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RALLY NEWS
NO.5 GORTIN FOREST PARK ....
SAT 4.45PM
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1ST (1) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Corolla WRC) 45.56.9
2ND (4) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Escort Cos) 47.05.3
3RD (10) Philip Shaw/Ciaran Kelly (Escort) 49.18.7
4TH (12) Seamus Heron/Sean Devlin (Lancer N) 49.34.5
5TH (6) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Celica) 50.10.7
6TH (7) George Robinson/Francis Regan (Escort Cos) 50.29.8
7TH (18) Dick Curran/Gary Lyons (Lancer N) 52.02.8
8TH (29) Stephen Moore/Isaac Busby (Escort) 52.15.19TH (11)Owen
Lamont/Philip McCrea (Impreza) 53.51.9
10TH (21)Jim Feenan/Mark Elliott (Escort) 54.14.0
Ian Greer and co-driver Dean Beckett arrived into service here
at Gortin Forest Park, delighted with their performance today
and securing victory on this Carryduff Forklift Challenge 2000.
Ian set fastest time on every stage today, going even faster
over the final stage after changing the diff settings on the
Corolla. Ian commented "It's been a real worthwhile
experience being here today, it's been a great rally, well run
and I think that anyone who wasn't here has really missed out".
Peadar Hurson was equally delighted with second today, Peadar
really in a class of his own in his older Escort Cosworth, Peadar
admitting "I can't beat these Corollas" of course referring
to his previous battle with Austin McHale on the Rally of Ireland.
Philip Shaw proved once again what a superb talent he has, pushing
his Mk2 Escort all the way through the final stage to take third
place overall. Seamus Heron drove sensibly in his GpN Lancer,
but blotted his copy book on the final stage going up a bank
and loosing 20 seconds, enough to drop him into fourth place
overall but he easily wins the GpN category here today.
"I think I will take up boating" Maurice Gass quipped
at the end of the final stage, he finishes a solid fifth today,
but that statement sort of sums up the type of day the drivers,
marshals and organisers have had to put up with. Constant
heavy rain have virtually flooded the stages, leaving this as
one of the most challenging rallies in a long time. The
Northern Ireland Motor Club have once again proved that they
can run a great event, all the competitors in agreement that
it has been a great day out under the direction of Clerk of the
Course Philip Murray.
Dick Curran really turned up the wick over the last 2 stages
to move into 7th overall, Dick saying "I really got onto
the notes as the day wore on, they are fantastic, this morning
I wasn't even listening". His pace was enough to push
Stephen Moore down to 8th though was still a good run for the
man in his Mk2 Escort. Thanks very much to all who helped
us today.
Michael Patterson and Zoe Todd |
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