Motorsport: Mackarel takes Willie Loughman spoils

The winners finished 20.6s ahead of championship leaders Derry’s Jordan and Paul Hone (Ford Fiesta R5), who recovered from an opening stage spin to edge out the similar car of Cavan’s Stephen McCann and John McCabe by a mere 0.2s on the final stage.

LEADING THE WAY: Derry’s Jordan Hone (Ford Fiesta R5) was the top seed for the Willie Loughman Forest Rally. Picture: Martin Walsh.

After setting the pace from the start Monaghan’s Derek Mackarel and his Donegal co-driver Daren Curran won the Waterford-based Willie Loughman Forest Rally, the second round of the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship.

They finished 20.6s ahead of championship leaders Derry’s Jordan and Paul Hone (Ford Fiesta R5), who recovered from an opening stage spin to edge out the similar car of Cavan’s Stephen McCann and John McCabe by a mere 0.2s on the final stage.