MANX TALES NO.11                   Grandstand/Service/Saturday 4.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 24 (FINAL STAGE)
1st (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC)  2.44.23.7
2nd (2) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 2.44.48.2
3rd (4) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Focus WRC) 2.47.19.9
4th (11) Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Impreza N) 2.49.50.7
5th (16) Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Ignis) 2.53.44.7
6th (17) Jonny Milner/Nick Beech (Lancer N) 2.54.30.4
7th (6) Gareth Jones/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 2.55.05.3
8th (27) Roy White/Stephen McAuley (Lancer N) 2.56.01.5
9th (25) Conrad Rautenbach/Dave Senior (Impreza N) 2.56.32.1
10th (22) Julian Reynolds/Paul Spooner (Impreza N) 2.56.49.2
11th (28) David Wright/Shelley Rogerson (Impreza N) 2.56.56.8
12th (37) Shaun Fox/Voirrey Minay (Corsa) 3.02.08.9

It was a close run thing but Eugene Donnelly and his co driver Paul Kiely scored a fantastic victory on this Isle of Man Rally despite last minute problems with their Corolla WRC.  Kenny McKinstry closed right in at the finish, was 14s faster than Donnelly on the final stage but once again Manx victory has eluded Banbridge man Kenny and his co driver Noel Orr.  Eamonn Boland had a quiet finish to the event, his co driver Francis Regan, a part time fireman, assisted with the rescue of Derek McGarrity out from his wrecked Subaru in stage 22.  Anyway, for Eamonn and Francis it was a great result. 

Mark Higgins was 4th, Mark and his co driver Rory Kennedy, also scoring maximum British Championship points to extend their lead.  Guy Wilks in 5th place was also best of the Super 1600 cars.  There was a huge disappointment on the last stage for Phillip Morrow when his Lancer came to a halt just before the reservoir at Baldwin.  Phillip had hit something at the side of the road, damaged a wheel which then damaged the oil cooler and the car went on fire. Several other drivers stopped and donated their fire extinguishers so lets hope the damage isn’t too bad. 

There have only been a few Irish drivers to have ever won this Manx International Rally so it is little wonder that Eugene Donnelly was shaking when he brought his Corolla to a halt after the final stage.  He said “It was a very tough rally, we had to drive very hard, Kenny pushed us to the limit and in once sense I’m sorry to deny him the win, he’s been so close so many times.  On the last stage the throttle was jammed all the way, I was feathering the throttle and it scared the life out of me. I couldn’t even stop the car at the finish, its so hot the turbo would have blown up. Overall a fantastic rally, a terrific job by the organisers”.  Eugene is the defending Pirelli Tarmac Champion and of course today’s win extends his lead in this year’s series and comes on top of winning the Galway and Circuit of Ireland.  Kenny McKinstry put on a very brave face and said. “I gave it a big cut and you know I enjoyed it. It was a terrific race and only for that spin a couple of stages ago it would have been a very interesting finish”.  When asked would he give it another go Kenny said. “When next August comes I’d say there will be an entry in the post!”  About the spin Kenny said. “it was a long 4 left, really on in 5th gear but I was just too brave. In hindsight if I had fitted new tyres it might have been different but the back just let go”. 

Mark Higgins in 4th place said at the end. “The car was bouncing about over the last stage but overall went well and it leaves us in a strong position in the championship.  The team here was terrific and Dick Cormac from Pirelli made some great tyre choices for me. I want to do some testing now before the Ulster which is one of my favourite events.”  Guy Wilks scored 2nd BRC points and said. “I’m very pleased, we did our best but there is a big difference in top speed between us and the group N cars. It’s a pity that it wasn’t a dry event. Enjoyed the last 2 stages although we had nothing really to fight for and took no risks”.  Roy White in the FESP Lancer co driven by Stephen McAuley, had a great dice with Phillip Morrow towards the end until Phillip had his problem. White always had his bonnet in front and now scores maximum Tarmac points. Barry Clark is 2nd in the Super 1600s ahead of Shaun Fox. Late stories include – local man Noel Kelly retiring his Lancer when the turbo blew and Paddy White retired his Impreza WRC when there was a small fire under the bonnet following exhaust troubles. With another couple of stages still to do David Stokes was leading the Historics from Gareth Lloyd, both in Escorts, Gareth struggling with a leading head gasket on his example. Gareth Jones was 2nd and 3rd fastest over the last 2 stages. Neil McCance has brought his Lancer into the top 15 after one of the most fraught rally of his life, and also some great driving.

Finally for now many thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News and very well done to Richard Bargery and all his team. Special thanks also to Press Officer Chris Boyde for all his help.  Thanks also to Ciara Conlan & Kirsty Riddick.  BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net