When cars arrived at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan for the Dunlop National Championship Rally they were met with very inclement weather.
The biggest thing on every one’s mind was would the weather dry up. Tyre choice would play a major part in the rally today.
Dunlop championship points leader Declan Boyle with his car back in tip top shape ready to attack the Monaghan stages after his recent minor indecresion in Kerry.
Sam Moffett in his 1st event in a hired Kenny Mc Kinstry’s Impreza WRC S14 left hand drive, due to the fact that his own group N Lancer developed problems in a test run.
When the cars left the Hotel the weather had dried up and it looked like it was going to be a great battle for the honours today.
After the first loop of stages times were exchanged Declan Boyle led by 5 seconds over Sam Moffett who in turn had a 5 second lead over Darragh O Riordan in his recentely accquired Ford Fiesta WRC.
On the 2nd loop the Monaghan roads started to take their toll with a very high attrition rate on the drivers.Some noticable exits at this stage were Darren Gass, Shane McGuire and Garry McPhillips.
Over the next loop the battle intensified beween the top three drivers,The pressure was begining to show when Declan Boyle left the road and lost the best part of five minuets and lost the lead.
Sam Moffett assumed the lead and was chased down by a determined Darragh O’Riordan followed closley by Niall McGuire.
After the last service boot going into the last loop of stages Frank Kelly had climed to 5th place, but sadly on the last stage he slipped off the road and into a field.
Group N was a tightly faught battle to the end and Donegal crew Martin Doherty and Damien McAuly taking the victory over Joss Moffett and John Rowan.
After a great drive and battleing all day with a virous and othr compeditors finished a sprited 3rd in his Ford Fiesta WRC, on his only 2nd compeditive outing in the car.
Local club member and former National championship winner Niall McGuire in his Impreza fought very hard over the last three stages to finsih second overall and as a result now leads the Dunlop National Champhionship.
And on to the winner-
What more can be said about a 23 year old man from Monaghan Sam Moffett co drived by James O’Reilly dribing his Imporeza WRC S14.
He put in a very mature performance driving flawlessly through out the day anhd as a result achieved his 1st outright victory in the Dunlop Nationl Championship Rally.
What an achievement for a young mad when hi8s only real concern was quote”I still dont know what all the switches are for in the car”
We would like to congratulate Monaghan Motor Club on running a good event today.
(Keep it Safe)
Lorcan