McCloskey wins NI Rally Championship

Second place for Connor McCloskey in today's Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally was enough to win the Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

Driving a Subaru WRC, McCloskey, co-driven by Francis Regan, finished just 4.5 seconds ahead of his only rival, Sean Devine (Subaru WRC), partnered Sean Devine, who finished in third.

Former triple Circuit of Ireland Rally winner Derek McGarrity (Subaru WRC), co-driven by James McKee, has won rally in a time of 45 minutes, 38.4 seconds.

Cathal Rogers was fourth in his Mitsubishi and won the Group N category of the Pacenotes series.

Wesley Patterson (Escort) overcame a puncture and was the top two-wheel drive finisher.

McGarrity led all through the eight-stage event. On the opening stage, he was some three seconds ahead of McCloskey with Devine just two seconds behind followed by Patterson in his Mk. 2 Escort.

Neil McCance (Mitsubishi) led the Group N category.

There was no change through the second stage where the top three recorded the same time.

At the half way mark, McGarrity had extended his lead to 5.5 seconds with McCloskey holding a slight edge over his title adversary, Devine.

McCance crashed out and Cathal Rogers (Mitsubishi) was best placed to take advantage in Group N.

Although he beat the bogey time on S.S. 6, McGarrity continued to control proceedings and moved six seconds ahead of McCloskey, who was keeping Devine at bay, the margin between the championship contenders was six seconds.

McGarrity sealed victory and 22-year-old McCloskey won the Northern Ireland Championship - becoming one of the youngest drivers ever to win the title.

1. D. McGarrity/J. McKee (Subaru WRC) 45m. 38.4s.

2. C. McCloskey/F. Regan (Subaru WRC) 45m. 52.5s.

3. S. Devine/D. Duffin (Subaru WRC) 45m. 57.0s.

4. C. Rogers/E. Rogers (Mitsubishi) 49m. 14.2s.

5. W. Patterson/M. McGarrity (Ford Escort) 49m. 14.5s.

6. C. Bradley/D. O'Neill (Ford Escort) 49m. 26.3s.

7. A. Bushe/R. Hyland (Citroen Saxo) 49m. 37.4s.