Ford KA Championship Round 1 - Carrick Forestry - 24 Feb 03

Posted: February 24, 2003 10:18 AM

With a starting line up of fifteen Pirelli shod Ford KA, the opening round of the 2003 Irish Series promised to be one of the most exciting to date. The majority of the crews had never competed on gravel before, as the series has traditionally always been fought out on the tarmac stages.

Ian Chadwick in the Autopoint Ford KA has had plenty of experience in the "woods" having competed in the Polo Cup in the UK for the last two seasons. His gravel experience immediately showed as he set fastest time on the opening loop of three stages. Vivian Noone in the Gain Horse Feeds Ford KA and Eoghan Fogarty settled into a joint second position by the first service, eighteen seconds off the leader. Martin Laverty in the MGL Ford KA in fourth position a further two seconds in arrears.

With stage four cancelled, Noone attacked setting fastest time on stage five, six and seven, moving him into the lead from Fogarty by just eight seconds. Fogarty fought back desperately trying to reduce Vivian's lead but to no avail, the man from Cashel once again recording fastest time on stage nine. Fogarty in a desperate do or die mission won the tenth and final stage but it was not enough, Vivian coasted home to an eight second victory. Despite a costly puncture Ian Chadwick finished in third position on his return to the KA series and Martin Laverty fourth.

"It has been along time coming, this is my second year in the KA Rally Championship and I am absolutely delighted. More of the rounds should be in the forests. We had a great battle all day with Ian Chadwick and Eoghan Fogarty, they pushed me all the way but we always had a little bit in reserve. I cannot wait for the next round for the series where the battle will recommence", said Vivian.

Ford Rallyesport, Pirelli Tyres and Champion Spark Plugs support the 2003 Ford KA Rally Championship.

POS.	NAME		TIME	
 1	Vivian Noone	0
 2	Eoghan Fogarty	0.00.08
 3	Ian Chadwick	0.00.49
 4	Martin Laverty	0.03.04
 5	Ian Liston	0.00.52
 6	Walter Walsh	0.01.09
 7	Emily O'Mahony	0.00.58
 8	Kenneth Mulvaney0.01.14
 9	Keith Lyons	0.01.34
10	Gordon Coleman	0.00.50

11	Mark Kane	DNF
12	Gary Reidy	DNF
13	John Doolan	DNF
14	Cathal Greaney	DNS

• Willie Loughman Memorial Carrick on Suir Forestry Rally - 23 Feb 03
• Ford Ka Championship