>> O'Toole Motorsport Goes 2 Wheels

Posted on: 16 Aug 2008 by webmaster

O'Toole Motorsport has got a couple of new toys to play with, now that rallying has taken a bit of a back seat. Diarmuid has purchased a 2008 Honda CRF450R motocross bike to frighten himself silly with, while Jerry went old school with a 1977 Bultaco Sherpa 350cc dirtbike. Updates will be issued from Kilkenny Hospital A&E....(Check out the gallery for pics & vid)

>> It's Just Not To Be!

Posted on: 18 Jun 2008 by webmaster

After a faultless run in the Garda Mini Stages, Colin and Charlotte were on top form for the Cork Mini Stages, a counting round of the Junior Championship, but like all the previous rounds they hit trouble again. Right from the first stage the car was down on power and the problem couldn't be found. They continued this way for the rally and got to the finish, but the pair were very disapointed as they were hoping for a top result. The fault has since been found and a broken throttle linkage was the problem, this is now fixed and the pair will be back out again for the ALMC Rally in which they will be out for another go in a championship in which they feel they can be one of the quickest.

>> Finally Comes Right!

Posted on: 22 May 2008 by webmaster

After a string of retirements due to mechanical failures,Colins corsa finally came right on the recent Garda Mini Stages. Colin had Charlotte Egan back on the notes after missing the Midland Stages and the pair were hoping for better luck on this local event. With four new Kumho's fitted for the opening two stages, the pair headed out of service with high hopes. They pushed hard on the first stage and were a bit surprised to find themselves well placed inside the top ten at the end of it. Again on stage 2 the corsa flew threw it, with no problems at all except for Colin stating he needed more power out of the little 1600 try keep up with the 2ltrs! Wth no major work needed in service and only two stages remaining, a good finish was on the cards. Again a clean run through stage three had them up to sixth overall by three seconds going into the final stage. While tryin hard to hold onto sixth on the last stage a small over-shoot saw the pair loose vital seconds and come the end of the rally Colin and Charlotte finished seventh overall and first 1600cc and front wheel drive car home and are now looking forward to the next round of the Junior Championship where they are hoping for another good run after hopefully sorting all the problems with the car.  

>> Sweet Lamb Report

Posted on: 28 Nov 2007 by webmaster

Keith and Colin hit the road early saturday morning to catch the ferry from Rosslare and start the road trip to their first experience of the Welsh forestries. They arrived in Fishguard and made their way up to Sweet Lamb where they were allowed to bring the Puma for a short test as Keith had never driven the car on gravel before. Sunday morning an all the paper work an scrutiny was out of the way and they hit the stages for what was going to be a steep learning curve! After a few scary moments on the first stage they made the end and headed for ss2 where they unfortunately lost alot of time. The remainder of the day was fairly uneventful and the crew set some very respectable stage times amongst the locals and without the time lost on the 2nd stage could have been pushing for class honours.

>> Offical 2008 Calendar!

Posted on: 14 Nov 2007 by webmaster

Colin has finalised his plans fo the coming season and has decided to contest the new Billy Coleman Junior Championship. This championship consists of 8 rounds, 4 tarmac and 4 gravel events. He is also hoping to contest the Kilarney Rally of the Lakes on the May bank holiday weekend.  

>> Wales Here We Come!

Posted on: 14 Nov 2007 by webmaster

Colin and Keith Power are making the trip to the Sweet Lamb Stages rally on the 25th on November. Colin will navigate for Keith in the S1600 Puma which has be converted to forestry spec for the weekend. The event is only open to 2wd cars and with Keith having lots of forestry experience the pair are hoping for a good result.

>> Colin Purchase's New Car

Posted on: 05 Dec 2006 by webmaster

Car has just added another car to the stable of O'Toole Motorsport. He collected the new, Opel Corsa, last Friday night and had his first day out in it on Sunday, at the Carlow Car Club Rally Sprint. Unfortunately it wasn't a great start to the new partnership, as a small gear broke in the diff early in the day. Colin was not too dissapointed thought and commented on how good the car's handeling was and insisting it has great potential was he get's use to it. His plans are not yet fully finalised for next year, but we will keep you up to date with all that's happening.   

>> Colin Wins Class in National

Posted on: 07 Nov 2006 by webmaster

After a long, hard year, Colin wrapped up class 11 in the Dunlop National Rally Championship, on the final round in Skibbereen. With only a finished needed to secure the class, this was going to be a harder task than to actually drive flat out for the day. Driving at only 60% during the morning stages, mistakes were bound to happen and a slip in concentration on stage 5 saw Colin put the car off the road slightly on a slippy 6 right. Thankfully the damage was very little and Colin and John finished out the remaining stages to clinch the championship. 

