Nicole Drought returned to “the lanes” again last weekend as she entered her Nissan Micra in the Monaghan Motor Club Endurance Trial. The 24 year old, from Roscrea, is a Nissan Ireland Generation Next Ambassador and initially entered one of these events as a bit of fun in a standard 2001 Micra.
Having won the class on the opening event though, the decision was made to compete in the entire championship, which takes place all around the country.
A string of top finishes meant that Nicole had a strong lead in the championship ahead of last weekend’s event and after a full day of tough selective stages, she finished second in class, moving her one step closer to the title.
All this too, with a new co-driver onboard too. Nicole’s usual navigator, Ruth Nugent was marshalling at Mondello Park so Aaron McElroy was thrown in the deep end, for his first ever event. He performed superbly though, with just one single road penalty incurred over 20 stages all around the Monaghan area.
Nicole Drought: “That was another tough event, and we are still learning. Aaron was great though and the Micra never missed a beat all day. I’m looking forward to my home event in Birr in October and would love to wrap up the title there with a good result.”
Nicole’s next event is at Mondello Park in two weeks time as she competes in her Gem Oils Stryker at the famous Leinster Trophy meeting at Mondello Park.
The final round of the Coffee Perfection Endurance Trial championship is in Birr on October 7th, with Nicole now only needing 8th place or better to take the championship.
Nicole Drought made her UK Endurance debut earlier this summer, as well as competing in the Irish Stryker Championship – find out more here.
Photos: Lorna Kennedy
