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2009 Mayo Stages Rally
SLATTERY SUPERB IN MAYO
Round 1 of the 2009 Irish 205 Challenge got underway from the TF Royal hotel in Castlebar on Sunday with seven drivers setting off to battle to become this year’s challenge champion.
This year sees the I205C proudly sponsored by www.serviceclub.ie, Slatterys of Puckane Total quartz lubricants, Blaklader workwear and Kumho tyres. All the cars heading off to stage one looking great in their new colour schemes would be disappointed as heavy hailstorms battered the Sheffrey Mountains causing the stage to be cancelled.
Stage two would see battle commence over ten miles and Andy Slattery/ Donal Lynch would be the first driver through setting the fastest time, 8 seconds up on Noel Smith/ Dara Lyttle. Next came Norman Dunne/ Eoin O Flattery 21 seconds down and just 6 seconds ahead of Kenny English/ Joseph Bannerton. The biggest surprise was the amount of time the reigning challenge champion Ulton McGowan/ Kerrill Waters and strong favorite Aidan Cooney/ Andy Heekin would drop to the leaders in here. Both recording times almost a minute behind. The first casualty would be Joe and Ronnie Ward who would leave the road and roll down a small ravine. Thankfully both crew members are ok but they same cannot be said for their 205 gti.
Stage three was a twelve miler, fast and flowing stage that suits the challenge cars and again Slattery showed a clean pair of heals to his rivals, putting another 8 seconds on his lead. Smith was second fastest showing great speed on his first challenge event. Cooney picked up the pace but was still 30 seconds slower than the leader. Next came McGowan with English and Dunne held up by a slower car on the stage.
Stage four was a repeat of stage one but again the stage was canned before the I205C drivers could start so on to stage 5, a repeat of stage 2, and Slattery continued to set fastest time but only by one second from Smith who had now found the pace needed to run at the front in what is arguably Irelands most competitive one make championship. Dunne went third quickest followed by Cooney, English and McGowan. Overall positions at this point showed Slattery leading by 17 seconds from Smith, Dunne was third 4 seconds up on Cooney but almost two minutes down on the leaders. Next came English just 2 seconds ahead of McGowan.
Slattery continued to dominate the times, fastest again on stage six and now under no pressure as Smith, his closest challenger crashed out of second place on the stage. Dunne was second fastest just 3 seconds up on Cooney. English was now up to third place overall, his best result in the challenge to date and a lackluster McGowan was struggling with problems all day and just could not get feeling with the car.
On stage seven Cooney hit trouble dropping over two minutes to the leaders and fell behind Dunne and English to fourth overall. With large gaps now between all the crews, no one was under too much pressure and all held station until the end. Slattery took a clean sweep of fastest times on stage seven and eight.
Back in Castlebar the celebrations began as Slattery took the podium for his first ever I205C win. Fastest on all the stages in very tough conditions was a great achievement for the service manager from Co. Tipperary. Dunne finished second and also produce a very competent display as did English in taking third place. Cooney will be disappointed with fourth and McGowan will have to dig deep on the next round to challenge the leaders after his worst ever I205C result.
The next round of the championship takes the drivers to Rooskey for the Midland stages rally on April 5th.
The Irish 205 challenge wish to thank the Mayo and district motor club and all their marshals for a great event.
The Irish 205 challenge is proud to be sponsored by,
www.serviceclub.ie
Slatterys of Puckane, Peugeot and Subaru dealerships
Total quartz lubricants
Blaklader workwear
Kumho tyres
Ears motorsport
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