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| Galway Summer Rally |
| RALLY NEWS No.5 - Raheen Woods Finish - Monday @ 14:39:51 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.5 Raheen Woods/Sunday/Finish/5.40
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 – FINAL STAGE
1st (1) Patrick Elliott/Damien Connolly (Impreza WRC) 1.00.38
2nd (3) Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.01.17
3rd (6) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Lancer N) 1.05.02
4th (9) Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Starlet rwd) 1.05.12
5th (11) Martin McGee/Damien Crawford (Escort) 1.05.23
6th (14) Danny & Rory McBride (Lancer N) 1.05.30
7th (148) Daragh Rafferty/Dean Rafferty (Impreza WRC) 1.05.30
8th (16) Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Impreza N) 1.05.47
9th (17) Trevor & Kenny Bustard (Lancer N) 1.06.11
10th (19) Eugene Ferry/Derek Heena (Escort 1.06.21
Through this afternoon’s stages Melvyn Evans and his co driver Sean Mullally clocked up fastest times in their Subaru but the day belonged to Patrick Elliott and Damien Connolly whose Subaru finishes with a half minute and most importantly for Patrick it looks as if he has also clinched the Dunlop National Championship for 2008. The day promised so much in terms of a head to head battle between Patrick Elliott and Niall Maguire in their respective Subarus, but in stage 5, Caherlistrane, Niall crashed his example out of the rally. To all intents and purposes he crashed out as well from any chance of wining the National title for the 4th time. For Patrick Elliott this will be his first outright win, although he was group N champion a few years ago. Melvyn Evans seemed to be a bit rusty and lacking in confidence in the early stages but he certainly came good over the final 3 stages and set some scintillating times. The weather was a small bit unpredictable earlier on, flattered to deceive, with light rain showers interspersed with beautiful warm sunshine. This left the roads slippy and deceptive in places which almost certainly was a contributory factor in Maguire’s accident.
Alan ring and Adrian Deasy kept their heads and a good pace throughout the day to finish 3rd overall and take top group N points. Ironically Alan didn’t set out this year to go for the Dunlop National Group N title but it looks like he’s going to win it anyway! It’s not over yet of course but it is looking good for the Killarney man. Maurice Moffett had a great day to take 4th o/a and best 2 wheel drive. Monaghan man Maurice drove a very clever rally, and as the day progressed he kept up a really good speed but kept it very sooth to preserve his tyres. Martin McGee in 5th set some great times as well, but a stage 5 overshoot on a square right saw him drop a bit of time and give Moffett the encouragement he needed to go for 2 wheel drive victory.
Danny McBride overcame an early misfire in his Lancer and set good times towards the end and he finished 6th o/a and 2nd in group N. Daragh Rafferty hasn’t been in a rally car this year so 7th o/a in his Subaru, overcoming gear change difficulties along the way, was pretty good. Sean Flanagan pulled out all the stops, sliced through the chicanes, had some diff troubles towards the end, so 8th o/a and 3rd group N was pretty good. Trevor Bustard lost time with an excursion into a field so finished 9th o/a and 4th group N. Eugene Ferry made a conservative start, confessing himself to be a bit rusty, but came through well towards the end to take 10th o/a and 3rd 2 wheel drive.
When the cars came in here to the Raheen Woods Hotel Patrick Elliott commented. “I’m disappointed for Niall I found it hard to keep it all together after he went off. It was so close in stage times all year. I was very happy with the rally otherwise”. Patrick’s co driver Damien Connolly was sitting in for the first time and he said. “Really enjoyed it, that’s a proper rally car, I’m taking it back to Glenn Allen’s workshop in Cookstown!” Welshman Melvyn Evans said. “Woke up at the end, really enjoyed it, got the tyres right”. Alan Ring said. “I couldn’t relax all day but 2nd placed overall points and group N was brilliant. That’s 5 group N wins this season”. Maurice Moffett commented. “Very enjoyable day. Great to win 2 wheel drive, the only problem for me has been that my son Richard and daughter Laura have just crashed their car through a wall when leading the Juniors. Finally for now well done to Clerk of the Course Victor Farrell and all his hard working Galway MC team. Our thanks to all who supported the Rally News (Dunlop, Sean Mullally, Liam Egan and the Kearney family from Sepam). Thanks as well to everyone who helped us today including Dougie Hughes and Martin Brady.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
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