For
Immediate Release: 14th March 2010
McGarrity
the Bishopscourt Master Once Again!
The
McGrady Insurance Bishopscourt Stages Rally, round two of the
Hankook Northern Ireland Rally Championship was won in convincing
fashion by Glengormley's Derek McGarrity on Saturday. With a
margin of 1 minute 14 seconds after the 6 special stages, over
second placed George Robinson, it was a convincing victory for
Derek and co-driver James McKee in their S12 Subaru. Derek having
won the event and the Summer Stages at Bishopscourt last year
did not disappoint. Another great drive came from third placed
Stuart Biggerstaff, the 21 year old in the S9 Subrau impressing
yet again with third place, whilst Gary White took a fine fourth
in his older 555 Subaru.
Cool
but dry conditions greeted the crews for the Ballynahinch and
District Motor Club event, which ran like clockwork. Clerk of
the course Paul Conlon was delighted with the day. "I think
the event ran well, and the competitors enjoyed the stages.
A couple of new sections proved popular with the competitors,
and we also resurfaced the jump, which seemed to encourage even
more air! It was a good day and thanks to all the marshals involved."
The battles on the stages were intense amongst the 94 starters,
and the Group N Production battle was one of the closest fought,
with Kieron Graffin taking the spoils, ahead of Alan Carmichael,
Raymond Johnston and surprise newcomer Graham Ballantine, all
in Evo 9 Mitsubishi's. Just behind them Drew Stewart took the
honours in the two wheel drive race and class 7 by just 2.9
seconds ahead of James Kennedy, James having been up late the
night before fitting a new engine to his MK2 Escort. Event sponsor
Fintan McGrady, was a fine 14th overall, with young Jonny Greer
sampling the co-driver's seat of the MK2 Escort.
Other
class winners included, Jonny Leonard- Fiesta, class 1, Gareth
Sayers- Nova, class 3, Brian Quigley- Peugeot 205, class 4,
Andrew Wilson- Toyota Starlet, class 5, Oran Donnelly- Ford
Escort, class 6, and John Waring- Ford Escort, class 8. In the
Historic class Phillip Hunter in his sideways MK2 BDA Escort
edged out Andy Johnson's rare HSR Chevette by just 1.3 seconds
in what was a closely fought day.
McGrady
Insurance Bishopscourt Stages 2010 - Top 10
