BIRR & DISTRICT M C ABBEYLEIX MANOR HOTEL STAGES RALLY AT ABBEYLEIX (ROUND 1 OF DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP, TOP PART WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP AND LOUGHRAN SIGNS MIDLANDS EAST CHAMPIONSHIP):

1 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Impreza WRC) 75m 59s,

2 Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Impreza WRC) 76m 16s,

3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 77m 00s,

4 Robert Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Skoda Fabia S2000) 77m 16s,

5 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Impreza Gp N) 77m 34s,

6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 78m 36s,

7 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 78m 47s,

8 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 79m 01s,

9 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Escort) 79m 18s,

10 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Escort) 79m 31s.

Motorsport Safety Team Group N Production class:

1 Robert Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman,

2 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery,

3 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly.

rally.ie Two wheel drive class: 1 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan,

2 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle,

3 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery.

Historics: 1 P J O’Dowd/John Young (Sunbeam) 52m 35s,

2 Denis Collins/Tommy Commane (Escort) 53m 55s,

3 Philip McKibbin/Padraig Brick (Cortina) 55m 30s.

Juniors: 1 Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Civic) 58m 26s,

2 Christopher Snow/Sean Brunton (Civic) 58m 37s,

3 Damien Boyle/Joseph Boyle (Civic) 58m 42s.

MOTOR ENTHUSIASTS’ CLUB FREEMAN CUP AUTOTEST AT MONDELLO PARK, CO KILDARE (ROUND 12 OF HEWISON TROPHY CHAMPIONSHIP):

1 Robin Lyons (Mini) 592.2s,

2 J J Farrell (Mini Special) 592.6s,

3 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 606.8s,

4 Eamonn Byrne (Mini) 611.7s,

5 Glen Irwin (Mini) 620.9s,

6 Guy Foster (Mini) 621.9s,

7 David Thompson (Nova) 627.3s,

8 Paddy Power (Mini Special) 635.7s,

9 Paul Phelan (Mini Special) 642.7s,

10 Paul Mooney (Nova) 643.1s,

11 Mark King (Nova) 646.4s,

12 Alan Coyle (Mini Special) 648.5s.

Class winners: Eamonn Byrne, J J Farrell, Andrew O’Donohoe (Westfield) 661.6s, David Thompson.

Semi-expert award: Rory Power (Mini) 765.3s.

Novice awards: Timmy Lynch (Westfield) 705.2s, Jamie McMillan (Nova) 794.7s.

Irish Rallycross would appear to be in crisis as the last round of the current series approaches. The racing, as ever, has been superb all season long but at the last round, ironically with a bigger crowd than we had seen at a Rallycross event for a while, there were a number of inexplicible delays, causing many of the spectators to leave long before the superfinal was run. Declan Quigley’s piece in the Indo the following week highlighted the fact that Mondello Park management considered cancelling the final round of the series as a result. As with all other forms of motorsport, Rallycross entries have decreased in recent seasons, with the Supercar class suffering more than the others. George Tracey’s Citroen Xsara is the only genuine supercar out there and despite the best efforts of his Sportchips team, Tracey’s only competitor John Kelly has not been able to get his ex-rally spec Mitsubishi Evo close enough to challenge.
The introduction of the Joker Lap, although controversial at the time, has proved to be a superb addition with the Stockhatch 8v class in particular having far less damage as a result. Junior Rallycross is also working superbly and giving us a stream of new young talent to graduate to the other classes. 16v Stockhatch is also fantastic, with some of the country’s top drivers vying for victory at each round.
So, if the racing is still great, what exactly is the problem? Well as I see it, it is twofold. Firstly, those ridiculous delays. As I arrived at Mondello, just after lunchtime, I met a guy leaving with his wife and kid. He flashed his lights at me and I slowed to chat. He told me that “they” had just announced an hours break while they do the grids for the finals and said he was going home. He also said it was hard enough to persuade his family to come down in the first place and added that he was going to ask for his money back on the way out. I joined Matt in the commentary box but there were so many subsequent delays, that as I mentioned before, the grandstand, which had been relatively full, was all but empty when the Superfinal grid finally took to the track.

