McKinstry heading for victory in Fastnet Rally

Kenny McKinstry and co-driver, Sean Mullally on board their Subaru WRC have a 29 second lead heading into the final stages of the Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally.

The rally is a counting round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the 023 Tiles Southern 4

Championship and the Get Connected Rally Championship.

Michael Barrable, in a Subaru WRC led initially and arrived at the Drimoleague service halt with a three second lead over McKinstry, however, oil pressure problems forced his retirement.

McKinstry, 21 seconds ahead of Welshman, Melvyn Evans (Escort WRC) after the four stage stages, extended his lead on the stages at Nowen Hill and Mealagh Valley and now lead by 29 seconds.

Patrick Elliott, in a Subaru, is third, 50 seconds behind Evans and 26 ahead of local driver, Liam

McCarthy, in a Toyota Corolla WRC.

Ollie O’Donovan (Subaru) holds fifth overall from Bob Fowden (Mitsubishi), who leads the Group N category.

The top ten is completed by the Toyota Celica of Cathal Arthurs, Phil Collins (Escort), Denis Cronin

(BMW M3) and Kieran O’Neill (Opel Kadett).

The two remaining stages are the Goat’s Path and Mount Kid with the rally set to finish at the Marine Hotel, Glandore at 5.30pm.