O'Sullivan wins Kerry rally

For the third time in a row, the Kingdom Fast Fit Kerry Rally was won by Johnny O'Sullivan in his Escort WRC.

Along with co-driver, Pat Cashman, they were eleven seconds ahead of second placed Ed Synan/David Doherty (Opel Manta) with Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Escort) another 29 seconds behind.

O'Sullivan was quickest on the first stage and went into a lead he was never to relinquish.

Despite the best efforts of his rivals, O’Sullivan always seemed to have the upper hand. But he had a few anxious moments on the first stage, no intercom for a section of the second and a poor tyre choice on S.s.3.

Ed Synan, who was quickest on the stage in darkness, was hampered by the loss of third gear.

Meanwhile, Donie O’Sullivan, in a Mk. 2 Ford Escort for the first time in almost two years, had a steady run to third ahead of the Opel Manta of Anthony O’Halloran and the Escort of Damien Keenan.

1. J. O'Sullivan/P. Cashman (Escort WRC) 22m. 05s;

2. E. Synan/D. Doherty (Opel Manta) 22m. 16s;

3. D. O'Sullivan/P. Nagle (Ford Escort) 22m. 45s;

4. A. O'Halloran/S. Benn (Opel Manta) 23m. 02s;

5. D. Keenan/E. Sherry (Ford Escort) 23m. 12s;

6. P. Clifford/J. Young (Subaru) 23m. 14s;

Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Opel Corsa) were the top Irish finishers in the Network Q Rally of Great

Britain. They finished 23rd overall while Kris Meeke/Glen Patterson (Ford Puma) were 30th.

Austin MacHale retired after his Toyota Corolla WRC clipped a rock and burst a wheel that subsequently ripped off the brake caliper.

Further to his fourth place yesterday, James Murphy was sixth in today’s Formula Renault race in Donington Park.