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Ford Focus Championship - Round 1 - Stonethrowers - 11 Aug 02

Posted: August 12, 2002 5:30 PM - 10097 Hits


STANLEY ON A KNIFE-EDGE

Oliver Stanley from Durrow, Co. Laois has won the opening round of Irelands Premier One Make Rally Championship, the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship at the Stonethrowers Rally based in Clonmel.

Oliver has progressed through the ranks of the Ford Ireland "Ladder of Opportunity", having competed in the highly successful Ford Ireland KA Rally Championship for two years prior to taking part in the inaugural Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship.

Colm Murphy (Limerick) in the Kingdom Fastfit/John Guerin Crash Repairs/Garry O’Keeffe Haulage Ford Focus set the early pace revelling in the damp slippery conditions to take an eleven second lead from Hamilton Bell (Hillsborough). Oliver Stanley in the Perry Motors Ford Focus stormed back setting fastest Focus time on stage three and four to take the lead from Murphy by four seconds. On stage five Murphy fought back to record fastest Focus time to reduce Stanley’s advantage to just one second. Oliver replied on stages six and seven to increase his lead to five seconds. However stage eight was cancelled and the battle came down to the wire. On stage nine the last of the day, Murphy threw caution to the wind driving like a demon only to get caught out half was through the stage spinning on some gravel, loosing vital seconds and with it all hopes of victory.

Posted: August 12, 2002 5:30 PM

"I have driven many rally cars in my day but the Ford Focus is the best car I have ever had, it is brilliant, the handling, brakes and balance is outstanding. The experience gained in the Ford Ireland KA Rally Championship also has been a huge benefit to me and I think is showed here today. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season," said Oliver at the finish.

"I am delighted with the spirited rivalry and the enthusiasm shown by the competitors. The result at the weekend, with seven cars running without a problem, and the close competition, augers well for the next round of the Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship" said Declan Foley, Focus Brand Manager, Ford Ireland. 

      POS.
     NAME
     ADDRESS
     TIME

      1
     Oliver Stanley
     Durrow, Co. Laois
     0.00.00

      2
     Colm Murphy
     Athea, Co. Limerick
     0.00.11

      3
     Brendan Kelly
     Longford
     0.00.26

      4
     John Foley
     Midleton, Co. Cork
     0.02.03

      5
     Ken Lyons
     Limerick
     0.00.12

      6
     Hamilton Bell
     Hillsborough, Co. Down
     0.02.24

      7
     Gabriel Martin
     Dublin
     0.02.11

      8
     Cathal O'Reilly
     Cavan
     DNF

FOCUS RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS AFTER ROUND 1

      POS.
     NAME
     ADDRESS
     POINTS

      1
     Oliver Stanley
     Durrow, Co. Laois
     30

      2
     Colm Murphy
     Athea, Co. Limerick
     26

      3
     Brendan Kelly
     Longford
     23

      4
     John Foley
     Midleton, Co. Cork
     21

      5
     Ken Lyons
     Limerick
     19

      6
     Hamilton Bell
     Hillsborough, Co. Down
     17

      7
     Gabriel Martin
     Knocklyon, Co. Dublin
     15

      8
     Cathal O'Reilly
     Poles, Cavan
     0

Topics: Ford Focus Championship 

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