|
|
| |
| West Cork Rally |
| RALLY NEWS No.12 - After SS16 - Sunday @ 18:00:49 |
| |
|
RALLY NEWS NO.13 Finish/Clonakilty/Sunday 6pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 16 – FINAL STAGE
1st (3) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 2.13.42.3
2nd (2) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 2.14.16.6
3rd (5) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 2.15.13.5
4th (7) Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 2.17.24.6
5th (6) Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Escort) 2.18.58.7
6th (17) Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 2.24.02.3
7th (12) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 2.26.43.6
8th (35) Daragh O’Riordan/Sean McCarthy (Clio S1600) 2.27.00.0
9th (40) Thomas O’Rourke/Thomas Scallon (Civic) 2.27.08.6
10th (28) Tomas Davies/John Smithwick (Escort) 2.27.45.8
There was certainly a great race here on this West Cork Rally today with John Dalton pulling out all the stops in his Darrian to try and catch Liam McCarthy’s Corolla WRC. Dalton closed to within 21s of McCarthy going into the last stage but knew then that the race was over and backed off through the final stage Hayes Cross to allow Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy to win by 34s. McCarthy and Murphy have been trying to win this rally for close to 20 years so there dream comes true today. John Dalton and his co driver Gwynfor Jones are also long time supporters of this West Cork Rally. They knew they had a chance of victory but it wasn’t to be this time. Denis Cronin did a great job keeping his Subaru going despite having to hold the gear stick in through 4th, 5th and 6th gears. The gearbox trouble meant he was in no position to fight for the lead although he started the day just 6s behind Dalton.
Keith Cronin again showed what a fine young driver he is by setting some fastest overall times in his group N Lancer. Keith and co driver Greg Shinnors can be proud of themselves in finishing 4th o/a: best group N and highest placed Evo Challenge finishers. Phil Collins and Frank Kelly round off the top 6 in their respective Mk2 Escorts. Both drove extremely well on this long tough event. The drivers today had an absolute ball over the fast sunbathed stages and it really was a special experience for all who finished. Times are still coming in and it looks as if Adrian McElhinney will finish best of the Citroen Racing Trophy contenders in his C2R2. Sam Moffett & Barry Evans were battling for 2nd in their respective C2R2s. Another great drive this weekend came from Damien McCarthy and his co driver Eamonn Hayes in their Civic. They were leading class 11 but have been slowed today with gearbox troubles. They then fought back over the last couple of stages to just pip Martin Cunningham and retain their class 11 lead. Thomas O’Rourke was heading for class 3 victory and 9th o/a with one stage remaining, just ahead of young Welsh driver Tomas Davies in his Escort.
Liam McCarthy said at the finish ramp in Clonakilty: “I’m well chuffed. It was no easy task. On the stage before the end I was flat out in 6th at the end of a long 4 right tightens, the car completely sideways. As fast as I could go. That’s the way it was today”. John Dalton said. “We backed off for the last stage, reality hit. Liam is a worthy winner”. Denis Cronin commented. “I am delighted with the car. Apart from the gearbox it went very well. This was a good rally, the nicest event you could wish for. It was run so tight”. Keith Cronin whose next rally now is the British Championship Bulldog event said. “We had a good pace today, not over-driving, no big risks”. The Juniors still have one stage to do and Darren Young was leading from Andrew Lehane. Denis Moynihan in his Mk1 Escort was leading the Historics from James O’Mahony’s Volvo.
Finally for now congratulations to new Clerk of the Course Darren McCarthy and all his Cork MC team for putting on such an enjoyable and successful Rally. Many thanks to all who supported and helped with our Rally News service this weekend, especially Kieran O’Callaghan, Dougie Hughes, Ray Verso and Kevin O’Driscoll. Thanks also to all the sponsors who make the RallyNews possible. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
