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| Tipperary Stonethrowers |
| RALLY NEWS No.6 - After last stage - Sunday @ 17:02:45 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.6 Finish/Sunday
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 FINAL STAGE
1st (2) Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Impreza WRC) 57.56
2nd (1) Niall Maguire/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 58.25
3rd (3) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 58.43
4th (8) Declan & Brian Boyle (Escort) 1.00.28
5th (6) Alan Ring/James O'Brien (Lancer N) 1.01.43
6th (23) Eugene Meegan/Sorcha Kelly (Lancer N) 1.01.49
Melvyn Evans and his co driver Patrick Walsh turned in a stunning time on the final stage of this SEPAM backed Stonethrowers Rally to reinforce a very significant victory this weeke3nd. Melvyn’s Subaru never missed a beat throughout the rally. Alan Ring and Eugene Meegan in their respective Lancers were tying going into the final stage. Ring really turned up the heat and was a full 6s faster than Meegan to win the Group N category. Declan Boyle and his cousin Brian Boyle put up a fantastic show throughout the day in their Escort to win the Modified section. Declan and Brian are now leading the Modified section in the National Championship and indeed received the Dunlop Driver of the Day Award here.
When Melvyn Evans brought his Subaru into the finish he took the time to tell us. “The first stage today was brilliant, the 3rd stage was tricky, but overall we had a great day. The car has been very good. I only had one mechanic here along with my 15 year old son Meirion so it was a real budget rally for us.” Niall Maguire said. “I had nothing left particularly towards the end. We were the last of the late brakers, but I was missing the pull out of the junctions compared to Melvyn’s newer car. The stages were cruel fast in places and there were jumps I didn’t know were there, but it was a great day”. Derek McGarrity commented. “I’m not too disappointed with 3rd. But I am disappointed to have lost so much time on the first 2 stages. But we have worked out a really good set up for the car now and for the next rally it should be perfect”.
The Dunlop points situation is that Niall Maguire still leads on 136 points. Melvyn Evans has 132 and Derek McGarrity 106. However when dropped scores are taken into account Melvyn has only to get a half-decent result in Clare and he will claim the title. Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan finished 3rd GpN today and they move into the Group N lead in the championship for our Patterson’s Rally News Award.
Declan Boyle said at the end. “I’m over the moon to have beaten Wesley Patterson. We had a few things wrong with the car on the first 3 stages and then we had 6 good stages”. With just 1 stage to go Cal McCarthy was leading the Junior category from David Brosnan with Damien Boyle 3rd.
Finally for now our thanks to all who helped and supported the Rally News service this weekend with thanks as well to Dougie Hughes and Aidan Harper for distribution of the RallyNews. Thanks also to CoC John Ward and to Willie & Bernie Walsh for all their help. Well done to all the hard working and enthusiastic members of Tipperary MC for all their hard work in running such an excellent event.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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