Dominant final run secures Carlow Rallysprint win for Wexford’s James

WEXFORD’s David James (Mitsubishi) took a comfortable victory in the Carlow Rallysprint at Mondello Park that attracted an entry of 127 drivers.

After three timed runs over the course that was a mix of gravel and tarmac surfaces, James amassed a 5.6-second winning margin over the similar Mitsubishi of Tipperary’s Liam Ryan. Keith Power (Renault Clio) was 18 seconds further adrift in third.

Former Irish National Forest Rally champion Ryan was quickest over the opening run, he held a 2.36-second advantage over James, with Power third. On the second run, James topped the time sheets to eke out a lead of just a tenth-of-a-second over Ryan, with Power retaining third from the Toyota Celica of John Somers.

James then dominated the final run to take event victory.

Meanwhile, Nenagh’s Whitby Moynan in his Toyota Special clinched the Jerry Murphy Tyres Munster Autocross Championship with a fine victory in the final round of the series at the Cork Autocross near Castlemartyr.

Moynan finished three-and-a-half seconds ahead of the JB Buggy of Kieran Flynn after their best cumulative times for the three clockwise and anti-clockwise runs of the circuit at Ightermurragh. Douglas driver, Mark Murphy (Subaru)

completed the podium line up.

Meanwhile, outgoing Munster champion James Lucey (Subaru Special), who was vying with Moynan for the title, had to be content with fifth place.

Elsewhere, Meath’s Chris Snow (Honda Civic) won the Cavan Autocross at Latton Quarry, where he edged out the similar Honda of Darren O’Brien by just over a second. O’Brien was quickest on the first of the three timed runs and although Snow responded well, he held on to take the laurels.