Longford rally enthusiasts in for a big treat this weekend
With over 230 entries, Longford is gearing up for an eagerly awaited event involving three different championships this weekend, the National, Border and Midland East.
Midland Motor Club held its Moto Stages rally launch in Escabar on February 19 with attendees including Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Turlough McGovern, sponsors Orlagh Reynolds from the Longford Arms Hotel and Gerry Rowley representing Admore Air Conditioning Corp along with associate sponsors Shane Quinn Rallying, Faughnan Construction and McCormack Contracting together with club members and rally fans.
Seamus McTigue, Clerk of the Course, outlined the work done to date and thanked all sponsors and businesses in Longford who have been very supportive of the event.
The rally consists of three stages completed three times in the Drumlish, Ballinalee and Moydow areas of Longford with centralised servicing in Templemichael Business park, 'Parc Ferme' is at St Mel's College in Longford Town.
Scrutiny takes place on Saturday, March 4 at Midland Engineering in Templemichael Business Park, Longford and Trailer Park will be located at Fenelon Engineering at Longford Business Park.
A ceremonial start will take place in the town on Saturday evening at 7pm.
A quality field of some of the top competitors in the country, including reigning National rally champion Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes seeded number 1 with Sam Moffett and Kieth Moriarty seeded 2nd both in Hyundai i20 R5’s.
Current British national rally champion Matt Edwards and David Moynihan are seeded 3rd in a Fiesta R5.
Top Midland crews are Paul Rowley (USA, and formerly from Killoe) & Brian Doherty in a Fiesta R5, Tommy Doyle from Kenagh with Liam Moynihan calling the notes in a Hyundai R5 with Sam Johnston from Longford and David Gibbons from Roscommon in a Honda Civic.
Colin Flanagan from Boyle with Kirsty O'Callaghan in a Mitsubishi Evo, Ronan Quinn and Kevin Heffernan from Kenagh in an Escort and Shane Quinn from Kenagh and Patrick Brides from Roscommon in a Fiesta.
A seeded entry list is now available through the Sportity App (password MIDLANDMOTO23).
The first stage is at 9.30am with first car due back to Parc Ferme at 4.45pm.