2023 HILLCLIMB

Remembering Tom (RIP) as we prepare for the 2023 Hillclimb Event in his memory - tribute prepared by his good friend - John F. Golden

Connacht Motor club are returning to Dromahair to host their 2023 Hillclimb

Connacht Motor club are returning to Dromahair to host their 2023 Hillclimb over two days as part of the ALEKTO Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship on what is widely acclaimed as one of the best new hills nationally. The event taking place on Saturday 16 th and Sunday 17 th September is being run in the memory of the late Tom Devaney, who was highly influential in identifying the hill and encouraging the club to run its inaugural event in 2021 and secure championship status last year, which Tom was adamant he would contest amidst his treatment which he did proudly.

Following on from the support last year, Joe White through his San Francisco based heavy civil engineering company LVI Engineering has once again come on board as title sponsor. Joe who has been deeply embedded in motorsport for years remains loyal to his native region.

This year sees Gerry Mc Garry take on the role of Clerk of the Course for the 2023 Hillclimb having worked shoulder to shoulder with Ultan Mc Gowan, who took the event from its infancy to a very successful two-day event last year. Gerry will bring to bear his years of experience involved in many elements within the club supported by who have been involved from the start.

As the third year over this 1.7km hill, the club are deeply indebted to the residents who are so accommodating in welcoming the team back again.Regulations are now published, and entries are open online.

2023 SLIGO STAGES RALLY

Group photo from our recent Rally Launch & Open Day at Sligo Park Hotel .......countdown is on for the Sligo Stages Rally 2023 ..... looking forward to the Rally action returning to Sligo again (photos courtesy of James Burke)

See more photos from the Rally Launch in the Gallery Section of the Website - photos include Sponsors, Local / Other Crews looking forward to the 2023 Sligo Stages Rally

Title Sponsor supports emerging Youth

Our joint title sponsor FAAC simply automatic has generously offered a contribution towards the entry fee to each of the MIJRS entries starting this year, to be presented to each driver immediately before Driver briefing on Sunday morning.

Ciaran Phelan as a competitor himself and father of Cormac who during his progression became a nominee for the Billy Coleman award. This recognition gave the then youg competitor the impetus to pursue his dreams even further.

The current Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series is a platform to encourage and promote and assist junior competitors focusing on developing their motorsport future. Their entrance into motorsport at an early age with the support of the Rally Academy give young drivers every opportunity to reach the highest pinnacle of their motorsport career. Connacht Motor Club are delighted to be included as a Tar round of the championship particularly as Leitrim driver Keelan Grogan is a registered entrant and only recently was chosen as a nominee of the Billy Coleman Award. The field of juniors are seeded as a group in the mid forties.

Top field line up for the FAAC simply automatic / Sligo Park Hotel Stages Rally 2023

With seeding published its obvious that the title of winner of the 2023 FAAC simply automatic Sligo Park Hotel Stages will be a hard fought battle and within the grasp of a number of the top starters. Title holder from 2019. Josh Moffit would be tipped as favourite based on his form to date but with Calum Devine carrying number 2 on the door and fresh from his Donegal International win, it will certainly be a hard one to call.

The closing margins to date between the two sporting rivals have been so tight on every outing, a typical example being, Cavan Stages when only 0.3 separating them entering the final stage in Calum’s favour, only to be overturned on the final stage, Josh coming out with an advantage of 1.8 seconds at the finish ramp. Earlier in the season on the Kerry Stages the margin at the finish ramp was just 6.5 seconds after Josh held the lead all day pursued by Calum. Merion Evans at number 3 coming from Wales to once again compete for the valuable National Championship points on the back of his Galway International win earlier in the year. Jonny Greer is seeded at 4th place with local navigator Niall Burns on the notes. Within the top ten other R5s are in the hands of Declan Boyle, Daniel Barry, Michael Boyle, Daniel Cronin and Aidan Wray at 10.

Just inside that top ten in the first rear wheel drive is Kevin Gallagher in the Darien at 9 while at 11 Dessie Keenan is the second two-wheel drive on the road. Gary Mc Phillips at 14 and Chris Armstrong at twenty are the only others within that top twenty starters. Sligo native though now a Mayo adoptee John Warren starts with 23 on the door coming sharp on the heels of a 13th overall in Ravens Rock, although the stages are the opposite side of the county to his birthplace. Seeded at 30 are the crew of Donagh Kelly and Rory Kennedy in the beautifully presented Class 19 E30 BMW with Martin Mc Cormack in a Class 14 E30 at 31. Two competitors back in Sligo after some absence, James Leckey and Daniel Doherty are seeded at 28 and 29 in R5 Fiestas.

Title Sponsor Ciaran Phelan in the FAAC Honda Civic starts at 90 while daughter Aine , sitting on with Mick Lonergan 91, both in the 11F Class. Stage Sponsor Iarla Carty starts at 126 in the ex-Callum Devine Opel Adam with
son Jack Carty on the notes. Seeded at the mid forties are seven crews registered in the Class 2 MIJRS series led by Ryan Mc Hugh at 45. Sligo Stages Rally title sponsor Ciaran Phelan of FAAC Ireland in association with National automation have generously sponsored a draw for 3 prizes of €200 to be selected from one of the entries in that beginners Class, to take place live in advance of Drivers Briefing in Sligo Park on the Sunday morning.

Scrutiny takes place from 14.30 until 20.00 on Saturday July 15th at Sligo Junction / Hot Rods in Collooney. First Car away on Sunday morning from Parc Ferme at Sligo Retail Park in Carraroe is at 9.29, first car back at the Sligo Park Hotel Rally Headquarters is at 17.24.