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| The Down Rally |
| RALLY NEWS No.7 - Service Castlewellan - Saturday @ 18:17:19 |
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Rally News No.7 Finish Control Saturday 6.00pm
Unofficial Leaderboard After Stage Eight
1st (1) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 58.43.3
2nd (3) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Impreza WRC) 58.44.3
3rd (4) Kenny McKinstry/Sean Mullaly (Impreza WRC) 59.51.9
4th (2) Derek McGeehan/Damien Connolly (Mini WRC) 1.03.22.9
5th (19) Vivian Hamill/Paul Sheridan (Escort Mk2) 1.03.31.6
6th (10) Ray Brammer/Damien Fleming (Impreza WRC) 1.04.18.8
7th (12) John Waring/John McCarthy (Escort Mk2) 1.04.23.8
8th (24) Paul Killen/Enda Kennedy (Escort Mk2) 1.04.25.1
9th (9) Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC) 1.04.40.4
10th (15) David Armstrong/Mo Downey (Escort Mk2) 1.05.05.5
The Hankook Down Rally has delivered one of the most nail bitting finishes ever remembered by most of the rally folk here today. Derek McGarrity and James McKee pulled of a stunning final stage to go just over seven seconds faster than Donagh Kelly. In conclusion Derek has pulled off a remarkable comeback to win the rally by just one second. At the finish Derek really did not know who had won and when he was told he punched the steering wheel with delight. The respect between these two top drivers is the upmost and Derek was the first to commiserate with Donagh Kelly. When things calmed down Derek had nothing but praise for today’s rally but also he made sure that his mechanics Paul and Jim were rightly credited for their work in keeping them going. Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan held the lead for most of the day but it just did not work on the final stage and last year’s winner admitted to be happy with second.
Vivian Hamill set the early pace in the 2wd race and has taken a hard earned win here today. Drew Stewart dealt with numerous problems all day and was fighting back strongly only to crash out on the final stage not helping his N.I championship campaign. Paul Killen also drove a fantastic rally and set some brilliant times on this afternoon’s stages.
Gerard McFall takes the GpN win today after early leader Geoff McMahon had to retire with brake failure and then Trevor Ferguson dropped back following a puncture. Robert Erwin takes class 5 today after a day long battle with Ian Miller.
Finally for now many thanks to each and every one of our sponsors and Rathfriland Motor Club, our congratulations go to Andy Gilmore and his team for a fantastic days rallying. Also thanks to Patrick McCollum for results and the McGrady Insurance distribution team.
Michael & Zoë Patterson |
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