12th April: TDC Multi-Venue Autotest

Looking forward to this event. Should be a highlight event of 2014. Entry already sent in...

Likewise Piers, can't wait for this one, that area is always a great spot for the likes of this event, quiet roads with superb venues and scenery. Get the entries in people!

Our CoC, Frank Fennell has been very busy in the last few days, finalizing test diagrams, and this event is shaping up to be an absolute cracker, with challenging tests in all sort of locations and varying surfaces. The navigational element will be easy and suitable for all levels including novices. (Don’t forget to bring the pen!)

Zoe Briggs leads the ladies field in her MX -5 and she is taking her father Stephen along as chief code board reader. She will have fierce competition for top MX- 5 honours in the form of the very experienced Piers Mac Fheorais, who has Ian McCulloch for company and this dynamic duo will be sure to give it their all, and are a certainty for a very strong finish. Ian’s second overall result on the recent Birr endurance event demonstrates his navigational prowess.

Kevin Fagan is sitting with the effervescent Dermot Carnegie in the immaculate Mark 1 Escort. Dermot enjoyed a very success run on the recent Winter Challenge Classic Rally, and he will have little difficulty, coping with whatever the hills of Wick low throw at him. Danny and Jamie O’Donohue will be strong contenders for RWD class honours in their Mark 1 and are looking forward to another competitive day out.

The Starlet class will be ultra competitive and the innovative two-tier class structure, should ensure a greater balance of awards throughout this well subscribed class.

Our leading Starlet entries include, Frank Lenehan, Kevin’Rourke and Paul Nolan. They will be challenged for top honours, by London based Damien Doran who has his regular navigator Anthony O’Neill for company. Emer McNamee, who no doubt will have picked up a wealth of navigational skills from her father Ronan, will navigate Philip O’Reilly.

Dave McAulay is currently debating as to whether to take the Starlet, or join the Escort ranks, regardless of the car; you can rest assured that Dave will not be lacking commitment. Brian Kingston is a recent recruit to autotesting who thoroughly enjoyed his last outing in Mondello, and is looking forward to another fun filled day in the Garden of Ireland.

The mighty Mini makes another appearance in the hands of the ever-improving James Mansfield, who has repeatedly refused to join the Starlet ranks.

Frank Fennell reports that the recent dry spell has improved the going on a number of tests – however last Friday there were reports of snow on high ground. As previously mentioned, Castle Howard will be slippy irrespective of the weather conditions.

and not a Peugeot in sight... Sorry to say Ill not be driving but will be there to help out on the day..

COC is back, unwound-down & knackered , from his Spring break. We are good to go; a little bit shy of entries but adequate marshall numbers.

Tests due up here on Thursday.

Start is Holfeld's : 8.30 sign in for 10.00 start
Drivers briefing WILL be needed .
Don't be late.

Looking like 18 tests : 2/3 on gravel.

All set and just about ready to go........................................

Tim

Really looking forward to this event - now I wish I'd paid more attention at the navigation lessons!

We will be posting final instructions and seeded entry list this evening.

GPS coordinates for the test locations kindly provided by Ian

GPS Coords

thanks piers (and ian), so there is only 4 tests then or is there tests at the lunch and finish ? how many times each test? thanks!

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Bring back Retro's! Sad

2 tests Holfelds
2 tests Woolmingtons
3 tests Castle Howard long
1 test Castle Howard short
Lunch Woodenbridge Hotel
2 tests Holfelds
2 tests Woolmingtons
3 tests Castle Howard long
1 test Castle Howard short
2 tests Holfelds
Awards Kilcoole Golf Club

Will we need a tie for the golf club…….

Please see the following final instructions and seeded entry list.

Times:
Check in from 8.30
Drivers Briefing 9:45
First car starts 10:00
Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 pm Woodenbridge Hotel (1 hour break)
Results and meal 5:00 pm Kilcoole Golf Club

The first and final tests take place at Holfelds in Arklow.
GPS N 52.81153 W 006.17281

Sign on:
Trailer parking and test I are all in the same location in Holfields.