Having chatted with a group of drivers after the event, they seem to be of the opinion that the events are not promoted at all. It would seem that Derek Tohill, through his Partsforcars.ie business, is the only one doing anything to promote the series. He has paid for and set up the new website www.irishrallycross.ie, he supplies some of the prizes etc but one man alone cannot do everything alone. Happily the Kildare Motor Club have reduced the entries for all classes for this coming weekend in an effort to boost grids and committed to giving more track time or an extra heat should time allow, so well done to them. As for the delays, or even the lunch break, well why not send some autotesters or trials bike riders out on track to plug the gaps?

So the message is, get down to the final round next weekend and enjoy some great racing. Knowing John Morris and team, there will be few, if any, delays. Will Tommy Graham come out for the last round and make George work for the silverware? Can anyone beat James Fleming in Juniors and can Noel “Mad Dog” O’Brien fight off the Clane Mafia and complete his unbeaten run in Stockhatch 8v. So lets fill the grandstand, have some fun, and who knows, you may be helping to protect the future of this great discipline too….

see you there,

Leo

Follow me on Twitter: @topofthetower

 

I caught up with Ireland’s new BTCC driver on the morning the details of his Motorbase deal were announced.

 

Aron, you must be delighted to finally confirm your 2012 deal?

You have no idea how happy I am to get to announce it, it’s been very long winter getting this organised.. Not being able to tell anyone has made it even harder, I felt like a was about to explode!

 

From your taste of BTCC last year, how big of a step is it from Clios- and can you be competitive in 2012?

It’s a big step up, the touring car is a thoroughbred racing car and a bit different to drive. I think the nature of it should be more suited to my driving style. I’ve a proper testing programme ahead of me now so hopefully I can hit the ground running.

 

Tell us a little about your new team & car- and why you chose them?

Well I think the team spoke for themselves with the results from last year and I know the car will be competitive. I can’t tell you how much I love the team, not only are they extremely professional but they’ve already made me feel at home.

 

Will the car have any new developments for 2012 and will you have much pre season testing?

I know the team have been working really hard over the winter gap and yes there’s quite a few developments which will be part of my testing programme. There’s not a lot which needs to be done to car because from what I’ve felt it is already a very well set up chassis.

 

Who do you see as your strongest opposition this year?

That’s a very hard question, to think I’ll be lining up on the grid with drivers who had been racing since before I was born makes it even more exciting. It’s hard to say but I think Matt Jackson did very well last year and without his bad luck would have won the championship so to have him as a team mate will be great.

 

With the Niall Murray and Andy O’Brien joining the BTCC package in their respective Ginetta series, you can expect plenty of vocal Irish support this year, can you give them a win?!

I’d love to think I can!! I’ll be going flat out from day one so hopefully with a bit of luck I can make everyone in Ireland proud! It’s great to have other Irish drivers in the package and I know I’ll be out cheering them on.

 

How can your Irish fans keep up to date with your progress?

Leo’s Blog of course, you’ll know my every movement this season! Also follow me on twitter @aronsmith_ and my website is www.aronsmithracing.com

that’s all this time folks,

Leo

Follow me on Twitter: @topofthetower

Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Young Driver of the Year, Aron Smith, will step up to the British Touring Car Championship this year after signing a deal to race with Motorbase Performance.

The 22 year-old Dublin based Irishman, who ended the 2011 season as Vice Champion in the AirAsia Renault Clio Cup, collecting three wins and nine podiums in the process, is no stranger to the BTCC having gained a top ten finish on his debut in the series at Knockhill last September.

“Its an absolute dream come true,” said Smith. “I have looked upon the BTCC for years, and all that I have ever aspired to be is a British Touring Car Championship driver.”

“To know that I will be lining up on the grid in 2012 is a pretty surreal feeling. I can still hardly believe even now that it has become a reality.”

