Donegal’s Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) returned to winning ways in dramatic circumstances with a final stage victory to win the Carlow Stages Rally, the third round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
The weather and the lead changed many times, the latter on five occasions over the nine stages. For Lettermacaward driver Boyle (28) it was his first win of the season and in the current national series – finishing 4.5s ahead of the similar car of Tyrone’s Cathan McCourt with Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 9s further behind in third.
The rally lead changed hands five times, underlining how competitive the event was. Going into the final stage, Welsh driver Merion Evans held a narrow 6.2-second advantage over Boyle, while Eamonn Eves was only 1.6 seconds further adrift.
Behind them, Josh Moffett, Cathan McCourt and Darren Doyle were all close enough to capitalise on any mistake.
Unfortunately, Eves spun and later slid off and didn’t finish the final stage. Boyle took his first win of the season, his first in the current Triton campaign where he also annexed the bonus point for winning the Power Stage.
Victory in the Modified category and the Mk2 Challenge went to Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle (Ford Escort).
