Southern 4 Rally Championship

Alan Ring managed to hang on to his 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship lead with an 8th overall finish in the Cork 20 International Rally in September, but with just the Fastnet Rally to go the eventual outcome of the Championship is far from setteld yet.
      In second place,after a giant killing performace on the “20”is the Darrian of Washington James who took the win on the National section of the rally after a weekend long battle with Manus Kelly and Terence O Shaughnessy,who finished second and third respectively.
   In third place overall are the West Cork Crew of Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy in their Corolla WRC who are in an excellent position when dropped scores are taken into account.
       With dropped scores at the moment,before the Fastnet, the top crews are seperated by very little. Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy hold the lead on 54 points with Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy second on  52, James Stafford/Frank Dwyer on 48, Washington James on 47, Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan are in fifth on 39 and Fergus O Meara is sixth on 37.Fergus’s navigator,Liam Brennan is seventh in the navigators overall standings. The rest of the overall top ten is made up by Mark Nangle,Niall Guinevan,Wesley Patterson and Darragh O Riordan,although dropped scores must come into play for the last four so those positions will change.With 20 points for the overall win it’s still all to play for.

TIGHT CLASS BATTLES
The final round of the Championship also brings us some excellent class battles.

Class 1 has Noel O Regan leading in hisSuzuki Swift while Denis Nagle leads class 2 in his 106 GTI from Stephen Careys Honda Civic Type R.
Class 3 leader is Billy Hayes who has just one point to spare over Aidan Jackson,both of whom are in Civic Type R’s.
Class 4 has an epic battle in store. Alan Ring is in a clear lead here but is looking to be in the shake up for the overalls.That leaves Sean Flanagan,Tom Dunne,Mark Nangle seperated by just 3 points at the top.(Dropped scores still to count)
In class 5 Alan O Riordan has a dominant lead in his KA and should be safe here.
Class 6 shows just 5 points seperating Colm Fordes 206 from Darragh O Riordans Corsa.
Again class 7 is very tight at the top with John Corrigans Focus sharing the lead David Randles’Almera.
Niall Guinevan leads class 8 from Liam McCarthy but with the latter also in the shake up for the overall positions Niall should have enough done.
Turlough Kenny has a comfortable 19 points to spare over Sam Leech in class 9 while Class 10 sees Richrd Lucey with a 3 point lead over the Sheehans after the latter registered a DNF on the “20” there is just another 3 point back to the corsa of Victor Beamish so a good class 10 battle is on the cards.
Class 11 is again a very tight affair. Martin Quirkes Sunbeam has 3 points to spare over John Whites Civic with the Corolla GT of Raymond Heney just a furhter 3 points back.However Paul Browne,Jason O Mahony and Bob Moran and still in with a shout so we should be in for another good battle here.
In class 12 Gerard O Connells MK 2 has 9 points to spare over the similar car of Steve Roberts.
James M Staffors and Fergus O Meara will no doubt be putting on a show as they are sperated by just 2 points going into the final round.

Washington James leads class14 bby 18 points form Wesley Patterson,but as in earlier cases Washington is fighting for the overall awards which means the class 14 battle should be between Wesley Patterson and Kevin O Donoghue..

The top three in class 15 are Vincent O Shea (escort Cosworth),John Hickey(Fubaru) and Philip Cross (Escort Cosworth).

So,whatever takes your fancy in rallying the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship and the 2008 Fastnet Rally has something for everyone.
 

NAVIGATORS CLASS LEADERS

Class 1. Andrew Beamish
Class 2. Mark Lee
Class 3. Pierce Doheny JNR
Class 4.Adrian Deasy
Class 5.Anthony Jordan
Class 6.Sean McCarthy
Class 7 Claire Shorten
Class 8.Leslie Stanley
Class 9.Patrick Meade
Class 10.Sean Sheedy
Class 11.John Hurley
Class 12.Stephen Hayde
Class 13.Frank Dwyer
Class 14.Ruth Guest
Class 15.Brian Hickey.
(Dropped scores to come into play)

JUNIORS
1.Billy McCarthy (Micra)
2. Daniel O Leary/Colm Linehan(Civic)
3.Liam Dennehy (Civic)

HISTORICS

1.Martin Sheahan/Willie Bullman(Escort Mk1)
2.Jeremiah O Flynn/Sean O Flynn (Escort Mk 1)
3.Diarmuid Lynch/Mark Horgan (Escort Mk 2)

HISTORICS CLASS LEADERS

Class B James O Mahoney/Paddy McDonnell (144s)
Class C Jeremiah O Flynn/Sean O Flynn (Escort Mk1)
Class D Martin Sheahan/Willie Bulman (Escort Mk 1.

The 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship has a new overall leading driver following the recent Killarney international Rally of the lakes.Alan Ring takes over the top spot after a 9th overall
finish in his EVO 9,his cause greatly helped by West Cork winner Donie O Sulivan failing to finish the event.
               In the overall navigators championship Paul Nagle maintains his first place having co-driven for Kris Meeke on this occasion and posting a fifth overall finish in a Super 1600 Clio.
 Alans Navigator,Adrian Deasy,who won the title with Alan  last year remains in second place overall.
             
             Second overall after another powerful performance on "The Lakes" is Wesley Patterson while his navigator,Ruth Guest shares third overall with James Staffords navigator Frank Dwyer,James himself is third in the overall standings.

