KILKENNY KA KNOCKOUT

Posted: July 25, 2000 8:34 PM

Despite the Kilkenny domination, Ford Ireland’s Ka Rally Championship continued to provide far more than its fair share of thrilling entertainment. The first four dramatic rounds have produced three different winners, Round Five the Sligo Stages rally did not disappoint with half the field crashing out of the event due to the rough nature of the Sligo terrain.

John O’Dowd from Moate set the initial pace setting fastest stage times on stages one and two and joint fastest on stage three, to settle into a slim three second lead over second placed James Travers. The second loop of stages proved to be treacherous with O’Dowd crashing out on stage four whilst trying to extend his lead. With the demise of O’Dowd, Travers in the Barry Pender Motors Ford KA stamped his authority on the event taking three more fastest stage times to settle in to secure lead that he was never to relinquish.

“I am thrilled to score my third win of the season, it was a very tough event and I couldn’t relax for a second, as we had to fight every step of the way to the finish. John O’Dowd was unlucky as he was caught out on stage four. My Championship lead is now more secure but there is still a long way to go” said James.

John Carroll in the Dooley Motors Ford KA from Danesfort, Kilkenny . produced a mature and controlled drive not taking any risks scoring an impressive second place finish, to secure his second overall position in the 2000 Ford Ireland KA Rally Championship.

Barry Barrable in the Plaza Hotel Ford KA repeated his 1999 performance taking a fine third position. Barry had a huge battle all day with Oliver Stanley for third position. Despite a late charge from Stanley, Barrable drove brilliantly despite the treacherous conditions to take the final podium position and move into third place overall in the Championship.

The 2000 Ford of Ireland Ford KA Rally Championship is the first, one make, manufacturer supported Championship in the history of Irish Rallying. Designed to promote young Irish rallying talent, the Championship is part of Ford's stairway to success that sees the Ford Motor Company providing young drivers with competitive rally machinery throughout their racing careers. Round 6 of the championship sees the army of Ford Ka travel to Clonmel on the 13th of August where we can again expect more close action from some of Ireland’s up and coming racing talents

  1 James Travers	Kilkenny	0
  2 John Carroll	Kilkenny	1.08
  3 Barry Barrable	Dublin		1.41
  4 Oliver Stanley	Durrow		0.10
  5 Denise Ryan		Athy		2.40
DNF John O'Dowd		Moate		DNF
DNF Liam Denning	Dublin		DNF
DNF Eoin Dooley		Cork		DNF
DNF Trevor Harding	Cashel		DNF
DNF Pat Quinlan		Clonmel		DNF
DNS Gus Kearney		Clonmel		DNS
DNS Ken Lyons		Limerick	DNS
DNS Noreen McDaid	Letterkenny	DNS