Six of the best as McNulty rules

TIM McNULTY and co-driver Paul Kiely (Subaru WRC) won their sixth event in the Dunlop National Rally Championship with victory in the Auburn Lodge Hotel Clare Rally to clinch the national series.

A 53-second victory over the Subaru of Niall Maguire/Barry Goodman (Subaru WRC) secured the Vard Memorial Trophy with Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC) a distant third.

Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category and the top Modified crew was that of Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort). The Dunlop Drive of the Day award was won by Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort).

On the opening stage near Ruan, McNulty opened up a 12 second lead over Maguire, who lost a few seconds when the intercom lead came adrift. Kerry’s Mike Quinn (Escort) held third – five seconds further behind and a second ahead of Barrett.

McNulty also dominated the second stage but Maguire was the stage pacesetter on the final stage of the loop at Ballynacally.

Maguire was particularly happy with his performance through the third test. Barrett, up into third, could have been closer but for an overshoot on the third stage that cost him some 15 seconds, he was 12 seconds behind Maguire.

Teenager Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi) was a surprise fourth and held the lead in the Group N category. Mike Quinn (Escort) led the Modified category

A straying horse brought a change to the overall classification on stage four. McNulty, who was made aware of impending danger by spectators before he actually saw the animal, lost the most time as Maguire moved seven seconds clear.

Through stages five and six, McNulty regained supremacy and led at the final service halt by 25 seconds. Maguire managed to guide his Subaru through the final kilometres of stage six without any brakes, he used the handbrake to minimise contact with a bale. At service, a broken seal was replaced, however, the new unit wasn’t a direct replacement and had to be tailored to fit. Barrett remained in third. Josh Moffett’s drive ended on stage five when his Mitsubishi slid off following a series of jumps.

Patterson slotted into fourth and led the Modified category with Moffett taking control of Group N, his Mitsubishi was transformed after some suspension adjustments.

Quinn in sixth was worried he could have damaged the engine after the fan belt broke and he lost the oil coolant. In the race for the two-wheel drive honours, he was 12 seconds behind Patterson and 23 ahead of a rapidly improving Frank Kelly. O’Halloran, Declan Gallagher (Starlet) and Shane Maguire (Subaru) completed the top ten. Washington James slid his Darrian out of the rally.

McNulty went on to set the seal on a fine championship year and event victory courtesy of three more fastest times.

“We have worked hard at this championship, there are so many things that can go against you, nobody knows that better than myself. I’m delighted.” said McNulty.

Meanwhile, Youghal’s Jason Ryan (Honda Civic) won the Kartmania.ie Rallysprint at the Corrin Event Centre, Rathcormac. He finished 2.9 seconds ahead of the Renault Clio of Keith Power.