McKinstry comes in from the cold

Motorsport

Former Northern Ireland Rally champions Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC) and Derek McGarrity (Mini WRC) were the pacesetters in the Winter Rally in Kirkistown on Saturday with the former winning by a margin of 7.7 seconds. Jonny Greer debuted a Citroen DS3 R5 and took third spot. In cold conditions McGarrity took an early lead. McKinstry dominated the second stage but McGarrity punched in the best time on S.S. 3. However, McKinstry was quickest on the remaining three stages to claim the spoils. Last year’s event winner Kieron Graffin (Mitsubishi) retired with gearbox troubles on the third stage. Emma McKinstry (Subaru WRC) was fourth with Drew Stewart (Ford Escort) and Dominic McNeill (Mitsubishi) completing the top six.

The event also counted as the opening round of the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Junior 1000 Rally Challenge series with Josh McErlean (Peugeot 107) taking the top points albeit a mere 5.3 seconds ahead of the similar car of Daniel Harper. Indeed, it was Harper that led after the opening stage but McErlean moved in front after the third stage. Harper lost time on the penultimate stage when he had to slow down to negotiate the stricken car of a fellow competitor.