MORE great shots from West Cork are online (Mudflap Motorsport Photos)

Videos Uploaded!

Photos Uploaded! 

Full Results and Stage Times 

News (thanks to rallynews.net)

How they stood after day one

Important Competitor Information 

Preview, Maps and Timetables 

FULL ENTRY LIST 

Event Preview and Top Entries 

Schedule

Links

Entries filling rapidly for West Cork Rally

Reminders

Bones O'Connor Trophy

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See more of the West Cork Rally in the Mudflap Motorsport Photo Gallery here

Check out the video footage from the weekend here! 

 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) 1st Overall

Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge Winners - John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR)

 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher - Group N Winners

Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy in Eugene Donnellys S12 

 Wyn Hughes/Paul Jenkins

Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort Mk II 2.0)

 Conor Curley/Nigel Frazer

View all images here

Results
1 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) 1h 55m 53s,
2 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 56m 04s,
3 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 58m 37s,
4 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 59m 03s,
5 Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 03m 40s,
6 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR) 2h 04m 56s,
7 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mit. Lancer Evo 9) GpN 2h 05m 13s,
8 Kevin O’Donoghue/Joe O’Leary (Ford Escort Mk II 2.4) 2h 06m 45s,
9 Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest (Ford Escort Mk II 2.0) 2h 07m 34s,
10 James O’Sullivan/Brian Duggan (Mit. Lancer Evo 8) GpN 2h 08m 27s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2-12 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12-14 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS14 Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS15 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS16 Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Download full times here  

News From Brian and Liz Patterson (rallynews.net)
 
For Dublin businessman Michael Barrable and his co driver Dermot O’Gorman it has been a real red letter day to win this West Cork Rally.  Michael has won the Fastnet rally but this is first victory here on the West Cork event.  Michael’s Focus WRC led the rally after the opening stage and then Tim McNulty got ahead up until stage 13.  McNulty’s Subaru suffered a puncture and Barrable caught and passed the Subaru, nudging it on the way past.  The race was on then to the finish.  On stage 14 McNulty tried too hard and dropped 5s.  On stage 15 McNulty pulled 5s back to leave the gap going into the final stage, Sam’s Cross, 28s.  Barrable kept his head, drove fast but cautiously.  McNulty was 17s faster and Barrable won the rally by 11 seconds. 
 
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 in 3rd said. “Really enjoyed the rally, it was a learning curve in the car and now we are looking forward to getting our own S12 for later in the season”.  Denis Cronin in 4th was pleased enough to be back on the pace with his Subaru but admits to making a few wrong tyre choices late on in the rally.  Jon Ingram in 5th had a wrong tyre choice for the last stage, got caught out on the wrong rubber for the streaming wet conditions. John Dalton in 6th drove a great rally to win the modified section with his Darrian and he collects the new “Bones O’Connor Trophy”.
 
Kevin & Martin Kelleher thought it was fantastic to win group N again on their home rally and were delighted as well that their James Foley prepared  “The Big Fella” Lancer performed without a hitch.  Wesley Patterson was best Escort and 9th overall. 023 Tiles supreme James O’Sullivan came into 10th and 2nd group N, getting ahead of Washington James on the last stage. Washington was having gearbox problems. James Stafford was also driving a Darrian and he crashed out of 9th place in stage 15. 
 
Finally for now well done to Brian O’Connell and all the team from Cork MC. 
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net

RALLY NEWS NO.6                 Service/Saturday 6.45
 
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – END OF LEG 1
1st (2) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 54.09.6
2nd (7) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 54.30.1
3rd (5) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Impreza WRC) 55.37.0
4th (6) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 56.00.1
5th (16) Tony Davies/Brian Hardie (Impreza WRC) 56.16.1
6th (8) Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop (Impreza WRC) 57.30.0
7th (10) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 58.10.3
8th (12) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 58.52.0
9th (48) John Foley/Jonathan Waterman (Impreza N) 59.23.6
10th (25) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 59.24.5
11th (27) Willie Power/Liam Brennan (Darrian) 59.50.1
12th (51) Washington James/Aled Jones (Darrian) 59.53.7
 
