Through stage 7, Caherduggan, it was once again a case of both Gareth MacHale and Eugene Donnelly beating the bogey time. Alastair Fisher was 3rd fastest with Denis Cronin 4th quickest. In the National section it was Washington James, with Anthony O’Connell on the notes, fastest in the Darrian with Barry Meade 2nd fastest and Phil Collins 3rd. There was no change to the top 6 through the stage but we did have Anthony Neville in 8th place and there is no time in for him as yet for stage 7. The Historic Rally commenced at lunchtime and Denis Moynihan, co driven by his brother Dan, lead in their Mk1 Escort from Ray Hilliard/Senan Raggett with Todd Falvey/Liam Moynihan 3rd in the Porsche.
The GpB demonstration cars are running before the Historics and amongst all the beautiful machinery once of the nicest of all is John Moynihan’s full replica ex works Escort as was driven by Richie Heeley and Frank Meagher. Ann Marie Moynihan, John’s wife and a sister of James O’Brian, is driving the Escort today and their 16 year old Sean is co-driving. Ann Marie who was 2nd in the 1600 class in the National Championship many years ago reported that the Escort is just beautiful to drive, and she gave it a real good go through the Glentane stage and reckoned she would have set a really good time.
An interesting facet to this Cork 20 Rally is an innovative children’s fun area here in the Mart where the young ones can enter into art competitions and balloon modelling etc. It has been instigated by the Munster MC and has been put into action by the area manager for Topaz, a South African lady called Cheryl Gilbert. It is also being done in association with UNICEF. Top marks all round for a great idea.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
*For SMS results text RALLY ITC to 53030 (Irl) or 60066 (UK): Text STOP to switch off. Cost 30c/25p. Provided by stagetimes.com
