Crealey best of Irish in Manx Rally

Driving a Ford Focus, Brendan Crealey was the top Irish driver in the Roush Manx National Rally on the Isle of Man.

This afternoon, Crealey came home in fifth place almost six minutes behind the rally winner, Mark Higgins.

Since the opening stage yesterday, Higgins, a native of the Isle of Man, was in superb form. He set a string of fastest times and moved well clear of the opposition.

Remarkably, even though he lost a minute when his Ford Focus was off the road earlier today, he still had enough to stay in top spot.

On the closing stages, he swept clear of the opposition finishing some three and a half minutes ahead of the Subaru WRC of Roger Duckworth. Paul Bird (Ford Focus) was third.

British driver, Tony Davies (Subaru WRC) co-driven by Kerry’s, Jakes Kelly were sixth.

Meanwhile, Irish driver, Philip Morrow (Mitsubishi) was second in the Group N class with 18-year-old Cork driver, Owen Murphy third in the Peugeot 206 Cup category, his best result to date.

Kenny McKinstry, who was sixth overall starting today’s second leg, retired on the eighth stage with a blown engine thus ending any hope a record fourth victory.

Kevin Barrett retired with manifold problems and Daniel Barry, competing in the Peugeot 206 Cup category, was another retirement.

M. Higgins (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 32m. 57.3s.

R. Duckworth (Subaru WRC) 1h. 36m. 41.1s.

P. Bird (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 37m. 06.3s.

B. Johnson (Subaru WRC) 1h. 37m. 22.8s.

B. Crealey (Ford Focus) 1h. 38m. 51.1s.

T. Davies (Subaru WRC) 1h. 39m. 23.4s.