2 October 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Keith Cronin & Mike Galvin in a Citroen DS3 R5 lead the AceSigns Cork 20 International Rally after the opening day’s eight stages by just 8.5 seconds from a hard charging Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson in a Fiesta R5. Newly crowned national champions Roy White & James O’Brien in a Fiesta WRC are a further 4.8 seconds back and very much in the hunt.
While the day was dry and bright, overnight rain had made the roads very slippery in places and this was reflected by some high profile retirements. Alastair Fisher & Gordon Noble led after three stages but went off the road on the fourth test, and others to fall by the wayside included David Guest, Jason McSweeney, Eugene Meegan & Owen Murphy.
Brian Brogan & Damien McGettigan lead the National Rally after Meegans retirement but are being pushed hard by Tommy Doyle & Liam Moynihan in a Renault Clio. Donal O’Brien & Liam Brennan are currently in third place in their Escort MK2. The Historic Rally is currently being led by Frank Cunningham & Ross Forde in an Escort MK2 by thirty seconds from James O’Mahony & Kerrie Barry in a similar car.
The rally restarts in the morning at 10am with six more stages scheduled between Fermoy and Mallow. The first car is due back at the finish ramp at approximately 4:15 pm on Sunday evening.
