Elliott wins the Circuit of Munster Rally

Setting the pace on the first of today’s eight stages, Cavan’s, Patrick Elliott (Subaru WRC), who was co-driven by Paul Goodman, won the Circuit of Munster Rally, the fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

At the finish ramp at the Woodland’s House Hotel in Adare, Elliott sprayed the champagne in recognition of an important victory in the Dunlop series.

With a 38 second winning margin over Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin, who continue to lead the series, Elliott has cut the deficit to just two points at the half way mark.

Kevin Barett/Sean Mullally, also in a Subaru WRC, finished five seconds further behind in third.

Although he reckoned he was a trifle too conservative, Elliott set the pace on the first stage where he led Kevin Barrett by 14 seconds. Maguire was a mere second behind in third.

Noel Redmond punched in the best time for the second test as a charging Barrett reduced Elliott’s lead to nine seconds.

Elliott gave a firm response and midway through the rally, he led Maguire by 30 seconds. Barett was still very much in contention – just three seconds adrift of Maguire.

On the afternoon stages, Maguire was very fortunate to survive an off road excursion on S.S. 5.

That allowed Barrett back into second – but by the end of stage five, he was 50 seconds adrift of leader, Elliott, who was able to pace himself to victory.

A composed Maguire dictated the pace to reclaim second while Barrett finished third.

Redmond’s retirement on S.S. 7 promoted Sean Gallagher into fourth place in a top six that also featured Group N winner, Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi) and Eoin Doyle (Subaru WRC).

1. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 01m. 26s.

2. N. Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 04s.

3. K. Barrett/S. Mullally (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 09s.

4. S. Gallagher/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 53s.

5. E. Daly/K. Synott (Mitsubishi) 1h. 05m. 02s.

6. E. Doyle/P. Brennan (Subaru WRC) 1h. 05m. 50s.

7. W. Fannin/P. Robinson (Subaru) 1h. 06m. 22s.

8. E. Synan/D. O’Connell (Ford Escort) 1h. 06m. 40s.

9. T. Bustard/K. Bustard (Mitsubishi) 1h. 06m. 44s.

10. F. Costello/S. Gilhooly (Mitsubishi) 1h. 06m. 50s.

Dunlop National Rally Championship (Provisional standings after Round 5):

1. N. Maguire 94 points.

2. P. Elliott 92 points.

3. K. Barrett 43 points.

4. E. Daly 38 points.