The class leaders are as follows:
Class 1.Noel O Regan/Andrew Beamish
Class 2.Denis Nagle/Irene O Donovan
Class 3.1st. Aidan Jackson/Denis Jackson
            2nd.Billy Hayes/Pierce Doheny Jnr.
Class 4. 1st.Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy
            2nd.Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan
            3rd.Mark Nangle/Mike Clyne

Class 5. 1st.Alan O Riordan/Anthony Jordan
            2nd.Adam Clews/Peter Willaims
         
Class 6. 1st.Daragh O Riordan/Kevin Dolphin (Kevin is joint first with Paul Nagle in this class)
            2nd.Colm Forde/Adrian O Connell
            3rd.Ted O Riordan/James Jordan

Class 7.1st.John Corrigan/Claire Shorten
             2nd.David Randles/John Young
             3rd.Kieran Marshal/Mark Horgan

Class 8. 1st.Niall Guinevan/Leslie Stanley
             2nd.Donie O Sullivan/Paul Nagle
             3rd.Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy

Class 9. 1st.Turlough Kenny/Patrick Meade
             2nd.Sam Leech/Shane Griffin
             3rd.Roland Doherty/P.J.O Dowd

Class 10. 1st. Stephen Sheehan/Paul Sheehan
               2nd.Richard Lucey/Sean Sheedy
               3rd.Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish

Class 11. 1st.Jason O Mahony/Jonathan O Mahony
               2nd.Martin Quirke/John Hurley
               3rd.John White/Alan O Mahony

Class 12. 1st.Gerard O Connell/Stephen Hayde
               2nd.Steve Roberts/Adrian Hayes
               3rd Driver Gerard A Byrne

Class13. 1st.James M Stafford/Frank Dwyer
               2nd.Fergus O Meara/Liam Brennan
              3rd. Graham Scallan/Thomas Scallan

Class 14.1st. Wesley Patterson/Ruthy Guest
               2nd.Washington James/Aled Jones
               3rd.Kevin O Donoghue/Joe O Leary

Class 15. 1st.John Hickey/Dave Kearney
               2nd.Vincent O Shea/Brian Hickey
              3rd.Philip Cross/Don Montgomery.

The 2008 OSI Killarney International Rally of the Lakes hosts round two of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship 2008,and there are some great battles in prospect for the May bank holiday weekend.
                  Leading the championship overall after the first round,the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally, are Donie O Sullivan and his navigator Paul Nagle who took the West Cork win in their Impreza WRC .Donie is seeded at number five for his home event and must be one of the favourites on his home rally.Barry Goodman will be Donies navigator on this occasion.
                Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy are in second place overall in  their Corolla WRC after West Cork with James Stafford/Frank Dwyer(Darrian) in third.
                 Liam is not on the entry in the Rally of the Lakes so it is an ideal oportunity for James or indeed Alan Ring or Wesley Patterson, 4th and 5th respectively, to stake a claim for that second spot in Killarney,and as this is the second round and it is possible to sign up on the first THREE rounds there are still a few very quick exponents of the sport to sign on.
             In class three Aidan Jackson/Denis Jackson(Civic) will be hoping to build on their class win in West Cork but will have Billy Hayes/Pierce Doheny Junior(Civic) hot on their heels to make up for lost ground.
            Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy(Evo 9) lead class 4 from Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan(Impreza N) with Mark Nange/Mike Clyne(Impreza N) in third,although Colm Murphy and Owen Murphy are sure to apply some pressure here to make up for their DNF’s in the West Cork event.
  There are some fantastic battles in store in ALL the classes this coming weekend,Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest(Escort) lead Class 14 from Washington James,(Escort)with Kevin O Donughue/Joe O Leary(Escort) third and Pat Donegan(Escort) fourth.
           Philip Cross/Dave Kearney lead class 15 in their Escort Cosworth with Conor Kavanagh/Don Montgomery second in their Mk 2,John Hickey/Sorcha Kelly are third in the class with Gwynn Thomas/Anthony O Conaill 4th in their Ford Puma.
         Class 13 leaders are James Stafford/Frank Dwyer(Darrian) with Fergus O Meara/Liam Brennan(Escort) second and Graham Scallan/Thomas Scallan(Escort) third.
       The class 12 leaders are Gerard O Connell/Stephen Hayde(Escort) while Steve Roberts/Adrian Hayes(Escort) are in second place in the class.
       The top three in class 11 are Terence O Shaughnessy/Eugene McGrath(Corolla),Jason O Mahony/Jonathon O Mahony(Civic) with Philip Giles/Aoife Buttimer((Corolla) in third place.
     Class 10 is topped by last years winner,Stephen Sheehan(Sunbeam) with Paul Sheehan calling the notes for him and they are being put under significant pressure from Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish(Nova) in second with Richard Lucey/Sean Sheedy in close attention in third.(Sunbeam).
Class 9 leaders are Turlough Kenny/Patrick Meade(Escort) while the class 8 top three are Donie O Sullivan/Paul Nagle(Impreza WRC),Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy(Corolla WRC) and Niall Guinevan/Leslie Stanley (Impreza GP A).
Class 6 leaders are Daragh O Riordan/Kevin Dolphin(Corsa) with Ted O Riordan/Adrian O Conell(Satria) second and Clom Forde/James Jordan(206) third.
Class 5 table toppers are Alan O Riordan/Anthony Jordan(Ka) with Adam Clews/Peter Williams(Puma ) second.
That only leaves class 1 which is being lead by Noel O Regan/Andrew Beamish(Swift) and Class 2 which sees Denis Nagle/Irene O Donovan in pole position.

