Competing in a World Rally Car on gravel surface for the first time, Gareth MacHale made it a winning debut in the Carrick on Suir Forest Rally, round one of the McCauley Trailers National Forest Championship.

Ireland’s Austin MacHale and co-driver, Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) are beginning today’s final leg of the International Rally of Wales in third place with Northern Ireland pair Kris Meeke/Chris Patterson ((Corsa) in seventh spot and leading the Super 1600 category.