Latest news with #BAUHAUSRoyalRallyofScandinavia
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Top 10 finish for Armstrong and Byrne in Scandinavia
Taking the final top 10 spot in the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, round three of the European Rally Championship, the Irish pairing of Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2) had the satisfaction of knowing that they have the pace, if not the luck, to mount a strong challenge for victory in one of remaining five round of the series. They were third fastest through the Power Stage (final stage) where they annexed three extra championship points. At the finish, the Kesh driver spoke about his final stage performance, where rain made it difficult. "I had a messy run through, a bit of understeer in the first corners. I clipped something in the fast section so I was a bit careful there." "It was a frustrating weekend, we had some good pace." He also took time to reflect on last week's Jim Clark Rally (Scotland) and the Cavan Rally. "We had some tough events last weekend at home, especially James (Williams) and Dai (Roberts, who was fatally injured), also my old co-driver Brian Hoy, who had a bad accident." (Hoy and his driver Garry Jennings were both injured in an accident during the Cavan Rally). Norway's Eyvind Brynildsen was a first-time winner in a round of the series as his Pirelli-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 finished 4.9s in front of the MRF Tyres Toyota GR Yaris of Finland's Roope Korhonen, who snatched the runner-up spot from local hero Isak Reiersen (Skoda Fabia RC Rally2), who was Brynildsen's closest challenger until the final stage. Indeed, the 21-year-old was only 2.8s behind with three stages remaining. Both Reiersen and Brynildsen putting their cars on two wheels on a left-hand corner on SS15. Korhonen tops the overall championship standings. Meanwhile, Tyrone's Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) made it three wins from three outings in the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship, his latest, in Saturday's Mayo Forest Rally, to move into the lead of the eight-round series. He secured a commanding 20.6s victory over the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Waterford's Andrew Purcell, who fended off the final stage challenge of Tyrone's Niall McGonigle (VW Polo GTi R5) by a mere 0.6s. Despite a few moments, Purcell set the pace on the opening stage where top seed Mitchell was only 0.4s behind with McGonigle a further 1.7s shy of second spot. The majority of the entry received a notional time for SS2 as Mitchell posted the fastest time through SS3 to impose his authority on the event with a 10.6s advantage. Purcell lost time when he clipped a chicane and although McGonigle reckoned he too lost time, he was only 1.7s further behind in third. Tyrone's Stephen Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) was fourth but struggled to get into rhythm. Reigning champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel lost time when his Ford Fiesta R5 cut out as he approached a chicane on the third stage, he was unhappy with his choice of a hard compound tyre. On the repeat loop, Mitchell was able to manage his lead and with a trio of stage wins, took a fine victory. Purcell just about withstood McGonigle's late surge to claim valuable points to keep his title hopes on track. Dickson, Mackarel and Pete McCullagh (Mitsubishi Lancer E9) completed the top six. Elsewhere, Donegal's Damien Tourish (Ford Escort) in ninth place, was the top two-wheel drive finisher. In the J1000 category, Donegal's James McShea (VW UP) capitalised on the final stage retirement of long-time leader Cavan's Danny Brady, also in a VW UP. The entry list for the Donegal International Rally (June 20/22) was announced on Friday evening last. With the withdrawal of Kris Meeke on Thursday, the revised top ten is: 1. Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 3. Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 4. William Creighton (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2); 5. Matt Edwards (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 6. Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2); 7. Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5); 8. Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), 9. Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 10. Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Round 3: European Rally Championship): 1. E. Brynildsen/J. Listerud (Toyota GR Yaris Raally2)1h. 33m. 40.8s; 2. R. Korhonen/A. Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+4.9s; 3. I. Reiersen/S. Gustavsson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+9.6s; 4. A. Mabellini/V. Lenzi (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+22.0s; 5. F. Tore Larsen/L. Lundgreen (VW Polo GTi R5)+25.2s; 6. M. Johansson/J. Gronvall (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+50.3s; 7. M. Marczyk/S. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 07.6s; 8. M. Ostberg/L. Karlsson (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 37.8s; 9. S. Tempestini/S. Itu (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 55.0s; 10. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 26.2s. ERC Championship Positions (after Round 3): 1. R Korhonen 60pts; 2. M. Marczyk 57pts; 3. M. Ostberg 48pts; 4. A Mabellini 47pts; 5. I Reiersen 40pts; 6. N. Gryazin 34pts; 11. J. Armstrong 21pts. Mayo Forest Rally (Round 4, Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship) Ballina: 1. J. Mitchell/P. McCrudden (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 25m. 53.8s; 2. A. Purcell/L. Brennan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+20.6s; 3. N. McGonigle/C. McKenna (VW Polo GTi R5)+21.2s; 4. S. Dickson/B. Teggart (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+52.6s; 5. D. Mackarel/E. Creedon (Ford Fiesta R5)+58.8s; 6. P. McCullagh/L. Callaghan (Mitsubishi Lancer E9)+1m. 45.6s; 7. J. Boland/J. McCay (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+1m. 53.9s; 8. A. Dickson/D. Turkington (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 02.4s; 9. D. Tourish/D. McAlaney (Ford Escort)+2m. 08.6s; 10. S. Moore/T. McHugh (Ford Fiesta)+2m. 19.2s. Slig o Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship (Provisional positions after Round 4): 1. J. Mitchell 63pts; 2. A. Purcell 53pts; 3. S. Dickson 52pts; +4. P. O'Connell & D. Mackarel 47pts; 6. J. Boland 37pts
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: Struggle for Armstrong and Byrne at Royal Rally of Scandinavia
Luck continues to desert the Irish crew of Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, who ended the first leg of BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, the third round of the European Rally Championship, in 12th place. Scandinavian aces, Norway's Eyvind Brynildsen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Sweden's Isak Riersen (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) are locked in a tense tussle with the former holding a 5.1s advantage. However, three others - Roope Kornhonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), Frank Larsen (VW Polo GTi R5) and Andrea Mabellini (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) are all within 22s of the lead heading into Saturday's final leg of eight stages. For Armstrong it was another day of highs and lows, from an impressive stage win on the SS4 to come within 9.5s of rally leader Brynildsen, further progress was halted just 3.2km into SS5 when he was forced to stop and change a punctured front wheel. 'We just went a bit too early in a corner over a crest and hit a bit of rock on the inside that was sticking out and I didn't spot it on the recce.' He added, 'These stages, you start going (cutting) more early everywhere because everyone is doing it and just end up seeing lines that weren't there when you started so we got a puncture and stopped to change it. It's frustrating." Fellow Irish driver Philip Allen (who won the qualifying stage) was only 6.1s off top spot before his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 went off on a slippery tarmac section some 8.2km into the same stage. To his credit, Armstrong made a good recovery on the afternoon's three stages and clawed back six places. Rain on the day's final stage made for a tricky situation. "It was hard to keep a rhythm, a bit too much sliding with the rain, let's see what tomorrow brings." Brynildsen moved into the lead after SS4 and while Mads Ostberg (Citroen C3 Rally2) occupied second from SS5, a puncture on the penultimate stage saw him slip to eighth - 40.1s off the lead. In a post on Instagram, Kris Meeke (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) has postponed his entry for the Donegal International Rally out of respect for his co-driver Brian Hoy and the tragic events on last week's Jim Clark Rally. Hoy was co-driver for Garry Jennings during last Sunday's Cavan Rally when the pair were injured in a crash. Eslewhere, the entry list for the Donegal International Rally (June 20/22) was announced on Friday evening. The top 10 is: 1. Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 3. Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 4. William Creighton (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2); 5. Matt Edwards (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 6. Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2); 7. Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5); 8. Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), 9. Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 10. Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Round 3: European Rally Championship) Positions after Leg 1: E. Brynildsen/J. Listerud (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 47m. 59.1s; 2. I. Reiersen/S. Gustavsson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+5.1s; 3. R. Korhonen/A. Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+6.8s; 4. F. Larsen/L. Lundgreen (VW Polo GTi R5)+48m. 07.7s; 5. A. Mabellini/V. Lenzi (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+22.0s; 6. M. Marczyk/S. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+32.4s; 7. M. Johansson/J. Gronvall (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+34.2s; 8. M. Ostberg/L. Karlsson (Citroen C3 Rally2)+40.1s; 9. S. Tempestini/S. Itu (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+50.4s; 10. S. Lefebvre/A. Malfoy (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+1m. 01.8s; 11. J. Matulka/D. Syty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 32.6s; 12. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 18.5s.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: Crunch time for Armstrong and Byrne in Scandinavia
