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RALLY NEWS
NO.6 Clonmel..Sunday 6.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 - LAST STAGE
1st (2) Frank Meagher/Micheal Maher (Escort WRC) 1.03.56
2nd (7) Donald O'Donovan/Pat Lordan (Celica) 1.04.04
3rd (3) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Subaru WRC) 1.04.40
4th (6) Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza) 1.05.05
5th (12) Tim McNulty/Julian Nangle (Celica) 1.05.45
6th (17) Tommy Graham/Anthony Nestor (Escort WRC 1.06.38
7th (70) George Cullen/Dermot O'Gorman (Celica) 1.07.10
8th (5) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza) 1.07.43
(16) Cathal Arthurs/Bob Kelly (Celica) 1.07.43
10th (18) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Celica) 1.07.46
There were dramas right to the end of this Stonethrowers Rally
with Donal O'Donovan letting what looked like a sure fire win
slip through his fingers, as Frank Meagher made a massive last
minute charge to turn the tables on the West Cork man.
Jim Harrison looked like he was heading for 3rd place but his
Subaru's clutch expired almost within sight of Clonmel.
Frank Meagher really had all sorts of problems during the day,
what with punctures and his Escort WRC in an ill handling frame
of mind. Frank found some wee valve in the centre differential
was not functioning properly, got that sorted and flew through
the last 2 stages. He was much quicker than anyone else through
stages 7 and 8 - Boland was 2nd fastest, dropping 7s in stage
7, and 6s in stage 8. But O'Donovan was nowhere after dominating
the rally. Donal dropped 24s to the flying Meagher in stage
7, and dropped another 12 in stage 8. End of story - lost rally
by 8 seconds. In Dunlop National Championship terms the battle
for supremacy goes on to the next round in Clare. Defending champion
Niall Maguire recovered well from his earlier excursion. The
Monaghan man told us "Cold tyres, too much brakes and she
was gone like a bullet". Paul Harris finished the
rally with a battery between co driver Eugene O'Donnell's legs,
the alternator had packed in 3 stages from home and the Donegal
man was lucky to finish the rally in 4th place. His consolation
a bagful of points. Provisionally it would appear that
Patrick Elliott has won gpN today and for the National Championship.
English visitor Jon Tainton was heading for 2nd in gpN as we
await results to be confirmed. Looking back for just a
moment, Hugh Dunne's stage 3 retirement was down to a cracked
engine block. Other stories include - George Cullen's car doing
its best to go on fire through the last stage when the power
steering pump gave up the ghost. Kevin Barrett finished just
outside the leaderboard on 1.10.11, Kevin's Subaru having some
anti lag and differential pump problems during the day. Many
thanks to all who have helped with the RallyNews today and well
done to all at the Tipperary Club for a great rally..BRIAN &
LIZ PATTERSON |
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