Tim McNulty was fastest through stages 7 and 8 to cement an overnight lead of 21s on Michael Barrable and with Liam McCarthy a further 1m7s back.  McNulty reckoned he was driving about 95 per cent over the last few stages, was happy with the way he was going and looking forward to tomorrow.  Michael Barrable is also looking forward to tomorrow and said. “It will be interesting to see how it goes, tomorrow’s stages are more technical, Tim’s lead is only a puncture away”.  Liam McCarthy adjusted the rear anti roll bars of his Impreza S12 and was happy with the car over the last few stages.  Denis Cronin in 4th felt that he was being a bit overly cautious through stages 7 and 8 as the dampness descended on the roads.  Tony Davies in 5th place felt he didn’t go well on the last stage tonight but is looking forward to tomorrow and wouldn’t say no to a bit more rain as he likes wet conditions. Jon Ingram in 6th felt that stage 8 was his best stage of the day and certainly he set a really competitive time on it, more or less equal to Liam McCarthy. John Dalton found his Darrian skating about all over the road through the Ring and Ballymore stages as the conditions got slippier.
 
Kevin & Martin Kelleher continue to lead group N as well as hold 8th overall. They had a fortunate escape when their “The Big Fella” backed Lancer clipped a wheel against a rock on the Ring stage and the tyre subsequently went down at stage finish.  They were able to fit the spare although it was a different type of tyre but got through stage 8 successfully.  John Foley holds 2nd in GpN and 9th overall and was faster than Kelleher through the Ring stage but dropped quite a few seconds through Ballymore.  In overall terms Foley has been pretty impressive today in view of his 2 year rally lay off.  James O’Sullivan was 3rd GpN but the 023 Tiles man reports some overheating on his O’Donoghue Lancer, but says he is having great fun. 
 
Kevin O’Donoghue continues to be the best of the Mk2 Escorts.  There is a massive battle behind Kevin between the modified crews, with Martin McGee, Adrian Hetherington, Conor Curley, Rodney White and Neil Williams all biting at the heels of 12th placed Washington James.  Willie Power in 11th had the fuel pressure light flashing when he came into service just now.
 
Looking outside West Cork for a minute to Bishopscourt – Glenn Allen won from Denis Biggerstaff with Raymond Johnston 3rd and Stephen Moore 4th. It was nip and tuck throughout the day between the drivers but then when the rain came on stage 5 Allen streaked into the lead. Glenn now leads the NI Championship. Richard Cathcart won gpN today from Jim Crozier.
 
Back here on the West Cork Rally Todd Falvey in his Porsche was quickest Historic on the first 2 stages of their category from Martin Sheehan and don Moynihan in their respective Mk1 Escorts.
More news in the morning: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
(with thanks to Kevin O’Driscoll: Pat Cahill: Dougie Hughes: Michael Patterson)

Important Competitor Information

Please note that two layer fire-proof overalls plus fire-proof underwear is now required on all MSI national events, including the 2007 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally.

There have been changes to Fire Extinguishers fasteners and also to Helmets, please refer to Appendix S, Section 6.3.6 and Section 17.1 respectively of the 2007 Motorsport Ireland yearbook www.motorsportireland.com or telephone 01/6775628 to contact the Technical committee. For your own information, I recommend you acquaint yourself with all of Appendix "S". - Brian C O'Connell, COC, Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2007.

IRDS is the only insurance acceptable on Irish rallies. All MSA licence holders will need this insurance to compete on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2007. THERE IS NO EXCEPTIONS. To get IRDS insurance you can download the form to apply for same on the Home Page of this site. There is no extra cost for the insurance as it is already included in the entry fee.

The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally takes place in and around the picturesque town of Clonakilty on March 17th & 18th 2007. We are delighted to announce that the rally is once again sponsored by Choice Hotels Ireland through their brand the Quality Hotels. We are further pleased to say that we will again enjoy the continued support of the Traders of Clonakilty.

