Maguire coasts to victory in Clare Rally

AS EXPECTED, Niall Maguire, driving his S10 Subaru WRC coasted to victory in the Ennis-based Auburn Lodge Clare Rally. Leading from the start and co-driven by Enda Sherry, he finished two minutes and 14 seconds ahead of the Ford Escort of Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery with Ed O’Callaghan/Ger Clancy, also in a Ford Escort, a further 10 seconds behind in third.

On the opening stage near Ennistymon, Maguire was quick to stamp his authority and opened up an 11-second advantage over Quinn (Escort) with local ace, Anthony O’Halloran (Mitsubishi), a further four seconds behind in third. The first retirement was that of another local driver, Richard Casey, who crashed his Mk. 1 Escort.

Maguire, despite some brake problems, also set the pace of the second test as O’Halloran used his local knowledge with telling effect, posting the best time through the third stage in his native Ruan. At the Ennis service halt, Maguire sorted the brake issues that stymied his progress and reflected on a 21-second lead over O’Halloran. Quinn was third, a further seven seconds adrift. He reckoned the rear tyres weren’t functioning to their maximum. Limerick’s Ed O’Callaghan was fourth followed by Donegal’s Trevor Bustard (Mitsubishi), Brian Brogan (Escort) and Craig Breen in the Fiesta R2.