RALLY NEWS NO.6 Tralee/Sunday 5.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – last stage
1st (1) Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.01.23
2nd (5) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.01.23
3rd (9) Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 1.01.52
4th (3) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 1.01.52
5th (4) Donie O'Sullivan/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.01.59
6th (8) Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC0 1.02.33
7th (6) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) 1.02.40
8th (7) Noel Redmond/Diarmuid Falvey (Impreza WRC) 1.02.54
9th (11) Jack Sleator/Andrew Purcell (Impreza WRC) 1.04.15
10th (12) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Lancer N) 1.04.35

There was a fantastically close finish to this Circuit of Kerry Rally with Patrick Elliott and Niall Maguire tying for first and Seamus Leonard and Michael Barrable tying for 3rd. The tie decider on these events is fastest on the last stage which means that the overall win goes to Patrick Elliott to make it two victories here in a row. Similarly Seamus Leonard takes 3rd o/a with Michael Barrable 4th. Alan Ring in his Lancer has won the group N category and Maurice Moffett in his Toyota Starlet takes a superb 2 wheel drive victory.

When Patrick Elliott and his co driver Paul Goodman brought their Subaru back here to the Fels Point Hotel finish Patrick said. “We went as good as we could on the last stage, but not reckless. I am delighted to have won. It was a fantastic rally, we had a ball today, the stages were very good and despite the rain still very grippy”. Niall Maguire, who won the rally in 2002, commented. “A good day, but I’m disappointed, I tried my best”. Still, Niall has strengthened his position in the Dunlop National Championship. Seamus Leonard scored a fastest overall time in stage 7 although was just outside the fastest times on stage 8. He said. “The tight stages suit me and suit the car, it just doesn’t have the speed on the big fast stuff”. Michael Barrable who led the rally earlier today until a stage 4 puncture was disappointed to only finish 4th and explained that his Focus launch control failed on the last stage just when he needed it most. Michael was never far away from the fastest times all day but dropped 16s to Elliott on that last stage and 10s to Leonard. Donie O’Sullivan in 5th said. “It was my fault earlier on when I put the car into a ditch but I know the package is fine now for the Lakes”. Kevin Barrett in 6th was quite pleased to have got through after a couple of slow stages in the early afternoon in the rain. Glenn Allen in 7th commented that it just wasn’t his day, that he never really got near to the pace and hopefully the next rally will be better for him. Noel Redmond in 8th went well over the last few stages, his times a lot closer to the mark. Jack Sleator in 9th had a quiet day.

Alan Ring in 10th also won group N which was a fine way to celebrate his birthday. Alan said “We just kept it steady towards the end.” Eamonn Daly was 2nd in Group N and Danny McBride came up into 3rd in the category. As mentioned above Maurice Moffett and his co driver Jason MncKenna had a brilliant run today to win the 2 wheel drive category in their Starlet and it is still unofficial but it looks like Dave Slattery/Ger Somers will have won cl.13 in their Escort. Mark Sheahan was on course to take cl.6 in his Clio.

Our thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News service. Well done to Clerk of the Course Senan Raggett and all the Kerry MC team for putting on such an excellent event. We would also like to thank Angus Sealy and his wife Jane for their results service. Jane took ill during the day and we hope that she makes a speedy and full recovery.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net

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