Time Cards:
Please hand in your time cards after the following tests
After Test 2 Holfelds
After Test 8 Please hand in card at the Woodenbridge Hotel After Test I2, Sammy Woolmington
After Test 18 Please hand in your final time card at Kilcoole Golf Club.

For people transporting cars by trailer, please note that you can load your car after the final test in Holfields and then proceed to Kilcoole Golf Club where you will hand in your final time card.

Code Boards:
Please note that some code boards are located adjacent to the route, there are no lines to cross at these points, so you can reverse in and /or throw where you like. This will be explained in greater detail at drivers briefing.

It is strictly forbidden to walk any of the tests.

General :
Castle Howard - The non-competitive sections, which link the tests, are rough, please take your time.

The Garda have been notified and will be present on route. Please ensure that you drive with due care and consideration for other road users.

TDC are most thankful to Mr. Edmund Holfeld, Mr. Sammy Woolmington and Mr Ivor Fitzpatrick for the continued use of their lands.

Please follow the instructions of the marshals and we hope you have a very enjoyable day in Wicklow

Frank Fennell COC.

Car No Driver Passenger Car Class
1 JJ Farrell Richard Murphy Corsa FWD
2 Norman Ferguson Tba Peugeot 106 FWD
3 Frank Lenehan Olwen Blair Starlet FWD
4 Ron Mullan Malcolm Mc Quinn Sunny FWD
5 Damien Doran Anthony O'Neill Starlet FWD
6 Philip O'Reilly Emer McNamee Starlet FWD
7 Kevin O'Rourke Tba Starlet FWD
8 Dermot Carnegie Kevin Fagan Escort RWD
9 Piers Mac Fheorais Ian McCulloch MX 5 RWD
10 Martin Nugent Tba Escort RWD
11 Danny O' Donohue Jamie O' Donohue Escort RWD
12 Paul Nolan Dave Cormack Starlet FWD
13 Owen Murray Tba Starlet FWD
14 Noel Broderick Joe Doran Starlet FWD
15 David Meeke Richard Meeke Starlet FWD
16 Malcolm Clark Oliver May Midget RWD
17 Patricia Denning Joe Downey Starlet FWD
18 James Mansfield Tim Canniffe Mini FWD
19 Brian Kingston Tony O'Keefe Starlet FWD
20 Dave McAulay David Shirley Starlet FWD
21 Richard Barnwell Joanne Lombard Starlet FWD
22 Zoe Briggs Stephen Briggs MX 5 RWD
23 Matthew Walsh Helen Caulfield Fiesta FWD
24 Mark Walsh Linda Dempsey Escort RWD
25 Les Coogan Declan Furlong BMW RWD
26 Robert Whelan John Whelan Micra FWD
27 Francis Rhatigan Conor Rhatigan Midget RWD

Hi guys,

Just wanted to say a massive thanks to all involved yesterday and for creating one if not thee best mvat's I've ever done. It was an absolutely fantastic event, the tests were fantastic, everything was just brilliant, couldn't have asked for more.

Thanks again to all involved in marshalling, setting up, organising etc etc in order for us to have fun, thanks! Anyone who couldn't or didn't enter really missed out, hope this is an annual event!!!!

Thanks!

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Bring back Retro's! Sad

Yep, Great fun event. I really enjoyed the tests. Many thanks to the marshals & organisers for all the effort put in to make this a great event.

@Mark, You did very well. Was watching you in Holfelds and it's really looking like you are getting quite handy at this sport...

Thanks piers, happy enough with 3 major f-ups and a line fault, it's hard to keep it tidy when your having so much fun Laughing

Delighted for my bro too in his piece of s*** pushrod fiesta, 1st in class is fantastic !

The format was super, hopefully this will pave the way for more of these!! Well done again to TDC Cool

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Bring back Retro's! Sad