Stanley moves closer to Autocross title

WEST Cork’s Ian Stanley (Honda Civic) inched his way closer to the Jerry Murphy Tyres Munster Autocross Championship title as he moved four points ahead of arch rival Mark Dolphin (Mini) in yesterday’s penultimate round of the series in Clonakilty.

Twenty-one-year-old Stanley from Inchinattin, Reenascreena punched in the best time on the first of his three timed runs at Campbell’s Pit in Grancore.

Defending champion, Daniel Cronin, the younger brother of double British Rally champion Keith, moved into the lead when his Mazda Special topped the timesheets on the second run, clipping some two seconds off Stanley’s previous time. Stanley himself lost time when his petrol pipe came adrift.

The final run saw Ballyvourney’s James Lucey, who had a troubledsecond run on board his SubaruSpecial because of a misfire, set the best time of the day to take overall victory in the event with Cronin takingsecond. Stanley improved on his first time to clinch third, with Dolphin, who was off briefly on his third and final run, taking fourth.

Former Billy Coleman award winner Owen Murphy (Toyota Corolla)secured a class victory despite a severe misfire that hampered his progress. Other class winners included Colin Byrne (Ford Ka); Coleman Hurley (Opel Astra) and David Beamish (Opel Corsa). The series will be decided later today at the Cork Autocross inCastlemartyr. Meanwhile, today’s Carlow Rallysprint - which was due to take place in Mondello Park - has been cancelled due to the weather. The Cavan Autocross in Latton has also fallen victim to the conditions and has been re-arranged for January 9th.

MUNSTER AUTOCROSS: Clonakilty: 1. J. Lucey (Subaru Special) 1m. 52.78s; 2. D. Cronin (Mazda Special) 1m. 54.43s; 3. I. Stanley (Honda Civic) 1m. 56.40s; 4. M. Dolphin (Mini) 1m. 58.62s.