Cathcart top Irish driver in Border Counties Rally

Northern Ireland’s, Richard Cathcart (Mitsubishi) was the top Irish driver in the Jedburgh based Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally today, he finished third overall.

Enniskerry’s, Daniel Barry was two places behind, driving a Mitsubishi Evo9, Barry finished a magnificent fifth overall in the seven-stage event contested in the famous Kielder forest complex.

More importantly, Barry took top points in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge series and having finished second in the opening round, the Wicklow ace moves into the lead of the series.

For another Irish driver, the event wasn’t a happy hunting ground, Cork’s, Keith Cronin slid his Mitsubishi off the forest track on the very first stage and although there was little or no damage, the incident brought instant retirement.

Carryduff’s, Jonathan Greer retired his Mitsubishi on the fourth stage.

The main rally was won by Barry Johnson (Ford Focus), who finished some five seconds ahead of the Subaru of Jon Ingram.

Jimmy Girvan (Subaru) was fourth.

Former triple British Rally champion, Mark Higgins, who was co-driven by Letterkenny’s, Rory Kennedy, finished fifth, they debuted an MG S2000 Sport.

They were the top Group N crew, a mere fraction of a second ahead of Barry.

1 . Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Ford Focus) 59m. 32.8s.

2.Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop (Subaru WRC) 59m. 38.4s.

3. Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1h. 00m. 30.4s. 4. Jimmy Girvan/ John Bennie (Subaru Impreza) 1h 00m:47s 5. Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (MG S2000 Sport) 1h. 01m. 11.2s. 6. Daniel Barry/Mark Bowens (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1h. 01m. 11.5s.