MACKAREL BAGS WILLIE LOUGHMAN FORESTRY GLORY
A brave performance over six fast stages on the Kilkenny and Wexford borders gave Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta R5) and co-driver Darren Curran their maiden victory.
They finished 20.6s ahead of Jordan and Paul Hone, who edged out Stephen McCann and John McCabe by a mere 0.2s in what was a Fiesta R5 lockout of the top three places.
Mackarel netted a 5.1s lead over Gareth Mimnagh (Ford Fiesta R5) on the opening stage where Darragh Cairns (Skoda Fabia) was 2s further behind and just ahead of the hired Ford Fiesta Rally2 of David Condell. Hone lost around 25s with a spin and languished in ninth but he was best on SS2 to move up to sixth as Mackarel went 15.1s further ahead with McCann progressing from fifth to second.
Mackarel, McCann and Hone all beat the bogey on SS3 but it was still enough for the latter to continue his upward climb – 7.2s further behind in third. Mimnagh, with scant knowledge of the southern terrain, was fourth while Condell (fifth) expected more progress. Cairns was concerned by a crack in the radiator when his Skoda bottomed out.
Apart from tightening a steering bolt, there was no stopping Mackarel who dominated SS4 and SS5 to secure a fine win. Hone reeled in McCann for second on the final stage by a mere
0.2s. Mimnagh, Condell and Cairns followed. Seventh placed McGirr again thrilled with his Lada winning the rear-wheel-drive category and netting seventh overall followed by the Fiesta Rally4 of Ryan McHugh, who was equally impressive.
In the J1000s Oisin McShane (VW UP) took a late win over long-time leader Ross Ryan (Peugeot 107), who damaged the suspension on the final stage.
Results
Organiser: Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club When: April 14 Where: County Waterford Championships: Irish Forest National Rally Championship, Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series, South-East Stages Rally Championship Starters: 94.
1 Derek Mackarel/Daniel Curran (Ford Fiesta R5) 37m23.3s; 2 Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Ford Fiesta R5) +20.6s; 3 Stephen McCann/John McCabe (Ford Fiesta R5); 4 Gareth Mimnagh/Barry McCarney (Ford Fiesta R5); 5 David Condell/Michael Coady (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 6 Darragh Cairns/Mark Preston (Skoda Fabia); 7 Shane McGirr/Denver Rafferty (Lada VFTS); 8 Ryan McHugh/Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta Rally4); 9 Mickey Conlon/James McEneaney (Ford Escort); 10 Dylan Eves/Ryan Farrell (Ford Fiesta Rally4). Class winners: McHugh/ Kierans; John Ward/Brian Martyn (Ford Fiesta R2); Eoin Neville/ Brendan Quinn (Mitsubishi Lancer E9); Mimnagh/McCarney; Gary Fitzpatrick/Darragh Smyth (Ford Escort); Mike Garahy/Iarla McCarthy Ford Escort); Ian McCarthy/Patrick O’Sullivan (Honda Civic); Paul O’Connell/Brian Quinlan (Ford Escort); Donal Connolly/Danny McLaughlin (Ford Escort); Raymond Jr; Benskin/Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort); McGirr/Rafferty; David Fitzsimons/Liam Callaghan (Mitsubishi Lancer E3); Aaron Doyle/Anthony McDonald (Honda Civic); Walter Burke/Bobby Cooper (Ford Escort); Barry Murphy/ Conal Doherty (Mitsubishi Lancer E9); Oisin McShane/Fabian McShane (VW Up!).