CORK MOTOR CLUB
Over 30 years of motorsport
Top places for CMC on Skibbereen night nav
top CMC finishers were Tadhg O’Shea and Brendan Fahy who brought their Vauxhall Astra home in second place on 109 penalties. And third spot on the navigation event were Johnny Kenneally and Ken Carmody driving a Vauxhall Vectra. They incurred just one more penalty.
The event, run out of Dunmanway, was won by the local crew of Fergus and Anthony Harrington in a Nissan Sunny on 45 penalties. The Skibbereen & District Car Club event was round 3 of the Munster Navigation Championship.
Results: 1 Fergus Harrington/Anthony Harrington (Nissan Sunny) 45 marks, 2 Tadhg O’Shea/Brendan Fahy (Vauxhall Astra) 109m, 3 Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody (Vauxhall Vectra) 110m, 4 Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin (Toyota Carina) 190m, 5 Colin Fitzgerald/Daire Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 197m, 6 James Fitzgerald/Ed O’Neill (Subaru Impreza) 244m, 7 John Helen/Alistair Wyllie (Nissan Sunny) 247m, 8 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 269m, 9 Dermot Whelton/Barry O’Sullivan (Mitsubishi Colt) 318m, 10 Timothy Hayes/Patrick McCarthy (Toyota Carina) 324m.
Class winners: Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors, Tadhg O’Shea/Brendan Fahy, Dermot Whelton/Barry O’Sullivan, Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin.
Rally Forum night a big success
Cork Motor Club’s Rally Forum or Night of Champions proved a big success on Tuesday, November 10 and a fitting finale to Rally Lectures. On the panel for the night were:
Keith Cronin, the 2009 BRC champion driver and Pirelli Star Driver winner 2009 and 2007 Billy Coleman Young Driver of the year.
Greg Shinnors, the 2009 BRC champion navigator and former Group N Tarmac champion
Paul Nagle, the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge winning navigator.
Kevin Kelleher, the Group N Dunlop National Champion 2009 plus his brother and regular navigator Martin Kelleher.
David Moynihan, a current successful navigator, stood in for his father Phillip, himself a former navigator.
Jerry Hynes, a three times winning navigator of the West Cork Rally and an Irish Tarmac Group N winner.
Jerry Hynes started proceedings by thanking all who attended the lectures over the previous Tuesday evenings He spoke about the course and in particular thanked Greg Shinnors, James O’Brien and Sean Daly for their help in the organisation of same.
A question from MC for the night Brian O’Connell started the discussion and Keith was first up to outline his rallying from when he won the Billy Coleman award in 2007 up to being crowned the BRC Champion. Asked about the home coming in Ballylickey, he said he though was amazing. “I knew there would be something but not what happened”
Paul then described his path to the IRC championship with Kris Meeke, right up to winning the IRC title with one round to go. He told the audience he was looking forward to Scotland and also hinted that there may be a new car for next year. And then again there may not.
Kevin said he enjoyed his year and enjoyed being up against Garry Jennings who pushed him all the way. When asked about the Group N Tarmac championship in 2007, he said it was also enjoyable but was very expensive for a privateer and they travelled more, Scotland, Isle of Man etc. He preferred the National, as it was all in Ireland. He also said he regards West Cork as his home event. For future rallying outings, he said he may try going into the woods next season.
Greg then spoke about the BRC Championship from a co driver’s viewpoint He told us about ensuring accommodation was booked for the year, applying for regs, all the paperwork really. The evening wasn’t all serious. Some of the audience had a slag at Keith saying all he needed to do was pitch up and drive. But the Bantry champion took it in good form. He went on to say that he decided to do the BRC to put himself in the shop window as it were. And it wasn’t all winning. They competed in the EVO Challenge which they did not win, Irish or UK. He felt that he had to do the BRC to get more experience and to move up the ladder
Martin spoke about sponsorship. He told us how they would pick a potential sponsor, approach them with their ideas for promoting that company, keep them informed during the year, take them to an event etc.
David spoke about tyres for the newcomers and said that they provided advice to people on what tyres to use and made the comparison with Keith and Kevin who now have sufficient knowledge built up that they can choose their own tyres. However Keith was different this season as he was on a control tyre with either slicks or wets and he had to cut the slicks should he want an inter tyre. EARS supply Kumho tyres and would bring up to 300 tyres to cover every eventuality.
There was some more questions for Paul like “What makes a good driver.” He said definitely making good and consistent pacenotes, which they make themselves as does Keith, while Kevin does not and prefers to buy Patterson’s notes and modify them.
Kevin was asked the question “What makes a good co driver?” He had a good laugh here as he slagged off Martin before saying that a crew had to get on together, in and out of the car, trust one another with regards to the notes.
Fitness was the next question. Greg said his job kept him fit enough and Keith said that he went to the gym a few days a week, did some running, watched his diet and he doesn’t drink. Kevin said that as a clubman he doesn’t have a major fitness regime and does include drink. Paul said that fitness for Kris and him was key as they could be on an event where it was 30 degrees + and up to 45 degrees in a car.
