With an overnight lead of 2.9 seconds in the Skoda WRC it was felt that Donnelly- with his superior local knowledge-would be able to pull away from Focus WRC of Mc Hale. But the Dubliner had other ideas, and he got back into the lead when he beat Donnelly by a massive 11.7 seconds on Stage 9-deep inside Donnelly territory. As expected Donnelly responded with a string of fastest times, wringing the absolute maximum from the little Czech machine. At the end of the penultimate stage –thirteen- Mc Hale’s lead was reduced to a mere half second and the rally would hinge on the final stage. On the eight mile stage just outside Maghera, Donnelly had a clear run to clinch his third Ulster rally victory. An overshoot cost Mc Hale 14 seconds and the rally win but he did finish runner up.
And while Donnelly extends his championship lead, Mc Hale still has a chance of winning his first ever Tarmac championship, provided he wins the final round on the Cork 20 and Donnelly is lower than seventh. There is a 50% points bonus in the Cork20.
Alastair Fisher had another productive weekend. He drove his Mitsubishi Evo 9 very well to finish third, which moves the Kesh driver up to third in the I.T.C. and extends his lead in the Group N championship. Alan Carmichael and Jer O Donovan finished second and third in group N ensuring this category also goes down to the wire in the Cork 20.
Other class winners include Andrew Stewart (205), Daragh O’ Riordan (Clio), Tommy Doyle (Clio) and Craig Breen (Fiesta). Breen secured enough points to clinch the Irish and UK Fiesta ST Rally Championship.
The Ulster was also a counting round of the British Rally Championship, where Mark Higgins extended his lead after Keith Cronin crashed out of the lead on Friday evening.
Austin Shinnors.
