McKinstry stages late rally to take first place

McKinstry stages late rally to take first place

17 February 2016

KENNY McKinstry and Aaron Faulkner stormed the final stage to take a superb victory on the Pacenotes Stages Rally, round one of the MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship at Kirlistown on Saturday.

It turned out to be a frantic race, between the two multiple NI Champions — Kenny in his S14 WRC Impreza, and Derek McGarrity in a 1600cc WRC Fiesta. Amazingly, they were tied on time entering the final stage, but McGarrity’s car was in obvious trouble on the first lap, running on three cylinders. Kenny was unaware of this and was visibly on the limit.

“I thought I wasn’t going to make it around the corners near the pits, we were really trying. It was a great race with Derek all day and I’m very happy.” As for Derek, he was the first to congratulate his long-time rival. “I’m not sure the cause of the misfire. It cleared on the second lap, so I don’t know why it happened. I must say that I really enjoyed driving this car though, it’s very good.”

Not too far back in third was Peader Hurson in his S10 Impreza WRC, the former Irish National Champion’s only drama was touching a bale in a half spin, in what were sometimes slippery conditions.

Two wheel driver winner Wesley Patterson’s 2.5 MK2 Escort was showing signs from a small excursion, running wide whilst trying to overtake a slower Mitsubishi, but the Lisburn driver charged up to fourth overall overtaking Alastair Cochrane, who had led the two wheel race for much of the day in his 2 litre MK2. 

The Bushmills farmer won class 6 ending up eighth overall. Emma McKinstry completed the family success with a fine fifth, whilst Matthew McGaffin powered his Group N Mitsubishi Evo 7 into an impressive sixth, ahead of former NI champion George Robinson in his Group A Evo 9. Jonny Morrow brought his Evo 6 into ninth ahead of Clive Kilpatrick’s Group N Evo 9.

In 11th was championship sponsor Fintan McGrady, having a fine run in his 2.5 MK2 Escort, just 0.4 of a second ahead of Rodney White’s 2 litre Vauxhall engined Sunbeam.

Significant retirements included former NI Champion Stuart Biggerstaff in his S9 Impreza, the similar car of Mark Massey with engine problems, Jonny Leonard’s Evo 6 with a damaged intercooler and Historic leader Richard Hall’s Sierra Cosworth with an oil pipe failure.

Round two of the McGrady series is on the closed road stages of the Circuit of Ireland, which takes place after Easter this year on the weekend of April 7-9.

The second round of the 2016 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, in 

association with Rallysales.eu took place at Kirkistown, for North Armagh Motor Club’s Pacenotes Stages event. 

Just four junior 1000 crews lined up for the six stage event, in cold but, generally dry conditions, as the 14-17 year rally stars of the future took to the mixed surfaced special stages.

Round 1 winner was 2015 champion Josh McErlean, and the 16 year old with co-driver Tommy McErlean in his familiar Peugeot 107 was to assume the lead position again. Indeed, the Kilrea teenager would set fastest time on each of the six stages, and was delighted as he crossed the finish line. 

The event was ideal preparation also for an assault on the English Junior 1000 series and with the first round next month the MacSport team are well warmed up.

Expected to be second were 15 year-old Peter Bennett with co-driver Arthur Kierans, the reigning Scottish champions debuting their sleek black Skoda Citigo.

Teething problems had prevented the debut on round one and just before stage one the car went into safe mode, clocking up the team two stage maximums. 

The series heads for round three, which now be at St.Angelo, Enniskillen on May Day, May 2, for the Enniskillen Motor Clubs popular event.