McElvaney savours sweet homecoming
Adrian McElvaney (Subaru WRC) took his first major rally win a fine victory in his home event, the Monaghan Rally.
He finished over a minute clear of the Subaru WRC of Sean Devine who managed to secure runner-up spot by just two seconds from Kevin Barrett, also in a Subaru WRC.
McElvaney led from the start, but he had a tough battle with fellow local and defending Dunlop National Rally champion, Niall Maguire. There was just two seconds between them after the opening two stages and the same margin after the completion stage six.
It all went wrong for Maguire on stage seven however when his Subaru went off the road. Although he rejoined the action, a second off-road excursion on the same stage ended his rally.
Devine and Barrett were level after the opening two stages and Barrett led by nine entering the final loop, but a determined effort by Devine paid dividends and he claimed second.
Enda Keenan (Escort) was the top rear wheel drive exponent and the Group N category was won by Francis Wray (Mitsubishi).
1. A. McElvaney/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 09m. 36s.
2. S. Devine/J. McKee (Subaru WRC) 1h. 10m. 46s.
3. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 10m. 48s.
4. E. Keenan/P. Garry (Escort) 1h. 12m. 54s.
5. M. McKenna/J. Loughran (Peugeot 205) 1h. 13m. 17s.
6. D. Armstrong/B. Kelly (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 30s.
7. P. Boyle/M. Sherlock (Escort) 1h. 13m. 32s.
8. M. McQuaid/V. Fields (Escort) 1h. 14m. 28s.
9. G. Rogers/P. McEntee (Escort) 1h. 14m. 38s.
10. F. Wray/J. McNulty (Mitsubishi) 1h. 15m. 03s.
In Mondello Park, the second round of both the Irish and British Rallycross Championship was won by Dermot Carnegie (Ford Focus). Irish Racing Driver of the Year, Eoin Murray (Peugeot) won the Stock Hatch class.
In Oldchapel, Bandon, the fastest time of the day at the West Cork Motorcycle Drag Races was set by Midleton’s, Denis Carey, his Suzuki Hayabusa covered the sprint course on a time of 6.555 seconds.