So all in all there is something in the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship for everyone and with two more sign on rounds yet to come the competition for the rest of the year will be fierce.
Make sure you book your ringside seat!!

023 TILES SOUTHERN 4 RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP,HERE TO STAY!

The 2008 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally marks is a very special occasion for Cork Motor Club as it is the 30th running of the event and we would like to offer our congratulations to the club and it’s members on reaching this remarkable milestone and wish them all the best for the future.

The Southern 4 Rally Championship are proud to have been associated with the West Cork Rally since the Championship, which was the brain child of Laurence Hartigan aided by the late and sadly missed Jim Walsh and Darren McCarthy, was established. Indeed it was Darren who took on the running of the Southern 4 when it skipped a year and continues to run it to this day, ably assisted by Pat Nolan and Karen J O Sullivan.
                                 Strange as it may seem entry lists were hard to fill at the time and the idea was to launch a championship that encompassed the southern events and thus ensure that competitors who entered the first round, the West Cork Rally, returned to compete on the other rallies as well.
                The name, The Southern 4 Rally Championship, came from the fact that four rallies agreed to host the series from day one, West Cork, Killarney, The Cork 20 and Wexford.
               The Skibbereen Fastnet Rally took over from Wexford and a few years ago the championship was joined by The Carrick-on-Suir Ravens Rock Rally and the Killarney Historic Stages Rally (the latter obviously for historics only). The inclusion of the extra rally gave entrants a better chance as it is still the four top scores that count so that if someone was unlucky enough to retire or fail to get an entry they could still end the year with a class or overall win.
               Over 100 crews sign up for the Championship now each year and the ongoing sponsorship from 023 Tiles of Cork & Bandon has helped to make sure it has become one of the most established regional championships in Europe.
                Sponsorship is important in every sport but there are few which are more dependant on the generosity of our sponsors than the totally amateur sport of rallying in Ireland. To this end the Southern 4 Championship has been extremely lucky from day one with the commitment from, in the early days, Yokohama tyres through Jerry Murphy’s R&R Tyres and up to the present day 023 Tiles.Indeed 2008 marks the 7th year that 023 Tiles have been the title sponsors of the Championship and this type of commitment has been the cornerstone of the success story the Championship has become.
               
              The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2008 is the first round of the championship and again a quality entry is on the cards.
              Last years winners, Kevin O Donoghue/Joe O Leary will be defending their title in 2008 and have every chance of doing the double as they say, local crews should include Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan, Liam McCarthy / Kieran Murphy, Kevin & Martin Kelleher, Alan Ring and 023 Tiles’ James O Sullivan.
           Other regular WRC and Group A competitors expected to make an appearance are Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman, Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor and Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullaly (first overseas competitor to win the championship).
          Last years class 4 winner Mark Nangle should be back this year along with his navigator Mike Clyne who took third overall in the navigators’ championship in 2007.
          The two wheel drive classes will be as competitive as ever with Gerard O Connell/Ken Carmody, D.D.& John Murphy, Wesley Patterson, William Buttimer/Aoife McCarthy and Conor Cavanagh/James Jordan all expected to do battle in their MK 2 Escorts as well as last years two wheel drive winner Ken O Neill in his Puma.
         The modifieds will also provide plenty of hot competition with Ger and Stephen O Donovan and Philip Cross/David Kearney, both in Escort Cosworths expected to cross swords with the Fubaru of John Hickey/Sorcha Kelly.

           The Historic section will, as always, be a brilliant spectacle as well as being a very competitive part of the championship.
             Where else can you see the cream of Porsche 911’s, MK 1 Escorts, Minis, Avengers and the odd Saab out actually competing in a championship rather than just  driving through the stages to highlight to the younger members of the rallying fraternity what they have missed out on and to the not so young ones of us to remind us of the glory days we were lucky enough to witness in our youth.

         Todd Falvey/Dan Barry have to be the favorites for overall honours in 2008 with brilliant class battles in store from people like Liam Sheehan/Mark Doody, Martin Sheahan/Ger Clancy, Mick Cremin and David Cremin to mention a few.

       So whatever the outcome 2008 promises to be a year of cracking competition for 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship Honours and I for one wouldn’t miss it for all the tea in China.

                               

The 2007 Awards ceremony took place in Morans Silversprings Hotel,Tivoli,Cork on Saturday 5th of January and what a night!!
470 people took their places for the excellent food laid on by the hotel before the prizegiving proper.

Speaking on behalf of the championship organisers Pat Nolan paid tribute to the late Jim Walsh,or Fr.Jim as he was affectionately known, who passed away a little over a year ago.Jim was one of the founder members of the championship and remained it's driving force until his sad and untimely passing.He also thanked Darren McCarthy and paid particular tribute to Karen J O Sullivan who is the face of the Southern 4 at all the registration events.

As sponsors go we are very lucky to have someone of the calibre of James O Sullivan of 023 Tiles of Cork and Bandon. 023 have been sponsoring the series now for 7 years and have already committed to continue on into 2008.As well as being the championship sponsor James takes an active role to help the championship whenever he can and 023's continued support means we have more time to commit to the running of the Southern 4.

Congratulations to all the award winners at the championship,but equally as important thank you and well done to everyone who entered(many of whom turned up last night even though they were not collecting awards this year),your continued support is vital to the championship and is very much appreciated.

