Condell's "Electric" Stradbally Win

The pairing of David Condell and Liam Grant emerged victorious from the inaugural Laois Rallysport Club Rallysprint held in Stradbally last weekend. 

With closed road motorsport still not an option under current public health guidelines, Laois Rallysport Club must be commended for offering a very good alternative to rally competitors, in a brand new venue, Stradbally Hall. The venue, well known for hosting the Electric Picnic music and arts festival, played host to a different type of stage as a 4km section was identified for competitive use among the warren of gravel roads within the estate grounds under the guidance of Clerk of the Course, Pat O'Connor. 

In hot dusty conditions Stephen Dickson and Dermot McCafferty were fastest on the opening stage in their Mitsubishi Evolution 9 but were overhauled by the hard charging Condell who took the lead on stage 2 with a fastest time as he got to grips with his NPL hired Ford Fiesta Rally 2. Ultimately, it was a lead Condell wasn't to lose. Condell continued to set fastest times on stages 3, 4 and 5 giving him a comfortable 14.2 second lead heading into the sixth and final stage which he and Grant cruised through to take a popular win. Dickson and McCafferty following their strong start eventually dropped to fourth place but won class 5A. Dickson's father Ashley enjoyed a strong run in his Ford Fiesta R5 and following a day long battle with Daniel Cronin, eventually edged him out by 0.1 of a second for the runners up spot with Cronin rounding out the podium.

Laois Rallysport Club Rallysprint top 10

1) David Condell / Liam Grant
2) Ashley Dickson / Paddy McCrudden
3) Daniel Cronin / JJ Cremin
4) Stephen Dickson / Dermot McCafferty
5) Pat O'Connell / Mark Wiley
6) PJ O'Connor / Denny Greaney
7) John Lynch / Mark Kirwan
8) Pete McCullagh / Callum Maguire
9) David Crossen / Mark Faulkner
10) Ian Dickson / John McCafferty