Motorsport: Moffett/Thornton claim the spoils in Silvermines

Taking the lead on the sixth stage, Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta R5) and co-driver Stephen Thornton won the Silvermines-based Treaty Plant Hire Limerick Forest Rally, the second round of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship.

They finished 13.8 seconds ahead of New York based Barry McKenna (Ford Fiesta R5) and his co-driver Leon Jordan. Long time leaders Waterford’s Andrew Purcell and his Mitchelstown co-driver Mark Wiley had to be content with third after their PM Tyre and Auto Centre backed Ford Fiesta R5 sustained a time consuming puncture on S.S. 6.

On the opening stage at Keeper Hill, Purcell showed a fine turn of speed and led nearest rival McKenna by 6.3 seconds, with Moffett 11.3 seconds further behind followed by the Citroen DS3 R5 of Cathan McCourt. Liam Regan (Mitsubishi) led Group N and two-wheel driver leader David Crossen (Escort) rounded out the top six.