Boland wins Jim Clark Rally

There was a dramatic finish to the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland where Eamonn Boland (Subaru WRC) reeled in long time leader, Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) to take his third straight victory in a round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac series.

Sun, 25 May, 2008 - 21:06

There was a dramatic finish to the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland today where Eamonn Boland (Subaru WRC) reeled in long time leader Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) to take his third straight victory in a round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac series.

Boland punched in a string of fastest times on today’s second and final leg and took the lead on Stage 15.

McNulty, who led since Saturday’s first stage, made a brave bid to regain the lead. However, his Subaru cut out on the final test, in overall terms, he finished just four seconds down on Boland.

Later, the organisers applied a 15-minute penalty for an alleged tyre infringement that dropped the Meath ace down to 11th overall.

As a result, Gareth MacHale was promoted to second with third place, Mark Higgins taking top points in the British Championship and also maximum points in the Group N category of the Irish Tarmac series.

Clonakilty’s Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) was second placed Group N driver in the Irish series where he has extended his lead.

Aaron MacHale retired his Ford Focus on the final stage.

The North's Jonathan Greer was seventh overall.

1. E. Boland/D. Morrissey (Subaru WRC) 2h. 03m. 30.1s.

2. G. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 2h. 04m. 27.0s.

3. M. Higgins/R. Kennedy (Subaru) 2h. 07m. 57.0s.

4. S. Jones/A. Bull (MG S2000) 2h. 10m. 23.0s.

5. D. Higgins/I. Thomas (Subaru) 2h. 11m. 04.7s.

6. J. Wozencroft/C. Ridge (Subaru) 2h. 13m. 01.1s.

7. J. Greer/J. Hart (Mitsubishi) 2h. 13m. 20.2s.

8. K. Kelleher/M. Kelleher (Mitsubishi) 2h. 14m. 51.5s.

9. W. Humphreys/R. Fagg (Mitsubishi) 2h. 17m. 56.7s.