Lynch and Noble steal victory in Kerry rally
There was a dramatic finish to the Tralee Vintners Circuit of Kerry Rally which was won by Derry driver Kevin Lynch and co-driver Gordon Noble in their Subaru WRC.
Entering the final stage, they trailed long time leaders, Jim Harrison and Harvey Bell (Subaru WRC) by eleven seconds and when the latter crashed close to the stage end.
Lynch and Noble went on to take victory finishing a minute and 40 seconds clear of the Subaru WRC of Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan, who fended off a strong challenge from the Dunlop Ford Focus of Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell.
This result means that Elliott is the new leader of the ten round Dunlop series.
The Group N category was won by Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru). Anthony O’Halloran/Conor Foley (Opel Manta) were the top rear wheel drive exponents.
Harrison led all through until his final stage drama. Earlier, Charlie Donnely crashed out on the fourth stage after setting equal fastest time on the previous stage.
Daniel Doherty, who finished second in the first round, was another top retirement. He was forced out on stage five, and was fourth at the time.
1. K. Lynch/G. Noble (Subaru WRC) 56m 50s.
2. P. Elliott/D. Moynihan (Subaru WRC) 58m 30s.
3. R. Breen/A. Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 58m 32s.
4. N. Maguire/P. Nagle (Subaru WRC) 58m 45s.
5. N. Redmond/D. Falvey (Subaru WRC) 59m 30s.
6. M. Evans/A. Davies (Subaru WRC) 59m 51s.
7. W. Fannin/M. Courtney (Subaru Gp. N) 1h 00m 26s.
8. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h 00m 48s.
9. G. Martin/M. Kane (Subaru Gp. N) 1h 00m 59s.
10. A. Stewart/D. Connolly (Mitsubishi Gp. N) 1h 01m 00s.
Dunlop Championship Positions (Provisional after Round 2):
1. P. Elliott 31 points
2. R. Breen 30 points
3. N. Redmond 25 points
4. M. Evans 23 points
=5. J. Harrison & K. Lynch 20 Points.
