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2003 Ferodo Bonus Scheme Positions

Posted: October 16, 2003 8:47 PM - 7734 Hits

Thanks to Finian Moore
Photo: Seamus Counihan
Harrison in last gasp Victory!
Positions after Final Round - Donegal Stages


1 Jim Harrison Subaru WRC 58 
2 Thomas O Rourke Astra 57 
3 Aidan Bourke Civic 53 
4 Shane McEneaney Escort Mk2  53 
5 Peter Rogers Escort Mk2 44 
6 Kenneth Mulvaney Ka 42 
7 Mac McKenna RWD Peugeot 205 40 
8 John Paul Ruth Peugeot 306 39 
9 John Rooney G3 Escort/BMW M3 36 
10 Ollie O Reilly Escort G3/Sierra Cos 31

After 10 rounds all over Ireland, 4 different leaders, and no end of drama, the Ferodo Bonus Scheme 2003 arrived in Letterkenny for the Donegal Harvest stages rally with 4 potential winners. Aidan Bourke, although leading, was hoping for a minor miracle for non-scorers elsewhere as he wasn’t competing, following his big accident in Clare.

Posted: October 16, 2003 8:47 PM

Shane McEneaney in the Mk2 was coming from a long way back, but still had an outside chance, but it was Thomas O Rourke and Jim Harrison that would start as favourites to take the title. With just one point separating these 2 drivers, it was anyones title as the drivers headed out for 8 damp and misty stages on Saturday morning…

Over the first 2 stages it was all going to plan for the O Rourkes, as both themselves and Jim Harrison looked set for 2nd place points in their respective classes. However, on the 3rd stage National Champion Eugene Donnelly was caught out on a fast right hander, and his rally ended in the Donegal scenery. This left Harrison with a clear run to the finish, to take his 2nd consecutive Dunlop National Championship win, top Ferodo points in the big class, and with them the Ferodo title, by a single point from Thomas O Rourke. So its £1000 to Macclesfield man Harrison, and £900 to the O Rourkes.

Behind them, Shane McEneaney was having an excellent run, and was only beaten to top 1600 Ferodo points by Peter Rogers. This left Shane on equal points with Aidan Bourke, but he lost 3rd spot, due to Bourkes superior winning record. Still, the £700 4th prize might be some consolation!

Taking 5th , and £600, in the Ferodo Bonus Scheme was Peter Rogers, who had an amazing run over the last 2 rounds, vaulting from 11th to 5th thanks to 2 maximum scores. The 2003 Ka champion Ken Mulvaney, Mac McKenna, John Paul Ruth, John Rooney, and Ollie O Reilly took the remaining prizes.

Congratulations to all prize winners, and hard luck to those who lost out at the end. Ferodo would like to thank all the competitors who helped make the Bonus Scheme such a success in 2003, and hope that they will return in 2004.

Thanks also to Motorsport Ireland for sanctioning the scheme, and to all the clubs who facilitated us during the year. See you in 2004!