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LinksMayo Autocross (LS) - 7 Aug 11
Posted: August 9, 2011 11:44 AM - 5238 Hits
Photo: Cathal Doyle
Deane’s Double Top By The Smallest Of Margins
Posted: August 9, 2011 11:44 AM
Derek Deane from Williamstown claimed victory for the second event in succession on Sunday’s Loose Surface Autocross organised by Mayo & District Motorsport Club. The JB Buggy driver’s margin of victory was far from a comfortable affair though - just 6/100’s of a second separated him from the Mitsubishi Evo 9 of Peter McCullagh at the end of three timed runs. The Maynooth driver was left rueing a half-spin on the last corner of the final run, when he had looked well place to consolidate the lead he had established after run two. Deane took full advantage, taking over five seconds off his previous best effort with a time of 4 minutes 7.12 seconds. It was enough – just.
If the entry list of thirty competitors was down on previous rounds of Mayo & District Motorsport Club’s popular Autocross series held at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford, the same could not be said about the quality of the field, the event continuing to attract some of the leading Autocross drivers from all over the country – and abroad. Bringing a touch of glamour to the paddock on this occasion was the impressive outfit of former British Rallycross Champion Ollie O’Donovan, his Buggy just one of nine to start the event. The London domiciled Limerickman wasn’t long getting into his stride, setting the third fastest time on his opening run, before eventually finishing fourth overall.
Third went to another Buggy, that of Dave Fallon from Galway, who impressed with his speed and committment throughout the day. After opening run problems, he moved into second place after the second test, but two punctures on the final run meant he had to settle for the final podium place after a frustrating day.
Former winner James Lannon from Boyle was fifth, but another to suffer problems on his final run, a blown head gasket on his Mitsubishi Evo 9 curtailing his afternoon. He was followed by four more Buggies, the dry conditions allowing them to stretch their legs over the faster stretches of the challenging track. Donegal’s Geoffrey Dolan led the charge, followed by Maynooth’s Joe McHale, Lionel Percy from Nenagh and Gerard Doherty from Banbridge. Ben Gormley from Belleek rounded off the top ten in his Subaru, taking third in class 5 in the process.
Gareth Mimnagh made the journey from Omagh worthwhile with victory in class 1 in his Nova, finishing a very creditable 12th overall. Alan Moran’s second place consolidates his lead in Mayo Motor Club’s Young Driver Championship with just one round remaining, the young Foxford driver once again impressing with his pace in his Opel Kadett. John Burke from Galway, driving the Ford Focus of absentee Andy Walsh, took third in the category.
Donegal took class 2 honours courtesy of the Honda Civic of Michael Boyle, while Achill brothers Liam and Joe Healy battled it out to be best of the rest in their Honda Civic, Joe coming out on top on this occasion.
Matthew Murphy was the sole class three representative, but the Shrule man was as spectacular as ever in his Toyota Corolla, and was pleased to finish ahead of the leading class 4 contenders. The Toyota of Damien McGauran from Belleek was the winner of that category, with Trevor Elliott from Kesh in an Escort second, and Enniskillen’s Rodney Donaldson making it an all-Northern Ireland podium.
With one further Loose Surface Autocross event to run in October, the battle for the Frank Harrington Challenge to determine the overall Mayo Autocross Champion for 2011 is hotting up nicely, with Peter McCullagh Snr, Lionel Percy and James Lannon among those in contention to claim the title. The man on the move though is Derek Deane, and despite missing the opening round, the Williamstown driver is now firmly in the mix for championship honours. Can he make it a hat-trick of victories in October?
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