Neil
McCance and co-driver Jonny Hart recorded a double-victory this
weekend on the Carlow-based Lord Bagenal Hotel Stages, by not
only winning round three of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution
Challenge Ireland, but also winning the event overall – the
first time McCance has achieved an outright victory in 21 years
of competing. Brendan Cumiskey/Conor Foley claimed second in the
Evo Challenge, with Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly third, both
finishing in the top-ten overall.
The
event comprised eight stages on closed roads south of the host
town of Leighlinbridge. A loop of three stages were held before
the first service halt and then the same three were repeated
before the second with a final loop of two before the finish.
Although
just four of the eight crews registered for the Mitsubishi series
had entered this one-day event – others unable to compete
due to a variety of commitments - Evolution Challenge officials
were delighted that rally organisers had seeded them all at
the front of the 114 car field.
Dry
and sunny conditions greeted crews for the start in Leighlinbridge,
the first car away that of John McGlaughlin/Crawford Henderson.
However, their place at the front of the field was short-lived,
when – on the very first stage – they felt the car
handling strangely, the fault traced to a detached plug in the
wiring for the diff control.
In
contrast, McCance/Hart were flying and posted a time 13 seconds
quicker to lead the Evolution Challenge charge and the overall
event. With their car back to 100% for SS2 McGlaughlin/Henderson
exited the stage in equal second place with Cumiskey/Foley,
but on SS3 things became decidedly worse, when McGlaughlin felt
his car rapidly looking power before the engine stopped completely
towards the end of the stage.
Although
unsure as to the cause, he and Henderson managed to get going
again and nurse the car back to the service area. However, the
team were unable to rectify the problem and therefore had no
choice but to retire.
After
the first loop McCance/Hart had extended their Evo Challenge
lead to 52 seconds, while Cumiskey/Foley were 37 seconds ahead
of Moffett/O’Reilly who were getting to know their new
car, Moffett only taking delivery of his replacement Evo IX
the evening before the rally.
The
second loop of three stages saw the leaders extend their lead
further, leaving Cumiskey/Foley and Moffett/O’Reilly swapping
stage time behind them. However, in the battle for overall positions
the array of Mk II Escorts that followed McCance/Hart were beginning
to chip away at the Mitsubishi crew’s advantage and, when
crews came into the second service halt, time sheets showed
their lead in the Evo Challenge was now nearly two minutes and
23 seconds in the overall event.
With
just two stages to go, McCance/Hart were determined to finish
what they started and, following a faultless drive through SS7
and SS8, they emerged from the final stage to win the Evo Challenge
by over two-and-a-half minutes and the overall event by 15 seconds,
providing them both with their first ever outright victory which,
in McCance’s case, was after 21 years of rallying.
“My
main aim this weekend was to win the Evolution Challenge, but
to win the event overall as well is a fantastic bonus,”
said McCance, “I tried to put the thought of the outright
win to the back of my mind and concentrate on the Evo Challenge,
but I must admit that as we got near the finish I did quietly
hope that we would do it and therefore I’m delighted with
the result.”
Cumiskey/Foley
held their sound second place in the Evolution Challenge and
finished sixth overall, 53 seconds ahead of Moffett/O’Reilly
who were third and eighth overall - all three Mitsubishi crews
scoring a top-ten result
The
fourth round of the Mitsubishi series sees crews return to South
West Ireland for the Ravens Rock Rally, the Carrick-on-Suir
event taking place on 27th June.
For
the first time this season, the winner of the Evolution Challenge
in each of the three countries it takes place, UK, Ireland and
Sweden, will win the same prize: A supported drive in the FxPro
Rally Cyprus, the final round of the IRC (Intercontinental Rally
Challenge). Then, whichever of the three teams are first home
on this event, will be crowned European Evolution Challenge
Champions.
The
2010 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland is supported
by: Mitsubishi Motors, Pirelli tyres, Sunoco fuels, JRM, Cyprus
Automobile Association, Fairways Mitsubishi, Donnelly Group,
James Foley Rallysport, Speedline Corse wheels, Murray Motorsport,
CL brake pads, Sparco racewear, Pacenotes and PIAA lights -
who sponsor the junior award for under 25-year old drivers.
Evolution
Challenge round three results
1 Neil McCance (Comber)/Jonny Hart (Carryduff) 1:10:03
2 Brendan Cumiskey (Dundalk)/Conor Foley (Ballinode) 1:12:37
3 Sam Moffett (Monaghan)/ James O’Reilly (Monaghan) 1:13:30
Retirements
SS3 John McGlaughlin (Cookstown)/Crawford Henderson (Magherafelt)
Engine
