Posted: January 5, 2005 8:13 PM
Based just a few miles outside Coleraine at Aghadowey Race Circuit, the event marked the final stage rally of 2004. Heavy rain pelted the circuit for much of the day but Terry, together with 20-year-old co-driver, Marianne Mullan (Greysteel), skilfully guided their car through the treacherous conditions to finish third overall.
Terry said: "I sat in the car for the first time at the start line of the first stage! It's not the best way to start a rally, you really need to know what the brakes are going to do and that sort of thing. But we got our heads down and battled on. Marianne was a bit nervous at first but she soon started enjoying herself and did a superb job!"
"Conditions were terrible for most of the day, there was very little grip out there and the car did quite a lot of aquaplaning! We were caught out on the wrong tyres for the third and fourth stages which dropped us from second overall to third but we were more than happy to settle for a podium position."
Co-driver Marianne was just as pleased with the result. It was her first time in a rally car and she won the prize for highest placed lady competitor!
Marianne said: "It was great craic! The weather was awful but Terry is a really good driver, I felt safe sitting beside him. I didn't expect to win any awards so it's fantastic to finish my first event and I have some crystal to show for it! I'd love to do it again!"
Terry is now concentrating on finalising his plans for 2005. The Strabane pilot is hoping to contest the full Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship, with the round one due to take place at County Down's Kirkistown Race Circuit on Saturday 19 February.
Side note: Martin Doherty (Ballybofey) and Eugene O'Donnell won the event in their Group A Subaru Impreza by two-tenths of a second from the Mitsubishi Lancer of Kieron Graffin (Toomebridge) and Neil Doherty.
Sponsors: Terry McGonigle was sponsored by Bob Mullan Motors for the 2004 Turkey Run Rally. Bob Mullan Motors is Northern Ireland's number one car market with branches of the business in Ballykelly, Newtownstewart and Campsie.
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