UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – FINAL STAGE

1^st (2) Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) 1.03.49

2^nd (3) Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 1.04.09

3^rd (6) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) 1.05.20

4^th (4) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.05.29

5^th (10) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 1.05.48

6^th (18) Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 1.06.27

7^th (19) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Impreza N) 1.06.58

8^th (17) Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 1.06.59

9^th (9) Noel McCarrick/Paddy Robinson (Impreza WRC) 1.07.11

10^th (58) James M Stafford/James F Stafford (Lancer N) 1.07.42

Charlie Donnelly and his co driver Paddy Toner pulled out all the stops towards the end of this Mayo Stages Rally to take a convincing victory over Patrick Elliott and co driver Rory Kennedy.  Donnelly’s Corolla was just 2s ahead of Elliott’s Impreza WRC with just 2 stages to go, but Donnelly really flew through stage 7, Lough Mask, to nail the victory.  The two tied on the final stage, but Donnelly had the work done.  Patrick Elliott’s co driver Rory Kennedy said at the finish. “We really let it slip on that 7^th stage, it just didn’t gel, just one of those things”.  Donnelly commented. “We had a difficult day, a lot of stupid things went wrong, we were off the road on the first stage, the dip stick came out on the 2^nd and covered everything in oil, then we had a small engine fire. The exhaust then broke on the 4^th stage and burned the wiring loom. For stages 5 and 6 I picked dry slick tyres and it poured with rain. For stages 7 and 8 I picked an intermediate tyre and the sun was splitting the trees. But we made it. It was a good rally, fair play to the organisers”.  Donnelly now leads the Dunlop National Championship. Reigning champion Ray Breen crashed out of course on stage 3. 

Young Michael Curran scored a brilliant win here today in the group N category from Kevin Kelleher with Alan Ring 3^rd.  The closeness of the competition promises a great season ahead.

In the 2 wheel drive category Mark Alcorn/Kevin McCafferty appear to have won despite their Corolla running on 3 cylinders for 3 stages.  Rodney Wilton had b33n 2^nd 2 wheel drive but his Escort has stopped on the penultimate stage so Maurice Moffett will probably take the runner up spot.

On Rally Mexico Gareth MacHale & Paul Nagle have just the short super special to do and are heading for 6^th overall, which will be a fantastic result.  While Nasser Al-Attiyah and Chris Patterson are heading for 2^nd Production and a top 10 finish also.

Back here in Mayo very well done to Clerk of the Course Sean McHugh and all his hard working Mayo & District MC team and many thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net