>> GSMC Mini-stages

Posted on: 26 Oct 2006 by webmaster

A good day in the Wicklow hills for O'Toole Motorsport on the 15th of October, as Diarmuid and Barry claim 13th overall and 2nd in the competitive class 13, and Colin navigates Sharon Power to a class 5 victory in her Ford Ka. If only all rallies were as simple and successful as this...

>> Clare Stages

Posted on: 14 Sep 2006 by webmaster

Due to unfortunate circumstances, there has been a change of navigator for Colin for the coming Clare Stages Rally. Instead of John McGrath sitting in, Colin will have the experienced Eoin O'Neill calling the notes for the day. Seeded at number 34, Colin is just hoping for a steady run to gain more points for the championship. The car is now for sale and anyone interested in it, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone, or call over to the team at the weekend.

>> Stonethrowers Preview

Posted on: 05 Aug 2006 by webmaster

With the next round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship closing in, Colin and Diarmuid are making their final preperations for the Stonethrowers Rally. Colin's car still has a few jobs which need sorting out, while Diarmuid's Fiesta just needs a quick spanner check. Colin's J & J Services backed Corsa has been giving a fresh coat of paint by Fran Kelly Autobody Repairs, but is still awaiting the gearbox to be fully re-built before bringing the car for a test. Colin is stuck in two minds about this rally, as he does not need to win the class on the day to retain his lead in the championship, but with the mouth watering prospect of a titanic battle in class 11, with Terence, Mark Kennedy and John Somers to name a few, it's going to be hard for him to resist stepping up the pace for the day. 

>> Sligo 2006

Posted on: 31 Jul 2006 by webmaster

With class 11 in the National Championship hotting up, Colin was determined to go for maximum points in Sligo, but that didn't stop him from having a ding-dong battle with fellow Carlow man Ted Shaugnessy. With a new set of Kumhos fitted, Colin headed out to the first stage with the look of a man who reckoned that today was a day for a big cut. The pace was like the weather, seriously hot, and with both drivers having a few minor problems, each ended the day smiling. Ted won the class by 5 seconds from Colin, who got maximum class points. The battle for the championship, and the possibly even hotter one between the Carlow modified men, resumes in Tipperary. Stand well back..........  

>> Ravens Rock 2006

Posted on: 31 Jul 2006 by webmaster

Diarmuid and Barry had a surprising day out at the Ravens Rock Rally 2006, when Diarmuid was less than impressed with his own commitment on the stages: "The car was perfect, the notes were perfect, the stages were clean and dry, but I couldn't think of a single corner that I went around properly. I just wasn't driving it." Barry was slightly more optimistic that evening in parc ferme, noting the lack of class 13 finishers, and sure enough they got the class win. Tortoise, hare, etc, etc...........

>> Gallery Update!

Posted on: 23 Jul 2006 by P.Grogan

Pictures of Colin have now been added to the gallery.

>> Colin gets a major boost

Posted on: 27 Jun 2006 by webmaster

Colin has recevied a major boost ahead of the next round of the National Championship. Carlow Car Club, of which he is a member, has kindly donated funds, so to help Colin continue in the championship. This could not have come at a better time for Colin as he is in with a great chance of claiming a class win in the championship. He would like to kindly thank the club and all the members for their support.

>> SPONORSHIP NEEDED

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by webmaster

Colin is seeking sponsorship for the remainder of the 2006 season, if anyone is interested in helping out do not hesitate to contact him on colin@otoole-motorsport.com. His results speak for themselves.

>> Colin Conquer's Carlow

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by webmaster

Sunday the 7th May saw the running of the Carlow Stages Rally, and it turned out to be a great day for O' Toole Motorsport. With only Colin representing the team, due to Diarmuid having other commitments, alot of pressure was on him. It was his first day out against 'Ted', Mark Kennedy, John Sommers and the rest, and alot was expected of him, and he didn't dissapoint. At first service, Colin commented on 'driving every stage like a single stage, flat!' He had opened up a lead of 20 seconds after the first 3 stages and never let that lead go, extending it along the day. The car ran almost faultlessly all day with the only trouble coming from the alternator, but thankfully it didn't loose the lads any time. Finishing 16th overall, first in class and second two wheel drive car home, in what was Colin's first real attack in the car,  was a  brillant result  for the day and he would like to thank everybody who made it possible. Colin's next day out is in Cavan on the 28th of May and with him feeling more and more confident in car, who knows , maybe another class 11 win?

