Midland Motor Club Notes
The National Rally Championship Prizegiving Ceremony took place recently at the end of another successful year for Midland Motor Club members. A number of members were present to receive their awards. Among the successful recipients were the Longford crew of Brendan Kelly and Michael Harper in their Opel Astra taking third in Class Three. Second in the same class was Longford man Michael Murray and his co-driver Pat Cashman in their Nissan Almera. Third in class Five were the Midland pairing of John O'Dowd and Martin Costello in their Ford Ka. Another successful Midland member was Dermot O'Gorman who partnered George Cullen to come seventh overall in the championship and third in Class Eight. Another Midland member who is going from strength to strength is Sam Johnston from Longford. Sam is taking part in both the Irish Hewison Trophy and the English BTRDA and RAC Autotest Championships in his Johnston Farm Equipment backed Mini Special. He currently lies fourth in the Hewison Trophy. He recently represented Ireland in the Ken Wharton Memorial Trophy coming second behind Northern Ireland and finishing ahead of England, Scotland & Wales. The Midland Motor Club held a Night Navigation Event on Saturday night, the 2nd of December, last. The event ran out of the Stag's Head in Ballinalee, Co. Longford. Best of the Midland members were: Pascal Hennessy who finished first overall, Paddy Duffy & Harry Bleakley finishing third overall, Kevin Lunt & Eoin Longworth who finished fourth overall, Dessie & Kathleen Brady finishing fifth overall and Kenneth Prior & John Mc Corry finishing tenth. Clerk of the Course was Paul Fitzpatrick and Assistant Clerk of the Course was Sam Johnston. Paul and Sam would like to thank the Stag's Head which was used as the events headquarters and Aidan Brady for the use of his premises. They would also like to thank their sponsors; Longford Auto Factors, Communication Design, Kanes Bar and Robbie Shaw and all who helped out on the night. The Midland Motor Club ran a number of very successful events this year including an autotest, two night navigation events, a single stage rally and an autocross. The club and organisers would like to thank all the sponsors of these events and look forward to another successful season next year.