UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6 (LAST STAGE)

JOINT WINNERS:

(6) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC):16.02

(5) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 16.02

3rd (10) Derek McGarrity/Adrian Foley (Subaru WRC) 16.22

4th (7) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 16.28

5th (9) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 16.38

6th (4) Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Impreza N) 16.41

7th (20) Michael Barrable/Paul McGarry (Celica) 16.44

8th (23) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Legacy) 16.45

9th (8) James Cullen/Tony Kelly (Impreza WRC) 16.50

10th (18) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Esc.WRC) 16.51

It was certainly a grandstand finish to this Rally Masters at Punchestown, with Andrew Nesbitt pulling out all the stops to go 2s quicker than Austin McHale over the last stage and draw equal on overall times. The two great friends, but rally rivals, Nesbitt and McHale, went to talk to Rally Director Ronan Morgan, and instead of having a "shoot out" or resorting to technical regulations regarding a tie decider, shook hands and agreed to call it a draw. Austin McHale said "It's been a great day's sport. I've always said that rallies should be won and lost on the stages, I'm quite happy to call it a day on a draw". Andrew Nesbitt said "I'm thrilled, it was a great day and I'm more than satisfied to call it a draw". Ronan Morgan commented "It's a fantastic result after a tremendous day's fun and sport". Behind these leading two, Derek McGarrity borrowed a set of Richard Burns' tyres to set a good time on the final stage and retain 3rd place. Patrick Snijers finished an accomplished 6th overall and said "This is really a very good car, but for sure I would rather have the big machines and then I would go for victory. It was a good day".

There were few major dramas on the last stage - apart from the result of course - but Denis Biggerstaff smacked the front of his 6R4 and cruised to the finish of the stage, relinquishing any chance of a top 10 place. Hugh Dunne did not attempt the last stage as his Legacy developed a noisy engine on stage 5.

Overall it was quite an occasion here at Punchestown - the spectators were treated to "doughnuts" and drama as never before. Well done to Ronan Morgan, Tom Nolan, all at the Leinster club, all the hard workers, and not forgetting the drivers for a great day's sport. On a personal note..our thanks to all who supported our RallyNews service..

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON