McGarrity leads tarmac championship

Andrew Nesbitt’s victory in this afternoon’s Jim Clark Rally, the fourth counting round of the Toshiba

Computers Irish Tarmac Championship has moved him closer to series leader, Derek McGarrity, who also drives an S8 Subaru WRC.

Nesbitt’s win, his second in as many weeks, netted him 15 championship points. The Armagh driver was in a class of his own as he held of the charge of British champion, Jonny Milner (Toyota Corolla WRC).

McGarrity took twelve points for his third place in the Jim Clark and now has a total of 49 points with

Nesbitt on 42 points.

Eugene Donnelly lies third – netted eight points and is now on a total of 35 points.

The rally witnessed a fascinating competition for Group N success as Irish drivers Seamus Leonard

(Subaru) and Roy White (Mitsubishi) were locked in combat throughout the 25 stages.

White regained the lead early today but the pendulum swung in favour of Leonard on the closing stages and won by just three seconds.

In terms of the championship, the Omagh driver has a two point lead over White, who led prior to the rally.

JIM CLARK RALLY:

1. A. Nesbitt/J. O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 2h. 03m. 42.1s.

2. J. Milner/N. Beech (Corolla WRC) 2h. 04m. 25.8s.

3. D. McGarrity/D. O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 2h. 04m. 48s.

4. P. Hurson/I. Porter (Subaru WRC) 2h. 05m. 17.2s.

5. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Subaru WRC) 2h. 05m. 44.7s.

6. A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Subaru WRC) 2h. 07m. 38.1s.

7. T. McNulty/A. Nestor (Subaru WRC) 2h. 09m. 13.2s.

8. J. Thompson/P. Pulleyn (Mitsubishi) 2h. 09m. 59.3s.

9. K. Meeke/C. Patterson (Opel Corsa) 2h. 12m. 23.1s.

10. S. Leonard/P. McLaughlin (Subaru) 2h. 12m. 55.0s.

TOSHIBA COMPUTERS IRISH TARMAC CHAMPIONSHIP: (Round 4):

1. D. McGarrity 49 points.

2. A. Nesbitt 42 points.

3. E. Donnelly 35 points.

4. E. Boland 26 points.

5. A. MacHale 18 points.