RallyNews Live from The Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally 2005

RALLY NEWS NO.7 End of stage 8 – Sunday 5pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 (LAST STAGE)

1^st (2) Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Focus WRC) 58.11

2^nd (3) Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) 58.15

3^rd (5) Noel Redmond/Killian Duffy (Impreza WRC) 1.01.21

4^th (14) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 1.01.36

5^th (1) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC) 1.01.37

6^th (7) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.01.54

7^th (15) Alan Ring/Derek Brannigan (Impreza N) 1.02.05

8^th (34) Graham Quinn/Martin Costello (Lancer N) 1.02.23

9^th (11) Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Impreza N) 1.02.25

10^th (31) Joe McHugh/Declan Gallagher (Esc.Cos) 1.02.58

11 (24) Eamonn Daly/Ger Healy (Lancer N) 1.03.07

There was a real grandstand finish to this Stonethrowers Rally with Ray Breen in his Focus WRC and Charlie Donnelly in his Corolla WRC separated by just a handful of seconds leaving last service. The two sere equal through stage 7, Kilcooley, so it was all down to the last stage. Charlie Donnelly was fastest, but by just 1s from Breen, so it was Ray who took the victory. When his fabulous Focus cruised to a halt here at the end of the last stage there was a massive family contingent to cheer him in, led by his wife Jackie. Amongst much hugging, back slapping and various hand shaking and kissing Ray took time to tell us. “Some race, super, its always good when you win, but what a fabulous rally it has been”. Charlie Donnelly said. “Yeah it was a fantastic rally, there were wee places I could have gone a fraction quicker but I always kept it safe, concentrated on making no mistakes. Maybe I was too cautious this morning. But you know I will play it exactly the same on the next one, it will be the same story, and for me the championship is still very much alive”. Noel Redmond in 3^rd said he went into cruise control over the last few stages.

Young Michael Curran drove a brilliant rally to win Group N and take 4^th overall, the Co. Down staying very cool right to the finish even with his father Dickie jumping all over the place in his excitement!! Jim Harrison did well to bring his Impreza WRC into 5^th, especially considering he lost so much time in stage 2. However, the Macclesfield man was still pretty down in the dumps and commented. “We got it here, that is about all can be said. Who know, not me. It’s a tough game. I think the Dunlop championship is over for me” The same cannot be said for Ray Breen, his victory today extending his lead in the Dunlop points.

Kevin Barrett got the hammer down towards the end and he is still in the Dunlop series hunt as well. Alan Ring’s Impreza was fairly well in the wars but still managed 2^nd in Group N. Graham Quinn came into 3rd with Willie Fannin 4th^d. Willie was a lot happier with his Impreza towards the end. The engineers found some small problem with the suspension, sorted that, and Willie set fastest group N time in stage 7. In all fairness though Michael Curran by that point was starting to ease back ever so slightly.

Liam Wall was fastest of the 2 wheel drive contingents just ahead of David James who just pipped James Coleman, the latter suffering 2 spins on the final stage. Darragh Rafferty was off the road on that final stage and finished just off the leaderboard.

Finally for now, very well done to all in the Tipperary MC for running such a brilliant rally and our thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews. Our thanks as well to Greg Shinnors & Elaine Higgins and Daphne Millar.BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net