UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 12
1st (86) Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort Mk2) 1.32.45.4
2nd (81) Tommy Doyle/Liam Moynihan (Clio) 1.34.09.3
3rd (79) Callum Duffy/Emmet Sherry (Fabia S2500) 1.34.42.9
4th (17) Phil Collins/Stephen McAuley (Escort Mk2) 1.35.31.1
5th (21) Mark Dolphin/Colin Fitzgerald (Escort Mk2) 1.36.57.9
Keith Cronin certainly knows how to make life hard for himself. He has driven impeccably throughout this event, extremely careful all the way as he attempts to win the Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Championship. He seemed to be well on course and not too worried about outright victory as long as he finished in the top 3 registered drivers. That nearly went awry in stage 12 when his Citroen incurred a front left puncture and Keith had to drive for many miles on a flat tyre. He has lost approximately 40s and another place on the leaderboard, so that he is now, in championship terms, right on the edge. Sam Moffett caught the ailing Citroen almost within sight of the stage finish and Sam said that he did have a cracking run in the stage and the struggling Citroen only cost him a second or two. Josh Moffett was fastest through the stage to increase his lead over Roy White to 5s. Josh said ‘We did have a very fast run. I am here to win the rally’. Roy White said at the stage finish ‘We cannot do much better than that’.
So, with 2 stages to go Josh is on course to win and Keith Cronin is on course to take the Tarmac Championship, however there are only seconds in it and anything could happen.
In the National Rally Brian Brogan has a very substantial lead although Callum Duffy switched to new tyres for that stage 12 and set a fastest National time. Colin Byrne was 5th o/a starting that stage but we have no time for him at the finish. In the Junior Rally after stage 11 Seanie McGrath/Ger Clancy in their Civic led from Fergus Hurley/Eric Deane (Escort): Kevin Horgan/Stephen Horgan 3rd (Civic). In the Historic Rally Ray Cunningham still leads from the similar Escort of Duncan Williams. Brendan McAree in his Porsche has come into 3rd.
LATE NEWS Roy White fastest through stage 13. He is just 3.5 seconds behind Josh Moffett. Keith Cronin has regained his composure and set a respectable time and is a solid 4th, 3rd registered competitor.
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