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| Circuit of Munster 2008 |
| RALLY NEWS No.6 - After SS8 Final Stage - Wednesday @ 11:28:23 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.6 Woodlands Hotel/Finish/Sunday 6.00
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – FINAL STAGE
1st (2 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.01.26
2nd (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.02.04
3rd (6) Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.02.09
4th (8) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 1.02.53
5th (9) Eamonn Daly/Kevin Synott (Lancer N) 1.05.02
6th (28) Eoin Doyle/Peter Brennan (Impreza WRC) 1.05.50
7th (12) Willie Fannin/Paddy Robinson (Impreza N) 1.06.22
8th (21) Ed Synan/Denis O'Connell (Escort) 1.06.40
9th (34) Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Lancer N) 1.06.44
10th (11) Fergal Costello/Shane Gilhooley (Lancer N) 1.06.50
Patrick Elliott and Paul Goodman turned on a fantastic display of speed and professionalism to bring their new Subaru WRC S12B to victory on this circuit of Munster Rally. Elliott was able to afford to throttle back over the final few stages and still won the rally by 38s from Niall Maguire with Kevin Barrett just a few seconds back in 3rd. Maguire holds on to his lead in the Dunlop National Championshi9p with his 2nd place today but his advantage over Elliott is just 2 points.
Late dramas included Noel Redmond retiring from 5th place and Alan Ring also went out on stage 7 when his gearbox cried enough. Another major retirement was that of Ed O’Callaghan whose Escort gearbox blew up going into the final stage. Ed had led the 2 wheel drive category and was as high as 6th at one point.
When the top cars reached the Woodlands Hotel finish ramp Patrick Elliott commented. “We were blessed to get through the final stage before the thunderstorm. I found it very hard this afternoon to drive at a pace at the front. It was an excellent well organised rally. If Niall had beaten us today we certainly would have been demoralised. Typically the next few rallies are fast which should suit us. This new car is very good.” Niall Maguire told us. “I enjoyed the day, but I made the mistake of picking too soft a tyre early on and then I was lucky to get away with that overshoot up the escape road. A better man couldn’t have won it today”. Kevin Barrett in 3rd was pleased enough to be on the pace of the top two through many of the stages. Sean Gallagher had all sorts of mechanical problems with his Subaru during the day, but then he got it all together towards the end and he scored a 2nd fastest time through the final stage, despite the car not taking the gears properly.
We mentioned above that Noel Redmond didn’t finish. On the penultimate stage Sean Gallagher was coming down a long straight towards an unseen square right when Redmond’s car seemed to appear out of a field. It sounds as if Noel has skidded off the road and decided then to retire.
Eamonn Daly had a great run to win group N and said. “It was a good day, the car was very good whereas before I had a problem on every rally”. Willie Fannin had a great charge today and was knocking on the door of Eamonn’s times, but had to be content with 2nd in the category. Donegal men Trevor & Kenny Bustard were delighted to get into the top 10 and take 3rd in group N at the finish. Alan Ring retired his group N Lancer with gearbox trouble. Mark Sheahan was a brilliant 11th o/a in the “Mr Binman” Renault Clio and won cl.6 from Ian Roche in his Excel Motorsport Clio. Andrew Bushe was 3rd in his Saxo. Mick McQuaid won class 14, Mick and his co driver Sean Duggan were 13th o/a in their Escort. Jack Maguire won cl.15 and Anthony Hand class 11. Frank Sweeney finished 14th o/a and 2nd in class, a great way to celebrate his 30th birthday!
Finally for now many thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News service and well done to Clerk of the Course Ger Healy and all his team. Our thanks also to Angus & Jane Sealy. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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