Click on link as required

Regulations

Entry Form 

.

.

SEVEN ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP: THREE FORESTRY, FOUR TARMAC

.

.                                                                                                                                            Triton Showers Website Click Logo

.

The 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship is, as may be expected, about The Winner, The Championship and The Sponsors. It is also about the promoting clubs, the officials and of course all the competitors who support the events and the championship. We, the promoters know that we have an excellent product, one which has stood the test of time. It has been tweaked to add a more competitive edge. Our innovations have been incorporated into other regional championships; we like to lead the way.

Quite what you might expect. Take for example the sponsor’s product, TRITON SHOWERS. When you walk into your chosen supplier and ask about TRITON SHOWERS, the brochure is produced and your requirements discussed. The box is handed over and when you unpack it, you expect to get what it says on the box. For example the T90Z, “problem solving shower, design and performance, easy to install, quality assured, unbeatable range, guarantee, outstanding customer service” So what you see, you expect to get!

The South East Stages Rally Championship, “ Seven round championship, Three forestry, Four tarmac, Choice of surfaces, Promoted by Four Quality Clubs who run no nonsense events, Excellent range of classes Championship spread over nine months,”. Allowing for recovery and planning for a competitive championship. What you see is what you get.

The winner of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship, Shay Power, Escort MK2, class 5, 79 points. That too is what it says on the packaging. John Rafter navigated on most of the events, Derek Gibbs sat in for a few events, and daughter also gave dad a ‘dig out’. I was a little perplexed about the sign writing SPL in bold green writing on the white car. Until I was otherwise informed, I thought that Shay was a Celtic soccer supporter in the Scottish Premier League! :-) Shay is in the earth moving business, big brutish machinery that can, in the wrong hands, do a lot of damage. A delicate touch is required, careful manoeuvring at gentle and slow pace. How unlike in many ways the competitive driving of a powerful rear wheel drive rally car. The ‘big quiet man from the slate quarries’ has proved his worth at the wheel of the rally car. A former winner of the Foley Championship, the precursor of the South East Stages rally Championship, all of 19 years ago. So he’s now another overnight success. Shay is more than capable of planting the accelerator and with his deft touch has complete mastery of his environment. Set backs are taken with a quiet resignation, no hysterical dramas, just the acceptance that sh*t happens and I’m not a victim just a sinner!

The runner up pairing of father and son, Alan and James Commins, Class 4, Escort Mk 2 or RWD Peugeot 205 depending on the surface were just one point behind on 78 points. The results are just numerical indicative. The shortage of competitors on three rounds denied this team maximum points and potentially the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship. Being the sportsmen that they are the championship rules were accepted.

Third overall are James Coleman and Michael Haley, Escort MK2, Class 5, 74 points. Remarkable that first and third came from class 5. Another fantastic performance from the Escort MK2.

Coincidentally, all three crews are from the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club and all are involved in the club’s activities.

So that about sums up the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship, linking our sponsor, our promoting clubs and the winning crews.

Thanks to our register Ann M. Fitzgerald for keep the operation up in the air and to the secretary/financial controller Winnie Sheil for maintaining the level in the coffers. And of course to Kevin Barrett of TRITON SHOWERS for his continued support of our ‘the clubman competitors’ championship.

To all involved in Motorsport, we wish you all a safe and competitive 2012.

2011 AWARDS PRESENTATION - Letter to Competitors

TRITON Showers  South East Stages Rally Championship - 2011 Final Results

Review of the 2011 Season

Championship Website

The Mount Wolseley Hotel

Dick Bailey Wexford Stages Rally Event Preview

by Joe O'Brien

Click here for 2011 Results

Click on Triton Logo to go to Championship Website / Click on Images to view in High Res

Welcome to the final round of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship. As ever the final round of our seven event championship is the Wexford Motor Clubs Dick Bailey Stages Rally which take place over two days of tarmac action. Once again the outcome of the Championship is going to the wire, with an optimistic five crews in a position to taste victory.

Despite the ongoing recession this rally championship is still attracting a competitive field. It’s also helped by the fact that it’s a class based championship that allows competitors from the six classes, regardless of their budget, the opportunity to win this well fought and contested championships. Whilst some rounds have been a bit bereft of competitors nevertheless there has always been keen competition.

