Barrett wins Galway summer rally
30/08/2009 - 19:00:28Surviving an off road excursion on the opening stage that damaged the front of his Subaru WRC and suffering two punctures on the third stage, Maynooth's, Kevin Barrett, made a superb recovery to win the Galway Summer Rally, the eighth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
At the finish, Barrett and his co-driver, Damien Connolly, were six seconds in front of the Subaru WRC of Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry.
Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi), who led earlier, were 14 seconds further behind in third.
Reigning Dunlop National Rally champions, Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) made a quick exit when they crashed out on the opening stage in very slippery conditions.
Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) was the initial pacesetter, the Fermanagh ace led Maguire and Kevin Kelleher by some nine seconds.
Jennings and Kelleher were joint leaders after S.S. 2.
On S.S. 3., Kelleher led proceedings a mere two seconds ahead of Jennings.
Maguire was third some 12 seconds further adrift while Barrett's two punctures dropped him 33 seconds off the lead.
Jennings led after S.S. 4 but lost time on Stage 5 after he hit a wall as he tried to avoid a chicane bale that was out of place.
He dropped to ninth overall.
Meanwhile, Kelleher led at the final service halt where he was four seconds ahead of both Maguire and Barrett.
Kelleher maintained top spot through Stage 7 but Maguire moved in front on the penultimate stage where Kelleher lost time, as he had to nudge a bale from his path.
Barrett punched in a superb time on the final stage to secure a maiden victory in a round of the Dunlop series.
Maguire and Kelleher were second and third respectively.
Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi) had an untroubled run to secure fourth - his best finish in a round of the series.
Mike Quinn (Escort) was the top two-wheel drive competitor.
Jennings finished seventh overall.
1. K. Barrett/D. Connolly (Subaru WRC) 1h. 08m. 03s.
2. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 08m. 09s.
3. K. Kelleher/P. Robinson (Mitsubishi) 1h. 08m. 23s.
4. T. Fitzmaurice/F. Foley (Mitsubishi)1h. 11m. 34
5. T. Bustard/K. Bustard (Mitsubishi) 1h. 11m. 56s
6. M. Quinn/G. McEnery (Ford Escort) 1h. 12m. 03s
7. G. Jennings/D. Moynihan (Mitsubishi) 1h. 12m. 47s.
8. M. Bird/K. Keane (Subaru WRC) 1h. 13m. 06s.
9. T. Cahill/P. Conneely (Mitsubishi) 1h. 13m.. 46s.
10 J. McKenna/T. Treanor (Toyota Starlet) 1h. 14m. 28s.
DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (Positions after Round 8):
1.N. Maguire 148pts.
2. P. Elliott 118pts.
3. K. Barrett 102pts.
4. G. Jennings 94pts.
5. K. Kelleher 86 pts.
6. T. Fitzmaurice 85pts.
7. M. Quinn 55pts.
Meanwhile, Portadown's, Colin Turkington (Team RAC BMW) gained two points more than his British Touring car Championship rival, Fabrizio Giovanardi at the three races at Silverstone today.
Turkington, with one third place podium position and two fourth placed finished is now eleven points ahead of his rival with two series of races remaining.
Victory in today's three races went to Mat Jackson (Chevrolet) with two wins and team mate, Jason Plato.
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