4x4 Off Road Championship


Round 2, Dualla, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Co. Tipperary Motor Club, 18th October 1998.


Report by Richard Lombard.

As we approached the site the road sign read as follows - one sign "Dualla", the other "4x4", and as we drove into the site it looked just the place for a day's rock climbing with a grand view of the furze forest below.

As the day progressed we were to find that this land which had yielded stone for our very welcoming landowner Toppy Corcoran, was now to yield up a gem in the form of a most varied off road venue.

As we gathered for registration there came the shocking news that Sean Connaughton, who had been with us only one full season, had been tragically killed at work on the previous Wednesday. This was a sobering dose of the reality of life to our closely knit group on a clear October morning. He enjoyed bringing his family to the events to share his enjoyment with them. To his wife and family the 4x4 competitors and organisers send their sincere condolences.

Just as we were about to start the rain came but was gone after 10 minutes to leave us with a fresh sunny day. First glance at the course, if one could see it would make one think that it was laid out 10 years ago and that the furze bushes [forest actually] and lakes had risen up around the stakes, only the tops of some and none of others being visible! The truth was that Brian Berkery, John Franklin and Shane McMeel were known to have spent Saturday on the course. True comrade that he is, John Franklin engaged the help of Trevor Lyons and both departed into the forest ably assisted with a chain saw to rescue the lads!

When it came to the submarine section John Lombard was first in line, test No. 2 being of that variety, left to venture in on his own to the jeers and cheers of many around. As he managed to successfully negotiate this water obstacle his brother Richard promptly pulled the roll-over mode switch for the next test and gave John all the Tipperary (Still) Water that he would need for the day. Dermot Drennan, driving the "Manx Suzuki" made steady progress through the field and up the result board throughout the day, finishing 2nd in his class, a great outing for one of our new arrivals.

The Abbeyleix Special developed an affinity for inclined parking during the day due to a starter problem. This did not stop it from getting into the riverbed at the end of test 3 from which not one who got in there was able to get out unaided. Carl McCarthy , not to be outdone, chose the opposing gully in the same test, to hang his CJ5 over requiring the leech like hold of 4 spectators to maintain balance while waiting for help. Vincent Dorney, having lost his steering in the morning, was travelling with Robin Lyons at the end of test 7 when Robin hit the roll-over button. Vincent decided not to lose his life and make an exit but the result left Vincent and a marshal holding on to prevent a roll-over. Brian Berkery cleared a well driven zero at the end of test 7 and then a big roll-over into the thick furze, a just reward for he who set the course!

All adjourned then to Corcoran's pub in Cashel for the prize giving and refreshments. Thanks were expressed on behalf of all to the Tipperary Motor Club for hosting the event, to Mr. Toppy Corcoran the land owner who gave such a warm welcome to us all, Mr. Jim O'Brien, COC., Mr. T Cairns and Mr. Micky Sullivan of the Tipperary Motor Club, Brian Berkery, John Franklin and Shane McMeel for laying out the course, (the rotters), Ivor McClintock for scrutiny, all the marshals and finally to Shane McMeel for organisation.

The next event will be on 1st November at Morrissey's Sand Pit, Ardriston, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Please contact Shane McMeel for details at 087-2491586 or e-mail smcmeel@tinet.ie.

Results:

Production Overall:
Place Driver Points

1st Tom Twomey 14
2nd Brian Berkery 21
3rd Trevor Lyons 21

Class 1
(Suzuki):
1st David Hanlon 26
2nd Diarmuid Drennan 26
3rd Damien Heneghan 29

Class 2
(Landrover,Landcruiser):
1st Keith McCoy 34
2nd Colin McCoy 36
3rd Gordon Cantwell 38

Class 3
(Daihatsu):
1st Karl McCarthy 23
2nd Gerry Desmond 27
3rd Mick O'Shea 34

Class 4
(Novice drivers):
1st Jonathan Heneghan 44
2nd Malcolm Cooper 47
3rd Karl Colton 58

Class 5
(Modified vehicles):
1st Edwin Pratt 25
2nd Paul O'Byrne 30
3rd Ivor Clegg 33

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