Not an auspicious start to the New Year for Craig Breen, as he put his Peugeot Academy 208 T16 off the road on the snowy opening stage of the Janner Rally. Following his announcement of a brilliant 2015 rally programme, comprising both European Rally Championship as well as WRC2, this was definitely not the start that Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin wanted. Still, it will no doubt be onwards and upwards from here for Craig, as he embarks on one of the best ever programmes for an Irish driver. Happily, Craig`s first day accident was a slow speed one and he had no problems re-joining on day two. That however was also a struggle over the snowy Austrian stages, with tyres playing a vital role. Craig got through the day with his Peugeot unscathed, but neither he nor anyone else could look at the speed of winner, Polish driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz, in his Fiesta S2000. Kajto was fastest on stage after stage and won by 7 minutes from Frenchman Robert Consani.

Big News this week from the MSA HQ at Colnbrook is that Galway man Dean Raftery has been re-instated as British R2 Rally Champion, also the British Fiesta Sport Champion and 3rd overall in the series. Dean is heading over to the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, both for the Awards evening on Saturday Night and also to hopefully tie up an arrive and drive deal in the new Fiesta R2 1.0 litre turbo to contest the D-Mack 6 round European Championship. Dean may well keep his own Fiesta R2 and contest a few home events.

Looking back over the Christmas period, Robert Woodside/Dean Beckett won the UAC`s `Not the Boxing Day Rally` in their Mazda MX5. On Boxing Day itself Liam Ryan took the honours on the Carlow Car Club`s Rallysprint at Mondello. Ryan was driving a Corolla WRC and finished over 30s ahead of Pauric Duffy in his Fiesta R5+, with Stephen McCann 3rd in his Lancer. Interestingly, Craig Breen, driving an Escort, was 4th.

Crisp, frosty conditions greeted the 100 plus starters on the `Not the Boxing Day Rally`. Following some very close competition Co. Antrim man Woodside scored a narrow victory over David Crothers/Barbara Kane in a similar Mazda. Daniel Byrne/Kevin Fagan disturbed the MX-5 dominance by taking a fine 3rd in their Starlet. Daniel had led earlier in the day, and David Crothers also had a spell at the front of the field.

The term rally can only be used in the loosest sense when describing the format of the event. The event started with a hearty breakfast at `The Tannery` steakhouse near Moira village. Then there were 14 slalom tests at various locations in the vicinity, stretching from Hillsborough, through Anahilt and Lisburn and then up as far as the White Mountain Quarry and the old pits at the famous Dundrod TT Circuit. There were 26 tests in total.

The entry was split into two, and sent off in different directions, and everybody was supposed to complete every test twice, but at different times. It sounds a bit complicated, but it worked and all the competitors seemed to have an enjoyable day`s motorsport.

Indeed, it is very noticeable just how popular this type of event has become. No doubt it is all about the low cost, high fun factor. There is the open to all, plus family participation factor also.

The early leader was Daniel Byrne in his Starlet. David Crothers in his Mazda was then the unofficial and impressive leader for quite a few tests. However, because of the format it was difficult to do a comparison.
Eventual winner Robert Woodside was running 2nd on the road, behind last year`s winner Eric Patterson. The early icy conditions possibly played against the front runners in the first group, but then the second contingent got the worst of a snow storm on their 2nd visit to the aptly named White Mountain Quarry as well as the Dundrod Pits test.
Robert Woodside commented at the end, `we did lose a few seconds at a 360-degree turn on icy concrete. But otherwise we had a good clean run and just kept pushing. It is almost impossible to know what way you are placed during the day on that type of event, so we just kept the head down! ` Last year`s winner Eric Patterson finished 7th, having lost a few seconds with an overshoot and a slow puncture. Over 90 of the 100 plus starters made the finish, which again emphasised that it was a `fun day out`.
Not the Boxing Day Rally Top Ten
1st Robert Woodside/Dean Beckett (Mazda RX-5) 1092 points lost.
2nd David Crothers/Barbara Kane (Mazda MX-5) 1095
3rd Daniel Byrne/Kevin Fagan (Starlet) 1106
4th Mark Woodside/Andy Blair (Mazda MX-5) 1119
5th Mark Faulkner/Trevor Faulkner (Mazda MX-5) 1120
6th Allan Harryman/Suz Graham (Mazda MX-5) 1123
7th Eric Patterson/Raymond Donaldson (Mazda MX-5) 1126
8th David Much/Johnny Hart (Mazda MX-5) 1131
9th Bryan Mutch/Ken McEntee (Mazda MX-5) 1131
10th Eamonn Byrne/Anthony Preston (Starlet) 1137
Best Expert Crew: - Robert Woodside/Dean Beckett (Mazda MX-5). Best Novice Crew: - Mark Faulkner/Trevor Faulkner (Mazda MX-5).

