RALLY NEWS NO.9A        Sunday am
www.rallynews.net

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 10 (last stage)
1st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 1.07.28
2nd (3) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Celica) 1.08.44
3rd (1) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 1.09.02
4th (8) Trevor Cathers/Dessie Wilson (Lancer N) 1.10.33
5th (6) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.11.00
6th (10) Seamus Leonard/Kevin O'Brien (Subaru N) 1.11.04
7th (18) Dominic Loughran/Lisa Roe (Lancer N) 1.14.58
8th (31) Gerry McVeigh/Padraig Dineen (Lancer N) 1.15.24
9th (25) Seamus Heron/Billy McCullins (Celica) 1.15.57

10th (19) Sean McArdle/Gerard McGonagle (Celica) 1.17.23

NOTE: Revised top ten after Roy White/Greg Shinnors excluded for dump valve irregularities.

Unfortunately stages 11 and 12 had to be cancelled because difficulties in the dark, rain and fog.  Eugene Donnelly turned in another fastest time on that 10th stage, to reinforce a brilliant victory here on this West 2002 Galway International Rally.  Trevor Cathers produced a stunning time through stage 10, 25s faster than Roy White to take the group N Tarmac title and victory in the category. White was devastated when he saw Cathers' time and said "Now we know why he was British Champion. Still I reckon I had a good run today".  Eugene Donnelly's victory today is all the more significant as this is first run in an Impreza WRC. Co-driven by Paul Kiely, Eugene was unbelievably quick following his first stage puncture, and emphasises what a fine driver he is. This victory is the icing on the cake on top of him winning the Irish Forestry C/ship. Even badly jarring his back did not knock Eugene off his stride, and he commented "Certainly it was a tough rally, but the car was a dream to drive, the tyres worked well and really I took no chances. I enjoyed it".  For Peadar Hurson in the D&S Roe supported Celica it was good to get to the finish, although having led for the first 5 stages until an accident intervened, maybe it was a slight anti climax to finish runner-up.

In the Ford Ireland Focus section of the rally Colm Murphy encountered gear change difficulties on that 10th stage to allow Oliver Stanley to move into the lead. Stanley finishing on 1.22.28. Murphy 1.23.19. Hamilton Bell 1.24.55.  John Foley retired on stage 9 after an accident. Oliver Stanley's victory was not enough to win this inaugural Focus Championship, Colm Murphy finishes with 112 points and the crown. Oliver Stanley has 109.

In the National part of the rally for Modifieds Fergal Allen has come out on top in his BMW M3 from Conor Curley in an Escort. Frank Cunningham has won the Historics from Niall Creighton while Raymond Cunningham in his Mini Cooper was best in the Classic section from Martin Ward in the Manta.

Some class winners in the International include: Paul & Brian Cleary in their Micra win cl.5. Gerry Broderick has won cl.2 in his Civic. Alan McMahon/Benny Grainger cl.3 in their Integra. Frank Tuomey won cl.1 from Pat O'Connor. Aisling Dooris 3rd in her Swift and best Ladies crew. Paul & Stuart Dempsey were best Galway crew in the International finishing 17th o/a in their gpN Impreza. After a terrific battle Alan Ring has won cl.6 from Glenn Wilson, both in Peugeots.

Finally for now, many thanks to all in Galway MC for getting the rally up and running again and providing a good day's sport. Our thanks also to Angus Sealy in Results and to everyone else who helped and supported the RallyNews service.
BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON