Comfortable run to top spot for Stafford and Case in Darrian T90 GTR as winning margin nearly two minutes

Organiser: Wexford Motor Club When: September 8 Where: Wexford, Co Wexford Championships: South East Rally Championship; Midlands East Rally Championship Stages: 15 Starters: 96.

Once their only real rival crashed out James Stafford and Jeff Case (Darrian T90 GTR) were able to canter to victory in the Wexford Stages, finishing almost two minutes ahead of Stephen Mccann (Ford Fiesta R5) with Wesley Patterson (Ford Escort Mk2) 36.8 seconds further adrift in third.

Andrew Purcell (Fiesta R5) initially led through all bar the last of Saturday’s nine stages, a triple run over the customary three-stage loop.

He dropped over 20s with a visit into a field on SS2 and further time when his R5 stalled at the start of SS5. By the day’s penultimate stage he led Stafford by 12.1s, but two spins relegated him to second place as local hero Stafford (who also had a spin) led by 4.2s at the overnight halt.

Gary Kiernan was best of the rest until his Escort dropped a valve on the day’s final stage.

That promoted Mccann into third, although he was 1m 30s adrift. Late entry Pat O’connell (Mitsubishi Lancer E10) and Mike Quinn (Subaru Impreza WRC) failed to make it through the day, the latter with engine woes.

Sunday’s opening stage began with an overshoot for Stafford and yet another spin for Purcell, who overturned the deficit and led by 14.6s. However, the comeback was brief as he understeered into a bank on the next stage. From thereon Stafford took the spoils at ease. Elsewhere, local driver Thomas O’rourke took a hired Hyundai i20 R5 to fourth followed by Leon Galvin (Ford Escort Mk2).

Results

1 James Stafford/jeff Case (Darrian T90 GTR) 1h37m39.5s; 2 Stephen Mccann/damien Fleming (Ford Fiesta R5) +1m56.9s; 3 Wesley Patterson/johnny Baird (Ford Escort Mk2); 4 Thomas O’rourke/tomas Scallan (Hyundai i20 R5); 5 Leon Galvin/ger Foley (Escort Mk2); 6 John Reddington/kenny Bustard (Fiesta); 7 Paul Rowley/darragh Mullen (Fiesta R5); 8 Justin Smyth/ James Mceneaney (Escort Mk2); 9 James Bradley/david Byrne (Escort Mk2); 10 Neil Williams/anthony O’sullivan (Escort MK2). Class winners: Sean Kenny/william Lynch (Honda Civic); Darragh/aoife Rafferty (Peugeot 208); Richie Dalton/ger Brett (Subaru Impreza); O’rourke/scallan; John Barry/eddie Byrne (Austin Mini); Ger Kelly/des Curtis (Peugeot 205 GTI); Andy/dan Nash (Civic); Tommy Kelly/andy Firman (Escort Mk2); Smyth/ Mceneaney; Galvin/foley; Evans/henry; Brian Rowan/darragh Walsh (Civic); Mick Lonergan/shane Corcoran (Civic); Williams/ O’sullivan; Ian Davies/wyn Thomas (BMW M3); Reddington/ Bustard; Kenny O’brien/gavin Croke (Vauxhall Nova).