Despite Derek McGarrity’s limited outings this season the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo driver took a start-to-finish win at the 14-stage-long EuroAuto Commercials Tyrone Stages at Benone by 5.3 seconds, writes William Neill.
McGarrity, co-driven by Graham Henderson, was challenged by Aaron McLaughlin up until a broken driveshaft resulted in a non-finish and meant the top three in the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship remained as they were going into the final with both an absent Jonny Greer and Jason Dickson heading McLaughlin.
McGarrity wasn’t the top points claimant however having opted for the open class and so, for the first time this season, rally runner up and two-wheel-drive entrant Barry Morris scored maximum points.
“Today was a good day,” Morris said at the finish. “I’ve had multiple retirements in my own car this year so I was fortunate enough to be offered my father’s Darrian. Good old faithful didn’t disappoint – this car (Darrian T90 GTR+) is a missile.”
Morris and Martin Harte started to punch fastest times mid-event and again over the last four stages while conditions dried to nip ahead of Gareth Sayers and Gareth Gilchrist on the penultimate test to finish 7.5 seconds clear.
Sayers’ Ford Fiesta Rally2 was fourth fastest on SS1 before a first of three stage wins to spend most of the rally in second before that rapid Darrian got the better of the Castlederg duo.
Junior winner and fourth overall at the final round, former kart driver Ben McFall has impressed season-long in a Mitsubishi Lancer E9, 25.9 seconds from the podium at the weekend but place secured by 47.3 seconds with Connor O’Loan.
Conor Wilson and Kyle McDaid had a good run in fifth with a Hyundai i20 R5 option, ahead of leading lady Emma McKinstry and Kenny Hull by a minute. Trevor Ferguson and Michael Lavery were just 1.7 seconds back, in another Ford Fiesta R5.
Top of the Ford Escort Mk2 runners, Adrian Grant and Olivia Chambers finished eighth despite an off on SS4, for Chambers to take top lady co-driver position in the championship.
Toomebridge’s Kalum Graffin and Mark McGeehan finished ninth and Derek Gurney’s trusty Ford Sierra rounded off the top ten.
IN OTHER NEWS
Michael McGarrity suffered brake issues, a turbo problem side-lined Dominic McNeill and clutch problems hindered Niall Donnelly.
UP NEXT
Eyes now move to the remaining three rounds of the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge – currently led by Derek Mackarel and Darren Curran – with two rounds in September at the Lakeland and Bushwhacker before the Dogleap returns to gravel following a long stint at the airfield in Ballykelly.
RESULTS
1 Derek McGarrity/Graham Henderson (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo);
2 Barry Morris/Martin Harte (Darrian T90 GTR+);
3 Gareth Sayers/Gareth Gilchrist (Ford Fiesta Rally2);
4 Ben McFall/Connor O’Loan (Mitsubishi Lancer E9);
5 Conor Wilson/Kyle McDaid (Hyundai i20 R5);
6 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Ford Fiesta R5);
7 Trevor Ferguson/Michael Laverty (Ford Fiesta R5);
8 Adrian Grant/Olivia Chambers (Ford Escort Mk2);
9 Kalum Graffin/Mark McGeehan (Peugeot 208 Rally4);
10 Derek Gurney/Alan Conor (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth).
CLASS WINNERS
Class 1: John McCullough/Rachel McCullough (Ford Escort RS1800); Class 2: Kalum Graffin/Mark McGeehan (Peugeot 208 Rally4); Class 4: Darragh Kelly/Tony McGovern (Peugeot 208 R2); Class 5: Quentin Park/Jenson Park (Ford Escort Mk2); Class 6: Owen Mallon/Keith Hall (Ford Escort Mk2); Class 7: Barry Morris/Martin Harte (Darrian T90 GTR); Class 8: Ben McFall/Connor O’Loan (Mitsubishi Lancer E9); Class 9: Richard O’Lone/James Turkington (Ford Fiesta Rally3); Class 10: Conor Wilson/Kyle McDaid (Hyundai i20 R5); Class 11: Derek McGarrity/Graham Henderson (Skoda Fabia Rally2).
There is more coverage with an action photo gallery set to feature on the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship Facebook page and a highlights package on YouTube.
Words and Photos: WILLIAM NEILL/NI RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
