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Round 3 2008 Cavan Stages
McGOWAN SHOWS THE WAY IN CAVAN
As predicted before the start, the Hotel Kilmore Cavan stages rally would be the toughest event so far for the eleven challenge crews entered. Warm weather, fast bumpy stages and high expectations took there toll right from the start.
The first stage would claim DJ Browne/ Torloc O Reilly, on one of the numerous bumpy corners the little 205 would fly too far and in the process remove a front wheel resulting in immediate retirement. A huge blow to Brownes challenge title bid following his great showing on the previous round. Also in championship trouble are the McGuaran brothers from Enniskillen, Damien and Thomas retiring on stage 1 with engine failure adding another duck on to their score. Fastest through the 9 mile test was Shane Burns/ Shaun Balfe recording a time 20 seconds faster than Ulton McGowan/ Niall Byrne with Andy Slattery/ Shaun Forde just two seconds further back. Next came Aidan Cooney/ Paddy mc Donagh a full 26 seconds down with Barry Mahon/ Mark Feely 5 seconds behind, debuting a newly built car following their huge car wrecking shunt on round two. Kenny and David English, Sean Sharkey/ Bernard mc Sweeney and Richard Guerin/ Antoney Linnane all came next separated by just one second each but nearly a minute off the top pace. Bring up the rear on their first event was Joe and Ronnie Ward but loving every moment of the action.
Stage two saw local man Sharkey fastest from Burns by one second, 11 seconds further back was McGowan with Cooney 5 seconds down. Slattery was puzzled by his pace a further 5 seconds behind Cooney. Guerin got past English on this stage, 11 seconds quicker with Ward learning the ropes on his baptism of fire start.
Sharkey went fastest again on stage three, 7 seconds better than McGowan with Cooney right on his tail a second down. Slattery was 4 second of this group with Guerin continuing to pull away from English who was showing some contact with the scenery on the front left corner. Also off was early leader Burns out with a burst radiator. Ward was coming to terms with rallying now and was closer to the pace on this stage.
At this point, Sharkey lead by 9 seconds from McGowan with Cooney third 12 seconds down. After first service Sharkey again came out fighting, taking 21 seconds from Cooney with Mahon 3 seconds back and McGowan 18 seconds further down. Slattery would leave the road in here losing over 4 minutes. Mahon reported to be in steering rack trouble which would explain his lackluster pace and restrict his progress for the rest of the day.
Stage five and McGowan moved to the top of the leader board after Sharkey through it all away with a lurid overshoot at a junction causing him to drop 53 seconds. Cooney kept up the chase for the lead with a good time. Guerin pulled out more time on English with Mahon struggling on as was Slattery who was losing minutes trying to get through the stages to service and replace his burst radiator.
Stage six saw McGowan set his second fastest time of the day and stretch his lead out to 30 seconds over Cooney in second place. Sharkey was back in third place now, 40 seconds further back. It was this threesome on their own now as Mahon was nearly 1 minute 30 seconds away in fourth.
After second service which was badly needed by some crews, McGowan and Cooney went at it hard, Cooney just 2 seconds slower over the nine miles. Sharkey could not find the speed to stay with this pace and dropped further back. Slattery, Mahon and English battled hard, all separated by just 7 seconds. Guerin lost his place in here being too cautious after a hairy moment in the previous stage. This was also the last stage for Joe Ward who retired at the start of stage eight when the broken exhaust melted the plastic fuel tank.
Stage eight settled the fight when McGowan hammered through the stage 31 seconds faster than Cooney who was suffering tyre wear. Slattery was closer to the pace but Sharkey wasn’t losing 40 seconds and any chance of catching Cooney for second place when his car developed a misfire.
The final stage caused no drama for any of the crews, McGowan again fastest with Slattery, Cooney and Mahon only a few seconds apart. Sharkey managed to hold his place despite his worsen problems. English kept up his pace to beat Guerin again and record another clean sheet and points on the board.
The final position show Ulton mcGowan the first challenge driver home 1 minute 36 seconds clear of Aidan Cooney in second who was delighted to score his first finish. Local man Sean Sharkey came home third 1 minute 13 seconds behind, happy but ruing what might have been. Kenny English finished fourth, his best result so far with Barry Mahon fifth after a great effort to get his car built and running for this event. Richard Guerin took sixth on his second ever rally with Andy Slattery taking seventh place after a character building day full of trouble caused by a bit of shiny tar.
So ended a brilliant day on some of the toughest stages in the country and a new look to the points board heading in to the second have of the season. Many thanks to all of the organizers and marshals of the Cavan motor club for the day.
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