Ballina Forest Rally - 5 Dec '99

Posted: December 7, 1999 10:17 AM

Dermot Kelly's newly acquired Escort Cosworth 4wd proved the fastest and most durable against the elements. Said Dermot; "We are absolutely delighted with this win especially as it was one of the hardest events of the year. Our aim was to keep with the leaders right through and up the pace towards the end. Thankfully it all worked well." Eugene Donnelly and his Escort MK2 kept the pressure on right to the end and once again impressed many with his slip-sliding style in the 2wd car. John Donnelly/Greg McCarthy from Cork pulled up a number of places to record 3rd overall in a Sierra Cosworth 4wd.

Best of the locals was Tubbercurry's Noel McCarrick and Eugene O'Donnell in a Subaru Impreza with a top 10 finish.

It was a day for heavy coats, pull-ups and wellingtons as from early on heavy rain made conditions extremely difficult for both competitor and spectator alike. As the event progressed many of the pre-event favourites succumbed to the North Mayo off-road terrain notably early leader Brian Murphy and Joe Downey (Navan) crashing out on Special Stage 4 at Kenagh II near Crossmolina in a Mitsubishi Lancer.

Dominic McNeill/Frank Regan (Ballymena) also led for a while in an Escort but retired on Special Stage 6 at Shaneltra, west of Ballycastle. The deteriorating conditions meant that the final Special Stage at Glenora River had to be cancelled, despite the best efforts of the organisers Mayo & District Motorsport Club.

From the 76 starters only 34 crews made it to the finish ramp in Crossmolina such was the high levels of attrition over the seven gruelling stages.

Dermot Kelly and Greg Shinnors have now extended their lead in the drivers and co-drivers categories in the National Series to 13 points over Niall Driver/Francis Corrigan as the Motorsport Ireland Championship moves on to Limerick for Round 5 on Sunday 9th January, 2000.

-	RESULTS - TOP 10 - 

 1.	D Kelly/G Shinnors (Limerick) Escort Cosworth - 41.55
 2.	E Donnelly/P. Nagle (Derry) Escort MK2 -42.36
 3.	J Donnelly/G. McCarthy (Antrim) Sierra Cosworth 43.27
 4.	Niall Driver/F. Corrigan (Wicklow) Escort Cosworth - 43.42
 5.	P. McCullagh/H. McKenna (Maynooth) Escort Cosworth - 43.50
 6.	Noel Driver/J. Shinnors (Limerick) Escort Cosworth 44.00
 7.	S. Donnelly/P. Garry (Derry) Peugeot 106 S16 - 44.03
 8.	P. Shaw/N. Fraser (Cookstown) Escort - 44.36
 9.	N. McCarrick/E. O'Donnell (Tubbercurry) Subaru Impreza - 45.25
10.	F. Kelly/P. McGuckin (Kildare) Subaru Impreza - 45.58