Nagle and Meeke lose ground in IRC race
KRIS Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle's, from Killarney, hopes of retaining their IRC championship title for 2010 took another blow on last weekend's Czech Barum Rally as the crew had to settle for 4th overall.
The crew started day one in 4th place after the spectator stage in the host city of Zlin and by the half way mark on day two had moved up to 3rd overall.
The crew lost time over the remaining loop of stages on day two as the weather conditions changed with heavy down pours of rain catching the crew out who were on dry weather tyres moving them back to fifth place.
Weather again played its part on the final eight stages on day three and the crew decided to drive for a finish and pick up valuable championship points and arrive at the finish ramp in fourth overall.
Meeke and Nagle will now prepare for the next round of the championship, Rally Sanremo in Italy on September 23/25.
This rally will bring back fantastic memories for the Irish crew having won the event last year and also creating history as the first Irish rally crew to be crowned Intercontinental Rally Challenge champions.
Meanwhile, Galway Motor Club hosted round four of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship last weekend with 131 rally crews crossing the start line in Loughrea.
Championship leader Monaghan's Niall Maguire was unable to compete due to work commitments but it was his son Shane and co-driver Enda Sherry who brought their Subaru N10 to the finish line in 5th overall and also claim maximum championship points as the top four were not registered.
Lyreacrompane's Mick Quinn and co-driver Grainne McEnery finished 9th overall and second in class 14 along with second placed championship points.
Ardfert's Paudie Casey who was co-driven by Ballyheigue's Gene Stack brought their Toyota Corolla Twincam to the finish ramp to claim 3rd place in class 13.
The Historic and Junior sections of the rally competed over the final five stages of the event. Tralee's Darren Young who was co-driven by Donal Balfe were on the pace all day and brought their Honda Civic to the finish ramp in second overall in the junior rally.
In the historic rally Tralee's Gerard McCarty and co driver Tommy Commane Jnr finished 4th overall and second in class but more importantly took second placed historic championship points to move into at 9 point lead of the Top Part Historic championship.
The rally was won by the Ford Escort MK11 crew of Monaghan's Gary McPhillips and co-driver Mark Tierney who finished 16 seconds ahead of Ford Focus WRC crew Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly.
- Seamus O'Connor
