England’s Matthew Wilson, driving a Ford Focus WRC and partnered by Michael Orr, had a clear victory in Rally Ireland 2005, the pilot event held over two days in Fermanagh, Leitrim and Sligo.
The margin of Matthew Wilson’s victory ahead of second placed Eamonn Boland of Wexford, who was also driving a Ford Focus WRC, was four minutes, 55.2 seconds.
Dublin’s Gareth MacHale secured third place in his Toyota Corolla WRC.
Daniel Carlsson finished in fourth on the overall leaderboard and the World Rally Championship regular later said: "There is no reason why Ireland should not be in the World Championship."
RALLY IRELAND RESULTS
1 M Wilson Ford Focus 2:01:07.0
2 E Boland Ford Focus +0:04:55.2
3 G MacHale Toyota Corolla +0:06.04.3
4 D Carlsson Mitsubishi Lancer +0:07.16.4
5 F Loix Suzuki Ignis +0:09.35.3
6 S Devine Subaru Impreza +0:10.36.2