Smith will be aiming to start the season in perfect style in the Ford Focus that enabled Motorbase to challenge for the 2011 BTCC crown.

The 2012 British Touring Car Championship will get underway at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 1st April with live race day coverage on ITV4 and ITV4 HD.

Follow Aron on:

www.aronsmith.com
@Aronsmith_
facebook.com/aronsmithracing

 

Follow me on twitter @topofthetower

Leo

Results for 18/19 February 2012

CARLOW C C RALLYCROSS AT MONDELLO PARK (ROUND 5 OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP):

SUPER FINAL: 1 Ian O’Connell (Lotus Exige) 4m 14.79s,

2 Willie Coyne (Opel Corsa) 4m 21.46s,

3 Dessie Tierney (Opel Tigra) 4m 22.00s,

4 Gavin O’Connell (Ford Fiesta) 4m 28.92s,

5 Pearse Browne (BMW Compact) 4m 29.39s,

6 Padraig Leeson (Vauxhall Corsa) 4m 36.88s.

SUPERCAR A FINAL: 1 George Tracey (Citroen Xsara) 3m 24.69s,

2 John Kelly (Lancer Evo 7) 3m 33.05s.

SOUTHSIDE MOTOR FACTORS MODIFIED A FINAL:

1 Ian O’Connell (Lotus Exige) 3m 33.67s,

2 Willie Coyne (Opel Corsa) 3m 37.41s,

3 Padraig Leeson (Vauxhall Corsa) 3m 43.24s.

4 Gavin O’Connell (Ford Fiesta) 3m 44.56s,

5 Dessie Tierney (Opel Tigra) 3m 45.21s.

6 Pearse Browne (BMW Compact) 3m 48.02s.

SOUTHSIDE MOTOR FACTORS MODIFIED B FINAL:

1 Mark Carroll (Toyota Starlet) 3m 53.17s,

2 George Tohill (BMW Compact) 3m 56.23s,

3 Colm Mullins (Ford Fiesta) 3m 57.71s.

RATHGAR MOTOR FACTORS STOCK HATCH 16 VALVE FINAL:

1 Eddie Peterson (Peugeot 106) 3m 47.43s,

2 Graeme Colfer (Peugeot 106) 3m 50.64s,

3 Aaron Dalton (Peugeot 106) 3m 56.47s,

4 Philip Lawless (Peugeot 106) 4m 00.07s.

RATHGAR MOTOR FACTORS STOCK HATCH 8 VALVE A FINAL:

1 Noel O’Brien (Peugeot 205) 3m 54.56s,

2 Stephen Morrin (Peugeot 205) 3m 58.27s,

3 Mark Halligan (Peugeot 205) 3m 58.68s,

4 Keith Kerrshaawe (Peugeot 205) 4m 00.54s,

5 Peter McGarry (Peugeot 205) 4m 01.20s,

6 Fergal Bowes (Peugeot 205) 4m 02.24s.

RATHGAR MOTOR FACTORS STOCK HATCH 8 VALVE B FINAL:

1 Keith Kerrshaawe (Peugeot 205) 4m 02.51s,

2 Tom Murphy (Peugeot 205) 4m 02.75s,

3 Paul Nolan (Peugeot 205) 4m 06.25s.

JUNIOR A FINAL: 1 James Fleming (Toyota Starlet) 4m 01.68s,

2 Sophie Byrne (Nissan Micra) 4m 07.92s,

3 Andrew Clarke (Nissan Micra) 4m 08.43s,

4 Eamon Horan (Nissan Micra) 4m 08.89s,

5 Dylan Curley (Toyota Starlet) 4m 13.00s,

6 James Huddleston (Suzuki Swift) 4m 15.64s.

RALLY CAR A FINAL: 1 Noel Greene (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 3m 32.83s,

