Clonakilty in West Cork was the centre of attention on the weekend of March 20-21 last as a large group of Competitors from the IMC headed to the town to compete in the West Cork Rally.
Among those of the 151 crews who took to the start line on the Saturday morning to transverse the days 8 stages were the twincam brigade of Allan Treacy/Bob Fitzgerald,Willie Walsh/Carol O Keeffe,James Cunningham/Joe Fitzgibbon,John Sinclair/Finbar Fogarty,Shane Moriarty/Anthony O Donovan and Micheal Murphy/Pat Cashman.The Ford Escort crews were equeally well represented including Mark Dolphin/Pat O Mahony,Wesley Daly/Micheal Walsh,Paul Scannell/Mossy Griffin,Emmet Cronin/Paul O Donovan and Willie Kenneally/ Micheal O Donovan. Midletons Daragh O Riordan was debuting the ex Melvyn Evans Subaru Impreza WRC for the first time and Brian O Keeffe/Derek Power were also out contesting the showroom category also is a Subaru.
As the days action progressed over the stage locations at Ballinascarthy,Clogagh,Ring and Dunworley unfortunately mechanical failure would put an end to the hopes of many of the above crews except for Daragh O Riordan,Willie Kenneally,Brian O Keeffe and Micheal Murphy who at the end of leg one were all having a really good run.
After some overnight rain on Saturday night the sun shone brightly once again as the crews left Parc Ferme on Sunday Morning to tackle the stages in Rossmore, Sams cross,Ardfield, and Hayes Cross. Many of the lads who had to retire on Saturday were back out on Sunday after some overnight work to their cars to compete in the Sunday run.
After the days final stage at Hayes Cross and as all the times were tallied fourth overall and first in class went to Darragh O Riordan who made the perfect start to his first spin in a world rally car.In group N a very consistent drive over the 2 days netted Brian O Keeffe and club secretary Derek Power eleventh overall and the class win(well done boys). Willie Kenneally and Micheal O Donovan took home the trophy for third in class and 27 overall and Micheal Murphy and Pat Cashman finished 52 overall in the ultra competitive class 11.
Well done to all who competed over the weekend and to Cork Motor Club led by COC Darren Mc Carthy for putting on an excellent event.
There is a bucket load of pics on facebook so go check them out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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