Breen is Dunlop National Rally Champion

Kilkenny’s Ray Breen and his Waterford co-driver, Andrew Purcell have won the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

They took second place in the Lynch Hotels Clare Rally in their Ford Focus WRC, 12 seconds behind event winners, Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC).

Donnelly led initially with Breen in second spot despite losing time with a malfunctioning intercom system. He got an unexpected boost when Donnelly was penalised a minute for late arrival into Special Stage Four and a 15-second deficit became a 45-second lead. However, this was later scrubbed by the organisers.

By that time, Ollie O’Donovan had retired with engine trouble, Paul Harris crashed out and the rally also lost Kenny McKinstry and Noel Redmond.

Donnelly went on to win by 12 seconds with Breen in second, securing the Dunlop crown.

Niall Maguire was third.

Colm Murphy (Subaru) dominated in Group N where Michael Curran was the best Dunlop registered competitor.

Late retirements included Maurice Gass and Tommy Graham.

1.C. Donnelly/P. Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 11m. 03s.

2. R. Breen/A. Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 11m. 15s.

3. N. Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 12s.

4. C. Murphy/G. Loughrey (Subaru) 1h. 13m. 44s.

5. M. Curran/F. McShane (Mitsubishi) 1h. 13m. 53s.

6. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 58s.

7. M. Doherty/S. Moriarty (Subaru WRC) 1h. 14m. 42s.

8. A. Ring/D. Brannigan (Subaru) 1h. 14m. 50s.

9. W. Fannin/M. Courtney (Subaru) 1h. 15m. 51s.

10. N. McCarrick/E. O'Donnell (Subaru WRC) 1h. 16m. 08s.

Dunlop Championship Positions (Provisional positions after Round 9):

1. R. Breen 142 points.

2. C. Donnelly 121 points.

3. N. Maguire 95 points,

4. K. Barrett 94 points

5. J. Harrison 87 points

6. M. Curran 83 points.