FAAC Simply automatic / Sligo Park Hotel Sligo Stages Rally 2017 

Overall Winners of the 2017 Rally Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson pictured with Robert Lyttle, Clerk of the Course

OVERALL RESULTS

1st  Overall        Sam Moffett / Karl Atkinson            Ford Fiesta WRC 

2nd Overall        Desi Henry / Liam Moynihan           Skoda Fabia R5

3rd Overall         Niall Maguire / Enda Sherry            Subaru Impreza S12

JUNIORS

1st Overall       Jonny Treanor / Damien Fleming       Honda Civic

2nd Overall      Jason Black / Jack McKenna             Toyota Starlet

3rd Overall       Brian Brady / Leonard Tuite                 Honda Civic 

See Event Photos in the Gallery Section below.

RALLY REPORT by Martin Walsh  

With his sixth victory in as many events, the latest on the FAAC Simply automatic/Sligo Park Hotel Rally, Monaghan’s Sam Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) clinched the Triton Showers National Rally Championship in style.

He was helped by the withdrawal of Declan Boyle, who suffered a puncture on Stage 7 and withdrew at the end of the stage. Boyle had been leading at that stage. Co-driven by Cork’s Karl Atkinson, 27-year old Moffett finished a minute and 35.6 seconds clear of the Skoda Fabia R5 of Derry’s Desi Henry and his Cork co-driver Liam Moynihan. Former triple champion Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) and his co-driver Enda Sherry were a minute and 22.2 seconds further behind in third.

On the opening stage near Ballintogher Sam Moffett (Fiesta WRC) punched in the best time and led the similar car of Declan Boyle by 3.7 seconds with late entry Josh Moffett in his Fiesta R5 some 8.1 seconds further behind. Reigning Triton champion Roy White (Fiesta WRC) was fourth. Boyle made adjustments to the set-up of his Fiesta and reaped the rewards by claiming the best times for the other two stages of the opening loop. At the Collooney service park he led Sam Moffett by 9.4 seconds, the latter remarked that his car was unstable on the stages. Meanwhile, his brother Josh retained third – albeit 17.4 seconds further behind. Roy White was untroubled in fourth followed by Derry’s Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) and fellow Ulsterman Jonny Greer (Citroen DS3 R5). Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) occupied seventh in a top ten that also featured Martin Cairns (Fiesta WRC), Kenny McKinstry (Subaru) and Brendan Cumiskey (Skoda Fabia R5).

In the Motorsport Safety Group N category, Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) held a 5.4 second advantage over title rival David Guest, who made tyre choice that was far too brave and paid the consequences with an overshoot.

The second loop of three stages brought a significant change to the top ten.
Boyle was lucky not to have lost more time at a right hand junction when he slid wide and clouted a bank, yet, he only dropped a few seconds and still led Moffett by seven seconds. Greer retired when he slid his Citroen DS3 R5 off the road.
Quickest on S.S. 5 Boyle extended his advantage to 9.2 seconds but his rally ended on the next stage when he punctured, although he finished the stage, he withdrew at the stage finish as he had lost over three minutes.
At the final service Sam Moffett held a significant advantage, he was a minute and 12.3 seconds clear of new second placed driver Desi Henry and he was able to hold the lead to the end.

TOP TEN
1. S. Moffett/K. Atkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h. 07m. 55.7s
2. D. Henry/L. Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h. 09m. 31.3s
3. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 10m. 53.5s
4. J. Moffett/J. Fulton (Ford Fiesta R5) 1h. 11m. 22.3s
5. R. White/J. O'Brien (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h. 11m. 38.6s
6. B. Cumiskey/R. O'Kane (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h. 12m. 22.4s
7. K. McKinstry/K. Hull (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 51.5s
8. M. Cairns/A. Purcell (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h. 13m. 08.4s
9. S. Maguire/D. Kelly (Mitsubishi EvoIX) 1h. 13m. 28.7s
10. N. Devine/C. Henderson (Mitsubishi EvoIX) 1h. 14m. 17.9s

Triton Showers National Rally Championship

• Birr - February 26th (South)
• Midland - March 26th (North)
• Monaghan - April 23rd (North)
• Circuit of Munster - June 4th (South)
• Raven's Rock (Carrick on Suir) - June 25th (South)
• Sligo Stages Rally - July 9th (North)
• Galway - August 27th (North)
• Fastnet Rally (Skibbereen) - October 29th (South)

Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship 

• Mayo Stages Rally - 12 Mar 17
• Monaghan Stages Rally - 23 Apr 17
• Cavan Stages Rally - 28 May 17
• Sligo Stages Rally - 9 Jul 17
• Galway Summer Rally - 27 Aug 17
• Donegal Harvest Stages Rally - (Sat) 7 Oct 17

The Border Rally Championship Committee with Sligo Pallets have announced that any registered competitor starting in 4 or more rounds this year will be entered into a draw for Eur 1,000 to be presented at the Sligo Pallets Border Championship Prize Giving.

Top Part West Coast Rally Championship 

• Birr Stages Rally - 26 Feb 17
• Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally - 2 Apr 17
• Limerick Circuit of Munster Stages Rally - 4 Jun 17
• Sligo Stages Rally - 9 Jul 17
• Galway Summer Rally - 27 Aug 17
• Clare Stages Rally - 17 Sep 17
• Kerry (Banna) Mini Stages Rally - 12 Nov 17

SLIGO STAGES RALLY 2017

Flyin Finn Motorsport - EVENT VIDEO