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RALLY NEWS
NO.17 Mt.Errigal..Sunday 6.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 25 ISKAHEEN (LAST STAGE)
1st (3) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 2.46.33
2nd (1) James Cullen/Ellen Morgan (Impreza) 2.50.06
3rd (9) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Escort WRC) 2.51.52
4th (11) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza) 2.52.12
5th (8) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC)2.53.29
6th (5) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Celica) 2.54.18
7th (14) Hugh M Doherty/Mike Gibson (Escort WRC) 2.55.56
8th (24) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort) 2.58.42
9th (30) Brendan Kelly/Sean Harris (Lancer N) 3.04.15
10th (64) Seamus Heron/Sean Devlin (Lancer N) 3.04.22
Andrew Nesbitt came off stage 25 very much the king of Donegal
this sunny evening having won this Shell Donegal Rally for the
3rd time in 5 years. Andrew and co-driver James O'Brien
were fastest on every stage this year, a unique feat in Donegal.
Andrew's Impreza World Rally Car, supported by Subaru Ireland,
Cuisine de France and his own Cross Refrigeration company, and
running on Pirelli tyres, never missed a beat all weekend.
New Tarmac Championship leader Andrew commented "There were
a lot of good drivers on this rally, and make no mistake, on
their day they can all win. This one was ours, concentration
was the big thing this weekend. The weather was good which suited
us, our team did a superb job, as did Donegal Motor Club. Now
I'm looking forward to the party!" Provisional points
in the championship show Andrew on 30: James Cullen 24: Ian Greer
19: Daniel Doherty 18: Murphy staying on 17.
Second placed James Cullen was naturally disappointed not to
repeat last year's win, but his feelings were "It was a
difficult rally for us, especially at the beginning. There is
a very strong calibre of people and machinery here, it was Andrew's
rally. I feel we did something special, lifting ourselves after
the accident on the Summit Rally". Frank Meagher travelled
from Tipperary and took 3rd place, the former Champion saying
"We had a lot of work to do to get the car right for the
conditions". Fourth placed Daniel Doherty did another brilliant
job, Daniel very much the up and coming Donegal driver.
Eamonn Boland really got into the groove with his hired Subaru
and Ian Greer was unfortunate to have a small accident today
which dropped him down to 6th place. Hugh Martin Doherty overcame
many difficulties on the way to 7th. Eugene Donnelly was one
of the stars of the show in his Bio Clear G3 Escort to win the
modified section overall and finish 8th.
Brendan Kelly scored his best ever result to take 9th place,
just a handful of seconds ahead of Seamus Heron in the race for
gpN honours. Top lady driver is Natalie Barratt, with Stella
Boyles on the pace notes. They finish behind Sean McArdle in
12th place and take 3rd in gpN. Glenn Allen finished 11th and
has won his class. Sean McArdle 13th, Connie Smith 14th. Finally
for now, congratulations to Gerry Burke and all at Donegal MC
for another superb event.BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON (many thanks
to all who helped) |
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