Harrison wins Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally

Monaghan’s Niall Maguire and his co-driver, Paul McLaughlin secured the 2004 Dunlop National Rally Championship on the Glandore based Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally, the tenth and final round of the series.

It was a record breaking third title for Maguire.

The event, one of the most closely fought contests of the campaign resulted in a win for overseas crew, Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell, their Subaru WRC finished just five seconds ahead of the West Cork crew of Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy, also in a Subaru.

Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Subaru WRC) were third, they finish second overall in the Dunlop series.

The Group N showroom category was won by James O’Sullivan/Rebecca Walsh (Mitsubishi) while Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort) won the two-wheel drive class.

Harrison gained six seconds on the penultimate stage but McCarthy dropped precious seconds when his Subaru slid into a drain.

Redmond departed the fray when his Subaru slid off the road and that allowed Elliott move into third.

On the final stage, McCarthy made a valiant effort but Harrison had enough of a cushion to take victory.

It was the first time in the 22-year history of the rally that it was won by an overseas crew.

Seventh placed Maguire was thrilled to have won the title, he held a steady pace throughout the day to secure the points.

In Group N, James O'Sullivan edged clear of Alan Ring over the final stages, the latter struggled with a broken gear linkage.

J. Harrison/H. Bell (Subaru WRC) 1h. 18m. 36s.

L. McCarthy/K. Murphy (Subaru WRC) 1h. 18m. 41s.

P. Elliott/D. Moynihan (Subaru WRC) 1h. 20m. 16s.

S. Gallagher/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 20m. 24s.

D. Cronin/H. O’Sullivan (Subaru WRC) 1h. 20m. 49s.

C. Arthurs/J. Kelly (Subaru WRC) 1h. 21m. 40s.

N. Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 22m. 01s.

J. O’Sullivan/R. Walsh (Mitsubishi) 1h. 22m. 20s.

A. Ring/G. Shinnors (Subaru) 1h. 23m. 31s.

T. Linehan/J. Kearney (Subaru) 1h. 24m. 01s.

Dunlop National Rally Championship (Positions after Round 10): 1. N. Maguire 145 Points; 2. P. Elliott 133 Points; 3. J. Harrison 131 Points; 4. C. Arthurs 109 points.