>> Dingle's Ditches

Posted on: 04 May 2006 by P.Grogan

Colin's National debut in his 1600 16v Corsa was somewhat adventrous, but he made it to the finsh of the "Circuit of Kerry" with a big smile. Nearing the end of the first stage, the car went straight on at a slippy, downhill left and very nearly got stuck in the ditch. Luckily, it was persuaded out and made it to the end of the stage with altered suspension & bodywork. From there on, it was a case of "get it to the finish". So, 3rd in class from 18 finishers was a good, tidy result, and with these miles under his belt, Monaghan can't come soon enough.

>> Roll on Kerry

Posted on: 04 May 2006 by P.Grogan

With only 2 days remaining before the start of Colin's assualt on the National Championship, things are shaping up well in the O' Toole Motorsport camp. The car is fully sorted and a few more test miles were notched last night, but not enough according to Colin! The rally is being planned as more of a test than anything else and Colin, again, commented last night that he will not be looking at class times and is just hoping to finish.

>> Start of the 06 Season

Posted on: 04 May 2006 by P.Grogan

The season got under way for Colin on Sunday last, the 19th of March, in Tynagh, Co.Galway. Carlow Car Club held their annual event there and it was Colin's first day out with the new engine. Having only completed the car on the Saturday, no time for testing was available, so the pratice run was his first time driving the car. Colin commented: "the car is totally different to drive towards when the older engine was in it, the power Bill Falconer has in it is unbelieveable. It will take alot of time to get used to." Colin is promising no heroics in the first event, as mileage in the car is his main pirority, he'll be happy with a top six result in the class.

>> All is Quiet!

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

With not many events happening at this time of year, O'Toole Motorsport are flat out re-building! Colin is trying to get the Nova ready for the new engine and has the car completely stripped, and is now starting to regret this! He is re-doing the wiring and giving it a fresh lick of paint. Diarmuid is still re-building the Fiesta after the smack in Wexford. Colin went to look at another Nova in England on Saturday and is still undecided as to wheter to stick with a Nova for the forest's or to go with the 206. We'll keep you up-dated.

>> The One That Got Away

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

After all the preparations and planning, the G.S.M.C Mini-stage didn't go well for Colin and Ann-Marie. With a good recce done, new Kumhos and a quick car they were well fired up, but trouble hit them from the off. Arriving into optional tyre change, a oil pipe burst, leaving them with five minute lateness penalities. Then a halfshaft broke one and a half miles into the first stage. The joys of motorsport! The team worked hard to get the car out for sweeping duties on the final two stages so that Colin could get some miles in the more powerful car in preparation for his new engine. Roll on the Sprints in Mondello and next years rallying season!

>> Diarmuid Re-builds

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

Diarmuid currently has the Fiesta stripped bare after his pole-demolishing antics in the Wexford rally, and is taking the opportunity for a full re-build. The petrol tank and spare wheel locations are being moved, different front arches, new alloy front hubs, new uprated rims and wheel studs, new alloy rear calipers and new colour scheme are all being fitted. With all this work to do Diarmuid, Barry and the Fiesta should next see the light of day in the Carlow Rallysprint at the end of December (we're just not saying what year..........).

>> 2006 Calender For Colin

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

Colin and John will hopefully contest the National Championship in their newly re-built Corsa. The car has been up-graded to class 11 with a new Bill Falconer built 1600 16v Opel enigine. Unfortunately the car was not completed in time to challenge for honours on the opening round of the championship, so their year will kick off in Kerry. They also hope to contest the Wexford Stages Rally and the Carlow Single Stage Rally.

>> Change of navigator again!

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

Due to circumstances beyond Colin's control, he's had to change the navigator for the coming year. John McGrath will now be sitting in. John has lots of experience, having won two national class championships with Tomas O' Rourke in the Astra. John as sat in with Colin on three previous occasions, so at least it won't be a totally new learing experience for the two of them. Their first event is the Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally on the 2nd of April.

>> Colin Wins West Coast Junior Championship

Posted on: 03 May 2006 by P.Grogan

Colin has won the first Top Part West Coast Junior Championship, taking maximum points along the way. With 4 out of 6 rounds counting, he has won 5 from 5 and has decided to opt out of the last round, Banna Beach Mini Stage, to concentrate his efforts on the GSMC Baltinglass Mini Stage.