Lynch wins Roscommon Rally

Derry’s, Kevin Lynch, in his KPL Subaru World Rally Car emerged an easy winner of the nine stage Roscommon Moto Rally – finishing with a victory margin of two minutes and seven seconds.

Sun, 21 Mar, 2004 - 19:45

Derry’s, Kevin Lynch, in his KPL Subaru World Rally Car emerged an easy winner of the nine stage Roscommon Moto Rally – finishing with a victory margin of two minutes and seven seconds.

J.J. Fleming took the early lead – ten seconds ahead of Lynch, who posted the first of a string of fastest times to take a narrow lead after two stages.

Fleming hit his Subaru WRC off a signpost and retired at the end of stage three.

Stage by stage, Lynch built up a considerable advantage and took a deserved win.

Adrian McElvaney (Subaru WRC) looked set to take second until the final stage where he lost valuable time when he forgot to release the handbrake.

In a final stage flurry, Sean Gallagher (Escort Cosworth) actually set the quickest time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent George Cullen from taking the runner up spot – albeit by a second from Gallagher.

McElvaney was fourth and Noel McCarrick (Subaru), who held second for a brief tenure, finished fifth overall and won the Group N category.

1. K. Lynch/F. Regan (Subaru WRC) 1h. 05m. 25s.

2. G. Cullen/D. Downey (Subaru 555) 1h. 07m. 32s.

3. S. Gallagher/F. Kenny (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 07m. 33s.

4. A. McElvaney/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 07m. 38s.

5. N. McCarrick/E. O'Donnell (Subaru Gp.N) 1h. 07m. 59s.

6. M. Doherty/C. Beatty (Mitsubishi Evo6) 1h. 08m. 17s.

7. R. Breen/J. Purcell (Subaru WRC) 1h. 08m. 29s.

8. P. & L. Higgins (Sierra) 1h. 09m. 15s.

9. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 09m. 41s.

10. J. Sleator/G. Healy (Mitsubishi) 1h. 09m. 54s.

The National Navigation Trial Championship concluded over the weekend with the Monaghan Night Navigation Trial that was won by Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins.

Outright victory in the national series went to Derek Coleman/Conor Maguire with Ger Gowen/Paul Phelan, who were also second in the event, taking the runner-up spot in the national campaign.

1. A. Mackarel/L. Higgins (Ascona) 9 Penalties.

2. G. Gowen/P. Phelan (Mazda) 17 Penalties.

3. R. & S. O'Neill (Golf) 20 Penalties.

4. A. McAdoo/A. Murray (Opel Vectra) 22 Penalties.

5. T. Farrell/N. Hall (Proton) 28 Penalties.

6. L. Sherry/G. Hall (Astra) 29 Penalties.

In Mondello Park, Hilton Hincks (Honda) won both of the Irish Superbike Championship races and there was also a double for Alistair Seeley in the Supersport 600 races.

Irish Superbikes (Race 1):

1. H. Hincks (Honda) 15m. 52.72s.

2. M. Neill (Yamaha R1) 16m. 04.07s.

3. D. Robb (Suzuki) 16m. 18.26s.

Race 2:

1. H. Hincks (Honda) 18m. 01.71s.

2. P. Barron (Suzuki) 18m. 06.08s.

3. S. Jenkins (Suzuki) 18m. 15.23s.

Supersport 600 (Race 1):

1. A. Seeley (Suzuki600) 8m. 52.71s.

2. J. McAndrew (Yamaha R6) 8m. 54.59s.

3. M. Pearson (YamahaR6) 9m. 01.06s.