Press Release
Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan took a start-to-finish win in the Ardmore Air Conditioning Longford Arms Hotel Midland Moto Rally on Sunday – the opening round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
It was the Volkswagen Polo gtI crew’s second victory together after taking their maiden victory on the Rally of the Lakes last May.
After an unseasonably dry morning, the rain landed for the final loop of three stages near Longford town.
They cruised through the final Bawn stage to take a 10.7-second victory over former British Rally Champion Matt Edwards.
The Welsh victory and his Cork co-driver David Moynihan who driving Keith Lyons Ford Fiesta Rally 2 enjoyed a rally-long battle with Josh Moffett.
Moffet admitted to a few hairy moments, especially in the middle loop, as he tried, unsuccessfully, to stave off the Edwards challenge but takes bonus points into round two after winning the PowerStage.
Darren Gass and Barry McNulty in their Citroen C3 Rally 2 spun on the first hairpin on stage one and stalled on the start line of stage six but they were able to hold off of Sam Moffatt and Keith Moriarty in their newer version of the Hyundai 20 Rally 2 to take fourth place.
With Edwards not registered Gass and McNulty scored third-placed points in the Triton Showers Championship.
Gary Kiernan and his new co-driver John McCabe won the Modified Section of the rally in their Ford Escort. They enjoyed a rally-long battle with Galway International Rally modified winners Mark Alcorn and Domhnall McAleney, but the Cavan crew were able to get the upper hand over the wetter roads towards the end of the rally.
London Irish Motor Club crew Paul McDevitt and Ray Fitzpatrick won the historic rally in their Belga-liveried Ford Escort Mk2.
Monaghan’s Jack McKenna and Damien Doherty got the better of defending Triton Showers National Junior Champions Joe Browen and Tommy Cuddihy to win the junior rally – both driving Honda Civics.
Next up is the Tralee-based Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry in Tralee on April 2. Click here to view the full photo gallery from the event.