What were the plans for the future for the three champions: Keith and Greg, doing the Rally of Scotland from November 19 to 21 in a Fiat S2000 and as we know they have a paid drive in a Subaru for 2010 British Rally Championship. Keith also hopes to put together a budget to do some international rallies next year as well.
Paul said he and Kris will are also doing the Rally of Scotland from November 19 to 21, and they will do the Intercontinental Rally Challenge again but maybe not in a Peugeot. But he would not commit to which car.
Kevin not sure of his plans may try the forest championship next year, and Martin may opt out as he is starting his own business on 2010.
David hopes to sell more tyres to all of them in 2010. And not forgetting Jerry Hynes, the main organiser behind the whole series. We hope that he will do it all again in 2010 and encourage more people to get involved in motorsport.
Cork Motor Club would like to thank the panel who gave their time and experiences freely and made it an excellent night of rallying for the grassroots of our sport. Best of luck in 2010.
And good luck to Keith and Greg, and Paul on next weekend’s Rally Scotland.
Many champions for Rally Forum at Commons Inn
Cork Motor Club's Rally Forum should really be called the Night of Champions with the line-up that has been arranged for next Tuesday evening, November 10. The Forum will start at 8.30pm.
Topping the impressive line up with be the current British Rally Champions, Keith Cronin and Greg Shinnors. Keith and Greg are at present testing the FIAT Abarth Grande Punto S2000 which they will use in the forthcoming final Round of the Intercontinental Rally Championship, Rally Scotland, which takes place on from November 19 to 21.
And, speaking about the IRC championship, also on hand at the Rally Forum will be the current champion navigator from that international series, Paul Nagle. Paul won the series with Kris Meeke with one round still remaining.
Two ex 'students' from the CMC rally lectures will also be in attendance next Tuesday night at Blackpool, Kevin and Martin Kelleher. Kevin is the 2009 Group N Dunlop National Rally Champion and Martin has been in the hot seat for some of his Dunlop championship outings this year.
Philip Moynihan from EARS is one of the top experts on rally tyres and he will join the panel to talk about the 'black' stuff.
And that leaves the rally cars. If you have been keeping up to date with the club website who will know that CMC member Gerard Quinn is Senior Manager, Motorsport, at Ford of Europe and has been invoved with Malcolm Wilson on this year's World Rally championship. We had hoped he would be in Cork on Tuesday night.Unfortunately, after communicating with him on Friday morning, he will be in the UK doing some media events with Mikko Hirvonen and is unable to attend.
The event is the finale to the Cork Motor Club Rally Lectures series. It will be open to all those interested in motorsport, club members and non club members.
Rally Lectures at Cork Motor Club open to all. Start time 8.45pm
Cork Motor Club will run a series of lectures on rallying over the month of October. You can still register next Tuesday, Oct 13.
The series is being organised by one of our top navigators,
The course will take place over four consecutive Tuesdays in October plus the first Tuesday in November. The lectures are intended for those interested in entering the sport and a charge of €10 will apply. Existing Cork Motor Club members can attend by registering as other students.
Course Content
9.00pm Tuesday 6th October
Registration - Introduction and Overview of Course with James O’ Brien and
8.45pm Tuesday 13th October
Navigation Trials with Kieran Daly and
8.45pm Tuesday 20th October
Special Stage Rallying with Greg Shinnors and
8.45pm Tuesday 27th October
Practical Night. Put into practice what you have learnt
Saturday 31st October
Startrek Navigation Trial. Compete,
8.45pm Tuesday November 3rd
Rally Forum with a Panel made up of some of our current top competitors, car preparation, and tyre experts.
For those attending the lectures, be at the hotel at 8.45pm on Tuesday, October 6. Please email the club at
It is also intended to involve the students in the club's Startrek Navigation Trial which takes place on Saturday night Sunday morning of October 31/ November 1 next.
Imokilly Hillclimb proves good for CMC members
Best from CMC was Colin Byrne who was 10th overall and first in Class 6 with a time of 53.33. Next up was David Guest taking third in Class 2 on 53.88 and 13th overall. John Quill and Greg McCarthy had a great battle for third CMC with John taking the place by 0.01 hundreds on a time of 56.70 with Greg on 56.71 taing 20th and 21st overall.
John Riordan took a class one victory on 61.16, 27th o/a, with John O'Tooke taking a win in Class 4 and 29 o/a on 61.51. Michael Riordan one place back in 30th o/a and third in Class 1 on 61.53 with Batt O'Donoghue fourth in Class 1 on 62.33 and 33rd overall.
The event had 37 starters and was won by Limerick driver Paul O’Connell in his Class 7 Delta on a time of 44.33 seconds. He set his best time on the final run. Second was Pete Ray in a Class 6 Van Diemen on 47.01 with James Doherty in a Class 5B Delta third on a time of 48.68 seconds. Last year’s winner, Darragh O’Riordan finished sixth in his Class 2 Opel Corsa S1600 on a time of 51.20 seconds. Clerk of the Course for the event was CMC's Darren McCarthy.
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship drops non-Irish rounds
The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship has dropped the non-Irish rounds for the 2010 championship.