2 Des Ryan (Opel Corsa) 3m 35.99s,

3 Patrick Donoghue (Peugeot 205) 3m 38.27s,

4 Mick Curtis (Vauxhall Corsa) 3m 39.54s,

5 Thomas O’Rafferty (Opel Corsa) 3m 52.67s,

6 Mark Greene (Peugeot 205) 3m 54.34s.

RALLY CAR B FINAL: 1 Peter O’Brien (Peugeot 205) 4m 07.57s,

2 William Tutty (Peugeot 205) 4m 08.39s.

CO MONAGHAN M C AUTOTEST AT SWANS CROSS, CO MONAGHAN (ROUND 11 OF HEWISON TROPHY CHAMPIONSHIP):

1 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 641.8s,

2 Sam Bowden (Mini) 648.2s,

3 David Thompson (Nova) 678.8s,

4 Robin Lyons (Mini Special) 678.8s,

5 Guy Foster (Mini) 681.1s,

6 Mark King (Nova) 682.4s,

7 Paddy Power (Mini Special) 685.0s,

8 Norman Ferguson (Mini) 702.9s,

9 Paul Phelan (Mini Special) 729.2s,

10 Trevor Ferguson (Striker) 730.9s,

11 Andrew O’Donohoe (Westfield) 738.8s,

12 Darren Quille (Westfield) 756.5s.

Class winners: Sam Bowden, Robin Lyons, Trevor Ferguson, David Thompson.

Novice awards: Timmy Lynch (Westfield) 787.1s, Jamie McMillan (Nova) 847.0s.

Club members’ Class: 1 Andy Mackarel (Starlet Special) 376.6s, 2 Daniel McKenna 379.3s, 3 Richard Cassidy (Micra) 395.7s.

ALMC ENDURANCE TRIAL AT LUTTRELLSTOWN, DUBLIN:

1 Daniel Byrne/Kevin Fagan (Toyota Starlet) 11m 58s,

2 Robert Barrable/John Rowan (Toyota Starlet) 15m 34s,

3 Willie Fenton/Dave McAulay (Toyota Starlet) 18m 30s,

4 Simon McKinley/Deirdre Delaney (Fiat Cinquecento) 19m 01s,

5 Damien Doran/Anthony O’Neill (Toyota Starlet) 19m 32s,

6 Mark O’Connor/Simon Quinn (Hyundai Accent) 25m 02s.

Navigation Cars:

1 Robert Woodside Jnr/Dean Beckett (Mazda MX5) 10m 47s,

2 Richard Meeke/Philip O’Reilly (Opel Corsa) 14m 26s,

3 Stephen Free/Clifford Auld (Proton Satria) 15m 21s.

Class winners: Richard Meeke/Philip O’Reilly, Robert Woodside Jnr/Dean Beckett.

Retrospective Cars:

1 Dermot Carnegie/Paul Bosdet (Ford Escort) 13m 17s,

2 Kevin Fitzgerald/Vincent Fagan (Ford Escort) 15m 35s,

3 David Hayes/James Casey (Toyota Starlet) 15m 44s.

Class winners: David Hayes/James Casey, Dermot Carnegie/Paul Bosdet.

LEINSTER MOTOR CLUB LINCOLN & NOLAN CUP SPORTING TRIAL AT MONEYSTOWN, ASHFORD, CO WICKLOW:

1 Fergil Gregory (Erskine-Yamaha) 4 marks,

2 Paddy Cahill (Erskine-VW) 5m,

3 Joe McCann (JMcVW) 5m,

4 John O’Reilly (Erskine-Kawasaki) 6m,

5 Ollie Peden (VW) 6m,

6 Philip Erskine (Erskine-Yamaha) 6m,

7 Christopher Evans (ETE-Yamaha) 6m,

8 Alan Watkins (Watkins-Yamaha) 6m,

9 Alan Kilkenny (Kilkenny-Yamaha) 7m,

10 Aidan Kehoe (Sheane VW) 7m,

11 Gordon Watkins (Watkins-Yamaha) 7m,

12 Brian Conlon (Erskine-Honda) 7m.

Grade winners: John O’Reilly, Paddy Cahill, David Slevin (Kilkenny VW) 10m, David Pain (Kilkenny VW) 20m.

