Defending National Rally champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes scored their first win of the year when they brought their Hyundai i20 R5 to a 28 second victory in Abbeyleix over the similar car of Desi Henry and John Rowan.
They set the pace on the opening stage in the Birr and District MC event, and were never headed all day, with their Northern Ireland rivals equally secure in runner-up position all the way. British visitors Ollie Mellors and Max Freeman were third for Proton, a minute clear of veteran Eugene Donnelly.
Young Rally Driver of the Year Josh McErlean held fourth position after three of the six stages, but suffered a puncture on the next test and had a problem while changing the wheel, losing too much time to continue.
Fergil Gregory took his fourth win of the season in a close finish to the Leinster Lincoln and Nolan Cup Sporting Trial at Glendalough, just ahead of the Meeke father and son pairing, with David a single mark ahead of Richard, and the top four finishers covered by two marks on a high scoring day.
Below are results for Motorsport Ireland competitions that took place over the weekend.
BIRR & DISTRICT M C ABBEYLEIX MANOR HOTEL STAGES RALLY AT ABBEYLEIX, CO LAOIS (ROUND 1 OF TOP PART WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP AND HUGO LOONAM MOTORS CLOGHAN MIDLANDS EAST CHAMPIONSHIP):
1 Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) 58m 18s,
2 Desi Henry/John Rowan (Hyundai i20 R5) 58m 46s,
3 Ollie Mellors/Max Freeman (Proton Iriz R5) 59m 00s,
4 Eugene Donnelly/John McElhinney (Proton Iriz R5) 59m 59s,
5 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Fiesta WRC) 60m 51s,
6 Stephen McCann/John McCabe (Fiesta R5) 61m 00s,
7 Enda O’Brien/John Butler (Escort) 61m 28s,
8 Daniel Cronin/Shane Buckley (Fiesta R5) 61m 34s,
9 Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming (Corolla) 61m 36s,
10 Marty Toner/Jack McKenna (Escort) 62m 10s.
Group N award: Alan O’Callaghan/Brian Hassett (Impreza) 64m 21s.
Historics: 1 David Griffin/P J O’Dowd (Corolla) 75m 24s.
Juniors: 1 Cathal Mullins/Ayrton Sherlock (Civic) 68m 44s.
LEINSTER MOTOR CLUB LINCOLN & NOLAN CUP SPORTING TRIAL AT CULLENTRAGH, GLENDALOUGH, CO WICKLOW:
1 Fergil Gregory (Erskine-Yamaha) 40 marks,
2 David Meeke (BD-Opel) 41m,
3 Richard Meeke (BD-Opel) 42m,
4 Siobhan McCann (JMcVW) 42m,
5 Percy Pennefather (Erskine-Suzuki) 44m,
6 Tommy Gregory Jnr (VW) 44m,
7 Joe McCann (JMcVW) 45m,
8 Enda Byrne (VW) 47m,
9 Philip Hughes (Hughes-Honda) 47m,
10 Dennis Burke (VW) 47m,
11 Alan Watkins (Sheane VW) 48m,
12 David Pain (Kilkenny VW) 51m.
Grade winners: Richard Meeke, David Meeke, Dennis Burke, Paul Gleeson (VW) 64m.