| RALLY
NEWS NO.6
Mill Park Hotel Donegal Town-Sat. 6.45pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 - FINAL STAGE
1st (5) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza) 57.24
2nd (2) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 57.54
3rd (7) Cahal Arthurs/Jakes Kelly (Accent WRC) 57.59
4th (33) Mike Curran/Killian Duffy (Lancer N) 58.38
5th (12) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 58.41
6th (3) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 58.45
7th (20) Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Impreza N) 58.51
8th (16) Sean Devine/John McElhinney (Impreza WRC) 58.59
9th (18) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 59.04
10th (14) James Gillen/Sinead McCafferty (Impreza) 59.05
This is the 5th time that Paul Harris has won his home Donegal Harvest
National Rally, this time just as sweet as the first, but probably more
unexpected. Throughout the day Tim McNulty was always the pace setter.
Even after his stage 5 accident that cost him a minute Tim still led.
He put his Impreza WRC off the road in stage 7 and lost some more time,
and dropped to 3rd. Then going into the final stage his Impreza rear differential
called it a day and that was that. Paul Harris, co-driven by John
McCafferty, made no mistakes and surged through to win, with Cahal Arthurs
staging a late charge, to take 3rd place in his Accent WRc, co-driven
by Jakes Kelly. Niall Maguire drove a very accomplished rally, and
overcame some difficult moments to finish 2nd. Co-driven by Paul McLaughlin,
Niall increases his lead in the Dunlop National Championship, and goes
to the final round in Glandore a very clear favourite. Only Patrick
Elliott can deprive him of the outright title. Jim Harrison is now
out of the equation as regards the overall title, but will of course fight
to the end for runner-up spot. Jim and co driver Harvey Bell were
naturally disappointed to finish well down the results, having led the
rally after the first stage. Their only compensation was that they set
some brilliant stage times.
Paul Harris commented here at the Mill Park Hotel finish "I really
enjoyed it, but it was a tough day. I wasn't really expecting to win.
Tim McNulty seemed to have it wrapped up, but you have to keep it on the
road, I was a bit rusty, both me and the car, it was a tough day".
Cahal Arthurs had a couple of good times towards the end, 2nd fastest
on the last stage and the penultimate stage, although when McNulty went
off the road the second time, in stage 7, he nearly reversed into the
flying Accent. Niall Maguire said. "We had a few moments today,
they were hard stages and we had some problems with 1st and 2nd gear,
but it went alright". Results have still to be confirmed, but
it looks as if as well as having a convincing lead in the Dunlop National
c/ship, Niall may have won the class based Quinn Border c/ship. However,
as this series is class based, this has still to be confirmed.
Another big story today was the performance of Michael Curran in his Group
N Lancer. Young Michael and his co-driver Killian Duffy, had a few problems
over the first few stages, but after that they just flew. At the
end they really destroyed the opposition to win the category. Second placed
Willie Fannin had a few big moments over the last couple of stages, that
really shook him, but he has done more than enough to clinch the Patterson
RallyNews Group N Award on the Dunlop National Championship. Andrew Stewart
had some differential troubles towards the end but still managed 3rd Group
N.
Camillus Bradley and co driver Danny O'Neill took their Escort to a splendid
class 13 win, best of the 2 wheel drive cars, beating their all-day rival
Damian Gallagher by 48s at the end. Damian and co driver Mac Walsh were
slowed towards the end when their Escort developed both head gasket and
back axle troubles. A late retirement was Kevin Barrett, reason unknown.
Ivan Stewart has won cl.15 and is 11th. Hugh Martin Doherty 12th. Joe
McHugh 13th and 2nd cl.15. Finally for now, very well done to CoC Bobby
Cunningham and all the Donegal MC team for a great event, and as ever
marvellous Donegal hospitality, both from the club and the Mill Park Hotel.
Our thanks to all who supported and helped with the RallyNews service.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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