1^st (19) Andrew Browne/Keefe Kilcoyne (Celica) 25.27

2^nd (7) Padraig Price/David Nooney (Celica) 25.40

3^rd (5) James Foley/Lisa Roe (Lancer N)  26.00

4^th (10) Joe Curran/Martin McGarrity (Lancer N) 26.17

5^th (22) Peter Wilson/John Kilmurray (Lancer N) 26.18

6^th (1) Tom Holton/Sean Walsh (Celica) 26.19

7^th (2) Jack Sleator/Timmy England (Impreza) 26.36

8^th (11) Mickey Curran/Alan Tuite (Escort) 26.37

9^th (6) Adrian Quinn/Alan Moran (Lancer N) 26.41

10^th (14) John Kelly/Robbie Shaw (Lancer N) 26.45

During the week Andrew Browne drives a big lorry delivering Heineken.  If he drives that lorry anything like he drove his Celica on this Castle Single Stage Rally the pubs on his round must get the fastest beer deliveries in Ireland!  For 24 year old Andrew and his co-driver Keefe Kilcoyne this was a fabulous win.  It was only Andrew’s 2^nd time out in a 4 wheel drive car and he said about the rally. “Brilliant, really enjoyed it. A fabulous day out”.  In his spare time Andrew helps Rory Galligan with his rally cars, so maybe some of Rory’s magic has rubbed off!

Second placed Padraig Price set fastest time on the final stage.  Earlier Padraig had had some brake problems.  The brakes on his Celica were bled at the final service and everything clicked for that last stage, Padraig saying. “Really really enjoyed that”. 

James Foley was 3^rd overall and won Group N.  James set some stunning times through the first 2 stages but was just a little slower through the 3^rd stage when his Lancer seemed to lose its turbo boost.  Joe Curran turned in a stunning time on the final stage to just beat Peter Wilson by a second.  Joe had said earlier that the car seemed a little down on power, but it certainly came good at the end.  Young Peter Wilson did himself no harm at all with a superb drive, his first time in 4 wheel drive. 

Tom Holton was tipped as a possible winner of the rally but his Celica suffered fuel starvation problems through the first 2 stages.  The intercooler and various sensors and bits and pieces were changed at service and the car went a whole lot better through the final stage, which gives Tom a bit of heart before the heads off to the Golden Tulip Rally in Holland this coming week. Tom reckons as well that there may be some dirt in the petrol tank which will need to be sorted. 

Jack Sleator was another who really enjoyed his day, but had to be content with 7^th place as he just couldn’t screw any more power out of his hired Subaru. Mickey Curran survived a huge moment on the final stage, his Escort kicking it’s tail on a flat in 4^th gear crest bump and going into a big backwards slide.  Somehow Mickey got it all gathered together and finished the rally with the honour of best 2 wheel drive.  Adrian Quinn finished 9^th and 4^th in group N, Adrian mystified as to why his Lancer has no go, but thinks the turbo power may be down.  John Kelly rounds off the top 10 in his Lancer.  Mark Alcorn had a good final stage to finish with a total of 27.10 and almost certainly win class 11 in his Corolla.  Indeed could be 2^nd best 2 wheel drive behind Michael Curran. Eugene Ferry finished on 27.17. Eugene was struggling a little with the ex Enda Keenan Escort, but adjusted the brake bias more towards the front for the final stage and his time was a lot better.

Finally for now well done to Clerk of the Course Declan Tansey and all at Castle MC.  Many thanks to all who helped us including Martin Gavigan. Also thanks to John Carter for backing the RallyNews service and jack Sleator for backing the rally.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net