Meeke fifth as Loeb leads the way in Rally GB
World champion, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) leads, his rival Mikko Hirvonen (Fiesta) just 0.7 seconds behind. Jari Matti Latvala (Fiesta) lies third, 2.4 seconds off his teammate.
Waterford’s Craig Breen, who is chasing down Estonian Egon Kaur for the inaugural WRC Academy title, has already picked up two additional points for fastest stage times to cut the deficit to 18 points with Kaur in sixth – 53.7 seconds adrift. Breen takes an overnight lead of 26.8 seconds over Ulsterman Alastair Fisher into today’s eight stages.
On the opening 4.74km tarmac stage, Great Orme, Latvala (Fiesta) was the quickest – 1.9 seconds faster than Loeb with Hirvonen a fraction of a second behind. On the repeat, Loeb punched in the fastest time to cut the deficit to a 0.9 of a second with Hirvonen a further three seconds behind.
Sebastien Ogier hit his Citroen against a wall and will restart under SuperRally today. Meeke and Sordo traded stage times to occupy fifth and sixth. Fourth-placed Petter Solberg (Citroen) clipped a kerb and punctured and also damaged the suspension. Hirvonen had a confidence boosting fastest time on SS 3 as he tries to win the WRC and deny Loeb an eighth successive crown.
In the Academy series, Waterford’s Craig Breen was 1.1 seconds behind opening stage winner, Australian, Brendan Reeves, while Alastair Fisher was third – 2.4 seconds further behind. Series leader, Egon Kaur took no risks to hold 12th, 10.5 off the pace set by Breen. Breen was quickest on the two other stages with Alastair Fisher in second spot and Kaur sixth.
Meanwhile, the popularity of Sunday’s Banna Resort Mini Stage Rally is reflected by the fact that the organising Kerry Motor Club has received a capacity entry, with even a number of reserves. Although the rally will decide the destination of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship, with champion, Shane Maguire (Subaru) and local stalwart Mike Quinn (Ford Escort) vying for the overall title on what is the sixth and final round, the event itself will be very well contested given the quality of the top 10.
Last year’s event winner, Alan Ring (Mitsubishi), is top seed. The Castleisland driver missed out on the Group N title in the Tarmac series and will be in determined mood to end the season on a high note. Opposition is tough to say the least and there will be no margin for error over the five stages around Ardfert and Kilflynn.
The nimble Darrian of Wexford’s James Stafford is likely to be very potent, particularly if the weather is dry. Fresh from a fine fourth overall in the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, Banteer’s Barry Meade in his Mk. 2 Ford Escort will be a major threat. Quinn is seeded four as he bids for Top Part success. The Kerryman leads his Monaghan rival by 17 points, however when dropped scores are taken into consideration, both are on equal points.
Carrigaline’s Brian O’Mahony, in his all-traction Metro 6R4, who will have Tralee’s Richard Talbot calling the pacenotes, is another major player. Shane Maguire occupies the number six berth in a top ten that also includes Limerick’s Ed O’Callaghan (Escort), Tyrone’s Mark Donnelly (Renault Clio), Monaghan’s John McQuaid (Ford Escort) and Kerry’s Fergus O’Meara, also in a Ford Escort. Dunmanway’s Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) is amongst the reserves but is certain to make the start line. The first stage begins at 11.28am.
County Monaghan is proving to be the hotbed of young rally talent, with five of the seven nominees for the Billy Coleman award hailing from the county. Gerard McQuaid (Glaslough), John Doogan (Carrickmacross), Vincent McAree (Ballinode), Sam Moffett (Clontibret) and Daniel McKenna (Clones) along with Mallow’s Derek Butler and Douglas Stewart from Churchtown, Dublin will be interviewed for the award next Thursday.
Three drivers will then be shortlisted on November 21 and the winner will be announced at the Dunlop Champions of Irish Motorsport awards ceremony in Dublin.
RALLY GB (Final round of World Rally Championship): 1. S. Loeb (Citroen DS3 WRC) 14m. 38.0s; 2. M. Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta WRC) 14m. 38.7s; 3. J. M. Latvala (Ford Fiesta WRC) 14m. 41.1s; 4. P. Solberg (Citroen DS3 WRC) 14m. 49.9s; 5. K. Meeke/P. Nagle (MINI WRC) 14m. 56.7s; 6. D. Sordo (MINI WRC) 15m. 05.3s.
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