UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – FINAL STAGE

1^st (2) Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 56.12

2^nd (1) Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) 56.17

3^rd (6) Noel Redmond/Alan Keena (Impreza WRC) 57.48

4^th (5) Michael Barrable/M Morrissey (Focus WRC) 57.53

5^th (9) Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Impreza N) 1.00.02

6^th (3) Aaron MacHale/Craig Parry (Focus WRC) 1.00.09

7^th (8) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Impreza N) 1.00.12

8^th (7) David James/Sean Mullally (Focus WRC) 1.00.22

9^th (15) PJ McGrath/Killian Duffy (Lancer N) 1.00.43

10^th (12) Ian Barrett/Eoin O'Flaherty (Lancer N) 1.01.07

There was a real grand stand finish to this Stonethrowers Rally with Patrick Elliott winning by just 5s from Charlie Donnelly. The two left service after stage 6 separated by just 10s. Donnelly powered his Corolla through stage 7, Kilcooley, 2s faster than Elliott and on the final stage Donnelly was 3s faster but it was too little too late for the Northern Ireland man.  Donnelly lost 15s on the opening 2 stages today when he just couldn’t get his brain into gear and Patrick Elliott wasn’t giving him any sympathy and kept his head down for the rest of the day in what was a tremendous drive.  For Patrick and his co driver Rory Kennedy this is another step forward on the road to possible Dunlop Championship success. Patrick said at the end. “It was a great day, a great battle, Charlie made us work for the win. We had a wee problem with the car all day, didn’t say anything about it, there was petrol going into the oil.  I’m looking forward to the next round now in Galway”. 

Charlie Donnelly and his co driver Paddy Toner put up a heroic show towards the end, Charlie saying “We had a good run yes, but I have to congratulate Patrick, he drove very well”.  Noel Redmond was delighted with his run following some suspension adjustments earlier in the rally. Redmond said at the finish “A very enjoyable day, great battle with Michael Barrable, the Stonethrowers is generally good to me. This is my 3^rd year in a row to be 3^rd overall”.  Michael Barrable commented. “We gave it a good lash on that last stage, I was 4s quicker than Noel so overall I’m pleased enough to be getting on the pace”.  Aaron MacHale improved from being outside the top 10 to 6^th at the end, Aaron saying “Yes I’m disappointed with the result but we got through and I’m looking forward to Galway”. 

Willie Fannin came into 5^th and won group N, Willie said “It was a tough battle”.  Second placed Alan Ring commented “We weren’t slow, Willie beat us by 11, fair play to him”.  Ian Barrett survived 3^rd gear troubles towards the end to come into 3^rd group N, the young Maynooth man saying “I’m happy enough with that I had to short shift through all of the last stage from 2^nd to 4^th and had some good times earlier”.  Gabriel Martin was in the running for 3^rd in gpN but his Lancer suffered a puncture in stage 7 and a spin in stage 8. 

Other stories towards the end included PJ McGrath suffering an overshoot in stage 7 but still managed a top 10 place. Maurice Moffett had a brilliant run to best 2 wheel drive in his Starlet.  With a couple of stages to go Ollie O’Reilly was heading for class 13 victory from Willie Whitty but it was too close to call.  Ted O’Shaughnessy was heading for class 11 victory but his Corolla suffered a broken alternator bracket and then a damaged rive shaft which left Mark Kennedy leading the class.  Finally for now many thanks to all the hard working team from Tipperary Light Car and MC Club under the direction of Micheal Boland.  It was a fantastic rally.  Thanks also to Cathy Brogan and Trevor & Bess Hughes and Dougie Hughes. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net