RALLY NEWS No.8 - Lurgan Park - Saturday @ 17:18:26
RALLY NEWS NO.8 Lurgan Park/Saturday 5.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 – final stage
1st (1) Kris Meeke/Gerry McVeigh (Mini WRC) 16.09.1
2nd (2) Kenny McKinstry/Lesley McGaffin (Impreza WRC) 16.39.4
3rd (4) Garry Jennings/Kerry McCarter (Impreza 555) 16.47.7
4th (3) Derek McGarrity/Kieron Graffin (Mini WRC) 16.49.6
5th (5) Kevin & Paul Barrett (Impreza WRC) 17.02.8
6th (6) Derek McGeehan/Laurie Smith (Mini WRC) 17.03.4
7th (7) Stuart Biggerstaff/Danny O'Carroll (Metro 6R4) 17.14.6
8th (10) Ray Brammer/Damien Fleming (Impreza WRC) 17.16.1
9th (12) John McKeown/Tommy Speers (Escort WRC) 17.29.1
10th (11) Alan Carmichael/Neil Doherty (Impreza WRC) 17.42.7
For Dungannon man Kris Meeke today’s rally was quite far removed from the World Rally Championship events that he has been contesting over the last couple of years. Kris, however, still saw today as a great challenge and said. “As well as a good challenge it was a good day out. The biggest test was the changeable conditions but the Mini WRC is a really precise car to drive, especially in the steering. The car was well fit for it”. Co-driven by Gerry McVeigh in the Derek McGeehan Mini WRC Kris took the lead on the 2nd stage and from there went from strength to strength. His final winning margin was over 30s. Kenny McKinstry, who had Lesley McGaffin co-driving today, commented at the finish. “We had a very good day, really enjoyable. I was always going to be up against it with Kris Meeke. We were the best of the rest which isn’t bad”. There was a great race to the finish between Garry Jennings and Derek McGarrity for 3rd place. Although McGarrity was slightly faster on the final stage Garry Jennings still takes the final podium position. McGarrity did comment. “Yes we had a bit of a struggle today but the early over shoot was my own fault”. Garry Jennings said. “We had a great day. Sure the wee car has doubled her value with this result!”
There was also a terrific race for 5th place and Kevin Barrett just shaded Derek McGeehan for that honour. Equally the battle for 7th place was just as close between Stuart Biggerstaff and Ray Brammer. Biggerstaff took the place and was delighted to finish both here in the Park and to bring the 6R4 home. Ray Brammer admitted to a couple of small mistakes on the final stage leaving him just over a second behind. Andrew Mullen has led Group N pretty much all day although both Mark Massey and Paddy McVeigh had some good stage times but both suffered with small problems. Sligo man Mullen was able to explain that his jamming throttle was down to the cable snagging.
Jimmy McRae has won the FIA Historic category by just point seven of a second from Drew Wylie and the Scotsman laughed at the finish when he told us. “There’s life in the old dog yet!” Martin & Ben Teggart finished best of the Mk2 Escorts, 12th o/a and won class 2B. Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott were 2nd in that class in their Starlet with James & Heather Kennedy 3rd in their Escort. John & Jordan Waring, also in an Escort, won Class 3 and were 14th o/a. Viv Hamill was 2nd in Cl.3 and Rodney White 3rd. Ronan Lynn/Niall McKeegan in their Civic won Cl.2A from Alan Smyth/Peter Thompson (Corsa).
Finally for now we would like to congratulate Event Director William Fullerton and Clerk of the Course Barry Taggart and all the North Armagh MC team for again laying on such a superb event. The weather conditions in recent weeks have not made life easy for all the organising team. We would like to thank all who helped us with the RallyNews. Overall it has been another marvellous and enjoyable Lurgan Park Rally. To all the sponsors, especially Brian Stinson of Orchard Motorsport and Craigavon Borough Council many thanks also.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to Michael & Zoe Patterson) www.rallynews.net Follow RallyNews on Twitter @pacenotes or Real_RallyNews
