Reigning national champions Josh Moffett and his Wexford co-driver Andy Hayes took a start to finish victory in the Cavan Rally, the third round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.
Another of the Moffett siblings, Sam (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), who was co-driven by Killarney’s Shane Buckley, finished 18.2s behind after they edged out the Donegal duo of Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2) by 3.7s on the final stage.
Changeable weather conditions made it difficult as Josh Moffett coped best and with a trio of fastest times on the first loop, he led Sam by 15.7s with Eves, with one of his best performances since switching to Rally2, just two seconds further behind in third.
Kilkenny’s Eddie Doherty had a huge moment over a jump on the opening stage (where Sam Moffett also had a similar moment), a spin on the second stage and a time loss on SS3, saw him down in fifth – 24.3s off top spot. Michael Boyle was the first major retirement when his Skoda Fabia Rally2 slid off and crashed into a tree during the opening stage.
The stage interruption rule was implemented on SS4 when the services were called to the assistance of Kesh driver Garry Jennings and his co-driver Brian Hoy when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 crashed heavily.
Meanwhile, the top three of Josh and Sam Moffett and Eves each took a stage win as Josh led the family battle by 19.1s.
Rain showers continued to make tyre choice a lottery and while Josh Moffett maintained a good lead, his brother Sam lost second place to a charging Eves, who entered the final stage just 1.4s ahead of his rival, who was determined to regain second and win the Power Stage to reduce his brother’s haul of championship points, he managed to achieve both.
Barrable and Doherty (who retains the lead of the series – three points ahead of Sam Moffett) completed the top five.
