RALLY
NEWS NO.7 Lurgan Park – Saturday 5pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – last stage
1st
(1) Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Impreza WRC) 16.37.3
2nd
(2) Eugene Donnelly/Andrew Mullan (Corolla WRC) 16.44.1
3rd
(3) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 16.54.1
4th
(11) Glenn Allen/Kieran McCracken (Corolla WRC) 17.03.7
5th
(8) Paul Bird/Andy Richardson (Focus WRC) 17.04.8
6th
(5) Niall McShea/Willie McKee (Cordoba WRC) 17.12.7
7th
(10) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Fabia WRC) 17.17.9
8th
(9) Cathal Arthurs/Vincent Fergus (Accent WRC) 17.30.7
9th
(12) James Gillen/Rodney Johnston (Impreza A) 17.30.7
10th
(6) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (6R4) 17.31.6
11th
(25) Garry Jennings/Pamela Ballantine (Lancer N) 17.35.6
12th
(21) Craig Bennett/Christine Bleakley (Focus WRC) 17.39.6
Kevin
Lynch and co driver Gordon Noble brought their Impreza WRC into the
finish with a storming final stage – equal fastest time with Niall
McShea, to win the rally by 6.8 seconds. Lynch said at the finish. “It
wasn’t an easy day, I came here to try and win and that’s what we’ve
done. We were able to back off a little bit towards the end. I felt
last year was maybe a sharper pace, but then I was probably under more
pressure then as it was the first time. The rally was good, good
stages, great organisation. It takes a lot of commitment to win
without overdoing it. A real good day”. Second placed Eugene
Donnelly, with guest co driver on board the Corolla WRC, Andrew Mullan,
said. “I enjoyed it, I like the fact that it had a bit of everything,
rain and dry. In all fairness Kevin was flying this morning, we had a
good go this afternoon and then a bit of craic on the last stage. It
was a great day”. Third placed Kenny McKinstry told us. “I found it
greasy and tough going, I’ve played third fiddle this time. In many
ways I’m happy just to make the finish. The car went on to 3 cylinders
on the last stage. By mistake we put a drum full of petrol/diesel mix
which had been drained out of a broken down Land Rover into the
Impreza this morning, and we drove quite a few miles on it before we
realised. I think now the engine needs to come out and new pistons
fitted!”
Last
minute stories included Denis Biggerstaff having an excursion into a
ditch and getting away with it. As mentioned above Niall McShea was
equal fastest on the last stage. Paul Bird in his Focus WRC thoroughly
enjoyed the day and says he will definitely come back. Craig Bennett
finished the rally with the front spoiler damaged and a punctured
front right tyre, still it was a good result for a car with only 3
gears.
Terry
McGonigle crashed on the last stage, at the chicane, although it
looked like the accident started some time before that. Michael Curran
had a huge moment on the last stage, right up on 2 wheels, very lucky
to get away with it. Michael was still 2nd group N to Garry
Jennings. Garry and co driver Pamela Ballantine of UTV had a fabulous
day, led group N all the way through, Garry saying the car is going
for sale in Motorsport News on Monday and he will have a new Lancer
for the Ulster. John McGlaughlin was 3rd group N despite
breaking something in the suspension on the last stage.
Camillus
Bradley/Danny O’Neill have come through to win the Mk2 Escort category
after a fabulous run all day.
Finally
for now, well done to all the competitors for laying on such a great
day’s entertainment for the crowds of spectators here in the Craigavon
Borough Council’s lovely Lurgan Park. The organisers, North Armagh
Motorcycle & Car Club, have again done a great job under the direction
of William Fullerton and CoC Barry Taggart. Thanks to Kevin Barrett
and all at Triton Showers and to all who helped and supported the
RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
