McGarrity dominates in Lakes event

After the opening six stages of the Ordnance Survey Ireland/Gleneagle Hotel Rally of the Lakes, the third round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship, Derek McGarrity/Dermot O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) have a 34 second lead over Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely in a Toyota Corolla WRC.

Donie O’Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) are third – 17 seconds adrift and a mere second ahead of the Focus of Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy.

McGarrity has led from the start. He was quickest through the opening stage, Moll’s Gap - a second ahead of O’Sullivan followed by Donnelly and MacHale.

On the stages in the Beara peninsula, McGarrity stamped his authority and extended his lead. Tyre choice cost both Donnelly and O’Sullivan a few seconds while MacHale is now chasing third spot.

Mitsubishi WRC debutant, Eamonn Boland is fifth, his car just ready in time for the event.

J.J. Fleming in a Subaru WRC is sixth with Killarney’s Johnny O’Sullivan (Escort WRC), Denis Cronin (Toyota Celica), George Tracey, who is debuting a Peugeot 206 WRC and Group N leader, Alan Ring in a Subaru completing the top 10.

James Foley (Mitsubishi) and Eoin Doyle (Subaru) are second and third respectively in Group N.

Gary Jennings lost time when an intercooler pipe came adrift in his Mitsubishi.

Times at end of S.S. 6, Tim Healy Pass:

D. McGarrity/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 41m. 17s.

E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 41m. 51s.

D. O’Sullivan/P. Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) 42m. 08s.

A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 42m. 09s.

E. Boland/D. Morrissey (Mitsubishi WRC) 42m. 35s.

J.J. Fleming/R. ward (Subaru WRC) 43m. 43s.

J. O’Sullivan/p. Cashman (Escort WRC) 44m. 01s.

D. Cronin/H. O’Sullivan (Toyota Celica) 44m. 07s.

G. Tracey/J. Kelly (Peugeot 206 WRC) 44m. 49s.

A. Ring/G. Shinnors (Subaru) 45m. 09s.