RALLY NEWS NO.5 Castlebar/Sunday 5pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 (LAST STAGE)
1st (3) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC)
1.03.18
2nd (6) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRC)
1.03.42
3rd (7) Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla
WRC) 1.04.05
4th (9) Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Focus WRC)
1.04.23
5th (2) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Impreza
WRC) 1.04.48
6th (12) Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Falvey (Impreza
WRC) 1.05.06
7th (11) Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Impreza
WRC) 1.05.41
8th (10) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza
WRC) 1.05.55
9th (21) Sean Devine/James McKee (Impreza WRC)
1.06.35
10th (8) Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Lancer
N) 1.06.56
11th (20) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza
WRC) 1.06.58
12th (14) Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Impreza
N) 1.07.43
It was a red letter day here on this Mayo Stages Rally
for English crew Jim Harrison & Harvey Bell who brought their
McKinstry prepared Subaru through to a fantastic victory.
Indeed, Harrison led from the word go. Daniel Doherty was
really quite surprised, as well as pleased, at the finish to be
2nd overall in his Subaru.
Charlie Donnelly turned on the style towards the end to
bring his brother Eugene’s Corolla WRC into a very fine 3rd
place. Harrison commented at the finish ramp as the champagne
flowed. “I had hoped to start the championship this way, it’s a
great morale booster. We had that great first stage and after
that the confidence to keep going. It turned out to be a fairly
measured drive although the car was a bit down on power towards
the end when the manifold broke. Overall I enjoyed it, it was a
really good rally”.
Daniel Doherty said. “We had a strong run, no major
problems, they were difficult stages but they turned out to be
really enjoyable once we got going. Before the rally I never
thought I would have finished 2nd. We didn’t know
what to think about doing the championship, but we will
certainly go a bit further now”.
Charlie Donnelly was fastest through the penultimate
stage, and then Ray Breen was fastest on the final stage, which
was fairly typical of the race the two were having throughout
the afternoon stages. It was Charlie’s first run in the
Corolla. He admitted to being very nervous, but once he got his
confidence up it all flowed well. On this sort of performance
Charlie must also be a strong contender in the Dunlop series.
Ray Breen in 4th place put up a brilliant
drive, but brake problems hampered him on and off throughout the
day. Interestingly, Ray also has a 15s road penalty. He has
finished 18s behind Donnelly, so even without the penalty he
would not quite have clinched 3rd spot. On pure
speed today Ray Breen must surely be another strong contender
for championship honours before this year is out.
Patrick Elliott had a good run to 5th place,
his Subaru handling not quite to his liking early in the event,
but it settled down later on. Noel Redmond rounds off the top 6
with another accomplished performance.
Seamus Leonard and co driver Gerry McVeigh won the Group
N category in their Lancer. A big part of their rally was
testing the gearbox – it stuck the punishment and is going to be
stripped down tomorrow for inspection. Seamus admitted that he
was going as quickly today as he would go anywhere, that the
pace was hot and it was a great test. Willie Fannin was 2nd
gpN. James O’Sullivan 3rd and Alan Ring 4th.
Maurice Moffett finished best of the 2 wheel drive
competitors in his Starlet, with Paddy Boyle not that far behind
in his Escort. Moffett wins cl.14, Paddy Boyle cl.13.
Finally for now well done to Clerk of the Course Sean
McHugh on a superbly organised event, which all ran like
clockwork. It doesn’t happen by accident – congratulations to
the huge team of people who put in so much hard work. Our thanks
also to Noel Clark and Ciara Conlon. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