AGAIN MANY THANKS TO BERNARD CROWLEY OF CMV PRODUCTIONS FOR HIS WORK ON BEHALF OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Congratulations to this years overall winners,Kevin O Donoghue and Joe O Leary and again to ALL the award winners for 2007. Here's to 2008.
                    

Click HERE to see a list of the 2007 Championship prizewinners.

Another successful championship behind us and we say a huge thank you to everyone who entered to make the championship the fantastic show it was again in 2007.
             We would also like to thank all the clubs who hosted rounds of the championship and indeed the press people who helped us get the word out.
 A particular thank you to the Championship sponsor,023 Tiles of Cork and Bandon. This was their seventh year as title sponsors and we are hugely indebted to them for their great support.

Before we go......A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAGE COMMANDERS,THEIR DEPUTIES,MARSHALS,TIME KEEPERS AND OFFICIALS WHO GIVE THEIR TIME FREELY TO PROMOTE AND RUN OUR GREAT SPORT!

The Great Stuff Caterers Killarney Historic Stages Rally hosts the final round of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship for Historics.
                      This is arguably the highlight of the year for the historic competitors as they have two full days of rallying over some of the most classic stages in the world,and in this event THEY are the main attraction.
                      Where else would you get to see 151 Historic,post historic and classic rally cars doing battle amongst themselves over the most testing stages anywhere.
                        023 Tiles of Cork and Bandon sponsored the series for 2007; their sixth year acting as title sponsors, and the continued backing from them has ensured that the Championship grows in stature with each passing year.

                   With top scores taken on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally ,The Killarney Rally of The Lakes,The Ravens Rock and the Murphy Construction Cork 20 Rally, Todd Falvey’position in his Porsche 911 is unassailable,however,just 14 points separate 2nd to 5th places so there will indeed be a battle royal between Martin Sheahan & Liam Sheehan,both in Mk 1 Escorts ,Mick Cremin in a Saab 99 and John Curran,again in a Mk 1 Escort.

               The class battles will also be very close.Only 1 point separates the Hillman Avenger of James Symimgton from the Cortina GT of Mike Smith in class B.

             In Class C things are equally as tight,Liam Sheehan took full points in West Cork and on the Ravens Rock but mechanical problems during the year hindered his progress.Liam has a lead of just 2points from John Curran who took runner up scores on West Cork and Killarney before himself being beset with mechanical woes.
             Just 4 points further back is Tommy Mason with Hugh Fleming,Edward Hallahan and Jeremiah O Flynn all in with a chance for a top three class finish.

          In Class D Todd Falvey is in a comfortable position but as he is already looking secure for overall honours the class is still very much in the melting pot.
           Again Martin Sheahan is closest to Todd but he will be keeping a wary eye on his rear view mirror for Mick Cremin,who is just 5 points in arrears,with David Cremin just 5 more behind Mick.

      So however it pans out for the weekend a feast of Motorsport is in store as well as some very fierce battles for class honours,so make sure you book your seat early for the greatest free show around this December.

THE WEST CORK HOTEL SKIBBEREEN FASTNET RALLY
023 TILES SOUTHERN 4 RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW.

This weekends Skibbereen Fastnet Rally hosts the fifth and final round of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally championship,(although there is one more round for historic competitors in Killarney) ,and what a feast is in store with little or nothing between the overall and class scores in the championship.
                   In the overall drivers standings Kevin O Donoghue has the lead on 49 points but will be watching his rear view mirror very closely as Mark Nangle is second on 48 points and Kevin Kelleher in third on 42.In fact there are just 11 points between the top five drivers in the battle for overall honours.
                 In the overall Navigator section the situation is reversed for the top two with Mark Nangles navigator,Mike Clyne in the lead on 52 points with Joe O Leary second,again just one point behind.
             Dermot O Gorman is third on 40 points.

The battle for Southern 4 honours began in March on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally which saw Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman(Focus WRC),  taking maximum points after an enthralling weekend long battle between themselves and the Impreza WRC of Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor.A puncture for McNulty on SS 13 cost him a minute loss which meant Barrable caught and passed him on the stage.
                    McNulty fought back on SS 14 and tried a little too hard,a spin on the stage meant he dropped 5 seconds to Barrable,he again attacked on SS 15 and took the 5 seconds back which had Barrable 28 seconds clear going into the last stage ‘Sam’s Cross.
                 Barrable drove a cautious but fast final stage with McNulty going through 17 seconds quicker than him resulting in an 11 second win for Barrable /O Gorman.
                   In the classes Kevin Kelleher took the spoils in Group N with James O Sullivan second and Mark Nangle third.
             Kevin O Donoghue put in an appearance in his MK 2 Escort and took full points in class 14 for his efforts,with Conor Curley(Mk2) second and Conor Cavanagh(Mk2) third in the class. Class 13 was won by Wesley Patterson.

