Omagh Bushwacker Rally - 27 Sep 08

Posted: September 30, 2008 9:02 PM - 11588 Hits

Round 8 - 2008 Northern Ireland Rally Championship

EMMA BACK ON TRACK

Posted: September 30, 2008 9:02 PM

After disappointment on the Lakeland Stages, Emma Mckinstry and co-driver Kenny Hull desperately needed a finish on Omagh Motor Club’s Bushwacker rally on Saturday.

Good weather in the week leading up to the event had left the stages in excellent condition and the pace was immense.

After three stages Emma and Kenny were languishing in 16th place, finding the Subaru’s handling not quite to their liking.

After first service with the diff settings tweaked Emma and Kenny were ready to attack the stages to try and make up for time lost. Straight away Emma felt more confident in the car and found the swept stages offered more grip second time over. Emma and Kenny bettered their times over the three stages by over 30 seconds to promote themselves to 13th overall.

Then followed the two Lough Braden stages run twice and as the weather closed in a light shower of rain made the stages a little slippy, however Emma and Kenny had to push on as there was still ground to be made with martin Cairns a mere 3 seconds ahead.

Try as they may, Emma and Kenny weren’t able to make any ground first run over the stages and Cairns opened the gap, Emma replied by taking time back on the second run over the stages but it still wasn’t enough as they finished up 11th overall, just two seconds of tenth place.

Another solid finish has given the team a confidence boost and they now look forward the next round of the NI Championship, their home event, the Down Rally.

Thanks to sponsors Hankook Tyres, Triton Showers, Sunoco Race Fuels, ID Graphics NI and McGaffin Contracts for their continued support.