Patrick O’Brien had vowed to do everything in his power to win this weekend’s McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally with brother Stephen for a record-equalling fourth consecutive time.
In the end the brothers did just that. Winning the event by just 0.7 of second from nearest competitors Cathan McCourt and Brian Hoy in a day of pure drama.
Patrick O’Brien had been the man to beat at the Omagh Motor Club showpiece in the past three years – although none of his victories at the loose surface fixture have ever been by more than a few seconds.
The Fabia R5 had carried him to the top step of the podium on two of these occasions and once again it brought him success. McCourt got the advantage on the opening stage and kept it till the halfway mark with the O’Briens with a 3.5 second lead.
Back came McCourt however, going into the final stage he had a 1.5 second lead. However O’Briens claimed the stage win by 2 seconds and winning the overall event in one of the closest finishes you will see in Irish Rallying this year.
Vivian Hamill claimed third in the VW Polo GTI R5 while Shane McGirr once again won the 2WD category with Craig Rahill got the bragging rights in the FWD class.