              The OSI Killarney International Rally of the Lakes was next on the list of events and Melvyn Evans bad luck,which started in West Cork, was to continue,Denis Cronin,who scored 14 points in West Cork,was unable to capitalise on this or the fact that Michael Barrable did not enter the lakes as he was unfortunate enough to register a DNF here also,as indeed did Tim McNulty.
            Kevin O Donoughue took the Evo out in the “Lakes” and took the 20 overall points on offer to take the overall lead in the championship.
          Wesley Patterson also had a good clean run in Killarney and the 16 overall points he took was enough to see him in second overall after the “Lakes”.Kevin Kelleher was third in the overall standings.
           In the classes John Hickey lead class 15 in his “Fubaru” from Philip Cross in an Escort Cosworth and Ger O Donovan,also in an Escort Cosworth.
         Kevin O Donoghues 10 points in West Cork was enough to see him keep the lead in class 14 as Conor Curley did not enter the “Lakes” and Conor Cavanagh recorded a DNF.
        Wesley Patterson still lead class 13 with 9 class points to add to the 10 he collected in West Cork.Michael Barrable lead class 8 although on the same 10 points as Tim McNulty in spite of the fact that he did not enter in Killarney,the reason being the retirement of Tim McNulty from the event.
        Kevin Kelleher held the lead in Gp N from Mark Nangle and Sean Flanagan in third in the class.
          Round three, the Ravens Rock ended in a little confusion with the overall and class 8 results being provisional pending an appeal to the stewards of the meeting.
          However,that appeal was subsequently withdrawn and the results were made final after a bit of a wait.
          Denis Cronin took the 20 points as the first S4 championship registered competitor over the line (second overall from Aaron McHale) which moved him up to third place(35 points) going into the Cork 20,just two points off second placed James M Stafford(37) and 13 behind overall leader Kevin O Donoghue with two rounds to go.

        Round four,the Cork 20 International Rally, had drama a plenty. Denis Cronin retired his Impreza with gearbox problems and Kevin Kelleher almost suffered the same fate but for a superfast gearbox change in service on Sunday morning by Harpers mechanics.Kevin repaid their endeavours by posting fastest Gp N time on the next stage.
           Tim McNulty was the first of the Southern 4 registered competitors over the line with an excellent 4th overall,the 20 points moving him up to 4th in the championship on 39 points.
          He was followed home by Michael Barrable whos fifth overall finish also sees him move into fifth in the championship just one point behind McNulty and 11 off the overall title.

In the classes Mark Nangle leads Class 4 from Kevin Kelleher,7 points being the margin with Sean Flanagan third on 22.

Class 5 is also a very tight affair at the top with Andrew Fanning holding a slim two point lead over Alan O Riordan.

Six points separate Kieran Marshal and David Randles in Class 7 with Colm Noonan in third place in his 306.

Class 8 sees Tim McNulty with a slender one point lead over Denis Cronin and Michael Barrable,both on equal points.

Daniel Lucey and Roland Doherty are both on 31 points in class 9 with Victor Beamish just four points further back in third.

Stephen Sheehan leads class 10 from Shay Byrne,both of them driving Talbot Sunbeams.

Again in Class 12 D.D.Murphy has just one point to spare over Gerard O Connell with Steve Roberts just one point further back in third.

Ger O Donovan and Philip Cross are both out in Escort Cosworths in Class 15 and are separated by just two points,Ger on 31 and Philip on 29.John Hickey is in third in his “Fubaru”.

So,with the overall and class battles on such a knife edge you can expect some pretty fierce competion on the Fastnet Rally 2007.
Whoever wins it will be the best free show in the country so book your spot early!

The Murphy Construction Cork “20” International Rally hosts round 4 of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship for 2007.     

Round three, the Ravens Rock ended in a little confusion with the overall and class 8 results being provisional pending an appeal to the stewards of the meeting.
          However,that appeal was subsequently withdrawn and the results were made final after a bit of a wait.
          Denis Cronin took the 20 points as the first S4 championship registered competitor over the line (second overall from Aaron McHale) which moves him up to third place(35 points) going into the Cork 20,just two points off second placed James M Stafford(37) and 13 behind overall leader Kevin O Donoghue with two rounds to go.
        Mark Nangle collected 14 points for 4th place in the Championship runners.
                    The classes are also being very hotly contested with class 15 throwing up a fantastic battle with Ger O Donovan(Escort Cosworth) leading the class on 21 points with the similar car of Philip Cross in second,just ONE point behind and John Hickeys Fubaru just two points further back.
                    Class 13 is also providing edge of the seat stuff with William Buttimer(Escort) leading the class on 22 points with James M Stafford(Darrian) in second on 21 and Wesley Patterson in third just two points further back.
                   DD Murphy and Gerard O Connell share the spoils in class 14 with 20 points each.
               Denis Cronin leads class 8 from Michael Barrable with Tim McNulty in third place.
                 Mark Nangle leads class 4 on 27 points form Kevin Kelleher(19) and Sean Flanagan on 14.
                So,whether your interest is WRC’s Mk 2’s,EVO,s or whatever there is an enthralling battle in prospect in ALL the S4 classes
                                           However it pans out there will be some very hot competition out there from class two to fifteen in what has become one of the most established domestic Rally Championships in Europe.

023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship
Round one Review.

The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2007 heralded the beginning of this years 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship and judging by the quantity and the quality of competitors who signed on at round one we are in for an amazing battle for the spoils again this year.
                    86 crews registered in West Cork and with two more rounds where competitors can sign on all the classes in this years championship will be keenly contested.

                     The overall Championship leaders are Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman(Focus WRC), having taken the win in an enthralling weekend long battle between themselves and the Impreza WRC of Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor,a puncture for McNulty on SS 13 causing him a minute loss with Barrable cathing and passing him on the stage.
                    McNulty fought back on SS 14 and tried a little too hard,a spin on the stage meaning he dropped 5 seconds to Barrable,he again attacked on ss 155 and took the 5 seconds back which had Barrable 28 seconds clear going into the last stage ‘Sam’s Cross.
                 Barrable drove a cautious but fast final stage with McNulty going through 17 seconds quicker than him resulting in an 11 second win for the Focus WRC of Barrable /O Gorman.
                  At the finish ramp in Clonakilty main street Michael Barrable commented. “I knew how quick Tim was going. I just kept the head.  Last year I got a puncture towards the end and I didn’t want to make the same mistake again. I am delighted with the win.  Dermot and all the team did a fantastic job. It was a great rally and Tim set a fabulous standard”.  For his part Tim McNulty commented. “I am slightly disappointed not to win but I achieved a finish, it is a great preparation for me for the Circuit. I wouldn’t want to take it away from Michael, he drove well, but I think I’ve more to come”.

             Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy brought their Impreza S12 home in third place and were delighted with the result,looking forward to collecting their own S 12 in the coming weeks.
             Fourth overall were Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan again on an Impreza WRC.

Group N was won by Kevin and Martin Kelleher in their Evo 9 Lancer,with Championship Sponsor James O Sullivan second,also in an Evo 9 with Brian Duggan on the notes.
            Kevin O Donoghue/Joe O Leary were the first Escort home in 8th overall and lead class 14,with Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guests Escort right behind in 9th overall and leading class 13.

Other Class leaders are as follows:
Class:       Driver                           Navigator
2.       Tom Dunne .                      Christine O Leary
3.       Billy Hayes                         Pierce Doheny Jnr.3.
4.       Kevin Kelleher                   Martin Kelleher
5.       Andrew Fanning                 John Ward
6.       Jason O Brien                     Denis O Donovan
7.       David Randles                    John Young
8.       Michael Barrable                Dermot O Gorman
9.       Ken O Neill                         Frank Curtin
10.     Ciaran Casey                    Stephen Clarke
11.     Jason McSweeney           Sean Hayde
12.     Gerard O Connell             Ken Carmody
13.     Wesley Patterson             Ruth Guest
14.     Kevin O Donoghue           Joe O Leary
15.     Philip Cross                      Dave Kearney.

Todd Falvey/Dan Barry lead the Historic Class in their Porsche 911.

Full Championship tables are available to download  on the results page.

The 2007 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship will begin once again with the West Cork Rally in March.
            A new departure for the championship this year is the inclusion of a junior class.Eligibilty for the Junior class will be as per Motorsport Ireland Regulations for 2007 and there will be awards for the top three junior finishers in the Championship.

The qualifying events are as follows:
1.The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally (17th/18th of March)
2.Killarney International Rally of The Lakes (4/6th of May)
3.Ravens Rock Stages Rally (24th June)
4.Cork "20" International Rally (28th/30th of Sept)
5.Fastnet Stages Rally(28th Oct)
6.Killarney Historic Stages Rally.(Historics only) (1st/2nd of Dec).

Competitors must register at Documentation Scrutiny at the qualifying rallies. Best 4 scores will count for the championship and competitors have to start a minimum of three events to qualify for awards. Points scored in one class may not be transferred to another.

Championship registration fee is €40 per competitor or €60 per crew. 



For further information contact Darren McCarthy darren@southern4rallychampionship.com
or Pat Nolan pat@southern4rallychampionship.com or +353(0)86 2573971
      

The CIT Engine Development group, in association with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers will be holding a presentation to be delivered by Alan Warburton titled “Race engines, electronics and the three-legged horse”

It will be held in Room IT3 in the library building on Thursday 22^nd March at 7:00pm.

 Alan Warburton has been involved in motorsport for over 25 years. He manufacturers the highly successful DTA brand of engine management electronics. His experience covers all areas of engine design, building and optimisation. His knowledge is regularly put to good use when he competes in his hillclimb V6 Cosworth powered Dallara.

 The talk, which is aimed at all levels of motorsport enthusiast, will aim to debunk some myths surrounding engine torque and horsepower, and the existence of the “three-legged horse”!. He will explain methods of optimising engine output and how modern electronics can assist. Launch and traction control will also be discussed. There will be a Q&A session followed by light refreshments. For those interested a car will be tested on the college rolling-road.

   

GLOWING TRIBUTES PAID TO “FR” JIM AT SOUTHERN 4 PRIZEGIVING

The 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship prizegiving took place on Saturday night (27th January) at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
                          The event was hosted by the Munster Car club and over 300 people were in attendance to witness Welshman Melvyn Evans and his co-driver Sean Mullaly collect the overall prize.Melvyn is the first overseas competitor to win the award since it’s inception and is a very worthy winner as he spends most of his time rallying in Ireland.
                          Anyone who attended any of the qualifying rallies during the year were treated to a spectactular battle between Melvyn and Ballylickeys Denis Cronin.
                          As Sean Mullaly said during his speech, but for a bit of bad luck on Denis’s part the outcome could have been very different so close was the competition,but then,that’s rallying as they say.
                          Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan took second overall in their Impreza WRC the third overall going to Alan Ring/Brian Duggan in their N12 Impreza.

Speakers on the night included Frank O Mahony,Chairman of the Rallies Committee,James O Sullivan 023 Tiles (Sponsor) and MC was Martin Walsh, all of whom paid glowing tributes to the late “Fr” Jim Walsh,who sadly passed away on the 23rd of July 2006.
                          Jim was one of the founding fathers of the Southern 4 Rally Championship and as James O Sullivan put it “Jim was not one of the organisers of the Southern 4,he WAS the Southern 4” A sentiment echoed by all.
                          On the other side of things it was great to see National Forest Rally Champion John McCarthy in attendance with his family,John received a standing ovation from everyone in the room when he was introduced and was more than surprised when he was announce the winner of the Munster Car Club “Driver of the Year award”
                            We wish John well in his continuing remarkable and brave recovery.

