MacHale wins Rally of Carlow

The Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally, the fourth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, was won by Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC).

At the end of the eight-stage rally they were four seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of Michael

Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman. Former triple champion, Niall Maguire, co-driven by Paul McLaughlin (Subaru/WRC) were third.

MacHale’s victory sees him regain the lead in the Dunlop series.

The Group N category was won by Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty.

Prior to the crews and cars leaving parc ferme, two of the top ten starters, Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey and Noel Redmond/Ger Healy were excluded from the event for an alleged breach of the reconnaissance rule.

Barrable set the pace but Niall Maguire, Patrick Elliott and Aaron MacHale were within a ten second

margin.

After sorting a throttle problem, MacHale moved into the lead at the half way mark but there was never much between the top two drivers.

Barrable moved in front on the penultimate stage but his one second lead wasn’t enough as MacHale charged through the final stage to win by four seconds.

Former champions, Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru) finished third.

In Group N, Seamus Leonard led from start to finish with Kevin/Kelleher and Mike Curran second and third respectively.

Gwyndaf Evans/David Jones won the Mk. 2 Challenge, finishing eight seconds ahead of Wesley Patterson/Ruth Guest.

1. A. MacHale/K. Duffy (Ford Focus WRC) 59m. 48s.

2. M. Barrable/D. O'Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) 59m. 52s.

3. N. Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 00m. 39s.

4. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 01m. 03s.

5. G. Allen/D. Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 01m.

13s.

6. J. Harrison/P. Toner (Subaru WRC) 1h. 01m. 28s.

7. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 24s.

8. S. Leonard/J. McCafferty (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1h.

02m. 44s.

9. K. Kelleher/M. Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)

1h. 03m. 20s.

10. M. Curran/F. McShane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 1h.

03m. 26s.

Dunlop Championship positions after Round 4:

1. A. MacHale 56 points

2. N. Maguire 54 points

3. G. Allen 51 points

=4. P. Elliott & K. Barrett 50 points.