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RALLY
NEWS NO.5
Paddock/Punchestown/Sunday 6.45
(updated)
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (1) Colin McRae/Jim Corr (Ford
Focus WRc) 15.14.4
2nd (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien
(Subaru WRC) 15.28.4
3rd (3) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy
(Corolla WRC) 15.41.5
4th (9) Michael Barrable/Linda
Barrable (Subaru WRC)
15.51.8
5th (4) Derek McGarrity/Willie McKee
(Subaru WRc) 15.54.0
6th (11) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr
(Subaru WRC) 15.54.3
7th (8) Robert Woodside/Graham McKee
(Subaru WRC) 15.58.1
8th (10) David Greer/Rory Kennedy
(Corolla WRC) 16.05.4
9th (7) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter
(Celica) 16.08.3
10th (14) Eugene Donnelly/Pamela
Ballantine (Celica) 16.11.5
The thousands of spectators here at
this World Rally Experience in
Punchestown enjoyed a fabulous day's
rallying with Colin McRae effortlessly
showing off his phenomenal skills in
his Ford Focus WRC to take a clear
victory. Andrew Nesbitt was best
of the Irish drivers. Andrew moved
clear of Austin MacHale on the 2nd
stage and never looked back. Austin
had a hiccup with broken suspension
but with that fixed still couldn't
make any impression on the flying
Subaru in front. Colin McRae was
the consummate ambassador for rallying
and for Ford Motor Company through the
day, signing thousands of autographs
and being charming to everyone.
Andrew Nesbitt paid him full credit at
the finish, saying "It was a
fantastic day for Ireland and
motorsport. It was such a privilege to
have 25 times world rally winner,
Colin, here. The huge crowd
speaks for itself. Rallying is the 3rd
largest sport in Ireland. Austin
and I were at it hammer and tongs as
well, it would have been good to tie
like last year. As usual James
O'Brien did a great job co-driving and
it was very special to have Jim Corr
(from The Corrs) in the passenger seat
as well".
In the Ford of Ireland Focus Challenge
with one stage remaining Oliver
Stanley was just ahead of Cathal
O'Reilly with Brendan Kelly 3rd.
In Group N, following the closest of
battles, Aaron MacHale won from Adrian
McElvaney by just 0.3 of a second.
Garry Jennings persevered with his
clutch troubles to take 3rd, to make
it a Lancer top 3. Seamus Leonard was
4th in his Subaru just under 3s behind
Jennings.
Many thanks to all who have helped us
today - well done to Ronan Morgan, Tom
Nolan, the Garda Siochana MC and our
thanks to all who supported the
RallyNews..
Finally for now - the above times are
for the moment provisional and may be
upgraded shortly….
BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
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