RALLY NEWS NO.9 Near Killavullan/Sunday 4.15

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 14 (last stage)
1st (3) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 1.23.04.4
2nd (2) John McCarthy/M Morrissey (Corolla WRC) 1.25.20.1
3rd (12) Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Lancer N) 1.27.25.0
4th (5) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Brady (Impreza WRC) 1.28.31.9
5th (4) Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Focus WRC) 1.28.40.9
6th (9) Dominic McNeill/Francis Kenny (Escort WRC) 1.28.47.7
7th (14) Pete Willoughby/Greg McCarthy (Lancer N) 1.29.48.8
8th (18) Seamus O'Connell/Paul Hone (Escort) 1.30.50.1
9th (17) Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 1.31.08.2
10th (21) John Hickey/Alistair Wylie (Impreza) 1.31.40.8

Kevin Lynch and his co driver Francis Regan charged into the lead of this Cork Forestry Rally on stage 1, Streamhill Bridge, and their Subaru was never headed right to the finish of stage 14, Peters Hill. Kevin commented at the finish of the last stage. “A good rally, I was just getting on to the pace towards the end, a few wee problems with the car early on but it all went well”. 2nd placed John McCarthy scores maximum points in the McCauley Trailers series to extend his lead, and when his Corolla WRC came to a halt after the final stage he took time out to say. “It was really stressful today, trying to back off and get the points for the championship, but that’s the result we wanted. I think its best to drive to the very maximum of your ability, its better”. Kevin O’Kane was lying 5th overnight in the rally and was heading for a good result but then got knocked back when his Subaru developed a throttle body problem, so Kevin had to really charge over the final stages to get back to 4th. And move into 2nd in the McAuley’s Trailers points A brilliant result for the former champion. Stephen Moore looked to be heading for 3rd overall but a re-calculation of his earlier times found a discrepancy and that knocked Stephen back a little. It was still a good drive following yesterday’s fly by wire trouble.

Garry Jennings kept his brain in gear and drove a great rally despite a bit of hassle to bring his lancer into 3rd and win group N. An earlier penalty has been removed, but even Gary would have been 3rd anyway. Pete Willoughby was full of praise for his service crew who kept the car going and brought him into 7th overall and 2nd gpN. Provisionally we have Kevin Duggan 3rd in GpN and Willie John Dolan 4th GpN in his Subaru. Willie John’s son Richard scored a fine class win in his Peugeot 106.

Seamus O’Connell drove a superb result to take best 2 wheel drive from Frank Kelly, both in Escorts, with John Hickey making up the top ten in his ‘clubmans’ Subaru Impreza.

Just outside the leaderboard with 2 stages to go we had Anthony O’Halloran in his Escort G3 and then Damien Hagan in his Lancer. Neil Weaver & Nick Thornton got their Corsa to the end of the rally all in one piece despite early gearbox troubles and they were up to 15th which is pretty remarkable in a 1400cc car.

Finally for now very well done to Batty O’Donogue, Darren McCarthy and all the organising team for a great rally. Our sincere thanks to John Harrington and Ian O’Brien for their help. Thanks also to Greg Shinnors, Elaine Higgins & Dougie Hughes and all who helped and supported the RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net