Clare Rally to be decided tonight

The result of the Clare Rally, the penultimate round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, that ended in controversial circumstances on Sunday last, could be determined later this evening.

Provisionally, Patrick Elliott and his co-driver, Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) won the event. However, it is alleged they entered a time control at S.S. five nine minutes early.

The meeting in Ennis this evening will hear evidence from all involved in a bid to finalise the result.

The decision has implications for the top three overall results along with those in Class 4 and Class 8.

Elliott has already been crowned Dunlop champion but his co-driver, Paul Goodman still has to secured enough points to win the Noel Smith Award for the top co-driver in the national series.

The rally ended in confusion even apart from the alleged incident on Stage 5.

On the day’s penultimate test, S.S. 7, the top crews all refused to drive the stage in competitive mode.

They were advised by the organisers that there were several deposits of oil at locations throughout the stage.

The crews reckoned the situation was far too dangerous and did not compete on the stage. Subsequently, no times were given to any competitors for this stage.

The Dunlop series will conclude with the Donegal Harvest Rally early next month.