Nesbitt wins Ulster Rally

Fastest on 14 of the 15 stages of the Stena Line Ulster Rally, a counting round of both Irish and

British Rally Championships, Andrew Nesbitt and co-driver, James O’Brien (Subaru WRC) scored a

dominant win.

They had a winning margin of two minutes and 24.2 seconds over the Toyota Corolla WRC of Jonny

Milner/Nicky Beech. Donegal’s Daniel and Michael Doherty (Subaru) were third.

One of Nesbitt principal rivals, Derek McGarrity retired at last night’s overnight halt with gearbox

problems.

Another top challenger, Peadar Hurson crashed his Toyota Celica on today’s second stage.

By that time, Nesbitt was well on course for victory and went on to win comfortably.

Eamonn Boland, who broke a driveshaft in his Subaru WRC on S.S. 10, eventually finished fourth.

Having lost time on the opening leg, Gwyndaf Evans (MG ZR) finally triumphed in the Super 1600 category.

Justin Dale (Peugeot) who was second in the same category clinched the British Super 1600 category.

The Group N showroom category was a great tussle, Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi) managing to thwart the challenges of Roy White (Mitsubishi) and Seamus Leonard (Subaru).

Gary Jennings won the Peugeot 206 Super Cup class after a dice with fellow Irish driver, Shaun

Gallagher.

Nesbitt’s victory allows him extend his lead in the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship and he is destined to clinch the series on the next round - the Cork 20 International Rally next month.