Ignoring the fact that competitors best five rounds count and some crews have competed in six rounds to date and intend going for clean sweep of doing all seven rounds, I’ll record their maximum points and let the mathematical permutations to those who understand sums better than I...

First overall are the class 3 crew of Derek Butler / Diarmuid O’Shea in the ever reliable Honda Civic on 70 points. This crew has competed on the three forestry rounds and two of the tarmac. They have been fantastic ambassadors for FWD cars encouraging others to the joys of forestry rallying.

Second overall are Shay Power and John Rafter, class 5, Escort MK2. Shay is a previous winner of the South East Stages (years ago) and has an undiminished appetite for rallying on both forestry and tarmac. Non-finishing on the Ravens Rock within a stone’s throw of his house was another disappointment, he shrugged off as part of rallying. Most disappointed was daughter Katie who was navigating as regular navigator (Raffter) was on official duty on the Kilkenny event. Shay and John are just one point shy of the leaders on 69 points.

Third overall is Mick Nevin and Michael Garahy in the ever reliable class 2 Ford Escort MK2. Mick is as ever best described as a multiple winner of the TRITON SHOWERS SES Rally Championship over the years. Forestry or tarmac it’s all the one to this crew. Nothing elaborate or flamboyant, just doings the basics and keeping things simple and well maintained. As there are only two crews registered in the class the points scoring has mitigated against them this year. It’s surprising that they are so far up the leader board at this stage of the championship with 68 points from five rounds.

Just taking a sentence,to remark on the fact that Alan and Jamie Commins are on 67 points. So the leading four are all separated by just one point between each position. There are two further dark horses in the title shoot out that may well have a mathematical chance of being feted as the winners of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship. More anon.

Class 1. Emmet Cronin / Richie Long, Escort MK2 are well ahead on 30 points. Their usual engine is a real screamer and a feat of modern technology. Happier on forestry but no mean performers on tar either. Colin O’Toole / Francis Kelly are second on 22 points are seem to be concentrating on forestry . Third are another recognised forestry crew, Joe Shinnors / Derry Healy on 17 points.

Class 2. The other lone players in this once very popular class are Pascal O’Shea / Robbie Hennessey on 64 points in the well maintained Ford Escort MK2. Leading the class and enjoying the support of the “parish based” Buckstown Motorsport.

Class3. Class leaders and a world class rallying act are Craig Breen / Garath Roberts, Ford Fiesta on 45 points. Swopping between his brace of Fiestas has probably cost them the championship lead but they have bigger fish to fry in the international rallying arena. Second are Seamus Flynn / Ian Munnelly in the FWD Ford Focus on 44 points. This car and crew are a welcome return to rallying in what could have been the flagship rally car, but for the devotion to the ESCORT MK2. Sharing the points (44) are Douglas Stewart / Billy Ryan in the Peugeot 306. This crew have a great record in forestry but mishaps have marred their tarmac exploits. As an aside it’s fantastic to see the FWD cars to the fore.

Class 4. Class leaders are the family team of Alan and James Commins who alternate between the MK2 and the RWD Peugeot both Pinto powered. Their points tally of 67 lets them with the cusp of lifting the Championship provided they win the class in Wexford and others suffer a hiccup or two over the testing two day event. Second are Sean Benskin / Joe Fitzgibbon on 44 points in the MK2 escort who rarely venture onto tarmac. Third are Paul Quinlan / Tommy Cuddihy also in an Escort MK2 who are scoring steady finishes are comfortably on 41 points.

Class 5. The Dark Horses - James Coleman / Michael Haley and Frank Kelly / Liam Brennan both in Escort MK2’s share the lead on 60 points. Both are very competitive and the will to win is a trait in both drivers. Both also have a mathematical chance of winning the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship, depending on the fate of others. A battle to watch. Third are another crew under the Buckstown Motorsport banner, Johnny Murphy / Martin Nolan also in the unusual four door MK2  on 31 points.

Class 6.  Ger Connors / Owen O’Neill are well ahead in 55 points. They have missed just one round are well on the way to maintaining the class lead in the Subaru Impreza. Second are Owen Murphy / James O’Brien on 46 points in the forestry spec Mitsubishi Lancer. Third are the Co.Monaghan duo of Vincent and J.P. McAree on 45 points also in their forestry spec Mitsubishi Lancer.

