority of their ten penalties when they had trouble finding the location of a farmer’s lane near Clondrohid that involved a plot and bash section.  

A section at Carriganimma caused some crews problems as did an area north of Rylane. Duffy/Johnson suffered significantly on the terrain around Rylane and Ballinagree to come home fourth. The Cork crews of James French/Ciaran French and David Beamish/Gary Kelleher were the respective winners of the novice and beginner’s categories. The event also counted towards the Munster Navigation Championship.

The presentation of awards for the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship took place at the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Saturday night where Top Part managing director Donie Dillane endorsed his continued support of the longest sponsorship arrangement in Irish rallying. Many of the crews that have won the series since it began in 1993 were present at the function. Proceeds from a raffle along with a contribution from Top Part generated just over €8,000 that was donated to Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House.

Meanwhile, awards for the 2023 Motorsport Ireland Karting Championship were presented at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Sunday: Novice Cadet - Jack Harney (Waterford); Cadets - Christian Coby (Kildare); Cadet Rookie - John Foley (Cork); IAME X30 Junior - Jack Buckley (Kildare); IAME X30 Senior - Conor Grant (Wexford); Senior Rotax Max - Robert Cronin (Cork); Tillotson T4 Juniors - Aaron Coogan (Kilkenny); Tillotson T4 - Colm Munnelly (Carlow).

The seeded list for the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally, the season opener for the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is being published today. The top ten is: 1. Callum Devine/Noel O'Sullivan (VW Polo GTi R5); 2. Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5); 3. Keith Cronin/ Mikie Galvin (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 4. Sam Moffett/ James O'Reilly (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 5. Jonny Greer/Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2); 6. Matt Edwards/David Moynihan (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 7. Desi Henry/Stewart Loudon (Citroen C3 Rally2); 8. Ryan Loughran/ Gareth Doherty (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 9. Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Ford Fiesta R5); 10. Declan Boyle/TBA (Citroen C3 Rally).