Shane Burns co driven by Sean Balfe came home winners of the Abbey Hotel Midlands stages rally held in Roscommon town. Round two of the Irish 205 Challenge proved to be a difficult day for the eleven drivers that took to the start on a sunny but very changeable day in the Midlands.
Fastest out of the blocks on the first stage was Ulton McGowan/ Niall Burns who went quickest by 2 seconds from Andrew Slattery/ Shaun Forde. Next up was Dj Browne/ Torloc O Reilly 4 seconds further back with a small gap to Sean Sharkey/ Dessie Sharkey, Shane Burns and Aidan Cooney/ Paddy Mc Donagh all separated by just 3 seconds. All looked good at this point with the top eight drivers covered by 20 seconds. Stage two saw the eventually winner Burns fastest from Browne by 8 seconds who now led by 1 second overall after early leader McGowan was given a suspect time 40 seconds slower than he recorded which would prove costly at the end of the day. First to hit trouble were Kenny and David English who hit the front corner of their car resulting in a electrical problem. Also in mechanical difficulties was Slattery who broke his gear linkage dropping a minute to the leader.
Stage three was run after service and Slattery went fastest by 4 seconds from McGowan with Browne a further 5 seconds down. Equal third fastest was Burns and Norman Dunne/ Bernard Mc Sweeney. Cooney would visit a ditch in here for 4 minutes but the biggest loss was round one winners Barry Mahon/ Mark Feely who rolled out near the end of stage three. Reports have it the car rolled at least five times at a very fast place.
Stage four saw Slattery quickest again as he tried to regain lost ground. Browne was second quickest with Cooney, Dunne, Burns and McGowan all just a second apart. Stage five was cancelled for the crews who had one stage left before service. At this point Browne led by 9 seconds from Burns with Dunne third a further 24 seconds back and McGowan and Slattery separated by 5 seconds in fourth and fifth.
Stage six would see Burns fastest from Sharkey but worse would come when Dunne had a huge accident at the same corner that claimed Mahon earlier. Both crew would suffer injuries and be removed to hospital but thankfully will make a full recovery. We wish them well. Browne was next on the scene and would lose over 30 seconds and his lead checking on his friends. Slattery punctured at the start of the stage and dropped 4 minutes.
With a somber mood in all camps following Dunnes accident , the remaining crews set off for the last two stages. McGowan went quickest by 2 seconds from Browne with Slattery, Burns and Sharkey separated by another 5 seconds. Browne reduced the gap even more to Burns on the last stage by a huge margin of 16 seconds but it was to no avail as Burns hung on to win his first challenge event by 5 seconds. Slattery and McGowan eased off on the stage and dropped a little time but no places.
The others crews taking part that also finished included Damien and Thomas McGuaran who made sure of a finish this time having rolled out at the start of round 1, got fifth place points after a steady drive in their rebuilt 205. New boys to the challenge on this event were Cork pair Richard Guerin co driven by Antoney Linnane who put in a very good drive despite this being their very first event ever and an ill handling car to come home in seventh place. Taking the final championship points in eight place were Kenny and David English who lost so much time earlier in the event with their off road excursion.
FINAL RESULTS.
1st Shane Burns 1.19:37
2nd DJ Browne 1.19:42
3rd Ulton McGowan 1.20:15
4th Sean Sharkey 1.20:58
5th Damien McGuaran 1.22:38
6th Andy Slattery 1.24:04
7th Richard Guerin 1.27:47
8th Kenny English 1.34:47
Irish 205 Challenge wish to thank the Midland motor club and all its marshals and organizers for a great rally.
Thanks also to the Challenge sponsors
RGR
MARTISPORT
ABR SIGNS
KUMHO TYRES
EARS MOTORSPORT
