Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan took a comprehensive victory in the Waterford based Dooley’s Hotel Raven’s Rock Rally, the fifth round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
They finished a minute and 13.9 seconds ahead of the S11 Subaru WRC of Welsh driver Mel Evans and co-driver Mark Glennerster.
The Kerry/Cork combination of Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy were 22.8 seconds further behind in third.
The Group N category was won by Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi) and Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Toyota Starlet) won the Modified section.
A margin of 3.7 seconds was the closest that anyone got to Kelly and that was on the opening stage where Evans offered the best resistance.
By the opening loop Kelly had moved some 30 seconds clear with Evans in second followed by the Ford Focus WRC of Michael O’Brien, who clouted a chicane and broke the front right window.
Former champion Peadar Hurson (Subaru WRC) failed to make it to the start line of the opening stage – a leaking fuel tank brought a premature retirement.
Meanwhile, Chris Armstrong crashed his Escort on the first stage and Kevin Barrett was another casualty when he crashed his Subaru WRC on the third stage.
In hot conditions Kelly continued to blaze a trail and by the completion of S.S. 6 he led Evans by 52.6 seconds with Ring, despite an altercation with the scenery, remaining in third.
A dominant Kelly went on to seal another win, he was also fastest on the Power Stage to edge closer to winning the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
Gallagher led the two-wheel drive category all though while Craig Breen made an early morning dash from Belgium to compete on his local event – he entertained the crowds and finished just outside the top ten.
Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle (Escort) had an eventful day, hitting both the front and rear of his car, nevertheless, he won Class 14. Cork’s Jason Ryan (Toyota Starlet) won Class 11F.
1 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) 55m 36.3s
2 Melvyn Evans/Mark Glennerster (Subaru WRC) 56m 50.2s
3 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Subaru WRC) 57m 13.0s
4 Michael O’Brien/Liam Brennan (Ford Focus WRC) 57m 22.2s
5 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC) 57m 22.9s
6 Roy White/James O'Brien (MG ZR) 57m 31.1s
7 D Gallagher/R Moore (Toyota Starlet) 57m 58.4s
Triton Showers National Rally Championship – Provisional Positions after Round 5
1 D Kelly 112 pts
2 N Maguire 70 pts
3 A Ring 65 pts
4 R White 52pts
5 C Armstrong 46 pts
6 K Barrett 44pts
7 J Pringle 41pts
