RALLY NEWS NO.5  `Tralee – Finish – Sunday 6pm

 

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – FINAL STAGE

1^st (2) Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 36.29

2^nd (3) Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Focus WRC) 37.35

3^rd (5) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) 38.03

4^th (9) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 38.09
5^th (14) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 38.15

6^th (7) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 38.20

7^th (15) Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Lancer N) 38.24

8^th (10) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 38.29

9^th (24) Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Impreza WRC) 38.53

10^th (12) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Impreza N) 39.10

 

Cavan’s Patrick Elliott scored a very significant victory here today to put himself back on course for the Dunlop National Championship. Co-driven by Paul Goodman Patrick took the lead on the 2^nd stage and held it for the rest of the day.  Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan led initially but then had to settle for 2^nd throughout the day as their Focus WRC gave some steering rack problems.  Glenn Allen drove very hard in his Corolla WRC to come into 3^rd place.  There were many dramas throughout the day from Ray Breen crashing off on the first stage to Noel Redmond crashing his new Impreza WRC on the final stage.  Aaron MacHale and his co driver Derek Brannigan stopped to make sure Noel Redmond and his co driver Ger Healy were OK.  Glenn Allen was next on the road and he pushed his Corolla past the blockage as he could see the driver and co driver were out of the car.  This temporarily distorted the times but the officials of the rally gave Aaron MacHale a scratch time which ensured his 2^nd place.

 

In Group N Seamus Leonard closed right up on Michael Curran on the penultimate stage so Michael had to give it everything on the final test to ensure that he took the category.  It was a brilliant drive from young Michael. 

 

In the 2 wheel drive category Brian O'Mahoney had a brillant run to 11th overall in his Clio, while Mike Quinn was 15th in his Escort ahead of Anthony O’Halloran (Manta) and Wesley Patterson in his Escort.

 

Patrick Elliott commented here at the finish. “I’ve never had much luck here over the years, but it came good today.  I found the rally very challenging,  My one regret is that Ray Breen didn’t keep going as I haven’t really had a race against him for a while. Whatever happened today is tempered of course by the road accident this morning. The organisers faced a difficult challenge. In fairness to them they had a very well organised rally and they did well to keep everything together.”  As Patrick was speaking at the finish ramp his co driver Paul Goodman was making a rapid getaway to the airport as his wife Kelly is expecting their first baby today!

 

Finally for now, well done to all the organisers from the Kerry Motor Club, especially Clerk of the Course Senan Raggett.  Many thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service.

 

  BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net