IT was only in the final few days in the build-up to last weekend's Skibbereen ‘100 Isles’ Navigation Trial that former double-winning Motorsport Ireland National Navigation champion navigator Denis O'Donovan teamed up with former National Navigation champion driver Andy Mackarel.
The Drinagh and Monaghan pair were the top seeds for the event that dovetailed as rounds of the National and Munster Navigation series.
It proved a successful combination as they emerged victorious with O'Donovan taking his sixth win in the event. They finished with a total of 14 penalties from the Ulster crew of Pakie Duffy and Evin Hughes, also in a Subaru Impreza, who collected 18 penalties. The all-Cork crew of Mogeely's James Fitzgerald and Ballincollig's Ken Carmody (Subaru Impreza) were a further five penalties adrift in third.
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Duffy/Hughes extended their lead in the national series while Duffy clinched the Drivers' title in the Munster series where Carmody secured the Navigators' title.
The Beginners' crew of Leap's Keith Whelton/Cian Minihane (Toyota Avensis) finished a fine seventh overall and second in category.
Although the Bantry crew of Seamus McHugh/Thomas Mulcahy (Subaru) slid into a drain and lost considerable time, they managed to 12th overall and second in the Novice category. Bandon navigator Daniel Seaman and driver Geoff Gowan (Citroen Xsara) were in all sorts of difficulties and ended with 1267 penalties.
Results: 1. A. Mackarel/D. O'Donovan (Subaru Impreza) 14 penalties; 2. P. Duffy/E. Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 18pens; 3. J. Fitzgerald/K Carmody (Subaru Impreza) 23pens; 4. O. Murphy/P. O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza) 68pens; 5. R. O'Neill/S. O'Neill (Subaru Impreza) 110pens; 6. G. Gallagher/J. Mahony (Subaru Impreza) 125pens; 7. K. Whelton/C. Minihane (Toyota Avensis) 139pens; 8. T. O'Keeffe/D/ O'Donoghue (Honda Civic) 185pens; 9. P. McDonagh/P. Corcoran (Subaru Impreza) 228pens; 10. B. Oakes/R. Nash (Subaru Impreza) 232pens.
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Inchigeelagh co-driver Eamonn Creedon will partner Monaghan's Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta R5) and Bandon's Daniel Seaman co-drives for Killarney's Colin O'Meara (Peugeot 208 R2) in Sunday's Yeats Ridge Forest Rally, the opening round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship.
