MacHale wins Rally of Wales
Austin MacHale and co-driver, Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) have won the International Rally of Wales, the opening round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.
It is MacHale’s first major win since he won the 1998 Circuit of Ireland. His last international victory was the Galway International, also in 1998.
Rory Galligan (Mitsubishi) won the Group N production category. Galligan was fourth overall.
Gareth MacHale (Toyota Corolla) was fifth and his brother, Aaron, driving a Mitsubishi, was 11th, making it a memorable weekend for the MacHale dynasty.
The battle for second went in favour of Sebastian Ling, who edged out Jon Ingram.
Meanwhile, Matthew Wilson and co-driver, Scott Martin are recovering in hospital following a serious accident on yesterday’s final stage, Wilson suffered a broken wrist, co-driver, Martin broke his leg.
1. Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1h. 46m. 21.1s.
2. Sebastian Ling/Ian Allsop (Accent WRC) 1h. 48m. 38.8s.
3. Jon Ingram/Shaun O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 1h. 48m. 47.3s.
4. Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1h. 48m. 56.0s.
5. Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Corolla WRC) 1h. 49m. 50.9s.
6. Stuart Jones/Ross Butler (Lancer N) 1h. 50m. 18.9s.
Elsewhere, in Monaghan, Adrian McElvaney has a thre second lead over fellow local, Niall Maguire in the Monaghan Rally. Sean Devine and Kevin Barrett, also in Subaru WRC’s share third spot.
