1998 Shell Donegal International Rally - 19-21 Jun '98

Posted: June 22, 1998 7:30 PM

Results

 1 A Nesbitt/J O'Brien (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD)............2:40:48
 2 A McHale/B Murphy (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD)..............2:41:55
 3 E Boland/D Morrissey (Ford Escort WRC)...................2:44:18
 4 J Leckey/G Millar (Subaru Impreza 555)...................2:45:07
 5 M Rowe/D Ringer (Renault Megane Kit Car)..F2.............2:45:27
 6 T Laukkanen/J Jarvi (Renault Megane Kit Car)..F2.........2:45:38
 7 I Greer/D Beckett (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD)..............2:45:49
 8 J Kytolehto/A Kapanen (Vaxhuall Astra Kit Car).F2........2:47:04
 9 L O'Callaghan/H McPhillps (Ford Escort Maxi Kit Car).F2..2:51:04
10 N Wearden/T Agnew (Honda Civic Vti).F2...................2:52:14
Gp N:
D. McGarrity/V. Carrothers (Mitsibushi Lancer Evo V) 

Retirements

SS14 - J. Cullen/E. Morgan (Escort RS Cosworth)............Transmission
SS14 - D. Doherty/M. Doherty (Subaru Legacy RS)..................Engine
SS7 - P. Harris/D. Wilmount (Subaru Legacy RS..............Oil Pressure
SS7 - C. Donnelly/G. McVeigh (Toyota Celica GT-4)................Engine
SS6 - J. Harrison/H. Bell (Escort Cosworth)...................(Unknown)
SS6 - N. Lawlor/C. Bradley (Subaru Legacy RS)...................Unknown
SS4 - K. O'Neill/P Nagle (Kadette Coupe GTE)...................Cam Belt 
SS3 - N. McShea/M. Cassidy (Mit. Lancer Evo V)..................Unknown
SS3 - B. Fisher/R. Kennedy (Subaru Impreza 555)................Accident

Leaders:
SS1-21 Nesbitt/O'Brien

Stage Winners
Leg 1
SS1 - Nesbitt, SS2 - Lecky/Fisher, SS3 - McHale, SS4 - McHale/Nesbitt, 
SS5 - D. Doherty, SS6 - Nesbitt. 

Leg 2
SS7 - Nesbitt, SS8 - Cullen/Nesbitt, SS9 - Nesbitt, SS10 Laukkanen,
SS11 - Nesbitt, SS12 - Nesbitt, SS13 - Nesbitt, SS14 - Nesbitt, 
SS15 - Nesbitt, SS16 - Nesbitt.

Leg 3
SS17 - McHale, SS18 - Mchale, SS19 - McHale, SS20 - McHale, SS21 - McHale.

Nesbitt showed the form that gave him a win in Donegal 2 years ago. He led from the word go and once Fisher retired after a big "off" he took control of the event. Cullen driving the "door handles" off his Escort Cosworth, overhauled McHale for 2nd on Saturday Morning before the Escort cried enough on Saturday Afternoon.
Boland had a trouble free weekend, his WRC back after his Crash in Killarney. The car sounded even better (latest WRC spec??) and Bolland can be happy with his result. Paul Harris was up to third early on in the event, but engine problems lost him time and when his oil pressure dropped on Saturday morning his rally was over. A flat tyre cost time for James Lecky on Saturday but he jumped from 6th to 4th on Sunday.

Group N saw a fleet of new Evo 5's come to Ireland. The bigger brakes and tyres really showed on the fast dry stages over the Evo IV's and Subaru WRX's. Trevor Cathers took control of the category on Saturday but a big off on Sunday morning dropped him behind McGarrity.

Laukkanen had one of the drives of the rally in the works Megane, a bad time on SS2 left him starting Day 2 in 18th place. A string of top 5 times, including fastest stage time on the second run over Atlantic Drive!, brought him right up into the top 10 and he came very close to winning F2.

Who said "Finns" can't drive on tarmac!!

McHale still holds a 9 point lead in the championship with 2 rounds remaining.