Tolputt Keeton Winter Stages Rally (@ Sweet Lamb) - (Sat) 26 Feb 05

Posted: February 28, 2005 6:52 AM

The crews were greeted by snow covered stages that were sure to add to the challenge of using maps instead of pacenotes.

Adrian McBride/Barry Sheridan opened the proceedings with fastest time on the first stage from the all lady crew of Emma Britton and Paula Nooney. Championship leaders Graeme Colfer/Jack Newman experienced gear selection problems towards the end of SS1 and had another stage to complete before returning to service, causing them to drop almost 3 minutes.

Stage 2 saw the demise of Adrian McBride/Barry Sheridan when they slid wide on the snow and out of the rally.

By stage 4 it was Seamus O'Grady/Oonagh Roche who had taken the lead with Emma Britton/Paul Nooney 2nd and Tommie Rafferty/Brian Purcell 3rd.

The all lady crew ran into trouble on stage 6 when they lost 3 minutes following an off. With their gear selection problems solved Graeme Colfer/Jack Newman were settling blistering times and moving quickly back up leaderboard.

Despite the challenge from Colfer, Seamus O'Grady/Oonagh Roche held their nerve through the final stages and took their first win of the season. Graeme Colfer/Jack Newman were 2nd, Tommie Rafferty/Brian Purcell 3rd and Emma Britton/Paula Nooney 4th.

O'Grady's win now leaves the championship wide open for either him or Colfer to take the title on the final round the Tipperary Forestry Stages Rally on 27th March.

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Matt and George Shinnors retired on SS2 with Mechanical Problems after setting fastest time in their class on the opening stage.

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Full Results on:

www.telfordautoclub.co.uk

• 2004-2005 Irish 205 Challenge

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PRE-EVENT NEWS

Also entered for the event at No 15 are Matt and George Shinnors

Irish 205 Challenge Crosses The Water
With four rounds completed and two reaming the Rory Galligan Rally Irish 205 Challenge switches to gravel for the penultimate round of the series. The Tollpott Keeton Winter Stages Rally on 26th February 2005 plays host to this round of the challenge and is certain to present the competitors with a new test.

The rally is based in the famous setting of the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex in Wales and gives crews the chance to compete on some of rallying's best gravel stages. Not only will crews be faced with the switch to gravel they will also have to adjust to using maps instead of pacenotes.

Winner of two rounds of the challenge, Graeme Colfer goes into the rally leading the championship with Adrian McBride and Seamus O'Grady tied for second spot. As crews must drop one score from six it is certainly all to play for on this testing event.

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09/01/05
The event will follow its popular and award winning format and will use 45 loose surface stage miles in Sweet Lamb and Hafren.

Entry list and further details from Telford Auto Club website:

www.telfordautoclub.co.uk

Entries are still been accepted

Sweet Lamb Complex: www.sweetlamb.co.uk

• 2004-2005 Irish 205 Challenge