The 2007 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Champion will consist of:
Mar 17/18 - West Cork Rally
May 4/6  - Killarney International Rally of the Lakes
Jun 24  - Carrick on Suir Raven’s Rock Stages Rally
Sept 28/30 - Cork '20 International Rally
Oct 28  - Skibbereen Fastnet Stages Rally
Dec1/2  – Killarney Historic Rally (Historics Only).

Best four scores will count and competitors will have to start a minimum of 3 rounds to qualify for awards.
Competitors must register at documentation sign-on on the qualifying events
Historic Classes are being run in association with the IHCCA .

Details,regs news,results etc will be available on www.southern4rallychampionship.com

Contact DarrenMcCarthy:darren@southern4rallychampionship.com +353(0)87 2738387.
Or Pat Nolan : pat@southern4rallychampionship.com  +353(0)87 7466557

EVANS/MULLALY TAKE 023 TILES SOUTHERN 4 RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
                                            
                           Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullaly are the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Champions for 2006 and although they had enough done to clinch the title after the Cork 20 International Rally they still went to the Fastnet Rally in Skibbereen and more than made sure by taking the 16 points for third place among the championship registered competitors and fifth overall on the event.An excellent end to an excellent year.
                            Their closest rivals for the year,Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan were second fastest to Patrick Elliot on stages one and two but clipped a rock and punctured an stage three which dropped them well down the leaderboard. Denis and Helen still had enough done to take second place in the championship despite having a bad day at the office in Skibbereen.
                          Alan Ring finished 9th overall in the rally and 5th among the championship contenders,the 12 points being enough for him to take third overall in the championship.Championship Sponsor James O Sullivan had an excellent 4th overall in Skibbereen in his first ever outing in a Subaru Impreza WRC.
                        The 023 Tiles Southern 4 Championship 2006 started back in March
                                Round 1,The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally saw last years winners Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan, retire their Impreza WRC on Stage 1 with prop shaft failure .Melvyn Evans took full advantage of this and took a lead that he was not to relinquish for the remainder of the weekend,despite major attempts from Michael Barrable who took a number of fastest stage times on Sunday before sadly retiring on the final stage.
                           Donal O Donovan held on for a brilliant second place finish in his ageing Celica ST 205.
                               In round 2,The Killarney International Rally Of The Lakes, Denis Cronin made up for the disappointment of his retirement on Round 1 by taking full points with an excellent 7th overall despite overheating problems on day 1.
                             Alan Ring,who missed round one took the opportunity to register in Killarney and earned himself 16 championship points for being third overall among the registered competitors,Alan,with Brian Duggan on the notes finished 12th overall on the “Lakes” and took a well earned second in Group N.
                             Melvyn Evans,who took took the win in West Cork  did not enter the rally of the lakes and, as a consequence, dropped to 4th overall in the championship having been the table topper after West Cork.
                              Nigel Hicklin also made amends for his West Cork DNF by taking the 18 points with a 9th place overall finish in Killarney having switched back to Subaru in preference to the Corolla he used in West Cork.
                               Wesley Patterson took over the championship lead having earned 12 points in Killarney to add to the eleven he accumulated in West Cork.
                                 Kevin O Donoghue was lying second in the drivers championship after Killarney but also on 23 points.Denis Cronin was third with 21 points,Melvyn Evans fourth on 20 and Nigel Hicklin fifth on 19.

ALL CHANGE AT THE TOP BUT STILL VERY CLOSE AFTER CIRCUIT OF MUNSTER.
 
Not only was Denis Cronin the highest finisher of the Southern 4 registered competitors on the Circuit of Munster, but along with Navigator Helen O Sullivan he also took the overall win on the event.
                                   Denis had another maximum point score on the Limerick Motor Club run event, which more than made up for the disappointment of his DNF on the first round, The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally.
                                    West Cork Rally winner Melvyn Evans was in second place  having finished second overall to Denis here.
                                      The man leading the championship prior to the Circuit of Munster, Wesley Patterson, lay third in the championship standings in his Class 13 Mark 2 Ford Escort after a brilliant drive netted him seventh overall on the event and first place in class 13.
                        George Cullen moved into fourth place with a third overall finish in Limerick to add to his fifth overall in West Cork, George was on 33 points after recording a DNF on the Rally of the Lakes.
                  Tadhg Linehan drove a blistering Circuit to record 5th overall and was now also fifth in the overall Championship standings.
                                     In the class battles Tadhg Linehan lead class 4 from Mark Nangle with Pat Maguire in third while Kevin Kellehers run of bad luck continued with another DNF in the Circuit of Munster.
                                     Darren McCarthy lead class 10 after two ten point finishes in Killarney and the Circuit of Limerick.
                 Class 13 was lead by Wesley Patterson with Liam Davis in second place,although 11 points behind after his engine expired on the West Cork Rally.
                                     Among the navigators Sean Mullaly topped the table on 39 points with Helen O Sullivan second on 37, Llinos Jones-Edwards third on 34 points and Jakes Kelly fourth on 33.
 
