McElvaney wins Monaghan Rally

Local driver Adrian McElvaney and co-driver Paul Goodman won the Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Rally today in their Subaru WRC.

In what was an exciting third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, they finished 19 seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy, who now lead the series.

Elliott led the race initially, but a puncture dropped him down the order.

In a tense finish, they edged out the Toyota Corolla WRC of Glen Allen/Damien Connolly by just one second.

The final loop brought the retirement of two crews that occupied top three positions, Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Toyota Corolla), who led after S.S.6, retired with engine problems on the penultimate test. Turbo difficulties for another Subaru WRC forced out former Dunlop champions Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin.

The Group N showroom category was won by Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru) and Enda Keenan/Enda Sherry were the highest placed two-wheel drive exponents in their Escort.

Standings:

1. A. McElvaney/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 05s.

2. P. Elliott/R. Kennedy (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 24s.

3. G. Allen/D. Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 12m. 25s.

4. M. Barrable/MJ. Morrissey (Ford focus WRC) 1h. 12m. 30s.

5. M. Doherty/A. Cullen (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 43s.

6. A. MacHale/G. Parry (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 14m. 13s.

7. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 14m. 21s.

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

9. A. Ring/A. Deasy (Subaru) 1h. 15m. 16s.

10. W. Fannin/M. Courtney (Subaru) 1h. 15m. 29s.