1st (20) Barry Meade/Johnny Hickey (Escort)(20) 1.57.16.5
2nd (22) Ed O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy (Escort) 1.59.56.5
For Denis Cronin and his co-driver Helen O’Sullivan, this has been a very special day, to take victory on this Cartel.ie backed Killarney Rally of the Lakes. Denis was suffering from the flu during the week and felt he was slightly off the pace for the Saturday morning stages, however on the final Saturday Stage on Molls Gap, he really came alive, and was just a few seconds down on Tim McNulty. However, he was not putting McNulty under any real pressure, but at the same time was staying in touch. McNulty’s lead looked very secure, until, his Subaru gearbox broke in Stage 12, and suddenly Denis Cronin was on his way to his first Rally of the Lakes victory. Aaron MacHale made a late charge in his focus to take 2nd place and Craig Breen came through into 3rd, getting ahead of Alastair Fisher.
Alaistar was looking good for 2nd place at one point, but his Group N Lancer was overwhelmed by the power of Aaron MacHale’s World Rally Focus. Then on the very last stage, Alaistar damaged a rear wheel on his Lancer and slipped to 4th. Alaistar’s car actually clipped a bank on Stage 14, Rockfield and broke the rear suspension, as well as puncturing a tyre, so he was very fortunate to be able to get the car to the finish. In Tarmac Championship terms, Alaistar has moved into the lead with 35 points, Aaron MacHale is 2nd on 34, Craig Breen comes into 3rd with 30 points and Gareth MacHale, who retired from this rally, when his Focus engine cried enough on stage 2, is now in 4th place in the points with 28.
When Denis Cronin brought his Subaru into the victory ramp, he told us "I’m thrilled. When I started rallying in 1981, my ambition was to win the Rally of the Lakes. I didn’t think it would ever happen, and to win at this stage of my life is fantastic. I got a bit downhearted yesterday, but it went well today." Co-driver Helen O’Sullivan said, "This is a dream come true. I can hardly believe it." 2nd place Aaron MacHale said "It was nip and tuck with Alaistar, but I tried as hard as I could this afternoon." 3rd placed Craig Breen said of his rally "I was happier with the pace today, and a fastest time on Caragh Lake, seemed like I was back on form. It has taken a while."
Last minute stories included Colm Murphy surviving a broken brake pipe on his Impreza, and although he dropped 2 minutes, he still finished 7th and 3rd in Group N. Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly have won the Citroen Racing Trophy section, worth around €5,000, following a brilliant run to get ahead of Marty McCormack. Marty was on a charge back, but clipped a gatepost on the final stage, and was fortunate to make the finish. Damien McCarthy brought his Civic into 3rd in the National Category and has won Class 11. Todd Falvey/Colin Moynihan have brought their Porsche 911 to the top of the finishers list in the Historic Category, and that was despite the soft brake pedal worries. Ray Cunningham was 2nd in his Mini, and Niall O’Connell 3rd. With one stage remaining, Kevin O’Connor was leading the Juniors in his Citroen C2R2.
Finally for now, Many thanks to all who supported and helped with the RallyNews. Well done also to all the organisers of this Killarney Rally of the Lakes. Once again, it was a very special weekend.