DATE: 18.2.12

CLUB: ALMC

EVENT: Endurance Trial

VENUE: HQ: Luttrellstown Castle Resort, Castleknock, Dublin 15

START TIME: 11.00

Event Secretary: Clara Healy ph: 086-3366186

DATE: 18/19.2.12

CLUB: Cork MC

EVENT: 4×4 Trial

VENUE: Rockgrove, Coachford, Co Cork

START TIME: 11.00

Event Secretary: Michael O’Shea ph: 086-8308250

DATE: 18.2.12

CLUB: Leinster MC

EVENT: Sporting Trial

VENUE: Moneystown, Ashford, Co Wicklow

START TIME: 11.30

Event Secretary: Dave Smyth ph: 087-0528466

DATE: 18/19.2.12

CLUB: Donegal MC

EVENT: Navigation Trial

VENUE: The Rock, Churchill, Co Donegal

START TIME: 21.00

Event Secretary: Gary McElhinney ph: 087-6717393

DATE: 19.2.12

CLUB: Carlow CC

EVENT: Rallycross (RX)

VENUE: Mondello Park, Donore, Naas, Co Kildare

START TIME: 10.15

Event Secretary: Fiona Cullen ph: 086-8905657

DATE: 19.2.12

CLUB: Skibbereen & District CC

EVENT: Autocross (LS)

VENUE: Campbell’s Pit, Grancore, Clonakilty, Co Cork

START TIME: 10.30

Event Secretary: Susan Beamish ph: 087-2020487

DATE: 19.2.12

CLUB: Co Monaghan MC

EVENT: Autotest (H)

VENUE: Wright’s Quarry, Swans Cross, Co Monaghan

START TIME: 11.30

Event Secretary: Cora Maguire ph: 086-3627000

Dunlop Sexton Trophy to support Ireland’s young motorsport talent

Motorsport Ireland today announced details of an overhaul of the Dunlop Sexton Trophy for the Young Racing Driver of the Year, which will see an Irish driver funded to compete for a full racing season from 2013.

The award, which was established in 2000 to reward excellence in young Irish racing, was a contribution of €50,000 to the winner to help them compete the following season. The 2012 winner of the Dunlop Sexton Trophy will now receive a full season of racing in Formula Ford culminating in the World Cup at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone in 2013.

The car, which will be provided by Motorsport Ireland with backing from Dunlop and the Irish Sports Council, will be run by professional racing team Bernard Dolan Racing. The winner will also be mentored for the year by Mick Merrigan, a name synonymous with Formula Ford and the management of young drivers.

Merrigan sees this as a big boost to racing in Ireland; “I feel that the change in the rules for this Award will encourage more young Irish drivers to compete in a variety of racing classes. Hence, it will improve the grids across Motorsport Ireland’s Championships for 2012. I would like to commend Motorsport Ireland, Dunlop and the Irish Sports Council for this amazing Award which hopefully will help a young Irish driver advance his career in International Motorsport.”

The winner, who must be under 23 and competing nationally, will be chosen from the six drivers selected as the Dunlop Sexton Young Racing Driver of the Month from April through to September. The top three will then be announced prior to the Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Awards for 2012 with the winner announced on the day.

Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland, said; “Racing in Ireland has been suffering over the last few years due to the recession and the financial difficulties facing everyone. This is an opportune time to refocus attention on the home racing scene and give one talented young racing driver a great chance to succeed in 2013.”

