Gareth McHale wins Forest Rally

Competing in a World Rally Car on gravel surface for the first time, Gareth MacHale made it a winning debut in the Carrick on Suir Forest Rally, round one of the McCauley Trailers National Forest Championship.

The young Dubliner and his Killarney co-driver, Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) had over a minute to spare over the Escort WRC of Glen Allen/Damien Connolly, who fended of the challenge of the Subaru of Pat Norris/Declan Tumulty.

MacHale was just two seconds adrift of early leader, Pete Willoughby (Mitsubishi) after the opening stage.

On the next stage, Willoughby crashed out and MacHale, although he broke the sump guard of his Toyota Corolla, went into a lead he was never to relinquish.

Not even the addition of a 15 second penalty could deter him as he stretched his advantage on almost every stage.

Adrian McElvaney (Subaru) was his closest rival until the sixth stage when he slipped off the forest track.

That allowed Glen Allen, who was being hampered by a throttle problem, move into second.

Pat Norris (Subaru) was only a few fleeting seconds away and narrowed the deficit to just two seconds prior to the penultimate stage.

As MacHale swept towards a convincing victory, Allen secured second with Norris third and Kevin O’Kane fourth.

Johnny McKenna made the long journey from Derry worthwhile; he won the Group N category.

The top rear wheel drive competitor was Brian Lawlor (Escort).

1. G. MacHale/P. Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) 55m. 50s.

2. G. Allen/D. Connolly (Escort WRC) 56m. 52s.

3. P. Norris/D. Tumulty (Subaru) 57m. 00s.

4. K. O'Kane/M. Hanna (Subaru WRC) 57m. 58s.

5. J. McKenna/P. Robinson (Mitsubishi) 58m. 21s.

6. S. Moore/T. McHugh (Subaru) 58m. 26s.

7. R. Curran/J. English (Subaru) 59m. 28s.

8. J. McCarthy/L. McLaughlin (Toyota Corolla WRC) 59m. 58s.

9. B. McGillin/D. Doherty (Subaru) 1h. 00m. 21s.

10. B. Lawlor/P. Kavanagh (Escort) 1h. 00m. 22s.

George Tracey gave ex-John McCluskey Peugeot 306 a winning debut at the Irish Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park when he beat the Metro of Dermot Carnegie. John McCluskey, who debuted a Citroen Xsara, was third.

1. G. Tracey (Peugeot 306) 3m. 24.390s.

2. D. Carnegie (Metro 6R4) 3m. 28.243s.

3. J. McCluskey (Citroen Xsara) 3m. 28.568s.