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2013 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship set for off
The launch of the 2013 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship took place on Sunday 3rd of March at the Sligo Park Hotel. Defending Champions, Arthur & Mac Kierans were present and the pair reiterated their commitment to go for the three-in-a-row in 2013. In total, over 50 people were present including Motorsport Ireland president Joe Corcoran, Championship sponsors Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty, representatives from each of the promoting clubs, competitors and media personnel. Proceeds from the 2012 Championship prizegiving were made to Sean and Carmel Fallon of STOP, an organisation which works with people affected by suicide.
The 2013 Championship will consist of five rounds this year, Mayo, Monaghan, Cavan, Sligo and Donegal. The unique class based structure gives crews from all classes a chance of winning the overall title. For 2013, Class 11 will be split into class 11f for front wheel drive cars and 11r for rear wheel drive cars due to the large number of entries regularly received. The onus on consisent class performances ennsures that the championship regularly goes down to the final round of the series. Competitors count their best four scores from the five rounds. 10 points are awarded to each class winner providing at least five cars started in that class.
Arthur & Mac Kierans will be chasing an unprecedented 3rd straight Border title following their championship successes in 2011 and 2012. The Monaghan pair have been the dominant force in class 12 in recent years, but could face stern competition from Sligo pair, Enda Haran/Patrick Corcoran who pipped them to class honours in Donegal. Adrian Cannon/Paddy McCrudden will be the crew to beat in class 2 and have regularly figured in the overall standings come the end of the year. Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy have been regular front runners in class 3 and Pakie will be hoping to improve on his 3rd overall last year. Class 4 should be intense with the likes of Championship sponsors Andrew Mullen/Elaine Doherty, Shane Maguire/Martin McGarritty, Pat Kirk/Peter Ward and Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard battling for class honours in recent years. Liam Branley/Samantha Branley in class 6 and Roger Kennedy/Wendy Blackledge in class 7 are both regular border campaigners and front runners in their respective classes. Class 9 was a battle royale in 2012 between Barry McGill/Derek Heena and Justin Smyth/Gregory McQuillan and 2013 should be no different. Gary Kiernan/James Fulton hope to contest the series with Gary having required last year's class 10 championship winning car from his brother Paddy. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden will be out to defend their class 11 title in their Toyota Corolla. 2012 Class 10 Champion, Patrick Kiernan with new navigator James McCarville have made the step up to class 13 and will face stiff competition from the likes of Declan Gallagher, Columba Heena, Daniel Conaghan, Jonathan Pringle and Michael Conlon. Gary McPhillips, Camillus Bradley, Frank Kelly and Jim McKenna could well feature in the battle for class 14 honours during the year. David Leonard/Darragh Mullen will be favourites in class 15 with Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes expected to be the pacesetters in class 20.
The Championship dates are:
Mayo - 10th March
Monaghan - 21st April
Cavan - 26th May
Sligo - 14th July
Donegal Harvest - 12th October
Kierans' class winning streak continues on Round 2 of Sligo Pallets Border Championship
The Driver of the day award was clinched by local men Arthur & Mac Kierans on Round 2 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship, the Monaghan Stages Rally. On this occasion, the fastest finishing class 12 crew on stage 3 of the rally would be the recipient of the award. Although Enda Haran/Patrick Corcoran were actually 0.4 seconds quicker through the stage, their retirement on stage 8 handed the award and class honours to the Kierans family. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden took a share of the overall lead of the Championship after taking another maximum score in class 11R.
CLICK HERE FOR SLIGO PALLETS
DRIVE OF DAY WINNERS VIDEO CLICK HERE
2013 BORDER CHAMPIONSHIP REGULATIONS CLICK HERE
2013 SLIGO PALLETS Border Rally Championship Rounds
March 10th Mayo & District Motorsport Club
April 21st Co. Monaghan Motor Club
May 26th Co. Cavan Motor Club
July 14th Connacht Motor Club
October12th Donegal Motor Club
