The club heads west

Website office (Wexford)

John Dier

Monday 27th March

Dorothy and Martin McGrath were some of the club members that sojourned down to Clonakilty for the "West Cork". She gave us the following piece to share with you(Gary Nolan watch out, she could be after your job). Some of the details will be replicated from Gary's report, but when the club does well, let's boast about it!!!

The West Cork Rally took place on the 18/19 march 2006. Husband and wife team Martin and Dot McGrath from New Ross were entered in Class 9 seeded 110 in their “little white” Toyota starlet, backed by JD Security New Ross, Griffin Welding & Engineering Supplies Midleton, Noreen Daly Fashion Design & Ml. Sidney & Son New Ross. The forecast for this class was backed strongly by Flat to the Mat for 5 contenders to land the top spot, Martin and Dot were not one of the contenders as the professionals thought (they should have thought a bit more). The opening stages on Saturday were to say the least a bit mucky; none of this was seen in recce on the Friday. Fatalities were fast and furious with these stages being very unforgiving. Being dubbed the rollercoaster ride this was not a rally for the faint hearted, head to the notes and calling fast and furious Martin and Dot gained ground all through the day. By Saturday evening they were in strong contention to be one of the top 3. 13 started the day in class 9 and only 8 remained skill and precision were the call for the day.
Going out on Sunday Martin and Dot were 50th on the road with the leader of the class being 1 min in the lead, Martin decided to ignore this and was in a head to head battle with 3rd place who was only 6 secs behind, at the start line Martin could see him in his mirror. The weather on Sunday was just what is required for a days rallying, cold and clear. The stages were the best of the whole weekend, fast and flowing, through plenty of crossroads. News filtered back that the leader of Class 9 had problems with his back axle (it had literally came away from the car). So the race was on Martin & Dot leading the day with 2nd place bumper to bumper on times. With 4 stages to go Martin & Dot had the lead but not comfortable enough to back off. A bad jump on stage 13 made the pair be more cautious 2nd time around on stage 15, could this have been an error or the saving of the “little white” starlet. At the end of the day going into pairc feirme, it was unknown who had won the class; it was so close that for the first time that I have heard the 10’s of seconds had to be called upon to separate this class.
Dot and Martin would like to congratulate Keith McMullan on being 1st in class & 36th overall by an amazing win of 1 second; they were delighted to prove the predictions wrong by taking 2nd in Class & 37th overall. They would also like to thank their sponsors for the event and say that they are raring to go in Killarney International on the 29th & 30th of April for the 2nd round of the 023 Tiles Championship.
They would like to say a very big well done to the other Wexford Motor Club Teams who finished the event. David Parle, Shay Byrne, Willie Sinnott, and the juniors Paddy Dwyer & Brian Kirwan. Commiserations to the Boggan Brothers in class 9 who were let down by mechanical problems Saturday evening, better gearing is required.
Martin would like to congratulate the team behind the West Cork Rally, it was well organised and well ran.

JD