Dunlop National Rally Championship runners-up, Patrick Elliott/Sean Moriarty (Subaru) were third, a further 27 seconds in arrears.

Following Barrable’s retirement at the service halt, McKinstry then set out with a 21 second lead and after successfully negotiating the two stages, Nowen Hill and Mealagh Valley, duly stretched his advantage over Evans to 20 seconds.

Elliott remained a solid third from McCarthy, who improved to claim fourth after solving a misfire. In the two-wheel drive category, Welshman, Phil Collins, despite no second gear, led the two-litre rear wheel drive class.

McKinstry with a secure lead did enough over the final two stages to claim victory, his second in the Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally. In 1984, he won at the wheel of a Ford Escort.

Evans punctured on the final test but hung on to take a deserved second and victory in the Get Connected Rally Championship.

Meanwhile Patrick Elliott (Subaru) completed the top three. Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) headed the local contingent and Fowden sealed Group N victory with his 14th class win from 16 starts.

He edged out Ollie O’Donovan (Subaru) on the final stage for fifth place but the latter won the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Championship. Denis Cronin (BMW M3) finished seventh as Phil Collins (Escort), John Price (Metro 6R4) and Cathal Arthurs (Toyota Celica) completed the top ten on this the final round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

1. K. McKinstry/S. Mullally (Subaru WRC) 59m. 43s.

2. M. Evans/A. Davies (Escort WRC) 1h. 00m. 47s.

3. P. Elliott/S. Moriarty (Subaru) 1h. 01m. 14s.

4. L. McCarthy/K. Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 01m. 37s.

5. B. Fowden/J. Hynes (Mitsubishi Lancer) 1h. 01m.47s.

6. O. O'Donovan/D. Moynihan (Subaru) 1h. 01m. 51s.

7. D. Cronin/H. O'Sullivan (BMW M3) 1h. 02m. 06s.

8. P. Collins/H. Davies (Escort) 1h. 02m. 12s.

9. J. Price/C. Price (Metro 6R4) 1h. 02m. 18s.

10. C. Arthurs/B. Kelly (Toyota Celica) 1h. 02m. 54s.