The Maiden City MC ran the `Turkey Run Rally` (80 plus starters) on Monday 29th December, and icy conditions prevailed. Fair play though to the Maiden City organisers and CoC Declan McCay as they had a gritting machine working from 04.00 to keep the stage clear. Still some competitors weren`t happy, so no times were issued for the first stage, to give the drivers a chance to test the conditions. Ironically they nearly all went as hard on that opener as they did for the rest of the day, so one had to ask what were they making the fuss about?

Anyway, Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan in their Focus WRC took a 19s victory over last year`s winner Derek McGeehan in his Mini WRC. Derek had Arthur Kierans in the hot seat this time and was within touching distance of Donagh throughout the day. However on the penultimate stage Derek tried a cut slick tyre and it didn`t work so well, allowing Donagh a bit of daylight. Garry Jennings & Rory Kennedy in their Impreza WRC were 3rd. Garry only made a very last minute decision to do the rally, and was unfamiliar with the venue, which was possibly a bit of a disadvantage. It wasn`t a bad day for the McGeehan Motorsport stable, as apart from finishing 2nd himself, his brother Alan was 4th. Martin Doherty, co-driven by Gary McElhinney, made the trip from Donegal worthwhile by winning GpN and was 5th overall, driving his Lancer. A notable retirement was Desi Henry, up as high as 3rd until his Impreza WRC stopped on the 3rd stage with a suspected fuel problem.

Young Josh McErlean, with Thomas McErlean co-driving, took a great victory in the Junior section, from Philip White/Martin McGarrity (Micra). Josh McErlean was driving a Peugeot 107 and was on his first rally.

Last weekend, the Southern Four Championship took place in Rosscarberry, with Stephen Carey deservedly taking the top honours. Stephen`s immaculate Honda Civic R is fundamentally a GpN car, and this would be the first time the title has gone to crew in a Production car.

As we attempt to get our brains into gear following the festive period, it is worth a reminder of upcoming events – this Saturday it is the launch of the Triton Showers National Championship at Maynooth. The UAC Kirkistown `New Year Stages` is scheduled for the 17th January. This is due to be a round of the Junior championship. The following weekend, 23rd –25th January it is the Monte Carlo Rally, while here at home the Mid Antrim Club is running a forestry event at Tardree. Then on the 31st it will be the Donegal Forestry, and also the first `recce` day of the Galway International. Over in Wales the Red Kite forestry rally is planned for the 1st February.

Interesting bits of information that emerged over the Christmas break include news that the GpN homologation for the Lancer being extended by 4 years. The evergreen Robert Lyttle has been announced as CoC for the 12th July Sligo Stages. The always popular rally will be a counter in the Triton Showers National Championship. Remarkably, this will be Robert`s 8th time performing the CoC role – somewhat of a record perhaps? A change to the Tarmac Championship is that Ger Seaman is stepping down from the co-ordinator role to concentrate on business. Cork 20 CoC Kevin O`Riordan is taking over the Tarmac reins.

As we reported on our last Irish Notes, it would appear that we have just 4 drivers on the Monte – Kris Meeke, Craig Breen, Daniel McKenna and Eamonn Boland. Daniel has been awarded good backing from Monaghan County Council to help him contest the WRC R3 and is also now their road safety ambassador. Keith Cronin was originally hoping to do the Monte in his new Citroen R5, but apart from still working at the set-up of the car, he now also has to look for a co-driver for his WRC2 campaign. Marshall Clarke, who has sat with Keith in recent seasons, is now committed to another driver, Al-Kuwari. The Mid Antrim MC forestry Icebreaker Rally is now going to be concentrated in Balleyboley Forest and will consist of 6 stages in total, for an entry fee of £200. There will be no mileage on the public road. Both Desi and Niall Henry are among the drivers who have expressed intent to compete. C of C of the Rally is Simon Michael, and his contact number is 07922 746084.

Finally for now, it would appear that the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards will again be taking place in the near future. One of the categories will be for the best `sports person` in NI during the 20 years that the Awards have been held. This will be decided by a poll. Would it not be good idea to support a rallyman – namely the extraordinary Paddy Hopkirk? To follow up on this go to the Belfast Telegraph web site www.belfastelegraph.co.uk/awards and vote for Paddy. The voting is only open for a few more days.