Power takes driver’s title
THE WINNERS of both the driver’s and navigator’s overall titles in the 2016 Suirway Group South East Stages Rally Championship were finally decided on the two-day Wexford Volkswagen Stages Rally over the weekend of September 10 and 11.
There was the possibility of any one of three competitors in each category taking the titles depending on the result on Sunday evening.
The crew of Mickey Conlon and Ciarán McPhillips in their MkII Escort were in pole position going into the event ahead of Eddie Power and John Rafter in a Toyota Corolla WRC, with David Condell in another MkII with an outside chance of taking the driver’s title.
Following the retirement of Condell on Saturday, it was left to Conlon/McPhillips and Power/Rafter to fight for the titles over the Sunday stages.
With the results of the championship being based on competitors’ finishing position in their respective classes, Eddie Power eventually overtook Mickey Conlon for the overall driver’s title.
The title of overall winning navigator did eventually go to Ciarán McPhillips while Power’s navigator, John Rafter, finished up taking second place in the navigators’ section.
The championship participants now look forward to their awards presentation night which is to be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017, in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow.