Kinirons wins Moonraker rally

Eddie Kinirons from Wicklow and co-driver, Greg Shinnors (Limerick), in a Toyota Celica, won the

Sun, 18 May, 2003 - 21:08

Eddie Kinirons from Wicklow and co-driver, Greg Shinnors (Limerick), in a Toyota Celica, won the

Moonraker Forest Rally the fourth round of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship that was based in the east Cork town of Midleton.

They took the lead on the fifth stage and were never headed over the remaining five stages. However, they were kept in check by Northern Ireland’s, Kevin O’Kane/Francis Regan, who narrowed the deficit to 12 seconds with two stages remaining.

Kinirons then stamped his authority on the event and emerged with a 23 second winning margin.

Second place went to the Subaru WRC of Derry’s, Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl, who were fortunate to survive a high-speed moment on the eighth stage. They reeled in O’Kane/Regan for the runner-up spot.

Another driver to survive late drama was James Murphy, the Co Limerick driver in an Escort Cosworth, endured a tricky moment for some 50 metres when his car slid along a ditch.

Antrim’s, John Donnelly (Escort WRC), who had engine trouble earlier in the rally, finally finished fourth.

Cork’s, John Shanahan (Subaru) overcame problems at a water splash to win the Group N category and also take fifth overall.

John Reid (Escort) was never eclipsed in the chase for success in the rear wheel drive category, he also took sixth overall.

Elsewhere, John McGaffin (Subaru Legacy) and the Mk. 2 Ford Escorts of Tom Kiely and Brian Lawlor rounded off the top ten.

1. E. Kinirons/G. Shinnors (Toyota Celica) 34m. 23s.

2. K. Lynch/M. McNicholl (Subaru WRC) 43m. 49s.

3. K. O’Kane/F. Regan (Subaru Impreza) 43m. 52s.

4. J. Murphy/C. Mulcahy (Escort Cosworth) 43m. 57s.

5. J. Donnelly/J. McAleese (Escort WRC) 44m. 18s.

6. J. Shanahan/D. Moynihan (Subaru Gp. N) 44m. 45s.

7. J. Reid/B. Green (Ford Escort) 46m. 05s.

8. J. McGaffin/A. Russell (Subaru Legacy) 46m. 11s.