Ramada Express International Rally - 8-11 Dec 05

Posted: December 16, 2005 2:22 PM

LAWLESS/GILLEPSIE 2005 UNITED STATES RALLY CHAMPIONS
Dynamic duo dominate the competition at Ramada Express International Rally

Irishman Tom Lawless and co-driver Jason Gillespie dominated the competition at this weekend's Ramada Express International Rally in their Mitsubishi Evo VIII, taking the overall win by nearly three minutes, as well as the 2005 United States Rally Championship title. At the end of the third day, Lawless and Gillespie were spraying champagne at the top of the podium, followed by 2004 New Zealand Group A Champion Sam Murray and co-driver Anton Cheetham in a Group N Subaru, and Irishman Seamus Burke and co-driver Eddie Fries, third-place finishers in the rally, and fourth-place finishers in the USRC, in the Shamrock Building Systems Evo VIII.

Final 2005 USRC standings have Matthew Iorio and Ole Holter, in the Paladin Rally Mitsubishi Evo VII in the runner-up position overall behind Lawless, followed by Peter Workum and Christine Beavis in the Autosport Engineering Subaru WRX.

In two wheel drive open class, driver Craig Hollingsworth and co-driver Jason Grahn had a disappointing finish to the Ramada Express event, including a roll. However, this was tempered by the overall two wheel drive open class win in the 2005 USRC in their immaculately prepared Volkswagen Jetta. Jimmy Keeney and co-driver Brian Moody however, were atop the two wheel drive podium at the event, with a ninth overall and first in class in their Honda Civic, and were also able to celebrate their third place 2005 USRC finish. Second in the two wheel drive open class for the 2005 USRC was Bruce Davis in a Dodge SRT4.

Photos:
Ábhus An Seo (Neil McDaid - USA)
Artpart photo Gallery (USA)

• 2005 United States Rally Championship