McCarthy leads Tipp Forest Rally

There have been three different leaders in the opening three stages of the Mitchelstown based Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forest Rally, the second round of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship.

The initial pace was set by former national champion and three time event winner, Dermot Kelly, his Escort WRC was eight seconds ahead of the Subaru 555 of John McCarthy.

Kelly rolled his Escort on the second stage and lost over 90 seconds as Eddie Kinirons, driving a Toyota Celica, and without sixth gear, moved to the top of the leader board 12 seconds ahead of John McCarthy, who spun twice on the stage in Ardpatrick forests.

McCarthy made amends on the third stage by posting the fastest time that promoted him into a four second lead over Kinirons.

John Drislane, home from New York to contest his local rally, is an impressive third 27 seconds of second place. Elsewhere, Kevin O’Kane (Subaru) and Brian McCluskey (Escort WRC) are next followed by John Donnelly – his Escort had no anti lag.

James Murphy (Escort Cosworth), with two overshoots, is eighth overall ahead of Group N leader, John Shanahan and Dermot Kelly, who finished the opening three stages down in 10th place.

1. J. McCarthy (Subaru) 25m. 13s.

2. E. Kinirons (Toyota Celica) 25m. 17s.

3. J. Drislane (Subaru) 25m. 44s.

4. K. O’Kane (Subaru) 25m. 52s.

5. B. McCluskey (Escort) 25m. 59s.

6. J. McGaffin/I. Allsop (Subaru Legacy) 26m. 04s.

7. J. Donnelly (Escort WRC) 26m. 05s.

8. J. Murphy (Escort Cosworth) 26m. 16s.

9. J. Shanahan (Subaru) 26m. 34s.

10. D. Kelly (Escort WRC) 26m. 43s.