Motorport Ireland Weekend Roundup – Moffett Masters Midlands

Monaghan’s Sam Moffett was again out on his own in yesterday’s second round
of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, with his Fiesta WRC
leading the Midland MC’s Longford Arms Hotel event based on Longford town
from start to finish to take a comfortable victory, more than a minute ahead
of his closest challengers.

Sam Moffett on his way to victory in the Midlands Rally. Photo by Ruaidhri Nash

Moffett and his co-driver Karl Atkinson set a fast early pace, opening out a
33 second lead on the first loop of three stages, before easing off slightly
for the rest of the day. Double National champion Declan Boyle held second
position at that point, but his rally came to an end with his Fiesta damaged
too badly to continue when he hit a chicane on the seventh of nine stages.

This promoted defending National title holders Roy White and James O’Brien
to runner up place at the finish, with the Impreza of Donegal pair Manus
Kelly/Gareth Doherty in third spot. Adrian Hetherington’s Escort won the two
wheel drive category in fifth place overall, with Junior title holder Gary
McNamee getting in among the more powerful cars, taking a very creditable
seventh place in his Civic.

Former Young Racing Driver of the Year Kevin O’Hara scored a double at
Kirkistown, in Co Down, narrowly beating fellow Kildareman James Roe Junior
in the opening Formula Ford race and finishing well clear of Ulster rival
Alan Davidson in race two. Galway teenager Patrick Dempsey also had two
victories, dominating both of the Ginetta Junior races.