Many competitors in the 2011 Championship support the clubs by competing on their respective rallying disciplines, be it forestry or tarmac. In these recessionary times it is gratifying that so many crews also support the championships that the events count towards. Our prayer is that ‘may they continue to have deep pockets’!! Rallying never was and never will be a cheap sport but the friendships that have been built upon over the years are enduring.

Our best wishes to ALL associated with next weekend’s event and the TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship.

What a difference a day’s rallying makes; the old order has changed and we now have a new look leaderboard. I’m told to be brief so it’s only the bare bones that is appearing below.

Nothing new or remarkable about the latest leader of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship.  Once again it’s the indomitable Mick Nevin / Michael Garahy, Ford Escort MK2, class two on 68 points. It’s the usual stuff nothing flash or remarkable except their finishing record and the ability to get the job done with the maximum return.

 In the runner up position are Frank Kelly / Liam Brennan, Escort MK2, class 5 on 60 points. Another crew who are enjoying their dual surface rally championship which is the unique feature of the TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship. They have had three class wins including bonus points which put them in the position of potential 2011 Championship.

Third o/a are Derek Brennan / Diarmuid O’Shea, Honda Civic, class 3 on 58 points. These lads are enjoying the craic of forestry and tarmac as well, so who says the Civic are too soft for Irish Forestry rallying.

Up to the Ravens Rock Shay Power, Escort MK2, class 5 was in command but the throttle- wire wasn’t up to the job. James Coleman, Escort MK2, class 5 was on 00 duty and Owen Murphy, Mitsubishi Lance, class 6 was on an early summer break.

Last year’s TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship winner Andy Fanning has thrown his hat at this year’s championship as his impeccable finishing record has deserted him, he’s now out in the ‘big engined’ Ford Puma. Also losing out due to a car change is Craig Breen who had his big ‘engine’ Ford Fiesta on Ravens Rock duty in anticipation of engaging the WRC brigade in battle. The white flag was run up early and the experts say he would have won the Rock anyway, just by a smaller margin.

Class 1 Positions are unchanged as none of the registered crews started. Emmet Cronin, 29 points. Colin O’Toole, 22 points. Joe Shinnors, 17 points.

Class 2 Pascal O’Shea is the only other registered competitor and is thriving on his way with 54 points. One of the Buckstown community of competitors, look them up on Facebook.

Class 4 Alan Commins and son James have knocked the Ballycotten crews from the ‘top sails’ and are leading on 55 points. Sean, Ray (jnr)  and Ray (snr) Benskins are on 44; 40; 35 points respectively.

Class 5 Shay Power, James Coleman and Ed Colton are holding station on 54; 48; 30 points. There’s a few “buckos” from Buckstown who are eyeing up their positions and are intent on mounting a raid!

Class 6 The sad story here on the Rock was an entire no show from all registered crews. The class positions are shared by five crews as some are on equal points. It’s not cheap to keep these machines on the road and I suppose it’s unfair to expect them out on every event. Owen Murphy is leading on 46 points. Ger Connors and Vincent McAree are sharing 45 points. Mark Murphy and John Reid are sharing 32 points.

The final round of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship is the Dick Bailey Stages Rally (2 day)            in Wexford on the 10th/11^th Sept.

The Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club’s Ravens Rock Rally is the fifth round of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship; it’s also the second tarmac round of the seven event dual surface rally championship. Encompassing both forestry and tarmac under the banner of one championship is pretty unique within the rallying championship calendar. Some competitors rise to the challenge of competing on both surfaces while others specialise on either forestry or tarmac. Generally all the rounds are also rounds of either the national forestry (Valvoline) or the tarmac (Dunlop) championships. Although the title of this championship is The South East Stages, we have been known to spread over a greater terrain with the occasional trips to Wicklow and Lismore for forestry events. Our competitors are representative of the regional strongholds of rallying within Ireland. The quality of our events have also attracted some loyal and welcome competitors from Wales who bring their own brand of exuberance and excitement and welcome competition giving an International flavour to our events and Championship.

To the business in hand, the championship standings to date and this weekend’s event.  The simple story is that leading the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship is Shay Power and John Rafter in their class 5, Escort MK2 on 53 points. Shay won the forerunner of the TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship way back in 1992 when it was the Foley Championship. He has a 1300 MK2 and a long term partnership with Connie Delaney. There have been many bumps in the road since those far off days in the latter half of the 20^th century. Shay competes on both the forestry and tarmac events with aplomb and flair. So much natural talent that he has a pool of navigators ranging from daughter Cathy, super navi Derek Gibbs and fellow club member John Rafter. He’s a long time on the road, has plenty of experience and above all enjoys his rallying, always smiling through the rough and the smooth.

