Martin Tynan from Monaghan beat all challengers to claim victory on Mayo and District Motorsport Club’s Loose Surface Autocross on Sunday. Driving a Mitsubishi Evo 8, he had to do it the hard way, coming from behind on the final run to beat local favourite Derek Deane.
A capacity entry gathered at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford for the third of four autocross events to be held this year, with each competitor getting three runs of two laps over the demanding route.
Derek Deane, in his JCR Rally Kart, outlined his intentions from the start, setting a time of 3:58.89, almost 14 seconds faster than the Evo of Tynan on the opening run, with another Monaghan visitor, Mickey Conlon, a further one second back. On the second run, however, Deane failed to set a time due to a coming together with the final chicane that ground him to a halt. Tynan was next on track and, while taking over 12 seconds off his first attempt, stopping the clock at exactly 4:00.00, Deane still held the lead by just over a second. With hopes high for a home win, Deane pulled out all the stops on the final run, but only managed a 4:02.98, leaving his first run time still his best. Was it to be enough?
Tynan put in a dazzling final run in the Red Mitsubishi to take a further two and half seconds from his previous best, and record victory.
Watching the battling duo closely all day was Sligo man John McGettrick who, on his first day competing in a buggy, was double driving Deane’s JCR Rally Kart. He astounded regulars as he reserved his best for last, not only taking second overall ahead of Deane, but also winning class six with a time of 3:58.11 on his final run. Deane and Conlon took second and third respectively in class six.
Away from the leading protagonists, competition was just as fierce in the various classes. Foxford’s James McGreal won class four in his Subaru Impreza, ahead of Sligo’s Padraic Mullen and Monaghan’s Cormac McElvaney. Bekan’s Sean McHugh finished fourth in that class and in 21st place overall.
Damien McGauran from Fermanagh claimed the honours in class three with another impressive showing in his rear wheel drive Toyota Corolla. Walter Burke from Williamstown finished second in his Escort MK2 and Kilalla’s Padraic Roche was third, also in an Escort MK2.
l. Shrule’s Noel Murphy was third in class two and also picked up valuable Young Driver points as his main challenge, Foxford’s Alan Moran, could only manage fifth in class two. Club Chairman Matthew Murphy was seventh in his Toyota Corolla. Achill man Joe Healy brought his Honda Civic home in 10th place. Westport’s Alan McGuire guided his Peugeot 205 to a notable 11th in class, winning the local 205 battle by a clear margin. Achill’s Peter McManamon had to settle for second in the aforementioned 205 battle and 16th in class, afterwards saying that he was taking it a bit easier trying not to scuff the new paint job on his 205. Liam Healy, also from Achill, was 17th in his Honda Civic. David Walsh, home on holiday from Australia steered the family Sunbeam to 18th place in class two. Mervyn Fahy, who was double driving the Walsh Sunbeam, lost the bragging rights, finishing one place behind in 19th.
Class seven, for 16-18 year olds, was won once again by Patrick McEveney from Castlebar in his Toyota Corolla, Colm Ronan from Bekan was second in his Nissan Sunny and Crossmolina’s Lorcan Moore, on a day hampered with fuel pump problems in his Citroen Saxo, claimed third.
The Mayo & District Motorsport Club award for the leading club member went to Adrian Deane while Shauna McEveney from Castlebar picked up the Ladies’ Award.
The final round of the 2014 Mayo and District Autocross season takes place on Sunday, August 24.
