​​​​​Imokilly Mini Stages 2018 is Go!

The roads have been chosen, most of the work is done, it’s just one last push for the Imokilly Motor Club to get their event over the line. The hard work put in over the past 6 months has paid off and 90 entries have been received for the Imokilly Mini Stages Rally on Sunday the 22nd of July sponsored by Ollie Kierce Cars . Rally HQ for the weekend is the Park Hotel Midleton with scrutiny, parc ferme and service just across the road in Market Green

.
Seeded at no 1 is the man who finished 3rd last year and won the event back in 2012 the very experienced crew of Barry Meade / Colin Fitzgerald in the Class 14 Escort, At 2 is Jack Newman / Andrew Browne in another class 14 Escort. Now with Honda power, expect Jack to set a serious pace.

At 3 is Owen Murphy / Anthony Nestor in a Gp N Evo. Owen said: “On dry tar we probably won’t match the quickest Escorts but I would hope to be close if its wet- you never know your luck!” Owen was third here back in 2012.
At 4 is David Guest / Jonathan McGrath. David debuts his new Super 2000 Skoda Fabia, and has previously shown good pace but can he win a rally first day out in the new car? At 5 is the first of the IMC drivers, Midleton’s Colin Byrne/Gavin Sheehan, Colin has demonstrated great pace over the past few years in the Escort and if all goes well it could be Colin’s day. At 6 are David Condell/Paul Kelly. David is a  stylish and committed driver and will be thereabouts at the finish.  At 7 are Fergus O Meara/Finbar Quirke in the Fiesta. It will be interesting to see how this car will go and could be the surprise of the event with local co driver Finbar Quirke is on the notes.

At 8 is Jason Ryan /Peter Keohane, Usually the top IMC driver home, Jason goes at a hectic pace in his Honda Civic Top 6 very much on the cards for Jason, at 9 is Jason O Mahony/Jonathan O Mahony in the Escort. They will be hoping to collect a ball of points for the Southern 4 Rally Championship good to watch ,at 10 is a surprise entry from local ace Darragh O’Riordan/Darren O Shea , Darragh leaves the WRC Fiesta at home and has a Class 13 Escort which should be interesting to watch .
The event follows the format of 2 stages 3 times with service after 2 and 4 in Midleton and the finish back at Market Green.  All information such as times, stage maps etc is available in the rally programme so please go and buy one and support the event .The club is hugely thankful for the support of our main sponsor Ollie Kierce Cars, our associate Sponsors, stage sponsors and any one who advertised in the programme.

This event is a big undertaking for the club both financially and from a logistics point of view , we depend on voluntary help on the day from our neighbouring motor clubs and rally enthusiasts to man various positions on the day without this help the rally would not run, so if you would like to marshal on the day get in touch with the motor club.

Clerk of the Course Emmet Cronin said: “There has been a lot of effort put in over the last few months thanks to our sponsor’s in particular Ollie Kierce Cars and all who contributed to help cover the cost of the rally. Thanks also to the competitors who came from far and wide now we need help over the weekend on Friday Saturday and Sunday to both set up and to run the event.

Emmet said new for this year is the ceremonial start .The ramp will be set up on Main Street Midleton and the top crews and the local crews will come over the start line its an opportunity for the public to see the rally cars and drivers up close before the event. There will be food stalls and a special guest on the night. Club merchandise will also be on sale. So the Festival Atmosphere kicks off Saturday night at 7 pm with the rally action taking place Sunday.
The action takes placed on closed public roads stage 1 being Inch and Stage 2 is Mount Uniacke there will be extra traffic on the road with rally cars returning to Midleton for both services and the finish .

The Imokilly Motor Club Would like to appeal to evey one to slow down on the public roads arrive in time to view the stage and view from a safe position safety is paramount. Drive with caution and enjoy the event.

The Rally is a round of the Plasticbags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship and the IMC welcomes all competitors to this round hope you enjoy your rally in East Cork.

The biggest sports event in East Cork is on this weekend go out and enjoy it , The Imokilly Mini Stages Rally. Go out and support the local drivers on their home event.

Top 10
1 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgearld (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
2 Jack Newman/Andrew Browne (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
3 Owen Murphy/Anthony Nestor (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
4 David Guest/Jonathan Mc Grath (Skoda Fabia S2000) [5]
5 Colin Byrne/Gavin Sheehan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
6 David Condell/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
7 Fergus O Meara/Finbar Quirke (Ford Fiesta S2500) [20]
8 Jason Ryan /Peter Keohane (Honda Civic) [11F]
9 Jason O Mahony/Jonathan O Mahony (Ford Escort MK2) [13]
10 Darragh O Riordan/Darren O shea (Ford Escort MK2) [13]