Floods and rain are no deterent for Cork 4X4 competitors
The severe weather conditions of the weekend were no obsticle to competitors on the club's November 4X4 Production Trial at Rockgrove, Coachford on Sunday (Nov 22).
Brian Berkery, driving a Suzuki, finished victorious from an entry of 24 competitors. The Limerick driver, who finished third on the same event last year, was in top form finishing on 37 penalties in his Class 1 jeep.
Second place, for a second year in a row, went to Cork’s Jeremy Keohane, also driving a Suzuki, but in Class 5 on 38.5 penalties. In third place was Robert Beamish who is fighting for the club championship driver's title.
In the various classes it was last year's event winner who took Class 1 on 47 penalties followed home by Fergal Bates on 49 pens, with Martin Bond making the journey from Clonmel worthwhile to take third in class.
Johnny Kenneally, fighting with Robert for the club driver title, on his first time out (and in the COC's jeep) was best in Class 2 from Pat Ryan in second place and Denis Cavanagh who took third Class Two position.
Class Four winner was Nick Walsh with James Walsh second and Paul McCarthy in third place. Meanwhile the Class three victory went to Kevin Mullhall.
But unfortunately for some competitors, conditions proved a bit more hazardous. Club mates Brendan Fahy and Mick O'Shea, double driving, blew a radiator. Brendan
rolled, not once, but twice .... once down a steep hill and once in the forest area up
against a tree.
But to be fair there was heavy rain for most of the day and very hairy conditions, very very very
slippery, especially on the hill.
A spokesperson for the event commented: "Marshals were even sliding around. All
in great spirits despite bad conditions. Even those in the Specials found it
extremely slippy. Getting back up to the start of the tests was
challenging in itself."
For some marshals it was their first time out at a 4 X 4 event, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. And competitors at the prizegiving said all were looking forward to Cork's February event.
The Production Trial had an entry of 24 competitors and had 12 tests in total, three locations, each run four times. It was the last round of the 2009 Cork Motor Club drivers' championship and also part of the 2009/2010 O'Grady Driver Training Irish 4X4 Off Road Championship. Ten one-day licences were used on the event. Big credit to COC Vincent Dorney and all who helped.
Click Here for Results in Excel form
Off road at Coachford for last CMC championship event of 2009
Cork Motor Club's final competition event of the 2009 season is our annual November 4X4 off-road event. This will take place on Sunday November 22, at Rockgrove, outside Coachford. As in previous years, the venue will be signposted from Coachford village..
Timetable for the event will see scrutiny begin at 9.30am sharp on the morning of the event with the tests beginning at 11am. Entry fee is €50 (including (CPAI) with a late fee of €60. A maximum of two drivers will be allowed per vehicle.
One day licences will be available for the event and a practice area will be available to Novice competitors prior to the start, provided they have passed scrutiny.
The event is the second last round of the Cork Motor Club drivers' championship and is also a round of the 2009/2010 O'Grady Driver Training Irish 4X4 Off Road Championship
Regulations and entry form are available from COC Vincent Dorney, Dorsul House, Courtbrack, Vicarstown, Co. Cork. Phone: 087 2064987
The event will also need marshals. Meeting time is at 9.30am at the venue. Give Vincent a ring to let them know you are coming out to help.
Houlihan wins at November 4X4 in 2008
An entry of 27 competitors braved the cold for Cork motor Club's November 23 4X4 Production Vehicle Trial at Rockgrove, Coachford, Co. Cork.
William Houlian in his class 1 jeep took the honours with victory on 14 penalties. In second place was Jeremy Keohane (Class 5) on 24.25 penalties with Brian Berkery taking a very close third just 0.75 penalties behind.
In the class placings, Paul Bates took the win in Class 1 from Robert Beamish with Fergal Bates in third place.
Class 2 victory went to club championship leader Brendan Fahy followed by Jonathan O'Sullivan in second place and Jimmy Walsh third.
In Class 4 Scott Clancy took the win from Garrat McInory in second.
Oliver Boland took top honours in Class 5 with Ann Balfery second and Matthew Ryan third.
Click here for full results
