International Rally Masters @ Punchestown Racecourse - (Sat) 28 Jul 01

Posted: July 31, 2001 4:08 PM

WORLD RALLY STARS ENTERTAIN HUGE CROWD AT PUNCHESTOWN
McHale and Nesbitt tie for top spot

The huge crowd which descended on Punchestown Racecourse yesterday (Saturday) to see world rally stars Richard Burns, Freddy Loix and Miki Biasion take part in the first ever World Rally Masters where not to be disappointed as they were treated to a display of spectacular rallying.

Filling the top three places, Burns, Loix and Biasion showed just why they have made it to the pinnacle of rallying. Accompanied by a host of celebrity co-drivers including ex-World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty, Boxer Michael Carruth, International Sailor David Burrows and TV personality Emma Buckley, their participation in World Rally Masters was a major sporting success for Ireland. To the cheers and whistles of a very appreciative crowd who packed the grandstands, the Subaru, Mitsubishi and Fiat stars brought the event to a close with a dramatic display of crowd pleasing 'Doughnuts'.

Spectators where also given their first opportunity to see the impressive set-ups of the Subaru World Rally Team and Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart who brought great colour to the courtyard of the County Kildare racecourse.

The competitive side of the event saw a trilling day long battle between current and former Irish Tarmac Rally Champions Andrew Nesbitt and Austin McHale with the pair tying for the top spot with equal times at the end of the six stage event.

The pair, Ireland's top rally drivers, started the event by setting equal times on the opening 4km stage. Driving his Cuisine de France Subaru Impreza WRC Nesbitt then edged ahead on stage 2 going one second faster than the Toyota Ireland Corolla WRC of McHale. The pair once again set equal times on stage three.

In the afternoon, with the stages run in the reverse direction, McHale posted a time three seconds faster than his Armagh rival to regain the lead. Dead level again on stage 5 McHale's Corolla held a two second advantage going into the final run.

Then, in a grandstand finish to World Rally Masters, Andrew Nesbitt set the fastest time of the day while McHale went a second slower than his previous run, leaving it all equal at the finish. After discussions with event director Ronan Morgan the pair agreed to call it a draw.

Behind the battling tarmac champions, Derek McGarrity took the final podium placing in his Subaru Impreza WRC while fourth went to Tipperary's Frank Meagher in a Ford Focus ahead of Daniel Doherty in a Subaru Impreza WRC. Former European and five times Belgian Rally Champion Patrick Snijers rounded off the top six in his Group N Prodrive Subaru.

The event saw Irish Minister for Sport, Tourism & Recreation Doctor James McDaid make his rallying debut as he became co-driver for fellow Donegal man James Cullen in the Wrangler Subaru Impreza WRC, the pair finishing 8th overall.

Double World Rally Champion Miki Biasion won the two wheel drive category driving the Super 1600 Fiat Punto while Ireland's Dermot Carnegie won the Rallycross section in his Ford Focus.

A historic day for Irish motorsport, the first ever World Rally Masters was a resounding success and the organisers are already promising to make the event an even greater spectacle in 2002.

Overall Results after stage 6 of 6
1. Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC).......16m 02s
=  Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru Impreza WRC).....16m 02s
3. Derek McGarrity/Adrian Foley (Subaru Impreza WRC).....16m 22s
4. Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Ford Focus WRC)........16m 28s
5. Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC)...16m 38s
6. Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Subaru Impreza (Grp N)..16m 41s