Elliott wins Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally in Clonmel

Dominating from the very start, reigning Dunlop National Rally champions, Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) won the Sepam Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.

At the finish of the nine stage Clonmel based rally, they were 13secs ahead of the Subaru WRC of Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC).

Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) finished third.

Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort) were the top two-wheel drive exponents.

Top seeds, Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin crashed their Ford Fiesta R2 out of eighth place on the final stage.

Elliott moved into a five second lead on the first stage and by the service halt, he was 15secs ahead of Maguire with Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) just foursecs further behind.

Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) dominated proceedings in Group N where he was 14secs ahead of his rival, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi).

The first major retirement was that of Brian O'Mahony (Renault Clio S1600), his rally ended on the second stage with mechanical problems.

With the exception of S.S. 5 and S.S. 9, Elliott reigned supreme.

Yet, he almost threw it all away on the final test with a time consuming spin.

However, he had enough of a cushion to ensure victory.

The incident also cost Maguire, he was slowed by spectators; a few junctions later, he clouted the rear of his Subaru WRC.

Kevin Barett retired from third place at the conclusion of the penultimate test having lost all but first gear in his Subaru WRC.

Kelleher, who battled hard with Jennings reeled in his rival and subsequently took third overall.

Jennings lost time on the second loop of stages with the loss of first gear, second gear was also problematic.

Top seeds, Mathew Wilson/Scott Martin having made steady progress in their Fiesta R2 and were eight overall entering the final test, crashed out.

Other retirements included James Travers (Renault Clio),Marty McCormack (Citroen C2R2) and Andrew Bushe (Citroen Saxo).

1. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 09s.

2. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 22s.

3. K. Kelleher/M. Kelleher (Mitsubishi) 1h. 03m. 26s.

4. G. Jennings/D. Moynihan (Mitsubishi) 1h. 03m. 32s.

5. D. Weston/I. Thomas (Mitsubishi) 1h. 05m. 31s.

6. Mike Quinn/G. McEenry (Ford Escort) 1h. 06m. 43s.

7. T. Fitzmaurice/F. Foley (Mitsubishi) 1h. 06m. 47s.

8. S. Cullen/B. Collins (Subaru) 1h. 08m. 19s.

9. A. Hockridge/D. Garrod (Citroen C2R2) 1h. 08m. 20s.

10. S. Power/D. Gibbs (Ford Escort) 1h. 08m. 39s.

DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (Positions after Round 7):

1.N. Maguire 130pts.

2.P. Elliott 118pts.

3. G. Jennings 84pts.

4 K. Barrett 82pts.

5. T. Fitzmaurice 71pts.

6. K. Kelleher 70 pts.

7. E. Daly 50pts.

8. M. Quinn 43pts.