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RALLY NEWS
NO.11 Tallaght..Finish..Sunday 7.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 17 (LAST STAGE)
1st (1) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC)2.01.45
2nd (4) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Celica)2.03.51
3rd (6) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Escort Cos) 2.04.44
4th (25) John Treacy/John Smithwick (Escort) 2.09.22
5th (11) Dominic Loughran/Lisa Mangan (Sierra) 2.11.29
6th (26) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 2.12.12
7th (77) Francis Corrigan/Niall Driver(LancerN)2.14.10
8th (24) George Treacy/Alan Treacy (Impreza N) 2.14.37
9th (162) Trevor Culbert/James Glynn (Escort) 2.15.08
10th (72) Grant Shand/Gareth Lloyd (EscortBDG) 2.15.44
After 2 long day's of rallying Austin McHale has won this Dunlop
Rally of Ireland by over 2 minutes from Michael Barrable. Quite
remarkable really when Austin was almost last after the first
stage, and several minutes down on the then leader, Peadar Hurson.
McHale kept the pressure on all through day 1 and while others
had misfortune everything went right for the Rathcoole man.
Michael Barrable drove a very controlled event on his way to
2nd, Peadar Hurson showed flashes of brilliance in his 6 year
odl Escort Cosworth, to lead for most of the way, only for a
blown turbo to relegate him down the order. When he reached the
finish McHale commented "I didn't think I'd be here after
that first stage yesterday morning, it was a good rally considering
the conditions. We went well but we've a bit more work to do
on the car, on the suspension". Michael Barrable said "It
was a hard day yesterday and today, a long day, I'm very happy
to be here, we had the driveshaft problem and the punctures yesterday,
so its a good result for me, 2nd to McHale." Peadar
Hurson reported "I'm disappointed, but pleased at the same
time, we had the pace, led the rally a couple of times, it was
good".
In Grou N there was a turnaround toward the end when George Treacey
handed the lead to Francis Corrigan, George putting his Subaru
into a ditch for several minutes! John Treacy had another
brilliant run, says he pushed hard at times, but not always,
as he realised he couldn't improve on his position. Fifth placed
Dominic Loughran was praying all day that his Sierra would get
him home, as he battled with a sticking clutch. Dominic set 1
fastest time in the rain which was quite an achievement. Other
changes towards the end included Pat White slipping out of the
top 10 as his Escort Cosworth water injection started to play
up, allowing Grant Shand to come on to the leaderboad with some
good times towards the end. White finishes 11th.
With one stage to go James Travers had 16s in hand over John
O'Dowd at the front of the Ford Ka Championship contenders, John
Carroll was 3rd, a further 15s back. Unfortunately the Ka Championship
contenders got very few miles to show their mettle, due to the
number of stages interrupted/cancelled. They certainly
opened a few eyes on the Tallaght spectator stage when they set
times in the top 10 overall..!! BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON |
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