Newcomer Daniel in runners-up spot

Newcomer Daniel in runners-up spot

21 January 2015

ANNAHILT teenager Daniel Harper put in a flying performance in the first round of the 2015 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, which took place at Kirkistown recently.

Daniel finished runner-up in the event which comprised six stages over tarmac, concrete and loose gravel, and attracted eight top class junior drivers.

Fourteen year-old Daniel, who was only competing in his second junior event set the cat among the pigeons early on when he held a four-second lead after the first stage in his Peugeot 107.

However, 15 year-old Josh McErlean, who won his debut event at Shackleton, equalled Daniel’s time on stage two, and powered his 107 to impressive times over stages three and four to open up a six-second advantage.

On stage five, Daniel had a great run, equalling McErlean’s time, but it could have been so much better after coming to virtually a standstill to negotiate a stranded car.

McErlean had enough in hand and ped just 0.8 of a second to Daniel on the final stage to seal a narrow 5.3 second victory.

The championship for 14-17 year old drivers, now in its fourth season, is also supported by the rally classified website www.rallysales.eu and Superdrive Motorsports Centre.

Starting at number one was Philip White, the 16 year-old who finished third in last year’s series in his Nissan Micra.

With the experienced Marty McGarrity alongside, the pair were fourth fastest on stage one. Ultimately, they ended the day in fifth place and first of the Micra Musketeers.

At number two was 14 year-old Loughgall driver Peter Bennett, with Arthur Kierans alongside him in the Citroen C1.

A spin on stage one was to cost valuable seconds, and for the rest of the day Peter was setting similar times to the leaders, to finish a fine third, just 29 seconds behind the winner.

Ending the day in fourth place was Michael McGarrity with co-driver Kyle Orr in his Peugeot 107.

The 16 year-old driver was having a good day, with times very close to the leading three, but on two stages he was held up by back markers on his second lap, losing over ten seconds and had to fight back on the closing tests to clinch that fourth position.

In sixth place were 15 year old Sam Stewart and co-driver Stephen Peoples, from Letterkenny in Donegal.

They made the long journey to Kirkistown, leaving in thick snow, but really enjoyed their first Junior 1000 event in their Nissan Micra. Along the way they set some very promising stage times.

Bailie McClinton had a dramatic day in his Nissan. The 16 year-old Broughshane driver, with Niall Burns co-driving, was having a great battle with Sam Stewart, and was holding him until an overshoot on stage five cost him over two minutes. He also partially blocked the track as the car refused to restart.

On the final stage Bailie was the fastest Micra by three seconds, demonstrating great potential once again.

On his first ever junior rally was 16 year-old Jack Cairns from Strabane, with co-driver Tommy Hayes making the long trip from Killarney in their Peugeot 107.

Jack had very little experience before this and throughout the day he improved his times to close the gap to the drivers in front as he scooped some points in eighth place.

It was a fantastic start to the championship and it looks like the racing is going to be extremely close in 2015, as the competitors prepare for round two back at Kirkistown on February 14.