2002 International Rally of the Lakes 4-5 May 02

Posted: May 13, 2002 10:41 AM

Liam O'Callaghan and David Hogan finished third, completing a Subaru clean sweep of the podium positions. Donegal brothers Daniel and Michael Doherty were fourth, while McGarrity and Patterson eventually came home a disappointed fifth.

Donie O'Sullivan and Paul Nagle were the top local crew, and were also the winners of the Group N category for 'showroom' specification cars. Trevor Cathers and Francis Regan were second in Group N, having lost the category lead on Sunday when they picked up a puncture.

Tony Davies and Brian Hardie were the victors in the National Rally of the Lakes for Modified cars, ahead of Jon Stangle and Frank Sweeney, and local favourites, Tom Randles and Diarmuid Lynch. The Historic Rally of the Lakes was won by the Farrell brothers, John and Christy.

The weather had not always been kind to the Rally of the Lakes, but this year, the organisers, Killarney & District Motor Club, enjoyed the luxury of perfect sunshine throughout the event. Conditions were ideal for rallying, and the thousands of spectators were treated to top class competition on the roads of Kerry and Cork.

Recorded highlights of the rally will be broadcast by television stations in France, Germany, Portugal, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Ireland, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Ordnance Survey Ireland / Gleneagle Hotel 2002 International 
Rally of the Lakes - Results
1: Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien, Subaru Impreza WRC P2000, 2:35:56secs.
2: Eamon Boland/Damien Morrissey, Subaru Impreza WRC 44S, 2:37:19
3: Liam O'Callaghan/David Hogan, Subaru Impreza WRC99, 2:37:58
4: Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty, Subaru Impreza WRC P2000, 2:39:18
5: Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson, Subaru Impreza WRC 44S, 2:40:17
6: Austin McHale/Brian Murphy, Toyota Corolla  WRC, 2:40:37
7: JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward, Subaru Impreza WRC99, 2:44:27
8: Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle, Subaru Impreza GPN, 2:46:29
9: Trevor Cathers/Francis Regan, Mitsubishi Evo GPN, 2:47:07
10: Seamus Leonard/Kevin O'Brien, Subaru Impreza GPN, 2:47:55

2002 National Rally of the Lakes - Results
1: Tony Davies/Brian Hardie, MG Metro 6R4, 2:52:28
2: Jon Stangle/Frank Sweeney, Darrian T90, 2:55:17
3: Tom Randles/Diarmuid Lynch, Ford Escort RS, 2:56:07

2002 Historic Rally of the Lakes - Results
1: John Farrell/Christy Farrell, Ford Escort, 2:10;09
2: Martin Freestone/Chris Hayes, Ford Escort, 2:12:14
3: Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham, Mini Cooper S, 2:14:59

All photographs by Michael Chester.

Top Photo: Andrew Nesbitt and James O'Brien astounded competitors with their pace as they recorded their first victory on the International Rally of the Lakes.

Eamonn Boland and Damien Morrissey took second place on the Rally of the Lakes, equalling their 1999 result.

Liam O'Callaghan and David Hogan were third, an impressive run on their first outing in a World Rally Car.

A broken wheel put paid to any chance of victory for Derek McGarrity and Chris Patterson.

The top local crew was Donie O'Sullivan and Paul Nagle, who won the Group N category in their new Subaru Impreza.

Tom Randles and Diarmuid Lynch were third overall in the National Rally of the Lakes for Modified cars, and were the first Class 12 crew home.

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• All Overall Results, Class Results Stagetimes, Fastest times in Excel Format
• Rallynews by Brian & Liz Patterson
• Stage by Stage Results from results.trapedza.com
• Photos by Seamus Counihan
• Photos by Ger Leahy