Cork Motor Club Ltd, organisers and promoters of this prestigious event, offer 160 competitive tarmac special stage miles over closed public roads, with centralised servicing after every two stages. You will be pleased to hear, with the return to an 81MPH (130KPH) average, we have reverted back to the flowing stages for which the event is so rightly famous.

In the advent of a stage being blocked, we have introduced stage blockage cards which, when signed by the crew who car caused the blockage, and handed back to the Competition Liaison Officer (CLO), will result in those crews who assisted in the clearance of the stage being credited with an appropriate time. The net effect of this is the stage will be kept running and nobody will be penalised.

Information on accommodation, including the Rally H/Q, the Quality Hotel, which will be given over fully to competitors for the duration of the event, will be available on our website by the end of January.

For Historic competitors please note that entries have been restricted by Motorsport Ireland to 20 this year, so please return your entry forms as soon as possible. The rally will also cater for Juniors, a class that helps the younger competitor get some rally experience at a reduced entry fee

023 TILES SOUTHERN 4 RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The 2007 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Championship kicks off this weekend with the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally.
The Clonakilty Based event has an oversubscribed entry list and this augers very well for the championship this year.

Last years Champions,Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally return to the scene of their first overall victory last year where they will again do battle with fellow WRC drivers Denis Cronin/Helen O Sulivan (Impreza WRC),Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy(Impreza WRC) and Michael Barrable/Dermot O Gorman (Focus WRC).
The classes should also be hotly contested. Class 4 participants will include James O Sullivan (Evo 9), Kevin Kelleher (Evo9), Kevin O Donoghue (Evo 9), Tadgh Linehan (Impreza N11) and Mark Nangle (Impreza N10).
Class 14 should see the return of long time Southern 4 contestants Phil Collins,Kevin O Donoghue and Conor Cavanagh among others vying for honours.
While class 13 brings us a battle between Wesley Patterson, Gwyndaf Evans,Liam Davis, Willie McCarthy, Leonard Downey and Alan Treacy.

Rally Programmes with Maps and Timetable will be available from:
Joe's Newsagents, Clonakilty (at Roundabout)
Johnny Crowley, Maxol Station, Clonakilty
Noel White's, Texaco Station, Clonakilty
Hartes Supermarket, Clonakilty
Meades Shop, Pearse St, Clonakilty
McCarthy's, Clonakilty Town Centre
Noel Walsh, Londis, Pearse Street, Clonakilty
Quality Hotel, Clonakilty
Texaco Station, Timoleague

Hurleys, The Pike (Ref Robert Walsh)
Ryan's Shell Station, Rosscarbery
Joe Cowhig, Serv Station, Leap
Spar Filling Station, Skibbereen
Pearce Hickey, Skibbereen

EMO, Cronin's Service Station, Ballylickey
Glenview Motors, Macroom
Henry Ford Tavern, Ballinscarthy
Bandon Motors, Clonakilty Road, Bandon
Londis Service Station, Bypass, Bandon
Kevin O Leary's, Cork Road, Bandon
Kevin O Leary's, Clonakilty Road, Bandon
Cahalanes Garage, Cork Road, Bandon
O'Sullivan's Spar, Innishannon (ex Ryan's garage)
Coleman's Car Care, Bishopstown, Cork
Statoil - Bishopstown Service Station
Statoil, Frankfield, Cork
Statoil, Ballincollig, Co Cork
Statoil, Midleton, Co Cork
Statoil, Tivoli, Co Cork
Statoil, Mallow Road, Cork
Statoil, Killarney, Co. Kerry

John Barrys Maxoll, Ballincollig
Casey's, John's Bridge Filling Station, Kanturk
Estuary, Riordan's Filling Station, Kanturk
Maxol, The Viaduct, Cork

Midway service station, Cullen
Blarney Filling Station
Jerry Murphy, R&R Tyres, Ballincollig Re Advertisers

CSE Barge at Rally

FULL ENTRY LIST HERE  

The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2007 which takes place on 17th & 18th March has quality in the entry as well as in the name. 151 cars will take to the start on St.Patricks weekend and the 29th running of the event has attracted a strong entry. The historic rally begins after stage 5 with the Juniors coming on board from stage 13 on the Sunday.