Second O/A are James Coleman and Michael Haley, also in class 5, not surprisingly also in an Escort MK2 and on 48 points. Friends, neighbours and rivals who enjoy the cut and thrust of rallying with Shay. James wears rallying on his sleeve as his support for rallying through his SUIRWAY BUSINESS ventures and the events of the Carrick-on-Suir bear testimony to his commitment to rallying and motorsport in general. Formerly a National Karting champion his competitive spirit is still to the fore. James and Michael also compete on both the forestry and tarmac events.

Third O/A are Owen Murphy and James O’Brien, class 6, Mitsubishi Lancer on 46 points. Recognised by many as a competitor who with sufficient backing would be a house-hold name among the rally fraternity. They have the strong streak of the unique Cork motorsport competitiveness that has produced Coleman, the Fitzgerald’s and Cronin’s to name a few of the most successful Cork names within Irish rallying. Currently committed to the Valvoline National Forestry Rally Championship, they may venture onto some tarmac events outside of the cork / Kerry region. They thoroughly enjoyed the night stages of the Willie Loughman Forestry rally attributing their success from competing on night navigation (rallies) trials.

Class 1. Class leaders are Emmet Cronin / R. Long, Escort MK2 on 29 points. Most likely to stay on the loose surface but may try the next two tarmac events as they are ‘local’ to Richie. The revs of the 1300 engine are akin to the wails of a F1 engine. Colin O’Toole / Francis Kelly are second on 22 points in the Ford Ka. Francis is a former TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship winning navigator. Joe Shinnors / Derry Healy, Nova on 17 points are currently third. The Shinnors name is synonymous with Irish rallying.

Class 2. For some reason the 8 valve rally engine is fading fast from Irish Rallying. Strange but true, the 1600 CC Kent engine, once the backbone of the Ford Escort has faded from the rallying scene. Just two competitors in the class, former multiple  TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship winner Mick Nevin / M. Garahy and relative newcomer to the sport Paschal O’Shea /R. Hennessy both of course in Ford Escort MK2’s share the class on 44 points. Surely there are 1600, 8 valve Sunbeams, Novas, Starlets, Skoda’s to name a few that are under the wraps of dust and cobwebs waiting for an occasional blast.

Class 3. The lead is shared by Douglas Stewart / B. Ryan, Peugeot 306 and Derek Butler / D. O’Shea, Honda Civic, both on 43 points. Again both crews are competitive on forestry and tarmac. Not so far behind on 40 points are Mick Cuddihy / J. Dunphy, Toyota Starlet. Unusually the FWD seem to have the upper hand of the RWD. The situation may be readdressed on the next two events are they are fairly local to Mick. Having a lash at the domestic rallying scene are our WRC contenders pairing of Craig Breen / G Roberts, Ford Fiesta on 30 points. Two rounds, two class wins, the ambitious target of fellow class competitors is to have Craig finish behind them ! Oh, the majority of the main field have the same ambition.... Personally I think it’s fantastic that Craig competes so often at home to show what a talent he so modestly has.

Class 4. The preserve, so far, of the RWD, mainly MK2’s. It’s so simple really; the class is sewn up by the Benskin family from Ballycotten, Co. Cork. Sean W. with Joe Fitzgibbon is on 44 points. The young lad, Ray (jnr) with Ollie Kierce is on 40 points and the (most respectfully) senior member Ray with long co-driver Peadar Walsh are on 35 points. Without exception Ray Benskin is competing for what seems to be forever in Carrick-on-Suir motorsport events. Oh, I’ll make an exception by mentioning fourth and fifth placed crews, Alan Commins and Paul Quinlan who are not related to anybody else in the class.

Class 5. Frank Kelly / L. Brennan, Escort MK2, on 45 points are just off the overall contenders in the same class. Frank is rated as one of the most exciting MK2 drivers that grace Irish Rallying. Ed Colton / Claire O’Mahony is making the latest of many come backs to rallying in a Peugeot (what else) 306. On 30 points from the previous four rounds. Paul Lacey / A. Walsh Escort MK2 are on 10 points from the Carlow MK2 challenge.

