Paul is pictured above with Liam Brennan powering their way to the win. (Picture by Ger Leahy).
Fellow Escorteers David Dunne and Alan Cummins joined Fitzgerald on the podium while junior drivers Douglas Stewart and Michael Walsh put in stunning times to finish 4th and 5th respectively.
Other drivers to join them in the top ten included Sean Benskin, Dean Raftery, Joe Shinnors, Alan Keena and Cal Mc Carthy. In all, four juniors filled top ten positions and the finishing order was very close with less than a minute covering third to ninth positions. Once again Craig Breen was racing in the Moonraker finishing 5th overall in his Fiesta R2. The Waterford ace was using the rally as a build up for his tilt at the WRC Academy, and is not registered for the Valvoline series.
Fitzgerald now has a 19 point lead after three rounds of the Valvoline Championship. This is no surprise as the Corkman has driven well all season, and has two wins and a fourth to his credit.
Cynics of junior rallying may be surprised that second and fifth places are occupied by Douglas Stewart and Derek Butler, but their stage times speak for themselves. However, the juniors may be targeted by the more powerful Escorts and Starlets in the latter half of the season. With four scores to count out of a six round championship, it is all to play for.
The next instalment of this exciting championship is the Donegal Forest rally on Saturday July 23, followed by the Cork Forestry rally on Saturday August 13 and the Down rally on Saturday October 22nd.
TOP 10 Moonraker Rally 2WD
1. Paul Fitzgerald/Liam Brennan Escort (Class3) 39:40
2. David Dunne/Mike Furey Escort (Class 5) 41:45
3. Alan Cummins/James Cummins Escort (Class 4) 43:04
4. Douglas Stewart/Billy Ryan (206) (Class9) 43:10
5 Michael Walsh/John Walsh Escort (Class9) 43:25
6. Sean Benskin/Joe Fitzgibbon Escort (Class4) 43:38
7. Dean Raftery/Enda Holman Civic (Class9) 43:45
8. Joe Shinnors/Derry Healy Nova (Class1) 43:47
9. Alan Keena/Stephen O’Hanlon Civic (Class9) 43:58
10. Cal Mc Carthy/Eamon Dullea Civic (Class 9) 44:20
Top Ten in Valvoline Championship 2WD
Paul Fitzgerald 58, Douglas Stewart 39, Shane Mc Girr 38,
Mick Cuddihy 37, Derek Butler 33, Shay Power 32,
Alan Cummins 30, James Coleman 29, Sean Benskin 28, Liam Kelleher 24.
