Maguire, Barrable celebrate wins

Second place on the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally for Niall Maguire was enough to clinch the 2002 Dunlop National Rally Championship, his second win in four years.

Dubliner, Michael Barrable, in his Subaru WRC, won the rally by 37 seconds - his performance over the opening loop of three stages was the foundation for his first win in almost three years.

David Armstrong (Escort Cosworth) finished in third - almost a minute behind, while the Peugeot 205 of Mac McKenna was fourth.

Sean Gallagher brought his Escort home in fifth and Hugh Dunne gradually increased his pace as the rally progressed to finish sixth.

Local ace, Roy White (Mitsubishi), despite a one-minute road penalty, won the Group N category from Aaron McHale, who secured national honours in the class.

Eddie Kinirons (Toyota Celica) and George Tracey (Subaru) rounded off the top 10.

1. M. Barrable/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 09m. 03s.

2. N. Maguire/P. Nagle (Subaru WRC) 1h. 09m. 40s.

3. D. Armstrong/H. Blackburn (Escort Cosworth) 1h.11m. 56s.

4. M. McKenna/J. Loughran (Peugeot 205) 1h. 12m. 41s.

5. S. Gallagher/L. Costello (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 12m.58s.

6. H. Dunne/D. Brannigan (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 12s.

7. R. White/D. Cooney (Mitsubishi) 1h. 14m. 00s.

8. A. McHale/D. Connolly (Mitsubishi) 1h. 14m. 12s.

9. E. Kinirons/G. Shinnors (Subaru WRC) 1h. 1h. 14m.15s.

10.G. Tracey/E. Roe (Subaru) 1h. 14m. 27s.

Dunlop National Rally Championship standings after Round 8:

N. Maguire 156 Points;

P. Elliott 102 Points;

D. Armstrong 88 Points;

S. Gallagher 78 Points

Aaron McHale 58 Points.