Class 6. The class lead is shared by Vincent and J.P. McAree, Mitsubishi Lance, on 45 points from the forestry rounds. If the tarmac can be assured as loose they may take in a few tarmac rounds. Another crew with night navigation experience who revelled in the night stages of the Carrick-on-Suit forestry rally. Ger Connors / O. O’Neill in a Subaru Impreza, also on 45 are competing on both forestry and tarmac. Diligent and steady competitors who are always there or thereabouts in the shake up. Second in class is also a shared position. Mark Murphy / Carol O’Keeffe, also in a Subaru are on 32 points. John Reid / E. Shiels, in the almost unique to Irish rallying Toyota Corolla, 32 points. Both perhaps committed to forestry but may yet appear on some of the tarmac rounds. Third are Connie Delaney and R. Grace, 23 points also in a Subaru. May not make much progress as Connie will adopt an officials status for the Ravens Rock.

Juniors.  Alan Keena / Fionnuala Moloney, Honda Civic, 46 points. Michael Ryan / K. Carroll, Peugeot, 24 points.  *note the juniors cannot qualify for overall awards.

 As we look forward to the remaining rounds of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship we wish the promoting clubs healthy entries. Far too many events are running at a loss and need support from outside of the competitor’s entry fees. Advertising and sales of programmes are just two other means of supporting the sport. To all who buy the programmes, thank you for your support.

The opening three rounds of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship were crackers. Each event had its own distinct personality. All were forestry. To Mitchelstown for the Tipperary Sean Conlon Forestry rally over the well tried and tested stages surrounding the Co-operative town.

The 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship is class based allowing competitors from any of the six classes to win the championship outright.

 Three crews shared the top positions when stones settled. Overall winner and winner of class 6 were Corks Owen Murphy and James O'Brien in the Mitsubishi Lancer on 30 points. Ray Benskin (jnr) / Ollie Kierce, Escort MK2 won class 4. Frank Kelly / Liam Brennan, Escort MK2 won class 5. All on 30 points virtue of the bonus points system.

Next it was to the Willie Loughman forestry rally promoted by the Carrick-on-Suir Club. Novel for this event was the decision to have the rally on Saturday afternoon with the late stages in the dark. This was new challenge for many of the crews who experienced their first event with the dancing shadows and the hollow voids of the dark spaces. Old hands of night navigation events showed that "practice makes perfect" Murphy and O'Brien chalked up another win to nail first place in the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship with 45 points.

 Second O/A was shared by Douglas Stewart / Billy Ryan, Peugeot, class 2 and Shay Power / Johnny Rafter, Escort MK2, class 5, both on 40 points.

Third O/A was also shared; Mick Cuddihy / James Dunphy, Starlet, class 3 and Ray Benskin (jnr) / Ollie Kierce, Escort MK2, class 4, both on 39 points.

Round three was the Munster Clubs Moonraker Rally in Lismore. It could just as easy have been Lisbon; to say it was sweltering would only be a slight exaggeration, because the sun shone from a cloudless sky and the stages were in fine condition. The 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship had a new leader with Douglas Stewart / Billy Ryan winning class 2 again amassing 55 points, to see leaders Murphy / O'Brien who ended their run with a blown head gasket. This is a fantastic achievement by a FWD car in the usual playground of the Escort MK2 and 4X4’s.

Second O/A are Derek Butler / Diarmuid O’Shea, Honda Civic, class 2 on 48 points. Once again a FWD more than holding its own on the loose. I suppose it’s ok to finish second in class in the “works spec” Ford Fiesta of Craig Breen who is one of the leading lights in Irish rallying!

Third O/A are James Coleman / Michael Haley, Escort MK2, class 5 on 47 points. The Mk2 is undergoing some development work in the suspension department.

The class positions are equally competitive. The current state of play of rallying in Ireland is that the ‘clubman’ has held onto the Euros required for his hobby and didn’t lose the run of himself in the time of the tiger. There were healthy entries on the first three rounds of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship and indeed the Valvoline National Forestry Rally Championship. Indeed the National Tarmac rally championship has so far early in the season been well supported.

As we eagerly look forward to the tarmac rounds of the 2011 TRITON SHOWERS South East Stages Rally Championship we wish the promoting clubs healthy entries. Far too many events are running at a loss and need support from outside of the competitors entry fees. Advertising and sales of programmes are just two other means of supporting the sport. To all who buy the programmes, thank you for your support.