On a knife-edge after round 4
The date was the 25th of June 2006,the event the Ravens Rock rally, round 4 of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship, where the only thing hotter than the tar melting weather was the competition for 023 Tiles Southern 4 places.
                              There was just eight points between the top four going into this event with the battle for the overall lead very much between the Subaru’s of Denis Cronin and Melvyn Evans, and that battle continued throughout the Ravens Rock where the pace on the hot, dry tarmac stages had to be seen to be believed.
                           Cronin put down an early marker taking fastest time on stage one, beating Evans by just one second, but disaster struck for the West Cork driver on stage two when a vibration in the car prompted him to ease off a little, fearing differential problems. A loose bolt on the rear suspension was the diagnosis in service but the loss of 40 seconds to Evans on the stage was enough to cost him the maximum score. Indeed Cronin was fastest overall on 7 of the 8 stages but the time loss was too great on stage two and ended up costing him the overall win on the event.
                          Evans, once he got his nose in front, did all that was required to stay there for the day and successfully saw off the challenge of Aaron McHale in his Ford Focus WRC, posting faster times than the Dubliner on 5 of the days 8 stages.
                            This win netted Evans 20 championship points with 18 going to Cronin for third overall and second in the Southern 4 registered competitors.
                              Michael Barrable was well on the pace as well throughout the day and was faster than Evans on two stages and registered equal times with the Welshman on two more. Barrables reward was fourth overall on the event and 16 points for third place in the championship.
                              Liam McCarthy took 14 points for fourth in the championship runners and 8th overall on the event.
                              In Grp N Alan Ring took the win and 13 points in the Southern 4 championship with an excellent drive that saw him finish 9th overall. Second in group N was P.J.McGrath who took 12 points and 3rd was James O Sullivan who scored 11 points.
 McGrath and O’Sullivan finished 11th & 12th overall respectively.
                              In class 13 Wesley Patterson missed this event but still lead the class from Liam Davis, both in Mk 2 Escorts.Patterson still held third overall in the championship although had dropped a bit behind Cronin and Evans by not competing on the Ravens Rock.
                             So the overall picture after Round four had Denis Cronin in the lead on 59 points, Melvin Evans in Second on 58,Wesley Patterson in third on 35 points and Kevin O Donoghue 4th on 34 points.
                             Sean Mullaly lead the Navigators championship on 59 points with Helen O Sullivan second on 55 and Llinos Jones-Edwards third on 36.

Round 5, The Cork “20” International Rally


The Murphy Construction Cork 20 International Rally hosted round five of the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship and after the bone dry tarmac of the Ravens Rock it was back to rain,rain and more rain for the Cork 20.
                       There were just eight points between the top four going into this round with the battle for the overall lead very much between the Subaru’s of Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan and Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullaly.
                       Sadly disaster struck for Cronin on Stage one when he punctured and dropped over three minutes to Welshman Evans. This seemed to unsettle Cronin and he gave best to Evans on stages two and three by a further 31 seconds.
                      Cronins’ never say die attitude saw him bounce back though and he was faster than Evans on all but the last of the remaining Saturday Stages.
                             They shared the spoils on Sunday with each of them taking two fastest times and sharing times on the days other two stages due to a blockage on one stage and timing problems on another.
                      However,in spite of the battle for stage times with Evans, the time lost on the stage one puncture meant Cronin finished 16th overall with Evans finishing seventh overall and first of the Southern 4 competitors home.
                      Melvyns 20 point score on the Cork 20 was enough to secure the championship for him by the tightest margin when dropped scores were taken into account.
                       The 18 points for 2rd went to P.J.McGrath in his Subaru Impreza with 16 going to Dunmanways Liam McCarthy(Corolla WRC).
                         An excellent drive by young Keith Cronin(Evo 7) saw him finish second in group N in the International rally in spite of the fact that it was his first time on tarmac in 4 wheel drive.This result gave him 14 points in the Southern 4,with Colm Murphy(Impreza) picking up 13,Kevin Kelleher (Evo 9) 12,Denis Cronin 11 and Kevin O Donoughue scoring 10.
            So congratulations to Melvyn and Sean on being worthy champions in 2006 and to all the 106 crews who registered for the championship and made it the fantastic spectacle it was once again this year.
            Praise too for 023 Tiles of Cork and Bandon for sponsoring the series for the fifth year running.

So after six rounds and dropped scores are taken into account the provisional final standings are as follows.:
OVERALL DRIVERS
1.Melvyn Evans
2.Denis Cronin
3.Alan Ring

OVERALL NAVIGATORS
1.Sean Mullally
2.Helen O Sullivan
3.Brian Duggan
Southern 4 Class Top Drivers
Class 2: Brian Wilson (Nova)
Class 3:John O Shea (Integra)
Class 4: Kevin Kelleher (Evo 9)
Class 5:Andrew Fanning (Puma)
Class 6:Niall Guinevan (Peugeot 205
Class 7:David Randles (Almera)
Class 8:Liam McCarthy (Corolla WRC)
Class 9: Keith McMullan (Uno)
Class 10: Darren McCarthy (Opel Corsa)
Class 11:Tim O Donovan (Corolla)
Class12:D.D. Murphy(Escort Mk2)
Class 13:Liam Davis(Escort Mk2)
Class 14:Conor Cavanagh (Escort Mk2)
Class 15:Thomas Fitzmaurice (Escort Cosworth)

Southern 4 Class Top Navigators in the Cork 20 were:
Class 2: Carol Keane
Class 4:Anthony O Conaill
Class5:Jonathan Trill
Class6:John Higgins
Class 8:David Moynihan
Class 9:Damien Ryan
Class 10:Eamonn Hayes
Class11:Sean Hayde
Class 12:John Murphy
Class 13:Ger Somers
Class 14:Ruth Guest
Class 15:Alister Wyley