UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – LAST STAGE

1^st (1) Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey (Focus WRC) 58.45

2^nd (3) Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (Focus WRC) 59.32

3^rd (12) Noel Redmond/Ger Healy (Impreza WRC) 1.00.38

4^th (11) Sean Devine/Martin Brady (Impreza WRC) 1.01.06

5^th (4) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) 1.01.07

6^th (5) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.01.09

7^th (7) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.01.16

8^th (9) Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 1.02.00

9^th (17) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 1.02.30

10^th (18) Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Lancer N) 1.02.41

Former Dunlop National Champion Ray Breen made the best possible start to this year’s series with a fine win on the Mayo Stages Rally, his Focus WRC finishing a clear 47s ahead of Aaron MacHale’s similar example.  Waterford man Breen said “We were able to back off slightly towards the end, although the roads were drying they were still deceptively slippy. I’m absolutely delighted to have won, they were seriously good stages, hard work but a great rally. Nobody knows better than me how long and hard the road this championship is. There’s a bit to go!”  Second placed Aaron MacHale commented. “I was a bit rusty at the beginning of the day, the second half went better. I really should have got some miles on the car before the start. Still, it’s a good solid start to the championship”.  Noel Redmond produced a good turn of speed over the wet stages and he was well pleased with his 3red place.  Sean Devine nearly lost his 4^th place to Glenn Allen at the end but just held on.  Allen was trying very hard and was off the road a couple of times on his way to 5^th place. Niall Maguire turned in a really quick time on the last stage to move into 5^th ahead of his great friend and rival Kevin Barrett.  Sean Gallagher drove a good steady rally to finish 8^th. 

Michael Curran/Fabian McShane returned to their winning ways with 9^th overall and group N victory. Michael commented. “It all went to plan, a good day”.  Seamus Leonard, who lost time with an early accident, said. “It was a real good race I enjoyed it”.  Kevin & Martin Kelleher from Clonakilty overcame a slow start to take 3^rd in Group N. 

In the race for 2 wheel drive honours Rodney Wilton and Camillus Bradley had a massive battle towards the end and provisionally Wilton has just pipped Bradley by 1s to take the honours.  Gordon Rogers is provisionally 3^rd while Eugene Ferry’s Escort struggled into the finish with a damaged clutch. 

In the Junior section of the rally David Quigley was leading after 2 stages in his Honda Civic with Anthony Hand (Escort) 2^nd and Noel O’Donnell (Peugeot 205) 3^rd.

Well done to new CoC Jonathan Rice and many thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net