Donegal cousins Declan and Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) won the Trim based Smartpart ALMC Rally, the fifth round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
Taking the lead on the second stage they went on to finish 43.4 seconds clear of the Ford Fiesta WRC of title favourites Clonmel’s Roy White and Cork’s James O’Brien.
Warrenpoint’s Peadar Hurson and his Monaghan co-driver Damien Connolly (Subaru WRC) were 15.6 seconds further behind in third.
Former champion Hurson (Subaru WRC) was quickest on the opening stage, albeit a half a second ahead of Boyle, with Monaghan’s Niall Maguire eight seconds further behind in third followed by Triton Showers series leader Roy White.
Boyle arrived at the Trim service park as rally leader 14.8 seconds in front of Hurson, who reckoned the suspension settings of his Subaru was far too soft.
White was just 0.8 of a second further behind in third - he lost time on the opening stage when he hadn’t his Fiesta in gear at the start line.
Niall Maguire was untroubled in fourth.
Out on the second loop, Boyle gained some five seconds on the fourth stage, while White was quickest on S.S. 5 and Boyle responded with the best time on S.S. 6 – nine tenths of a second ahead of White.
In the overall context, Boyle led White by 20.3 seconds.
Using the same set of tyres for the second loop Boyle claimed that he was having to brake earlier due to the lack of grip.
For his part White was content with his pace.
Having changed the differential and suspension settings of his Subaru, Hurson was third – 9.5 seconds adrift of White and 16.6 seconds clear of Niall Maguire.
Late entry Desi Henry Skoda Fabia R5) completed the loop without any drama to consolidate fifth.
Hugh Hunter retired on S.S. 4 when his Subaru hit a tree.
Steve Wood remained the top overseas driver – he was fifth, followed by the Subaru WRC’s of Mel Evans and Steve Simpson.
On the final loop Boyle dominated all three stages including the Power Stage as he took a maximum 23 points, however, with White taking second spot and two points from the Power Stage (20 points) Boyle’s title bid has all but evaporated.
Meanwhile, Hurson kept his bid on track with third place, while fourth placed Niall Maguire also remains in the reckoning for the Vard Memorial Trophy.
Henry and Wood completed an unchanged top six.
Overseas drivers Mel Evans and Steve Simpson were next in classification.
