The Hotel Kilmore Cavan stages rally, round three of the Peugeot Service Club Irish 205 Challenge produced the much anticipated fight for honors mixed with drama and despair on every stage. Kenneth English co driven by Joe Bannerton took their second win in a row in brilliant fashion. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the dry sunny day that greeted the five teams contesting the event after a week of heavy rain.
First over the start ramp was joint championship leader Andrew Slattery/ Donal Lynch followed by local crew Noel Smith/ Dara Lyttle. A short service took place before stage one and all the drivers chose to run a slick Kumho tyre for the first loop of three stages totaling 26 miles.
Fastest through the first stage Loughduff, at eleven miles the longest of the rally, was joint championship leader Kenny English despite a spin caused by the leading cars cutting the edges of the road and dragging mud out. Next came Slattery 8 seconds down followed by a very despondent Smith who was worried about the power output of his new engine. Damien and Thomas McGauran came next, happy to have finished a stage without any troubles for a change. Norman Dunne co driven by Eoin O Flattery completed the stage in their rebuilt car following their tumble on the previous round but all was not well with the handling which reduced their pace for the remainder of the day.
Slattery picked up the pace through the second stage Kilcogey at just under nine miles taking 9 seconds from English to lead by the smallest of margins. Smith was a second quicker than English and was really having to make the most of his local knowledge to stay with the leaders. McGauran remained fourth with Dunne soldiering on in fifth. Stage three at Poles was the shortest at six miles and Slattery and Smith could not be separated setting the exact same time. McGauran was third fastest just ahead of English who spun on the stage with Dunne also losing time with an overshoot.
Back at the service area the leader board showed Slattery leading Smith by 19 seconds with English a further 17 seconds adrift with McGauran and Dunne fourth and fifth respectfully. The second loop of the same stages saw Slattery fastest on stage four, 2 seconds up on English who reduced the gap to second placed man Smith by 11 seconds. Smiths engine problem worsened on stage five allowing English move ahead but he still dropped further behind the flying Slattery who went fastest again by 14 seconds to lead overall by 35 seconds. But just as this sport can leave you breathless with excitement it can also be the cruelest and so it was for Slattery. Trading his stage times with the challenge organiser Martin Brady between stages five and six his car refused to restart and they were out. Further investigation revealed a damaged sump which blocked the oil pick up pipe causing the engine to seize, most likely caused by the many jumps on the previous stage. English now knew he was leading and set the fastest time on stage six by 3 seconds from Smith.
Following the last service English started the last loop with a lead of 9 seconds over Smith with McGauran and Dunne in third and fourth but too far behind to threaten. Smith sensed victory and hammered through Loughduff to reduce the lead to 3 seconds. English tried to respond on stage eight but his brakes wilted under the strain, dropping 28 seconds and the lead to Smith who was awesome through his home stage. With the battle seemly over lady luck would again show her hand. Smith was denied his first win when he burst a brake pipe with only a few mile of the last stage remaining dropping 44 seconds to English who took the win by 16 seconds. McGauran was delighted to take third place and finish all the stages after a miserable run of luck with Dunne disappointed with his day but showing great resolve to bring the car to the finish in fourth.
And so ended a day of high drama with Kenny English taking his second victory in a row to increase his championship lead and take home the Peugeot Service Club prize money.
Small consolation for Smith is the fact he now holds a solid position in the points as dropped scores come in to play. Slattery too goes home with a very handy 150 euro parts voucher from Slatterys of Puckane which will help repair the engine for round four the ALMC stages in six weeks time.
Final Results:
Kenny English 1.28.26
Noel Smith 1.28.42
Damien McGauran 1.30.55
Norman Dunne 1.43.05
The Peugeot Service Club Irish 205 Challenge wish to thank the Co Cavan Motor Club for an excellent 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
