Speedy Barry storms clear of the field
Guided by his Northern Ireland co-driver, Gordon Noble, they brought their Mitsubishi to a comfortable victory in the six stage event — finishing one minute and 53 seconds ahead of Kerry pair, Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley. Carlow’s, Trevor Culbert/Ray Fitzpatrick (Escort) were third.
On the opening test, Spinnan’s Hill, Barry was given a tough time and shared the lead with Clonmel’s, Roy White, however, the latter bowed out on the first junction of the second stage (Grangecon) when his MG S2000 blew its engine.
His demise promoted Wexford’s, James Stafford (Darrian) into second, albeit 19 seconds in arrears. Tommy Doyle, who spun his Renault Clio R3 on the opening stage, slotted into third — a further 22 seconds in arrears. Kerry driver, Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi) was four seconds behind Doyle and 33 seconds clear of Carlow’s, Trevor Culbert (Ford Escort). Meanwhile, Clonakilty’s, Damien McCarthy, who had a comfortable lead in Class 11, retired his Honda Civic with gearbox problems. A determined Stafford gained significant time on the repeat of the two stages and duly trimmed Barry’s advantage to seven seconds.
Fitzmaurice moved into third but Tommy Doyle, whom he displaced, was only a second in arrears — both were over a minute behind the top duo. Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi) held fifth with Trevor Culbert (Ford Escort), Vauxhall Nova pair, Paddy O’Dwyer and Mark Kennedy and Escort duo, George Condell and Padraig Cummins completing the top ten.
On S.S. 5, Barry gained a second on Stafford but Doyle slid his Renault Clio off the road and although damage was minimal, he failed to get back on the stage.
Stafford’s challenge ended early on the final test when his Darrian succumbed with clutch failure leaving Barry to complete a double — having won in Baltinglass in 2009, the last time the event was run. Fitzmaurice and Culbert completed the top three. Wexford’s, Paddy O’Dwyer (Vauxhall Nova) won Class 11 and also took fourth in general classification.
Meanwhile, Paul MacKinnon (Subaru WRC) was an emphatic winner of the 19-stage Tour of Mull, he finished five minutes and 47 seconds ahead of the Subaru of James MacGillivray. Daniel Harper (Mini Cooper) was third.
In the Cavan Navigation Trial, Andy Mackerel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) took a narrow victory, they collected just one penalty point during the event.
However, three other Subaru crews, Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo, Gareth Beagan/Stephen Thornton and Trevor Farrell/Noel Hall all finished with two penalty points.
Birmingham born, Matt Neal (44) clinched the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship courtesy of eighth place in the final race at Silverstone.
It was his third time to win the series, the only driver that could have denied him the title, was his Honda Racing team-mate Gordon Shedden, who was two places behind. The final race was won by Tom Chilton (Ford Focus) from Jason Plato (Chevrolet) and Tom Boardman (SEAT Leon).
NORTHERN Ireland’s, Jonny Greer and Scotland’s, David Bogie have been confirmed as the final nominees in the 2011 Dulux Trade British Rally Championship’s Pirelli Star Driver competition.
They will join Peter Taylor (England), Tommy Doyle (Longford), Marty McCormack (Northern Ireland), Jukka Korhonen (Finland), Mark Donnelly (Northern Ireland) and Siim Plangi (Estonia) for the Pirelli Star Driver shoot-out that takes place during the week of November 14, the winner will be announced at the BRC awards night on Saturday 19th. November.
With next season’s British Rally Championship concentrating on two-wheel drive cars — R1, R2 and R3, series organisers have announced the introduction of the Production BRC (PBRC) that has been created exclusively for four-wheel-drive production cars that will run under a national permit.
They will not compete in the final loop of stages of the International event.
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