Kelly/Flanagan defy conditions for Abbeyleix rally win

The new Triton Showers National Rally Championship got underway with the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Rally and victory went to Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan.

In wet and slippery conditions they prevailed over the Subaru WRC of Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy by a margin of 38.7 seconds. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC) were 25.4 seconds further behind in third.

Kelly blitzed his way through the opening stage and was 13.9 seconds ahead of defending national champion Declan Boyle (Subaru WRC). The event developed into a battle between the Donegal duo. By the end of the opening loop Boyle had pared the margin down to 5.9 seconds. Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) occupied third and Alan Ring (Subaru WRC) was fourth as the likes of Darren Gass and Garry Jennings struggled with misted over windscreens. Others fared worse, like John Stone, who lost time when he had to stop and change a punctured wheel and Frank Kelly (Escort), who crashed out. Roy White (MG ZR) withdrew after S.S. 3 with a broken cog in the crown wheel.