Following a really tough weekend’s rallying Derek McGarrity and James McKee have won this Circuit of Ireland by 41s from Kenny McKinstry/Kenny Hull. Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally made it a Subaru top 3. When Derek McGarrity brought his Impreza in to the finish at the Armagh City Hotel to spray the champagne for his 5th Circuit win he said. “It was a very good rally. Yesterday was tricky for us learning the car all over again. Today was brilliant, the Pirelli tyres worked well and the car was good. My mechanics Paul and Jim did a fantastic job getting the car ready and fitting Niall Maguire’s engine – they wouldn’t give up. I am really grateful to Niall for lending me the engine”. For Derek’s co driver James McKee this was his 2nd Circuit win as against Derek’s 5 and James said. “I enjoyed it all bar the last stage. The more I tried to slow Derek down the more mistakes he made!”
Kenny McKinstry was a gallant runner-up and he said. “I’m disappointed but realistic. Any fight there was going to be disappeared with that spin this morning. To be fair to Derek his time in the wet this morning was faster than my time over the same stage this afternoon in the dry”. Third placed Kevin Barrett commented. “It was a difficult weekend for us but I enjoyed the rally and I am glad to be here at the finish”.
Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan won the Group N category as well as finishing 6th o/a which was a great result for them. John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones were welcome visitors from Wales to the rally and by our unofficial reckoning they were fastest o/a through stage 14 and have won the Modified category from Phil Collins by just under 2s. Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan led the Modified section for most of the rally but had to give best to Dalton at the end. Indeed, perhaps Phil was lucky to make the finish as his Escort overheated on the road section to Armagh when a radiator hose came adrift. Last minute dramas included top Tarmac contender Alan Ring having mechanical problems with his Lancer and as yet has not appeared here at the finish. Phillip Morrow/Damien Connolly were fastest of the Sunday/Super Rally runners today although their Lancer finished the day with the brakes cooked and the tyres worn out!
In Tarmac Championship terms Kevin Barrett moves into the lead on 24 points. The next round of the c/ship is next weekend, the Killarney Rally of the Lakes.
Finally for now our thanks to everyone who has assisted and supported our RallyNews service and thanks also to the organisers of this Circuit of Ireland. Once again it was a major event and it has been a huge success. It is possible to watch some of the highlights of the event, footage that will be used on RPM, and can be seen on www.youtube.com/user/rpmmotorsport
