Barry takes top points in Mitsubishi series

Enniskerry's Daniel Barry, driving a Mitsubishi Evo9, took top points in the opening round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge UK at Bournemouth today.

The event ran alongside Rallye Sunseeker that was also the first round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship (ANCRO).

Barry took a fine fourth overall in general classification.

The North's Sean Devine (Subaru WRC) was third overall.

Two other Irish drivers competing in the Mitsubishi series, Owen Murphy and Alan Carmichael also finished while Kilkenny's Craig Breen in a Ford Fiesta was 24th overall.

Barry was on the pace from the start and his only trouble was on the final pair of stages when his Mitsubishi had no anti-lag.

Cork driver Murphy lost time on the third stage due to lack of brakes, the problem also returned on the closing stages.

His Mitsubishi also suffered differential woes.

Murphy was sixth in the Mitsubishi series with Carmichael one place behind.

The event was won by Will Nicholls (Subaru), who finished 22.7 seconds ahead of the Subaru of Roger Duckworth.

Devine was a further one minute and 28.5 seconds adrift in third.

Marcus Dodd (Hyundai) led until the sixth stage when he was forced out with engine woes.

Steve Perez (Ford Focus) slid into a ditch on the fifth stage, he was third at the time. On the eleventh stage, Paul Bird retired with electrical problems.

1. W. Nicholls (Subaru WRC) 56m. 14.0s.

2. R. Duckworth (Subaru WRC) 56m. 36.7s.

3. S. Devine (Subaru WRC) 58m. 05.2s.

4. D. Barry (Mitsubishi) 58m. 43.0s.

11. O. Murphy (Mitsubishi) 1h. 00m. 01.9s.

12. A. Carmichael (Mitsubishi) 1h. 00m. 52.6s.