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RALLY
NEWS NO.16
Letterkenny - finish - Sunday 5.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 20 (last stage)
1st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 2.13.11
2nd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 2.14.37
3rd (11) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 2.15.57
4th (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 2.16.30
5th (14) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 2.17.16
6th (26) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 2.22.26
7th (17) Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Impreza N) 2.23.37
8th (59) Cahal Rogers/Paul McLaughlin (Lancer N) 2.23.56
9th (40) Sean Devine/Robert McDaid (Impreza WRC) 2.25.21
10th (27) Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Lancer N) 2.25.23
11th (30) Tony Davies/Alun Cook (Impreza WRC) 2.27.08
There has been a major turn around in the results of this Shell
Donegal International Rally with the news that Andrew Nesbitt's time
for stage 16 has been revised following his accident. The
officials of the rally have closely studied the details, and they have
come to the conclusion that all the other drivers should get Eugene
Donnelly's time of 10.42. Because the incident started with Andrew
Nesbitt spinning his Subaru, he has been given his "actual
time" for the stage, which is 36.40. This knocks him away down
the list. Andrew has every right to appeal this decision, and
almost certainly will, so for the moment the result will remain
provisional. Under the circumstances Eugene Donnelly was far from
ecstatic when he finished the last stage. It is a difficult situation
all round, and Eugene doesn't want to win the rally with any element
of doubt. However, the results show Eugene has won and scores maximum
points in the Pirelli Tarmac Championship. He certainly won many
friends and admirers for his brilliant driving over the weekend in his
Corolla WRC, co-driven so solidly by Paul Kiely. For the record, Derek
McGarrity was fastest on the final stage, Atlantic Drive, Tim McNulty
set a good time but there was smoke pouring out of his engine at stage
finish, hopefully he makes it back here to the ramp at Letterkenny.
Kevin Lynch is on his first visit to the Shell Donegal Rally, so his
3rd place is a fantastic achievement for a man who has only been
rallying for a couple of seasons.
Seamus Leonard piled on the coals to score a memorable Group N victory
in his Subaru Impreza following a great battle with Cahal Rogers.
Shaun Gallagher survived big clutch problems towards the end to finish
15th, and win class 6, also finishing highest placed 2 wheel drive
car. Guy Woodcock has won class 7 in his Escort Maxi, despite a
puncture earlier today. Alan Cathcart has brought his Honda Integra
into a class 3 win and Andrew Casey has taken class 1 in his Honda
Civic.
John Dalton has won the National part of the rally from Damien
Gallagher. Paul Gallagher was fighting for 2nd place but he has
crashed his Corolla on the Atlantic Drive stage. With a few stages to
go Frank Cunningham was leading the Historics in his Mini Cooper S
from Adrian Kermode in the Porsche. Finally for now many thanks to all
who helped and supported the RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ
PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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