Elliott wins Dunlop title - Cronin wins Fastnet rally

The Skibbereen based West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally, the tenth and final round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship was a nervous affair for title protagonist and defending champion, Patrick Elliott and his co-driver, Paul Goodman.

Sun, 25 Oct, 2009 - 21:20

A top three Dunlop points finish was the order of the day but that was only if Niall Maguire, a former triple champion, took maximum points.

Maguire did just that, in fact, the Monaghan man made the best start and led after the opening stage with Elliott down in fourth but within championship title range.

As Denis Cronin went on to guide his Subaru to an 11 second victory over Welsh ace, Mel Evans, who lost time with a puncture on S.S. 5, the spotlight focussed on where Elliott would finish within the Dunlop competitors.

Maguire took the top points (20) but the 18 garnered by Elliott, who was just one place behind was enough to secure back to back titles. Kevin Barrett in yet another Subaru, finished fifth overall and secured third overall in the Dunlop campaign.

The Patterson's RallyNews Group N award was secured by Kevin Kelleher in a Mitsubishi, like Elliott, he also had shadowing job, his rival was Gary Jennings, who won Group N on the day.

Mike Quinn (Ford Escort) won the national two-wheel drive award.

1. D. Cronin/C. Hurley (Subaru WRC) 1h. 11m. 55s.

2. M. Evans/P. Walsh (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 06s.

3. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 12m. 08s.

4. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 18s.

5. K. Barrett/S. Mullally (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 24s.

6. G. Jennings/D. Moynihan (Mitsubishi) 1h. 13m. 46s.

7. K. Kelleher/M. Kelleher (Mitsubishi) 1h. 14m. 19s.

8. W. Patterson/M. McGarrity (Ford Escort) 1h. 16m. 24s.

9. M. Quinn/G. McEnery (Ford Escort) 1h. 16m. 27s.

10. D. O'Riordan/J. McGrath (Renault Clio S1600) 1h. 16m. 56s.

DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (Positions after Round 10):