Four in a row for Byrne and Phelan

For a fourth successive time, the partnership of Eamonn Byrne and Paul Phelan proved successful in the Circuit of Ireland Retrospective Rally that concluded in Donegal town.

Driving a Mini Cooper S, they were never headed and built up a significant lead over their opponents.

Starting out this morning’s third and final leg from Donegal town they were some 60 marks ahead and by the end of the day had stretched that advantage to almost 100 marks.

As they were securing their four in a row, the battle for second was eventually won by brothers, Phil and Alan Dorman (Escort) from Northern Ireland. They were just 13 marks ahead of another Northern Ireland crew, Trevor Faulkner/Laurence Allan, in a Mini Cooper S.

1. E. Byrne/P. Phelan (Mini Cooper S) 72 marks.

2. P. Dorman/A. Dorman (Escort) 171.2 marks.

3. T. Faulkner/L. Allan (Mini Cooper S) 184.3 marks.

4. R. McAllister/J. McAllister (Volvo Amazon) 190.7

marks.

5. R. Holmes/R. Corbelt (Austin 1300GT) 194.9 marks.

6. R. Bolton/I. McCulloch (Wolsey Hornet) 214.7 marks.

The final placings in the Dunlop National Rally Championship were decided over the weekend on the Donegal Harvest Rally, the tenth and final round of the championship.

While Eugene Donnelly had already secured the drivers' title, his co-driver, Paddy Toner required points to edge out Dermot O’Gorman. Michael Barrable was one of the non-starters, which meant that O’Gorman had an anxious wait.

Donnelly crashed out of the lead on the third stage and O’Gorman was declared the top co-driver. This award accompanies the top co-driver award he won on the Tarmac Championship with Derek McGarrity.

Although Jim Harrison won the event, third overall was enough for Adrian McElvaney to finish third in the Dunlop series behind Donnelly (champion) and Barrable.

DONEGAL HARVEST RALLY, Letterkenny:

1. J. Harrison/H. Bell (Subaru WRC) 46m. 46s.

2. J. Gillen/V. Carruthers (Escort Cosworth) 47m. 39s.

3. A. McElvaney/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 47m. 47s.

4. P. Elliott/M. Cahill (Subaru WRC) 47m. 52s.

5. A. Stewart/F. McShane (Mitsubishi Lancer) 47m. 56s.

6. I. Stewart/G. Callaghan (Escort Cosworth) 48m. 09s.

7. D. Armstrong/H. Blackburn (Escort WRC) 48m. 37s.

8. A. Nesbitt/E. Sherry (Toyota Celica) 48m. 37s.

9. G. Jennings/D. Brannigan (Peugeot 106) 48m. 50s.

10. M. Doherty/C. Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer) 49m.57s.