2004 Rally of the Lakes - 1-2 May 04

Posted: May 19, 2004 5:36 PM

With McGarrity's Subaru clear up front the main battle of the rally was for the runners up spot. Originally a three way fight, Eugene Donnelly's retirement with a blown turbocharger after Stage 12 left the Ford Focus duo of onie O'Sullivan and Austin McHale to go head to head. Local hero O'Sullivan looked to have the upper hand, but on the penultimate stage he and co-driver Paul Nagle crashed out of the event. With the pressure lifted McHale cruised through the final stage to take second place, 2mins 4secs adrift of McGarrity.

Wexford's Eamonn Boland completed the podium after a strong debut outing in the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC2.

Photo: Seamus Counihan - www.crspics.com

One of the drives of the two-day international rally was that of Meath driver Tim McNulty. Following a puncture on the opening stage, which dropped him to last place, the Subaru driver stormed through the field setting three fastest stage times on his way to an impressive fifth overall.

In Group N, Kerry's Alan Ring drove a superb rally to take top honours and seventh place overall ahead of Production category rivals, James Foley and Aaron McHale.
Photo: Seamus Counihan - www.crspics.com

The National-status Rally of the Lakes for Modified cars was won by another Kerry Crew of Brendan Brosnan and Denis O'Connell in a Peugeot 205, despite picking up a puncture late in the event. Phil Collins and Diarmuid Falvey led the Modified field before gearbox failure forced them to retire on the very last stage.


Photo: Ger Leahy - www.rally.pro.ie

James Stafford/Niall Whitty (Nova) won the inaugural Junior Rally of the Lakes, snatching the lead from Owen Murphy and Niall O'Sullivan on the fourth and final stage.

Ordnance Survey Ireland Rally of the Lakes 2004
Results
1. Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman - Subaru Impreza WRC S9 - 2:25:55
2. Austin McHale/Brian Murphy - Ford Focus WRC03 - 2:27:59
3. Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey - Mitsubishi Lancer WRC2 - 2:29:01
4. JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward - Subaru Impreza S9 - 2:33:14
5. Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor - Subaru Impreza S8 - 2:34:48
6. John O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman - Ford Escort WRC - 2:37:20
7. Alan Ring/Greg Shinnors - Subaru Impreza N10 - 2:37:47
8. James Foley/Lisa Roe - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 - 2:38:20
9. Aaron McHale/Gerard McMonagle - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 - 2:38:41
10.Ollie O'Donovan/Sean Mullaley - Subaru Impreza WRC P2000 - 2:39:18

Major Retirements
Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle - Ford Focus WRC 01/02 - Stage 18 (Accident)
Pete Doughty/Allan Whittaker - Ford Escort WRC - Stage 17
Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan - 
Toyota Celica 4WD Turbo ST185 - Stage 16 (Puncture)
Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy - 
Toyota Corolla WRC - Stage 14 (Fuel Problem)
Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely - 
Toyota Corolla WRC - Stage 12 (Blown Turbo)

Final Group N Results
1. Alan Ring/Greg Shinnors - Subaru Impreza N10 - 2h 37min 47sec
2. James Foley/Lisa Roe - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 - 2:38.20
3. Aaron McHale/Gerard McGongle - Mitsubishi Evo 8 - 2:38.41

Stage Winners
SS19 (Shanera) - Tim McNulty - 8m 34sec
SS18 (Caragh Lake) - Tim McNulty - 6m 01sec
SS17 (Beallaghbeama) - Austin McHale - 9m 29sec
SS16 (Molls Gap) - Donie O'Sullivan - 8m 17sec
SS15 (Shanera) - Tim McNulty - 8min 30sec
SS14 (Carragh Lake) - Derek McGarrity - 5m 56sec
SS13 (Beallaghbeama) - Austin McHale - 9m 21sec
SS12 (Molls Gap) - Derek McGarrity - 8m 12sec
SS11 (Lough Guittane) - Eugene Donnelly - 3m 45sec
SS10 (Fuhiny) - Eugene Donnelly - 8m 32sec
SS9 (Lough Allua) - Eugene Donnelly - 9m 12sec
SS8 (Fuhiry) - Derek McGarrity - 8m 40sec
SS7 (Lough Allua) - Derek McGarrity - 9m 18sec
SS6 (Healy Pass) - Derek McGarrity - 5m 44sec
SS5 (Ardgroom) - Derek McGarrity - 7m 13sec
SS4 (Cods Head) - Derek McGarrity - 8m 53sec
SS3 (Healy Pass) - Derek McGarrity - 5m 41sec
SS2 (Killmackillogue) - Eugene Donnelly - 5m 21sec
SS1 (Molls Gap) - Derek McGarrity - 8m 24sec

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