RALLY NEWS NO.12 Armagh/Finish/Saturday 5.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 15 (FINAL STAGE)
1st (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 2.01.27.6
2nd (3) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Focus WRC) 2.02.31.2
3rd (25) Garry Jennings/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 2.04.00.6
4th (13) Gareth Jones/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 2.04.47.1
5th (20) Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Lancer N) 2.05.24.1
6th (14) Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Impreza N) 2.06.19.9
7th (15) Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 2.07.03.5
8th (22) Stuart Jones/Craig Parry (Lancer N) 2.07.37.6
9th (33) Julian Reynolds/Gordon Noble (Impreza N) 2.07.59.6
10th (26) Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Impreza N) 2.08.06.3
11th (23) Jonny Milner/Nick Beech (Lancer N) 2.08.18.6
12th (17) Kris Meeke/Glenn Patterson (Citroen C2) 2.10.01.5

Eugene Donnelly and his co driver Paul Kiely were just ecstatic when they steered their faithful Corolla WRC into the service area here at the Armagh City Hotel, not only winners of this Phillip White Tyres Ulster Rally but also victorious in the Pirelli Tarmac Championship even with the Cork 20 round still remaining. Eamonn Boland and his co driver Francis Regan were a very worthy 2nd in their Focus WRC while Garry Jennings and his co driver Enda Sherry were pretty stunned to finish 3rd on Garry’s first real run in a world rally car.

There was drama right to the end of the rally with Peadar Hurson crashing out of 2nd place and Mark Higgins handing the group N lead to Gwyndaf Evans when Mark’s Subaru suffered a puncture.

Eugene Donnelly took time out to say “That is 3 tarmac championships in a row. I just can’t think straight, it can’t sink in. I really enjoyed the rally, I was able to drive at my own pace in one sense. They were fantastic stages and I loved the darkness, same as last year. It was a big team effort”. Eamonn Boland was his usual fairly non-committal self but did comment “Last night was so bad I never thought I’d be 2nd on this rally”. When Garry Jennings was asked how he was feeling he said. “I’m trying to keep these tears in my eyes, not shed them. It was brilliant, very few drivers get the chance that my sponsor JMB gave me to drive a world rally car and I know the organisers had difficulty but I’d like to thank them as well”. Gareth Jones in 4th place said. “It was one of those weekends, to be honest I didn’t really enjoy it”.

Group N winner Gwyndaf Evans was 5th overall said. “I’m a lot older after this weekend. I’d need to reflect back to see if I enjoyed it. There was never a dull moment, I’ve had some difficult Ulster Rallies but this was one of the most difficult ever”. Mark Higgins told us that he eased back over the last couple of stages because he knew that group N was gone. He said also that he owes a massive thank you to all the boys who kept the car in the rally after the pre-start accident. Mark at least has the consolation of having a very solid lead in the BRC. Colm Murphy has moved into the lead of the Tarmac championship gpN category. Colm very happy to get to the end as his Impreza engine was pouring out oil towards the finish. Roy White moves back to 2nd gpN in the Tarmac with Seamus Leonard 3rd.

One of the sensations of the event was young Kris Meeke who led after stage 2 but had to be content with 12th at the end which was still superb in his fabulous little Citroen. Kris said “The rally was awesome its an amazing feeling having all that support, very special”. Finally for now many thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net