Boland sets pace in Cork '20'

Wexford driver, Eamonn Boland set the pace on the opening four stages of the Murphy Construction Cork “20” Rally, the final round of the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship.

The Wexford driver in his NVD liveried Subaru WRC was fastest on the stages at Mushera, Gortnagane, Fuhiry and Lough Allua.

That allowed him take a 16 second lead over newly crowned Tarmac champion, Derek McGarrity, who has to contend with smoke entering the cockpit of his Ryan’s of Cork Subaru WRC.

Austin MacHale, a four time winner of the Cork “20”, held third place after a slightly cautious start.

The Dubliner is a further 10 seconds behind McGarrity. On the repeat loop, Boland, in his right hand drive Subaru, consolidated his position and holds a 25 second overnight advantage over McGarrity.

MacHale is a further 18 seconds in arrears.

Tim McNulty, also in a Subaru WRC reeled in Welshman, Melvyn Evans for fourth place.

A spin on SS 3, Fuhiry cost Killarney driver, Donie O‘Sullivan some time and he had to be content with sixth place.

Local Cork driver, Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) is seventh even though he completed the first two stages without the benefit of the anti-lag system.

Maurice Gass (Subaru WRC) is eighth overall.

The top 10 also includes the Subaru of Tommy Graham and the Group N version of Seamus Leonard who is just five seconds ahead of his rival, Roy White (Mitsubishi).

1. Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Subaru WRC) 1h.04m. 37s.

2. Derek Dermot/Dermot O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 05m.02s.

3. Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Subaru WRC) 1h. 05m.20s.

4. Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Subaru WRC) 1h. 06m.19s.

5. Melvyn Evans/Marc Jones (Subaru WRC) 1h. 07m. 01s.

6. Donie O’Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Subaru WRC) 1h. 07m.13s.

7. Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 07m. 29s.

8. M. Gass/Andrew Cullen (Subaru WRC) 1h. 1h. 07m.50s.

9. T. Graham/B. Kelly (Subaru WRC) 1h. 08m. 23s.

10. S. Leonard/P. McLaughlin (Subaru Gp. N) 1h. 08m.38s.