Lynch win sees lead extended

Recording a six second victory in the Circuit of Wicklow Forest Rally, Derryman Kevin Lynch and

co-driver, Francis Regan (Subaru WRC) lead the McCauley Trailers Irish Forest Rally Championship by two points.

Kildare’s Brian Murphy/Joe Downey (Subaru Impreza), who were second today lie second overall.

The two drivers swapped time on several of today’s eight stages. Murphy led initially and Lynch led from the second stage until stage six where he shared the lead with Murphy.

On the penultimate stage, Lynch took an all important six second lead that transpired to be the winning margin as both drivers recorded the same time on the eighth and final stage.

Pat Norris (Subaru), finished third – a position he held throughout the event.

Kevin O’Kane (Subaru WRC) was fourth and the Group N category was by Cork driver, John Shanahan (Subaru). He was over a minute clear of the Subaru of Stephen Moore.

Late retirements included Limerick’s, James Murphy. A blown turbo cost him a few minutes on the earlier stages but he clawed his way back inside the top 10 only to see his efforts negated when his Escort Cosworth went off the road on the penultimate stage.

1. K. Lynch/F. Regan (Subaru WRC) 50m. 30s.

2. B. Murphy/J. Downey (Subaru Impreza) 50m. 36s.

3. P. Norris/D. Tumulty (Subaru Impreza) 52m. 05s.

4. K. O'Kane/M. Hanna (Subaru WRC) 52m. 54s.

5. J. Shanahan/l. McLaughlin (Subaru) 53m. 24s.

6. S. Moore/T. McHugh (Subaru) 54m. 27s.

7. J. Cribben/S. Walsh (Mitsubishi Evo6) 54m. 48s.

8. B. Scanlon/P. Keohane (Mitsubishi Evo6) 54m. 57s.

9. P. Elliott/S. Moriarty (Mitsubishi Evo6) 56m. 25s.

10. P. Mulcahy/C. Baumann (Toyota Starlet) 56m. 25s.

Championship positions: 1. Lynch 58 Points; 2. Murphy

56 Points.