Maguire wins Sligo rally

Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin in their Subaru WRC have won the Sligo Rally, the seventh round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and can now clinch the series on the next round in Co Tipperary.

Sun, 14 Jul, 2002 - 20:55

As a contest, the rally was decided on the seventh stage when Maguire’s closest pursuers, Eugene

Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Celica) had to retire with a broken sump. It was most unfortunate, as they had cut the deficit to just nine seconds.

None of the others could match the pace of either Maguire or Donnelly.

Third place - 2 minutes and 43 seconds in arrears - went to the Escort Cosworth of David Armstrong, he had to contend with a faulty intercom throughout the eight stages on the Sligo/Leitrim border.

His second place and the 18 championship points garnered, promotes him to third in the series -

overtaking rival, Sean Gallagher, who crashed out today.

James Gillen in yet another Escort Cosworth, was third with Patrick Elliot (Subaru) fourth.

Aaron McHale was the dominant force in the Group N category and his win in the showroom class strengthens his championship lead in the same category.

In the Ford Ka series, Kenneth Mulvaney took his inaugural win ahead of championship leader, Gerry Keyes, they traded places throughout the afternoon with Mulvaney, who led initially, reclaiming the lead on the closing stages.

1 N. Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 06m. 32s.

2 D. Armstrong/H. Blackburn (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 09m. 15s.

3 J. Gillen/V. Carrothers (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 09m. 57s.

4 P. Elliott/S. Moriarty (Subaru Impreza) 1h. 10m. 24s.

5 D. McLoughlin/C. Donnellan (Peugeot 205) 1h. 12m. 45s.

6 A. McHale/D. Connolly (Mitsubishi) 1h. 12m. 50s.

7 J. McHugh/D. McHugh (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 13m. 03s.

8 E. Keenan/F. Sweeney (Escort) 1h. 13m. 43s.

9 John Cairns/James Cairns (Subaru) 1h.13m. 49s.

10 P. Boyle/M. Sherlock (Escort) 1h. 13m. 56s.

Dunlop National Rally Championship - Positions after Round 7:

Niall Maguire 138 points.