Meeke and Nagle win Sata Rally Azores

Dungannon's Kris Meeke and Killarney's Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000) have moved into a two point lead in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series after today's victory in the Sata Rally Azores.

The Irish crew once again dominated today's stages, setting a string of fastest times that extended their lead to more than a minute, before duly slackened their pace on the closing stages.

They finished 53.1 seconds ahead of Czech driver, Jan Kopecky (Skoda).

Meeke/Nagle took the lead on the second test yesterday and were never headed thereafter.

During the event, they set 11 fastest stage times.

Pre-event series leader Freddy Loix (Peugeot) came home fourth, but Giandomenico Basso (Abarth) retired with mechanical trouble.

The day's final stage (S.S. 18) was cancelled due to waterlogging on the stage.

The next round of the series is the Ypres Rally in Belgium in mid June.

Rally results:

1. K. Meeke/P. Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2h. 36m. 48.3s.

2. J. Kopecky/P. Stary (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2h. 37m. 41.4s.

3. N. Vouilloz/N. Klinger (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2h. 37m. 53.1s.

4. F. Loix/F. Miclotte (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2h. 39m. 03.5s.

5. F. Perex/J.P. Silva (Mitsubishi) 2h. 41m. 33.5s.

6. F. Wittman/B. Ettel (Mitsubishi) 2h. 42m. 21.5s.

IRC Positions after round 4:

1. Meeke 20 pts.

2. Loix 18 pts.

3. Vouilloz 14 pts.

4. Kopecky 13 pts.

5. Basso 10 pts.

Meanwhile, Irish co-driver Sean Mullally partnered Welsh ace Mel Evans (Subaru) to second overall on the Manx Telecom Rally. The Isle of Man event was won by Paul Bird (Ford Focus WRC), who finished 56.9 seconds ahead of Evans/Mullally.

The all Irish crew of Daniel Barry/Martin Brady won the Group N category and finished eighth overall. They have extended their lead in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge UK series.

Rally Results:

1. P. Bird/I. Windress (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 27m. 59.5s.

2. M. Evans/S. Mullally (Subaru WRC) 1h. 28m. 56.4s.

3. R. Duckworth/M. Broomfield (Subaru WRC) 1h. 29m. 29.3s.

4. M. Dodd/A. Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC) 1h. 29m. 36.1s.

5. S. Perez/S. McAuley (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 31m. 36.1s.

6. G. Collister/J. Craine (Mitsubishi) 1h. 33m. 43.6s.

7. D. Mann/A. Cook (Subaru WRC) 1h. 33m. 55.4s.

8. D. Barry/M. Brady (Mitsubishi) 1h. 34m. 54.6s.

9. W. Sisson/D. Stone (Mitsubishi) 1h. 35m. 20.4s.

10. N. Elsmore/C. Drew (Mitsubishi) 1h. 36m. 04.4s.

The KBB Tour of Sperrins Rally in Maghera, a round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, was won by Derek McGarrity (Subaru WRC).

He finished a mere 1.3 seconds in front of the Mk. 2 Ford Escort of Declan McNaughton. The lead changed throughout all five stages.

Rally Results:

1. D. McGarrity/J. McKee (Subaru WRC) 35m. 08.4s.

2. D. McNaughton/S. Hayde (Ford Escort) 35m. 09.7s.

3. R. Johnston/R. Hicks (Mitsubishi) 35m. 10.1s.

4. D. Kelly/K. Flanagan (Mitsubishi) 35m. 11.6s.

5. B. Muldoon/C. Beattie (Subaru) 35m. 20.2s.

6. K. McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru WRC) 35m. 43.9s.