|
|
| |
| Circuit of Kerry |
| RALLY NEWS No.5 - Tralee - Sunday @ 16:58:54 |
| |
|
RALLY NEWS No.5 Finish/Tralee/Sunday
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6 – FINAL STAGE
1st (7) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Impreza WRC) 59.00.5
2nd (4) Kenny McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC) 1.00.28.0
3rd (6) Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.01.01.3
4th (8) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Lancer N) 1.01.15.9
5th (9) Frank Kelly/Stephen Quinn (Escort) 1.01.28.6
6th (10) Eugene Meegan/Jonathan Trainor (Lancer N) 1.01.38.9
7th (15) John McQuaid/Seamus O`Connor (Escort) 1.01.53.2
8th (132) James Laverty/Francis Regan (Impreza N) 1.02.44.4
9th (17) Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan (Escort) 1.03.47.6
10th (23) Cal McCarthy/William Lynch (Civic) 1.03.54.1
This has been an interesting Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally with thrills and spills galore in the, at times, difficult conditions. Donegal crew Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan stayed out of trouble, they set a massive pace over the opening stages and have come through with a clear win. For many years Donagh was successful in Group N cars and switched to the World Rally Car last year. He has been very close to the ultimate pace and this win today, a long way from his home place confirms his outstanding talent. Declan Boyle certainly made Donagh work hard through the early stages, but then Declan`s accident put paid to a grandstand finish. The vastly experienced Kenny McKinstry, with Kenny Hull on the notes today, had to dig deep at times but kept a steady hand at the wheel to bring his Impreza WRC S14 into 2nd place. Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally went well in the second half of the rally to come into 3rd. Kevin`s 19 year old son Paul was on his first proper tarmac rally. He was 30th o/a after stage 2 but then unfortunately had to retire on SS4 with a broken steering arm on his Lancer.
Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy survived a major overshoot into a farmyard to win group N in their Lancer from Eugene Meegan/Jonathan Treanor in a similar Lancer. James Laverty/Francis Regan were 3rd in their Impreza N. Shane Maguire was lying well up in GpN and inside the top 10 but damaged a wheel of his Impreza on the final stage and was forced to retire which opens up the Top Part West Coast Championship.
41 year old Donagh Kelly commented at the finish. `I enjoyed this morning, it was a great race with Declan who is a good friend of mine. I was sorry to see him go out.` KN Networks man Donagh went on to say. `It has been a while` referring to the fact that he has not been on the winner`s podium since winning the Donegal Forestry and the Down Rally in his GpN Lancer, and indeed this is his first real success in a World Rally Car.
In the battle of the Escorts Frank Kelly admitted he was hard pushed to stay ahead of John McQuaid. McQuaid slowed a little on the final stage when the alternator belt fell off the Escort` engine. Frank Sweeney was 3rd Escort home and has won Cl.13.
Finally for now well done to Clerk of the Course Senan Raggett and all his enthusiastic Kerry MC team for running another very successful event. The weather may not have been too kind but the hospitality was as hot as ever! Many thanks to everyone concerned. Our thanks also to those who helped and supported our RallyNews service. Special thanks as well to Dougie Hughes: Richard Talbot, Angus Sealy and Diarmuid Falvey.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
