Barry/Brady take Germaines

Daniel Barry and Martin Brady took a commanding victory on the Germaines of Baltinglass Mini Stages Rally held at the weekend. The success marks Barry's first overall rally victory, and caps an ultra sucessful year for the Enniskerry man, as he has already won the 2009 UK Mitsubishi Challenge and taken third place in the British Gravel Rally Championship. For Brady, it marks his second victory in row on the Garda Síochána Motor Club-organised event, having also partnered 2008 winner, Kevin Kelleher.

Barry took the fastest time on the first two stages, to lead by 43 seconds at the halfway point. The two tests at Sorrel Hill and Grangecon had been very wet and mucky, and the leader chose to fit full wet tyres at the Service in Baltinglass prior to the second loop over the same stages. However, the roads dried out considerably in the meantime and Barry had to give best to Trevor Mulligan on stage three, while Mark Courtney was faster on stage four. Nevertheless, Barry had done enough to claim victory by 37 seconds.

Mulligan and co-driver, Martin Byrne (Ford Escort RS) came out on top in a very close batte for second place, finishing the event just three seconds ahead of Mark and Mick Courtney (Toyota Celica GT-Four).

Paul Kiely and Pat McSharry (Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) took fourth, while Terence O'Shaughnessy and Eugene McGrath (Toyota Corolla Coupe) eventually came home in fifth place, having lost ground earlier when they made a wrong tyre choice for the early loop of stages.

Germaine's of Baltinglass GSMC Mini Stages Rally 2009 Results
1: Daniel Barry/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 37m 16s;
2: Trevor Mulligan/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort RS 2.5) 37m 53s;
3: Mark Courtney/Mick Courtney (Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205) 37m 56s;
4: Paul Kiely/Pat McSharry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 38m 07s;
5: Terence O'Shaughnessy/Eugene McGrath (Toyota Corolla Coupe) 38m 48s;
6: Adrian Quinn/Alister Wylie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 39m 08s.

Padraig Reddington.

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