McCormack wins Moonraker Forest Rally as McKenna leads Volvoline Series
2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round 3 Report
Barry McKenna & Leon Jordan in a Fiesta R5 are the new leaders of the Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship following their second overall in the Abbey Hotel Moonraker Forest Rally. They finished 25.3 seconds behind rally winners Marty McCormack & David Moynihan in a Skoda R5 who were not championship registered. Josh Moffett & Stephen Thornton took third place after a difficult opening loop saw their Fiesta in 2WD mode only. They fought back to take the final podium position with some impressive stage times. Andrew Purcell led the championship prior to this, the third round, but differential problems forced him out after just two stages.
Shane McGirr & Eamonn Hayes were the top 2WD to finish in their Toyota Starlet after an impressive performance led them 11th overall by the finish. John Gordon & Thomas Wedlock took second in the category, just edging out Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips who had lost time during the day with a puncture. David Crossens rally ended when a rock damaged a wheel and brake calliper in his Escort.
The junior section was won by Derek Mackarel who put in a stunning performance in his Vauxhall Nova and took sixteenth overall into the bargain. He had almost 25 seconds to spare over Marty Gallagher’s Peugeot 208 R2 with William Creighton taking third place in another Peugeot just over seven seconds further back. Jordan Hone and Jody McManus were among those who retired early in
The M. O’Brien Plant Hire Junior 1000 category for 15-19 year olds sees Jason Murphy’s long unbeaten run remain intact, although he was put under considerable pressure by Rory Byrne. After the eight stages there were only 11 seconds separating the pair. Aoife Gahan took third place and really enjoyed the stages, while Scottish driver Peter Beaton led after the opening stage only to have to run in Rally 2 after the first service. He eventually finished in fourth place to collect valuable championship points.
Overall Top 6 Results
1 – Marty McCormack & David Moynihan Skoda Fabia R5 41:27.4
2 – Barry McKenna & Leon Jordan Ford Fiesta R5 41:52.7
3 – Josh Moffett & Stephen Thornton Ford Fiesta R5 42:39.0
4 – Gerard Lucey & J.J. Cremin Mitsubishi Lancer 43:32.6
5 – Stephen McCann & Kaine Treanor Ford Fiesta S2000 43:35.1
6 – Eoghain Rogers & Paddy McCrudden Mitsubishi Lancer 44:24.2
