RALLY NEWS NO.7 KillarneyFinish/Sunday 6.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 - last stage
HISTORICS
1st (3) Steve Perez/Peter Scott (Porsche) 1.30.40
2nd (1) Dessie Nutt/Liz Jordan (Porsche) 1.31.58
3rd (9) Adrian Kermode/John Coleman (Porsche) 1.33.58
4th (17) Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland (Mini Cooper S) 1.34.24
5th (5) Philip Wylie/Jim Howe (MGB) 1.35.27
6th (19) Chris & Hilary Green (Lotus Cortina) 1.36.17
POST HISTORICS
1st (15) Nick Whale/Kieron Patterson (Porsche) 1.28.11
2nd (7) John & Christy Farrell (Escort RS) 1.28.20
3rd (23) Joe & Gareth Connolly (Escort RS) 1.30.12
4th (14) Sean Tracey/Andrew Bushe (BMW Alpina) 1.31.17
5th (53) Steve Loveridge/Nigel Dutson (Mini) 1.31.18
6th (16) Mike Doody/Keith Moriarty (Mini) 1.32.26 
CLASSICS
1st (85) John Moynihan/Paul Nagle (Escort) 1.23.00
2nd (95) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 1.24.49
3rd (87) Kieran O'Neill/Diarmuid Falvey (Kadett) 1.25.41
4th (88) Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Escort) 1.26.25
5th (157) Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill (Escort) 1.26.35

Steve Perez brought his VK Vodka Kick Porsche 911 over the finish ramp of this Killarney Historic Rally at Randles Garage one very happy man. Co-driven by Peter Scott, Perez moved into the lead ahead of Dessie Nutt on the 2nd stage and never slackened for the day. He commented here at the finish "Fantastic, so pleased to have won here this year. It is my first tarmac victory and to do it here, couldn't have done it in a better place. I didn't think I could drive on tarmac. Its great, nearly better than winning the British championship". Dessie Nutt, 5 times winner, is denied his 6th victory, but wasn't too downhearted at the finish. Dessie had niggly gearbox troubles throughout the day, but then a disastrous last stage when he was passed by 2 cars, sealed his runner up spot. One of the cars that passed Dessie was Steve Perez, and of course he knew then he had victory within his grasp. Dessie's problem with the Porsche was down to a lack of electrics and the car started to misfire and lose power. Third placed Adrian Kermode had a steady run through the day, happy to get through the last stage when the map light and spotlights failed. Mervyn Johnston proved there is life in the old dog yet by taking 4th in his Mini Cooper. 

There was quite a cliff hanger for the Post Historic with Nick Whale just clinching it at the end. Despite missing a hairpin on the final darkness stage, Nick scored fastest time in his Porsche, while John Farrell, who had led for most of the day had a disastrous final stage when his Escort developed a misfire. He dropped 37s to the Porsche. Joe Connolly piled on the steam throughout the afternoon to come up to 3rd in the Post Historics, having not even been on the leaderboard after the opening Molls Gap stage. David Liddle crashed his red Triumph TR4 out on the final stage and allowed Sean Tracey into 4th. 
In the Classic section John Moynihan scored a marvellous victory and paid great tribute to co driver Paul Nagle at the finish, John also said "A great day, a great rally, and whoever wants to buy the best Mk2 Escort in the country, its here for them!" Jimmy McRae unfortunately retired the Porsche when he looked to have 2nd place in the bag - the 911 stopped about a mile from the end of the last stage with a mechanical problem. Interestingly, Plum Tyndal has brought down some of the new Tarmac Titan videos about Jimmy and they are on sale in the Dromhall Hotel tonight. It really is a brilliant video. Kevin O'Donoghue moved into 2nd place, Kieran O'Neill 3rd despite a lack of lights on the last stage. Liam Wall was fastest on the final test, having discovered that his fuel filter was blocked all day. Finally for now, many thanks indeed to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service particularly Dave Randles and Torsten Schmidt plus Padraig Reddington and Alan Ring. Well done to Tim & Rachel Clifford and everyone involved in running such a brilliant rally. Thanks also to the Dromhall Hotel for their great hospitality. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net