Regarded as one of the fastest events, the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia is the latest setting for Irish pair Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne, who need to garner some top points for their European Rally Championship bid. The 17-stage Karlstad-based rally is a familiar location for the 30-year-old Kesh driver, who made his Rally2 debut at this level two years ago. 'It's primarily on roads used every day, so they're very wide and compact. But you've got quite a lot of loose gravel on top, so you want a lower road position to avoid road sweeping. It's all about carrying your speed, getting your lines right and keeping your right foot down as much as possible," said Armstrong. The former ERC3 champion will take encouragement from his pace in Rally Hungary, where he was only some 10 seconds off the lead after five stages before two punctures dropped him well down the order. "When you've lost that much time, you just have to try to reset and get back to the front again, just try to keep your pace up.' Points on the board for Armstrong/Byrne will be important, especially after their non-finish in the first round in Spain. While they recovered to finish 10th in Hungary, the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team crew will push the Pirelli-shod Ford Fiesta Rally2 to the maximum. Armstrong continued: 'Sweden's a different character rally (in comparison to the rough stages in Hungary) there will be lots of locals, but we have to give it a good go, it's my third year here, so I need to keep the right foot down. "It's not been a good start to the season but at least we have some pace. We just need some luck and a result and hopefully that will come.' Those locals include Isak Reiersen (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and reigning ERC Junior champion Mille Johansson (20), who has upgraded to a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 for his home event. Fresh from his ERC winning debut outing in Hungary, much is expected of Finland's Roope Korhonen in his MRF Tyres Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and his battle with championship leader Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and the similar car of Andrea Mabellini, Citroen C3 Rally 2 duo Mads Ostberg and Max McRae, Jos Verstappen and Simone Tempestini - both in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars and inaugural Junior ERC champion Stéphane Lefebvre (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) should be interesting. Armstrong, seeded at nine, should be very much in the mix. Meanwhile, and in the absence of championship leader Cashel's Pat O'Connell, who is on a family vacation, there's a strong possibility that the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally series will have a new leader at the end of Saturday's Mayo Forest Rally, the fourth round of the championship. Tyrone's Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia Rs Rally2) is best placed to take advantage as he seeks to continue his good form having won on his two outings to date. He won last time out in Mitchelstown to close to within five points of O'Connell, however, given the shorter nature of tomorrow's event - just 45.16km - there will be room for error. Having made a good start, reigning champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta R5) has struggled with problems on his last two outings while Waterford's Andrew Purcell (Ford Fiesta Rally2) will be determined to turn the tables on Mitchell on this occasion. Others like the Tyrone trio of Gareth Mimnagh, Niall McGonigle and Stephen Dickson, all in Ford Fiesta Rally2 cars, provide the top opposition. The Mk.2 Escorts of Tyrone's Hugh McQuaid and Donegal's Damien Tourish are the top seeds in the two-wheel drive category where the Peugeot 208 Rally4 pair Cian Caldwell and Keelan Grogan and Jack Harris (Ford Fiesta) should make an impression. There are some twenty-six entries in the J1000 category led by the VW UP of Kilkenny's David Travers with a debut for former karter Meath's Holly Dunnion (Peugeot 107). The first of the six stages begins at 9.31am. Elsewhere, the Skibbereen Endurance Trial that has twenty selectives over the day has a 10.00am start on Sunday from the Carbery Rangers GAA complex in Rosscarbery.
