2000 Millennium Autos Galway Spring Rally - 26 Mar '00

Posted: March 27, 2000 10:54 PM

Five times Tarmac Champion McHale was using the event to test the new driving position of his World Rally spec Toyota Corolla which he had converted from left to right hand drive over the winter. Runners up spot for Harris means he gets his second maximum score to lead the championship on 40 points from Ray Breen/John Purcell

Third on the rally went to Donegal brothers Daniel and Michael Doherty who overhauled fellow Subaru Impreza crew George Cullen/Dermot O'Gorman on the eight and final stage. The Donegal brothers admitted to a steady run on their first rally this year.
Making his first appearance in the championship, current champion Niall Maguire with new co-driver Joe Downey finished eight finding it difficult to get used to his new ex- Nesbitt left hand drive Subaru Impreza.

Major retirements from the event included J.J Fleming, the local man forced out after bumping his ex-Boland Escort WRC on stage 5 while lying 5th. Dominic Loughran disappeared from the fray a little earlier, his Seirra Cosworth suffering mechanical failure.

John Spain in the Ex-McHale Manta 400 was the leading 2WD finisher, over-hauling Denis Cornin/Helen O'Sullivan in the later stages of the event.

Gp N went to Patrick Elliot in his new Evo 6 Lancer.
The next round of the championship takes place in two weeks time when competitors travel to the South West of the country for the Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally.

 1. Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC)......49:08
 2. Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza Sti)....49:25
 3. Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza 555)..50:32
 4. George Cullen/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza 555)...50:04
 5. Ray Breen/John Purcell (Subaru Impreza 555)..........51:42 
 6. John Spain/P Egan (Opel Manta 400)...................52:09
 7. Niall Maguire/Joe Downey (Subaru Impreza 555)........53:26
 8. Anthony O'Halloran/Sean Moriarty (Opel Manta 2.0)....53:50
 9. Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill (Lancer EVO VI).GpN....53:56
10. Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (BMW M3)...............54:00

• Full Results
• Stage times

Natioanl Championship Positions after Round 2

   Driver       Co-driver         Pts
1. Paul Harris  Eugene O'Donnell - 40 
2. Ray Breen    John Purcell     - 30 
3. Denis Cronin Helen O'Sullivan - 27 

• Offical Site - Galway Motor Club
• Dunlop National Rally Championship