HENRY TAKES THE TURKEY AT SHACKLETON
The domestic season in Northern Ireland concluded at Shackleton between Christmas and New Year last month, with Desi Henry making it successive Turkey Run Rally wins in his Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Henry completed the fivestage event with a healthy 11.2-second advantage. However, the reigning Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge champion did not have it all his own way as Gareth Sayers led after the first 6.8-mile stage.
But a fastest time on the second stage by Henry around the former RAF complex turned a 5.4s deficit into a 5.3s lead. With his brother Mark co-driving, Henry proved uncatchable on the remaining three special stages as he capped off his
2022 campaign on a high note.
“That was the Christmas present I really wanted,” he said afterwards. “We got caught out by all the rain on the first stage. We definitely got the worst of it but we stuck at it and we got our reward.”
Until the penultimate stage eight-time Northern Ireland Rally champion Derek McGarrity appeared odds-on to round out the podium places first time out in his Ford Fiesta WRC. However, a blown turbo hose forced him to stop and efforts to solve the problem meant he incurred a stage maximum.
That elevated Aaron McLaughlin, winner in 2019, up to third, 6.4s clear of the similar Ford Fiesta R5 driven by fellow Irishman Stephen Wright.
Results
Organiser: Maiden City Motor Club When:
December 29, 2022 Where: Shackleton Stages: 5 Starters: 78
1 Desi Henry/Mark Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2) 35m30.2s; 2 Gareth Sayers/Gareth Gilchrist (Ford Fiesta R5) +11.2s; 3 Aaron McLaughlin/ Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta R5); 4 Stephen Wright/Gregory McQuillan (Ford Fiesta R5); 5 Cathan McCourt/Sean O’Donnell (Ford Fiesta R5); 6 Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 7 Jason Mitchell/Paddy McCrudden (Volkswagen Polo GTi R5); 8 Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Ford Fiesta R5); 9 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 10 Alan Carmichael/Lewis Carmichael (Hyundai i20 R5).