Motorsport: Decision in 10 days after eight-hour Lakes inquiry

Saturday's inquiry was called by the president of Motorsport Ireland, Aiden Harper

The Ovens/Donoughmore partnership of Owen Murphy and Patrick O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza) won the Bandon based Carbery Navigation Trial, a counting round of the Motorsport Ireland National and Munster Navigation Championships. Picture: Martin Walsh

The Court of Inquiry into matters relating to and surrounding this year's Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes (May 2-4) went on for over eight hours at the headquarters of Motorsport Ireland at 34 Dawson Street last Saturday. Indeed, a second hearing that was scheduled for the afternoon into other matters relating to the same event didn't go ahead and has been postponed until next month on a date to be advised.

Saturday's inquiry called by the president of Motorsport Ireland, Aiden Harper, revolved around the departure of a senior steward of the event prior to the competitive start of the rally on the Saturday morning. The Irish Examiner understands that there were a number of other tangential issues from the event and in the lead-up to the actual rally weekend that were also part of the inquiry.

There was speculation that the hearing could have collapsed but that was not the case. During the lengthy inquiry, legal representation heard from several witnesses from the parties concerned. A decision is due within the next ten days and the outcome, that will be published, is eagerly anticipated.

Meanwhile, the three regions (Waterford, Kerry and Limerick) involved in the potential hosting of the World Rally Championship have been informed by Motorsport Ireland that it's been decided to "pause efforts while the strategic review is taking place over the coming months". 

The update states that there is no possibility of inclusion on the 2027 WRC calendar. Further to the review, it adds, "an attempt at looking for a date beyond that will be possible." It appears that there is concern within the Motor Sport Council as some members were unaware of this decision (or who made it) as it wasn't discussed at their most recent meeting.

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The Ovens/Donoughmore partnership of Owen Murphy and Patrick O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza) secured victory in the Bandon-based Carbery Navigation Trial that dovetailed as rounds of the Motorsport Ireland National and Munster Navigation Championships. They finished the 75-mile route with six penalties - four less that the Mallow crew of Derek Butler/Aaron O'Regan (Subaru Impreza). Third place for the Longford/Monaghan crew of Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes was enough to allow them extend their lead of the national series.

Butler/O'Regan were one of four crews on a clean sheet as far TP5 to the north of Skeaf Cross. On the previous time point (TP4) - south of Gaggan, Murphy/O'Sullivan collected their first penalty and another at TP5. They went on to negotiate terrain towards Timoleage and onto Kilbrittain in perfect fashion and it wasn't until close to the end of the event at Connolly's farm complex outside Bandon and an area nearby that they incurred their remaining penalties. It was Murphy's first navigation victory in some six years. "It all went really well, Patrick (O'Sullivan) was superb on the maps all night. It was tricky in places especially in Beamish's farm, but I think the other crews that were trying to figure it out and eventually figured the correct way out, probably helped us."

Second-placed Butler/O'Regan lost most of their time at Connolly's farm while Duffy/Hughes were very much in contention until the final section where they incurred 14 penalties. An unsigned time card at TP7 near Skeaf contributed to most of the penalties incurred by pre-event national championship contenders James Fitzgerald (Mogeely) and Ken Carmody (Ballincollig), they finished sixth, like the aforementioned they campaigned a Subaru Impreza. The Novice award was won by locals David Beamish/Chris Brady (Ford Focus).