News from the Weekend

MONDELLO RALLYCROSS

Another dominant performance from Tommy Graham saw the Kildareman clinch the Irish Rallycross title for the first time, with his Fiesta quickest in all three heats of Carlow CC’s event at Mondello Park, going on to win both the Supercar A and Super Finals. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing, as problems with the launch control allowed the Impreza of Andrew Morris to lead the main race for much of the opening lap. Once Graham took control, he charged away to a ten second victory, with David Dempsey leading a three way battle for third place ahead of Paul Pascoe. The order was the same in the Supercar A race.

In the Modified A Final, Barry McArdle’s Renault 5 made it four wins in a row, just beating Willie Coyne’s Corsa to the flag. However, double National champion Michael Coyne’s unhappy season continued with his Nova retiring due to gearbox problems. Ian O’Connell’s Fiesta took third position ahead of Chris Grimes. David Donoghue’s 205 won the B race easily.

Derek Tohill’s fourth Stock Hatch A Final win of the season clinched his fifth title in the class, his Peugeot 106 almost 5s ahead of Gordon Lynch’s similar car at the end, with outgoing champion Michael Duke’s 205 third, chased by Philip Lawless. Stock Hatch B continued the 106 advantage over the older 205s with Aaron Dalton leading Patrick Donoghue home.

In the Jondol Junior A Final, Niall Murray overcame serious odds to win by almost 4s, as the Starlet underwent a major rebuild during the day after double driver James Fleming inverted it in heat 3. The repairs were finished just in time for the ex-karter to take pole position for the Final and he romped away from Michael Cahill, who had come through as the B Final winner, with points leader Simon Quinn third.

In Monaghan, Navan driver J J Farrell scored his second win in eight days to strengthen his late charge for the Hewison Autotest Championship. Farrell, a former double title holder, started the season badly with two non-scoring events, but he is closing the gap on five times champion Eddie Peterson who again took second place on Sunday. Five rounds remain before the end of the season.