Rally News No.5 Marine Hotel Sunday 5.00pm

Unofficial Leaderboard After Stage Eight (Final)

1^st (3) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC) 1.18.36

2^nd (6) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.18.41

3^rd (2) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 1.20.16

4^th (9) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 1.20.24

5^th (8) Denis Cronin/Helen OíSullivan (Impreza WRC) 1.20.49

6^th (5) Cathal Arthurs/Jakes Kelly (Octavia WRC) 1.21.40

7^th (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.22.01

8^th (16) James OíSullivan/Rebecca Walsh (Lancer N) 1.22.20

9^th (17) Alan Ring/Greg Shinnors (Impreza N) 1.23.31

10th (156) Tadgh Lineman/John Kearney (Impreza N) 1.24.01

In a classic final stage showdown Jim Harrison and co driver Harvey Bell have scored one of the hardest fought Fastnet Rally victories ever, taking a five second victory over Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy in their similar Impreza. Jim Harrison is the first ever oversees victor of the Fastnet Rally and was almost lost for words at the spectacular Glendore Harbour finish, Jim saying "I am just delighted, to be honest this was the hardest rally of the year and Liam drove well but I am not ashamed to admit it, I am pleased to have won on his home ground". Liam McCarthy pulled out all the stops over the final stage to pull back nine seconds from Harrison but it wasnít quite enough for the former winner. Patrick Elliott drove one of his finest ever final stages to round off the top three when he just pipped Sean Gallagher for the position.

Niall Maguire only had to finish in the top 15 to take his third Dunlop National Championship. The Monaghan man did just that and more, in some of the most difficult circumstances Maguire brought his Triton Impreza home in a superbly controlled seventh place and its rare that he would ever be lost for words but both he and co-driver Paul McLaughlin were jumping with joy at the end of todayís final stage. In conclusion after a year long battle Maguire wins on a 145 points with Patrick Elliott second on 133 and Jim Harrison third on 131.

Provisionally Liam McCarthy has taken victory on the 023 Tiles Championship from Denis Cronin with series sponsor James OíSullivan finishing third and to cap it all an extremely dominant GpN victory here today. Alan Ring had challenged but a broken gear linkage on the final stage saw him out of the picture. Also retiring at the end was one time rally leader Noel Redmond who went off the road in stage seven. Going into the final stage Thomas OíRourke held a ten second lead over Wesley Patterson for the 2wdís and Emily OíMahony was just over 30 seconds up on Emma McKinstry for the ladyís award.

Finally for now a big well done to Skibbereen and District Car Club on another great event under the control of Michael OíRiordan and Donnchadha Oíh-Aodha and their very capable crew. Many thanks to all who helped and supported the Pattersonís Rally News Service throughout the Dunlop National Championship and in particular today thanks to Martin Walsh, Dougie Hughes and all the staff and management at the Marine Court Hotel. Michael Patterson and Zoe Todda\qm