Newry and District Gullion Stages - 18 Nov 06

Posted: November 24, 2006 1:53 PM

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Belfast's Liam Regan wins PHP Architects Clubman Rally Championship!
A new rally champion emerged from last Saturday's Cross Square Hotel and MCK Embroidery sponsored Gullion Stages Rally! Belfast's Liam Regan, with Francis Mulholland on the notes, secured the 2006 PHP Architects N.I. Clubman Rally title with a superb drive to finish first in class one!

  No less than three drivers entered the final round with a chance to lift the championship laurels. Robert Erwin headed the series by one point from Regan, while Mervyn Williamson was two points adrift. With overall championship points awarded based on class positions, it was all to play for.  

Erwin was first to hit trouble in his Talbot Sunbeam. The Lisburn driver was forced into retirement during stage two when he lost all drive, leaving Williamson and Regan fighting for honours. Williamson, running in class four, needed to finish in front of James Wylie and Paul Killen to claim a maximum of three points, while Regan had to ensure that he finished in front of either Iain Wright or Malcolm Johnston.  

Williamson tried hard and while Killen struggled with distributor problems, a titanic battle developed between Wylie and Williamson. It was nip and tuck but in the end, James Wylie emerged with a bundle of points under his arms. He finished two seconds ahead of Williamson, leaving the Ballymena man contemplating what might have been.  

Meanwhile, Liam Regan and Francis Mulholland were having another storming drive in their Vauxhall Nova. They only needed to finish in front of one of their championship rivals but they were leaps and bounds ahead of both Iain Wright and Malcolm Johnston. By the time they arrived at the Crossmaglen finish, they were more than two points in front of their rivals! It was enough to secure first in class and the 2006 PHP Architects Clubman Rally Championship!  

"It has been a brilliant year!" Regan enthused. "It's my first year in rallying so it's a great way to start. The rally was very tricky, it was very greasy in places, but we had a good day and I really enjoyed it. I'm hoping to do the Fiesta Trophy next year and I'm looking forward to it already!"  

At the head of the leaderboard, Brian Armstrong and Leslie Domer dominated the event in their Mark 2 Escort. Initial competition came from Norman and Lisa Armstrong but they were forced into retirement after stage three. Brian concentrated on extending his lead and he came through to win the event from Frank Kelly and Aiden Friel. Gerry Smyth and Andrew Grennan were third overall ahead of Raymond Conlon and Matt McCrudden, while John Waring and Mo Downey completed the top five

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• Download Full Results and Times in Word Format.

Photos:
neillpics.co.uk

Video Clips:
Waylander Video Clips

Newry and District Motor Club

• 2006 Northern Ireland Clubmans Rally Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Event Details
• Regulations

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31/10/06

Event approx 40 miles long (pothole free tarmac)

£180 entry fee including insurance,
2 wheel drive only

8 stages (2 stages run 4 times each)

All in the Newry area / Slieve Gullion area

Regulations, details etc. of entries recieved / final instructions etc. all on club web site

Newry and District Motor Club

• 2006 Northern Ireland Clubmans Rally Championship