First car away from the Clonakilty start will be that of last year’s winners Melvyn Evans from Wales with his Limerick co-driver Sean Mullally in their Subaru Impreza WRC. Melvyn will be hoping to become only the second driver to win the event three times. At number 2 on the road is the Subaru Impreza WRC of Tim McNulty with co-driver Anthony Nestor who will be looking to get more stage miles under their belts after a short run in Galway. Tim will be one of the favourites to win the event even though it’s his first time competing in Clonakilty.

Number 3 is the extremely quick Kevin Lynch with Francis Regan on the notes in a Ford Focus WRC. Like McNulty, Lynch has not been to West Cork before but would still expect to be in with a serious shout of winning despite having a difficult time in the new car in Galway. Donie O’Sullivan & Paul Nagle are at 4 in the McKinstry Subaru Impreza WRC. This crew won the event in 2004 on their last appearance in West Cork and won’t be very far away either this time

Number 5 is a quick local man local man Liam McCarthy with Kieran Murphy co-driving as usual. This crew have had their share of bad luck over the years, with victory eluding them on more than one occasion. They are in a Subaru Impreza WRC for 2007. Denis Cronin & Helen O’Sullivan who won the event in 2005 are at 6 and will be hoping for better luck in their Impreza WRC than last year when they retired just two miles into the first stage.

Making a welcome return after last years event, Michael Barrable and Dermot O’Gorman are at 7 in their Focus WRC with Jon Ingram & Ian Allsop at 8 in their Impreza WRC. Rounding off the top ten are J.J.Fleming and Robbie Ward in their Focus WRC and John Dalton & Gwynfor Jones in the Darrian T90 who will be looking to repeat their fabulous third place from last year.

Outside of the top ten there are drivers such as Phil Collins in his Escort, top Group N driver Kevin Kelleher at 12 followed by three time winner Bob Fowden at 14. There are three more Impreza WRCs of various specifications from fifteen to seventeen in the hands of Noel Redmond, Tony Davies & P.J.McGrath. Next up are the Mitsubishi Evos of Owen Murphy, the Billy Coleman Award winner for 2006, & James O’Sullivan. Tadhg Linehan in his Subaru Impreza rounds off the top 20.

Competition for the Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge is not restricted Dalton and Collins as a host of very quick modified men are outside the top 20 such as Gwyndaf Evans, Wesley Patterson, Willie Power, Tom Randles, Brian Brogan, Conor Curley & Rodney White among the top names.

The first competing car will leave Parc Ferme at the Model Railway Village on the Inchydoney Road at 10am on the Saturday morning with the winner due at the finish ramp in Clonakilty at 5.10pm on the Sunday. Rally Headquarters will be at the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre who are the main sponsors of the event. There will be service after every two stages with sixteen stages in all over the weekend.

The full entry list will be published in a few days on the event website: http://www.westcorkrally.com

Marshals Training Night - (Tue) March 6th A marshals training night in preparation for the 2007 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally takes place on Tuesday 6th March at the Commons Inn Hotel, Mallow Road, Cork at 8.30pm and all are welcome to attend. Leading Entries

The 2007 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally has attracted in excess of 270 entries.

Those who have entered the event include, Tim McNulty, Kevin Lynch, Donie O’Sullivan & Gareth Jones.

The Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge should see some good competition with the likes of Phil Collins, John Dalton, Wesley Patterson & Gwyndaf Evans all entered.

Schedule

Friday,  February  19:           Entries close

Saturday,  March  10:          Pace note making

Sunday  March 11 :              Pace note making

Thursday March 15:            Pace note making

Friday. March 16:                 Pace note making

Friday March 16: Scrutiny at Clonakilty

Saturday March 17:             Rally starts in Clonakilty.

Sunday March 18:                Rally restarts. Finish ramp 5.15pm.

Sunday March 18:                Prizegiving at Quality Hotel at 9pm.