For more information on the Dunlop Sexton Young Racing Driver of the Year log on to www.motorsportireland.com

follow me on twitter: @topofthetower

Leo

The Leinster Motor Club have just released a list of classes who will race at their Bishopscourt race meeting on 12/13 May. They are as follows:
ITCC
Formula Vee
Formula Sheane
Global GT Lights
Dunlop Abarth Cup
Strykers
Uno/Punto
Legends
NI Sevens
FF1600
Historics

The club describes this list as being “non exhaustive” as they are in discussions with additional classes who are keen to attend. They have also announced a partnership with the BARC in relation to the running of the event. Entries are £250 regardless of class but competitors who enter before Monday 16th April can avail of a discounted entry fee of £230. Their latest communication also says that they will be releasing interesting details of the sponsorship of the event shortly. Watch this space….
As we have mentioned previously, the Phoenix Park circuit is currently enjoying a spot of resurfacing, the main straight being almost finished as I type. I went up for a looksee at the weekend and the place looks great. The surface on the main straight has needed to be sorted for a few years now, (as I am sure Dan Daly can testify after a spectacular off there in 09!) and the section from Mountjoy corner all the way down to the old Monument has just been finished. The surface down at the Furry Glen is

also pretty much as new so we should see some lap records tumbling when we all return there in August! The big news is of course that the UK Historic FF2000 series are coming to visit and will race for the Dublin Grand Prix trophy.  From what I believe,  a few former Irish FF2000 drivers are furiously searching for suitable chassis to take on the visitors. Joey Greenan claims to still have an ex Martin Donnelly chassis and has vowed to return for this meeting and I would not be surprised if Dan Daly’s name appears on the entry list too. All we need now is Brendan McKenna to come back out of retirement and it will be like the good old days again!

The first Mondello test day is today,  so some of the various new car/driver combinations should be out on track. Sean Doyle and Jake Byrne should both be out in Globals to get some more miles under their belts before they challenge the class regulars this season.

I was in Mondello on Sunday for round four of the Rallycross series. Unfortunately, Rallycross seems to be in a bit of bother at the moment. Grids are little short of miniscule and there does not seem to be too much change on the horizon either unfortunately. Regardless of this, the racing was superb in all classes last Sunday and thankfully damage was also minimal. James Fleming took a fine win in Juniors in his Starlet but mas pushed every inch of the way by Jake Byrne’s Micra with sister Sophie climbing to third from fifth on the grid. Sophie’s performance was particularly impressive as she had a monumental shunt at the previous round, rolling her ABR Micra heavily. Noel “Mad Dog” O’Brien took the honours in 8v stockhatch as normal but this time he had to work slightly harder as

the ever improving “Clane Mafia” closed the gap considerably. Ciaran “Bugle” Murphy was best of the rest with Mark Halligan and Stephen Morrin next up. 16v Stockhatch has been fascinating this season with all the cars and drivers being really closely matched. Graeme Colfer came out on top this time but only just as Eddie Peterson was alongside on the charge to the line.  Ian O’Connell’s Lotus Exige took modified honours, well ahead of the Opel mounted pairing of Willie Coyne and Dessie Tierney.

George Treacy took his usual Supercar win, with just two in the class but John Kelly and the Sportchip.ie crew have obviously been fiddling with the ex rally Evo over the winter break as he was far closer to George’s Xsara than ever before.  They are convinced that there is more to come too so maybe we will soon see a proper battle at the front of the Superfinal for the first time in a long time! Reigning champion Tommy Graham has not come out to defend his title and his Fiesta would appear to be for sale so perhaps someone will grab a good deal and make George work a bit harder for the silverware…. The current rallycross clubs and drivers need to sit down together though, and put together a plan to promote the sport.  Derek Tohill has flown the tricolour in the ERC to incredibly good effect in recent years but it would now appear he is the only one doing any

promotion for the sport back here too. He is supplying awards, through his partsforcars.ie business, has set up a website (www.irishrallycross.ie) and also sends out most of the information to drivers and press. That one man should be doing all that is just wrong so if you think you can help, in any capacity, please contact  him, or  leave a comment below.  Alternatively, you can rent or buy Stockhatch cars extremely cheaply if you want to join in the action, you certainly won’t be disappointed!

That’s about it for this time but if you have any other news don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Until the next time…

Leo

Follow me on twitter: @topofthetower