After round five of the 2015 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forestry Championship hosted by Enniskillen Motor Club’s there was over one hundred cars entered in the Lakeland Stages Rally where championship leader Mick O’Brien stumbled but managed to hold on to his overall lead in the series.

Sam Moffett was the eventual winner but it was to be a dramatic day, not least for championship leader Mick O’Brien in his Focus WRC. It was his first visit to the Fermanagh forests, and he found the car weaving on the fast sections- but more worrying was a two minute time loss with a puncture on stage three, dropping him into the thirties. He resurrected seventeenth place by the finish.

“I just drove to get some points” said Mick.” I think we were back in thirty-first after six stages, so we climbed a bit. Owen Murphy didn’t show today, so Josh would be the main contender now. He would need to score well on the final two rounds, as he has no more scores to drop, but certainly the title race is still on. It just wasn’t a great day for us today, although we enjoyed the rally.”

Josh Moffett in his Group A Evo 9, took a fine second place, no major dramas, just a fan to be replaced at service and a clip with a chicane. “It was a great event, great stages. We weren’t going to race Sam today, but I’m happy enough, as we could relax a bit and enjoy the final stages” said Josh. An added bonus is that he claims maximum Valvoline points.

Junior leader Patrick O’Brien had made a rapid start in his C2 R2, but slid off on stage three losing two minutes. However he lead the Junior race into the final stage, when a more serious off, took a wheel off and left Ian Downey in his Corsa the delighted recipient of the two Kumho Tyres from Ears Motorsport Ireland. Second placed Alan Moran in his 206 Cup Car now moves into the coveted Junior series lead, after another consistent showing.

The two wheel drive battle was won by Frank Kelly in fourth overall. Fourteen seconds behind in fifth was top Valvoline two wheel drive scorer Shane McGirr.

The winners however after a faultless showing where Sam Moffett and James Fulton in the Fiesta WRC. “It was class today” said Sam. “That Big Dog stage was class, with those high speed jumps. A great event and no problems to report.”

Next on the calendar is the Mayo Forest Rally on the 18th October, before the season finale in November on the Glens of Antrim event.

2015 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forestry Rally Championship- Round Five Results:
1st  Sam Moffett James Fulton  Ford Fiesta WRC 37m 52.0s
2nd Josh Moffett Jason McKenna  Mitsubishi Evo 9 +21s
3rd Jonny Greer Kirsty Riddick  Citroen DS3 R5  +1m 01s
4th Frank Kelly David Vance  Ford Escort MK2 +1m 56s
5th Shane McGirr Jackie Elliott  Toyota Starlet  +2m10s
6th Paul Barrett Glenn Alcorn  Ford Escort MK2 +2m13s
7th Jon Armstrong Noel O’Sullivan Jnr Peugeot 208 R2  +2m39s
8th Jonny Leonard Niall Burns  Mitsubishi Evo 6 +2m43s
9th Desi Henry Liam Moynihan  Skoda Fabia S2000 +2m48s
10th Niall McCullagh Ryan McCloskey Mitsubishi Evo 6 +2m52s

Provisional Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forestry Rally Championship Points after Round Five:
1 Michael O'Brien 91pts
2 Michael Conlon 78
3 Gerard Lucey 64
4 John Gordon 60
= Josh Moffett 60
6 Andrew Fanning 53
7 Niall Henry 52
8 Hugh McQuaid 43
9 Owen Murphy 42
10 Ian Graham 41