Links

http://www.westcorkrally.com

Entries filling rapidly for West Cork Rally

Entries are filling rapidly for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally with over 120 entries in to date. Among those who have stated an interest in taking part are Denis Cronin, who won in 2005, Jon Ingram, Gareth Jones, Peadar Hurson & J.J.Fleming. Top two wheel drive competition is expected from the likes of John Dalton, Phil Collins, Gwyndaf Evans, Wesley Patterson, Washington James & Conor Curley who have also indicated their intention to compete.

Once again the event will be sponsored by Choice Hotels Ireland through its brand the Quality Hotels and the rally headquarters will be the Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre Clonakilty. The General Manager of the Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre Clonakilty, David Henry, is looking forward to welcoming both competitors and spectators alike. Sean Delaney & Sons EXXON and Mobil Oil Suppliers, the traders of Clonakilty and the West Cork Rally Fundraising Committee will act as associate sponsors. The Cork Motor Club, promoters and organisers of this prestigious event would like to acknowledge the assistance of Cork County Council, Clonakilty Town Council, the Gardai, the townspeople of Clonakilty, Bandon and especially the residents on the stages who allow the passage of the rally and who put up with the inconvenience of being blocked in, we thank you.

Accommodation is becoming very scarce, but may still be sourced by contacting Imelda Walsh on 023 33110, (00 353 23 33110 from the UK) between 9am and 5pm.

You can also visit www.clonakilty.ie or www.qualityhotelclon.com.

This two day event, based in the seaside town of Clonakilty and in its 29th year, comprises of eight stages each day. Service will take place after every two stages and pacenote making will be permitted. There are over 155 stage miles are on offer & there are just over 100 road miles which makes the route very compact. Some classic stages will be used again along with some that have not been used for a few years.

The rally forum, which was a success in 2006, returns again this year on Friday 16th March with guests to be revealed at a later stage. BRDS insurance forms are available to download from the

www.westcorkrally.com website. UK competitors are reminded that this is the only acceptable form of insurance.

Reminders

Competitors are reminded that regulations for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally, organised and promoted by the Cork Motor Club, are available for download from www.westcorkrally.com. Competitors are further reminded that entries are fantastic value at €595 for 16 stages over two days. Accommodation may be sourced by contacting Imelda Walsh on 023 33110, (00 353 23 33110) from the UK) between 9am and 5pm or by visiting www.clonakilty.ie 2006 winner Melvyn Evans has stated his intention to defend his title on the 2007 event. Other drivers to have expressed an interest in competing in Clonakilty include Damian Cole and Phil Collins. There is as usual a lot of interest from Wales and England and also some enquiries from Northern Ireland & Scotland. The locals will be well represented too as 2006 Gp N winner Kevin Kelleher will have a battle on his hands this year as Owen Murphy has also declared an interest. Owen who is a Cork Motor Club member won the Billy Coleman award in 2006.

Bones O'Connor Trophy

Cork Motor Club is pleased to announce a new award for the 2007 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally. The Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge Trophy will be presented to the first modified (non-homologated) car home on the event. In addition the winner will also receive a free entry to the 2008 event. It is fitting that such a trophy be named after Michael ‘Bones’ O’Connor, a founding member of the Cork Motor Club and a well known figure in Irish Motorsport having been Clerk of the Course of the West Cork Rally from 1978 (when he was one of the youngest clerks ever in Irish rallying) to 1990. Bones O’Connor was also responsible for implementation of safety plans in Irish Rallying along with a host of other innovations that were first tried out on the West Cork Rally over the years. He was largely responsible for bringing Welsh & English competitors to the West Cork Rally, who continue to enjoy the “craic” in Clonakilty to this day. Who can forget Bones doing rally radio in Shanahan’s of Leap when his desk was the lid of a coffin and his seat an old unused toilet. He also competed on stage rallies during the late 70’s and early 80s competing on the Irish international scene in a Toyota Starlet. He competed in the 1982 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in the same car. He also competed on the Welsh International in 1979 as well as the Manx International. In recent years he has become multiple Irish champion on the night navigation scene. ***Stop Press Owen Murphy wins Billy Coleman Award Cork Motor Club member Owen Murphy won the Billy Coleman rally award with another club member Keith Cronin runner up.