A statement from Don Wilmont, the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Manager states that the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) have announced a number of changes to the format for the 2010 Irish Tarmac Championship.
“In light of the current economic conditions the 2010 Championship will consist of six rounds: Galway 5/7 February, Circuit of Ireland 2/4April, Killarney Lakes1/2 May, Donegal 18/20 June,
The statement also reveals that the championship will adopt the FIA R1-R4 class structure with an additional class catering for World Rally Cars. It was also agreed that with effect from 1st January 2012 that World Rally Cars would no longer be eligible to score overall championship points, effectively making these high cost machinery obsolete after 2011 in the Tarmac series.
Also for next year, 50% bonus points will be introduced on the final round, the
The TROA state that they are committed to implement a phased introduction of new structures in line with the FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations by 1st January 2012.
The statement also states that although the Isle of Man International and Jim Clark rallies have been dropped from next year’s calendar, they remain full members of the TROA and that the number of counting rounds for the 2011 championship will be reviewed.
CMC member part of FMC commitment to WRC future
Ford has confirmed its commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship by announcing its continued participation for the next two seasons. The announcement was made in Finland the day before the start of the ninth round of this year's championship.
Cork Motor Club member Gerard Quinn, who is Senior Manager, Motorsport, at Ford of Europe commented on the announcement. "Ford participation in WRC is targeted to display the attributes of our road products and to send a clear message to the public from a hugely competitive environment. The WRC is a global showroom and our continuation in the championship is not only beneficial for Ford, but also for the sport as a whole.
"The WRC has made significant progress recently, particularly in reducing the costs of participation and confirming new long-term technical regulations to bring much-needed stability for manufacturers. We believe that with the help of these changes the championship will benefit from greater global media exposure as it goes from strength to strength, and lead to other manufacturers following our path over the next two years," said Gerard.
Pictured above celebrating Ford's new deal: (left to right) Mikko Hirvonen, Malcolm Wilson, Ian Slater, Gerard Quinn and Jari-Matti Latvala
Gerard Quinn is appointed Senior Manager, Motorsport at Ford
Ford of Europe has announced that Gerard Quinn, who was a member of Cork Motor Club, and has not forgotten his roots, has been appointed Senior Manager, Motorsport, replacing Mark Deans who has elected to retire from Ford at the end of this month.
In his new position, Quinn will work alongside Malcolm Wilson, the Ford World Rally Team Director and owner of M-Sport, Ford of Europe's partner for its main motorsport activity in the FIA World Rally Championship.
Quinn will be the focal point through which Ford will continue to support M-Sport and drive future success for the Ford World Rally Team, most obviously via close ties with the company's global Product Development and engineering disciplines.
Quinn will also be responsible for a small team of marketing professionals and product development engineers to develop further the company's motorsport strategy in Europe. He will work closely with the Communications and Public Affairs team, as well as other key Ford of Europe staffs.
A self-confessed 'petrol head', 45-year-old Gerard Quinn joined Ford in 1988 at the company's Dagenham plant in Britain, and progressed through a number of management positions before being appointed to his previous role of Dealer Operations Manager for Ford of Ireland in June 2008.
Quinn has gained experience on Ford's motorsport activities in his previous roles and, before joining Ford, he was already very active in the organisational side of grass roots motorsport in his home town through the Cork Motor Club.
Between 2005 and 2008, he was directly responsible for the commercial and contractual aspects of Ford of Europe's motorsport strategy, including the relationship with M-Sport. He also had a significant involvement in Ford of Europe's performance vehicle business, notably the development programme for the new Ford Focus RS.
In his new role, Quinn will report directly to Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service and to Ian Slater, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Ford of Europe.
"We're very pleased to have Gerard Quinn leading our Motorsport programmes in Europe," said Sviggum. "He has a wealth of experience inside Ford having worked his way along the ladder of opportunity to become a valued member of the management team. He knows Malcolm Wilson and the M-Sport team well, and his understanding of both the motorsport business and our corporate strategy is precisely what we need during this difficult economic period."
Congratulations Gerard. So your time at in Blarney and with Nial Murphy wasn't completely wasted. Maybe we will have a couple of top World Rally Championship (WRC) competitors at next years West Cork Rally (WCR). We'll have to wait and see.
Mick Campbell RIP
It is with deep regret that we learned of the death of one of West Cork's best known motorsport people, Mick Campbell, who died today (Sunday, March 1). Mick has been a great supporter of the West Cork Rally since its beginning and in fact a great supporter of all motorsport in Clonakilty and west Cork. His quarry has been used over the years for Auto Cross events, Retro rallies, Hot Rod race meetings and many other types of motorsport. His premises in Clonakilty was also the hub of motorsport activity. Mick was involved as a competitor and an organiser and was one of these people to whom nothing was ever too much trouble. May he rest in peace.
Steve had competed many times on the West Cork Rally. His best result was in 2002 when he was second overall in a Subaru Impreza WRC. He finished third overall in 2005. He also finished in the top 10 in 2000, 2003, 2004. His earliest West Cork Rally result was 8th driving a BMW M3 in the 1998 event. May he rest in peace. (Feb 2009)
