UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 16 – LAST STAGE

1^ST (4) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 1.58.29.0

2^ND (3) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.58.45.9

3^rd (8) Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Impreza WRC) 2.01.21.2

4^th (7) Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes (Impreza WRC) 2.01.45.2

5^th (6) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 2.02.48.7

6^th (11) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 2.03.11.7

7^th (9) Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Octavia WRC) 2.05.47.2

8^th (36) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 2.06.56.7

9^th (19) Mark Morgan/Tony Fisher (Lancer N) 2.07.18.1

10^th (31) George Thaw/Tony Ettunger (Impreza WRC) 2.07.39.9

This has been a dream come true for Denis Cronin and his co driver Helen O’Sullivan winning this West Cork Rally.  It is 45 year old Denis’ best rally win. He did win the Fastnet, which was quite a milestone for him, but this is really special.  Liam McCarthy & Kieran Murphy led for a large part of the rally, from stage 5 to 14, but the rain turned the tables.  Denis Cronin has been renowned as a good driver in slippery conditions, he had hoped for rain today, got his wish and made the most of it.  Over the last few stages he drove brilliantly.  McCarthy commented. “On the last couple of stages I reckoned my tyres were not cut out enough, and for about 2 miles in stage 15 the car just aquaplaned and we nearly hit a wall at 100 miles an hour.  It was pretty scary and after that we just backed off”.  Steve Fleck had a few dramatic moments towards the end also, but he kept his Subaru on course to take a fine 3^rd place.  Bob Fowden had a pretty miserable rally at times.  The Welshman was mot unhappy with his Subaru handling, but it all came good near the end, and he scorched through the wet conditions.  JJ Fleming kept it all together in his Focus to take 5^th and John Dalton used a lot of discretion, eased back, and was content to take 6^th place, but still top honours in the 2 wheel drive category.

Last minute dramas included 023 Tiles man James O’Sullivan crashing his lancer out of the rally, having appeared to be the comfortable winner of Group N and secure a top 10 place.  It is an ill wind…..Kevin & Martin Kelleher started the rally in a new Lancer, settled in quickly, were lying 2^nd GpN, drove brilliantly through the wet stages at the end to almost certainly score a momentous Group N win.  Welsh visitor Mark Morgan was 2^nd GpN, with Kevin O’Donoghue 3^rd. This has yet to be confirmed.  Just outside the leaderboard is Willie Power in his Darrian on 2.08.20.8.  Also Kevin O’Donogue, times still to come.  It turned out to be a real tough West Cork and one driver delighted to make the finish, his first finish in 10 years, was John Hickey, co driven by Nick Burke, in their GpN Impreza.  What has really made John’s day is that his little daughter was released from hospital this morning.

Finally for now, very well done to Brian O’Connell the Clerk of the Course of the rally and all his hard working team for yet another great West Cork Rally.  Thanks to Alan Hartigan and Dougie and Jack. Also thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News service, and to the business people of Clonakilty and all the residents in the area who have made the rally so welcome once again.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON  www.rallynews.net